Columbia, South Carolina, USA

Artists, like geographers, are adept at exploiting scale. What you are looking at may be the world's largest fireplug, deliberately scaled up to outsize the one in Beaumont, Texas. By the way, the Jersey barriers are part of the sculpture. [2016]

Beaumont, Texas, USA

What breed? A Dalmatian, of course: announcing the importance of Beaumont's fire fighting museum. The outsized sculpture goes back to a time when Dalmatians were all over the cinematic arts world. Was this fire hydrant donated to Beaumont by Walt Disney in 1989, 1999, or 2009? Yes, this is a test of your knowledge of movie history. [2022]

Jeffersonville, Indiana, USA

If steam could power trains, it could power boats as well. It could turn the paddlewheels and keep the Ohio River humming with activity, particularly as it flowed by Louisville and its cross-river neighbor, Jeffersonville. "Jeff" for short, at least recently. In the past, we used to call it "J-ville." [2022]

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

In posh Annapolis, goofy-looking chicken sculptures are completely unexpected. Maybe that is why they have been so popular. It seems their creator was inspired by an inane public debate over whether people would be allowed to raise chickens in their back yards. It went on for over a year. So, which came first, the chicken or the egg? [2018]

Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Thing 1 you should know about Dr. Seuss is that he recognized Seuss rhymes with Goose (as in Mother) and therefore embraced the pronunciation as a marketing tool. Thing 2 you should know about Dr. Seuss is that he wrote The Cat in the Hat in response to a report that Dick and Jane were just not interesting enough to keep kids' attention. [2022] 

Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Dr. Seuss and his most famous creation have been made a permanent part of the cultural landscape in Springfield, the town where he was born and grew up. “Now! Now! Have no fear. Have no fear!” said the cat. “My tricks are not bad,” said the Cat in the Hat. [2022]

Springfield, Massachusetts, USA

Since it's July, Mr. Grinch should look happier than that. Christmas is half a year away, and there seems to be not a single Who around to worry about. As for Max, he doesn't look like he is worried at all. [2022]

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Here is some art in the heart of Minneapolis:

In Indiana, it's not. In Minnesota, it is.

By Indiana, it is. But unique, it's not.

[2021]

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Here is some art in the heart of Minneapolis:

If you do not not climb and do not touch,

the cock on top will thank you very much.

If you choose to climb and choose to touch,

the cock on top will make you need a crutch.

[2021]

Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Here is some art in the heart of Minneapolis:

A bridge to a cherry too far, 

A catapult spoon that makes passers-by swoon

And imagine cerises by Renoir.

[2021]

Burlington, Vermont, USA

In the context of the 1990s: Democracy was a jigsaw puzzle with some new pieces in Eastern Europe, but we had faith that the pieces would eventually fit together seamlessly. In the context of the 2020s: Democracy is still a jigsaw puzzle, but many countries are struggling to keep the pieces from falling apart. That would include the United States. [1995]

New Bern, North Carolina, USA

Whether we are talking about sculpture, murals, or the Google Chrome home page, tessellations seem to be in favor right now. What's that say about society? Stay within the lines. Nothing should be blurred. Boundaries should be sharp. Voices should be bold. Meeting points should be many. Harmony should triumph despite differences. [2021]

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA

Whether you consider it litter or glitter, the red plastic Solo cup has found a secure niche in celebratory culture everywhere. Yet, it comes as a shock when you see something so ordinary and unappreciated glorified in public art. Solo suggests one use, and it was originally applied to its paper predecessors. [2021]

New York, New York, USA

Anchor Cities of Megalopolis: New York. It's recognized as a "jacks of all trades" around the world. Get it? If Megalopolis had a capital, New York would be it. Why? Because it's the city all other cities look up to. Only London is on par. To you, NYC sends hugs (O) and kisses (X). Again, get it? [2022]

Orange, Texas, USA

Concrete oranges, all painted by local artists, dot the landscape of Orange, Texas. They recall the city and county of Orange and the acres of orange groves that contributed to the area's economic base before the citrus industry shifted further south. This one greets visitors to the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, which is now a museum. [2022]

Steele, North Dakota, USA

Say hello to Sandy, world's largest sandhill crane. She may be the world's oldest, too, since she just reached her majority. Let's hope she's still of reproductive age since those houses on the horizon look like habitat destroyers on the move. The leading cause of species loss is habitat destruction, both here and everywhere. [2021]

Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, USA

Life creates. We re-create. We know the first flight happened exactly this way because we have a photograph of it (below). It was the first re-creation of an event that changed the world. The sculpture above is one of the most recent re-creations. Orville is seen piloting, and Wilbur is seen running behind. The Wright Brothers made it happen on this day in 1903. [2021]

Rhyolite, Nevada, USA

Imaginary friends:

   Treat us so nice,

   Give us advice,

   Keep wise words concise.

   Require no sacrifice.

Imaginary friends:

   In our minds must they stay,

   Or, at least far away.

   Lest our real friends do say

   "Don't be cray-cray!"

[2016]

New London, Connecticut, USA

What were the largest whaling ports in the country in the mid-19th century? New Bedford, Nantucket, and New London, ranked by number of voyages. That's why you see one whale after another (or just their tails) all over New London. Today, the ships on the waterfront are likely to be ferries: to Long Island, to Block Island, and to Fishers Island. [2021]

Hamilton, New Jersey, USA

Odds and Evens, Ones and Twos, Singles and Doubles, Which one be You? Here's a couple coupling (sort of!). The setting: the Grounds for Sculpture at the entrance to the Hamilton Transit Station, right where thousands can see and enjoy them daily. [2018]