Friday, May 8, 2009

Shadow Shot Sunday 13 - Reforma, Mexico City


Reforma, the main street through the heart of Mexico City, is an outdoor art gallery, and a very popular temporary exhibition of chair sculptures seems to have become permanent. This particular chair is probably the most popular as far as posing for photographs is concerned, whether you are locals...

or tourists just on a temporary visit...

People on average have their photos taken on this seat every thirty seconds, and it is the kind of sculpture that invites and provokes interaction, fun, drama, and amusement. I sat here for half an hour peoplewatching, chatting, taking people's photos on request. Everyone gets roped in without exception...


These photos were taken at the height of the Swine flu crisis here in Mexico, so the Police Officer is masked up like the majority of the population at this time in the city, but the final photo is hopefully a new sign of the times. Can you identify the object left on the seat??

Yes, indeed, it is a forgotten and discarded face mask! Hooray as I am sick of the sight of them!! I do, however, love interactive works of art, and my absolute favourite outside of Mexico is definitely Anish Kapoor's wonderful reflective sculpture called "Cloudgate" more commonly known as "The Bean" located in the heart of another fantastic city, Chicago. Which is your favourite public work of art which always causes a bit of a stir??

For more shadow shots around the world this week click here for Hey Harriet............

30 comments:

Martha Z said...

I agree, a wonderful work of art and a great place to people watch.
Oh, and good shadow, too.

Anonymous said...

Great sculpture and shadows - good to see people using it.

That is the chicken said...

I love fun benches...we have one that is painted like three cows sitting in a row and you sit on the cows laps to get your photo taken. Cool shadows too!

Martha said...

Awesome work of art and perfect shadow shots! Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
Another Martha :-)

Sylvia K said...

That is fabulous! I, too, love benches, but have never seen one like that and what a marvelous shadow shot! Thanks so much for sharing, Catherine! Have a great day!

Hey Harriet said...

Great sculpture! I love the pieces that engage people to interact with them the best. And what a super shadow it casts! That photo with the discarded face mask is wonderful. So glad that things are returning to normal. Enjoy the rest of your weekend :)

MonikaRose said...

Hello, thank you for dropping by, interesting shadow/sculpture/seat. Great shots, what an experience to be in another country, I have only ever lived in Australia, since my parents and I came in 1980. Anyways, happy travels and have a great day :)
MonikaORse

GalleryJuana said...

This is a really cool sculpture. I love it when they are not off limits too.

I read your posts about the situation in Mexico City this past week. Very interesting read.

The Summer Kitchen Girls said...

What a cool sculpture - wow....didn't realize that it was that big - how awesome!

ms toast burner said...

Now, that is the coolest bench that I've even seen!

Anonymous said...

As the first photo popped up, i thought, "what on earth?". Never guessed it could be a bench! Really cool.

thanks for dropping by the blog. have a nice day!

A Cuban In London said...

Oh, wow! I will keep that first photo forever! Magnificently taken. Many thanks.

Greetings from London.

Sarah said...

Hi!
You are indeed a long way from Eltham! I drive through it a lot on my way to the Environmental Centre for courses.
I love your photos this week-that bench is great!
I love the Angel of the north and I also loved his sculptures just standing around near the Hayward gallery in London-on top of buildings and around that area-it was great. I think they should have left those there indefinitely.
Glad the swine flu panic calmimg down a bit.

Catherine said...

Hi Sarah...the title of your blog circle of rain may be one reason why i am currently living in Mexico haha.. I love Gormley's work too and remember all those figures posted around the Hayward...there was also that great fountain room on the South Bank which caused a lot of fun...

CJ said...

Interesting bench. Great shadows.

Cecile/DreamCreateRepeat said...

I think this is one of my favorite shadow shots ever!

I'm glad your beloved city is getting back to normal!

BTW, the US-farming company that may be at the center of this storm (and certainly deserves to have its waste management practices condemned) is getting "good" press here in DC. I hope the citizens who live near the "farm" (plant?!) get some relief soon from the horrid conditions they have been forced to endure....

PJ said...

This palm chair is interesting, it looked so small in the first photo but it's quite large. Happy SSS!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Cool chair. Cool shadow shot! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Best,
Paz

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Oh, my gosh! What a wonderful bench and shadow!! How I wish we had public art like that here in our town!
Too cool a shot!

Brandi said...

That bench is such a fun sight! What great shadow shots! Thanks for sharing!!

Catherine said...

Hi everyone,,, Thanks so much for all your lovely appreciative comments this week...loved reading them.......

Owen said...

Hi Catherine, your invitation to look at the doll place in Mexico City led me to videos on YouTube about it, and then yesterday we went to a Jumble Sale, and there were oddly enough, lots of old dolls laying around... there is doll magic in the air... I posted a few of the photos from the jumble sale. Would love to get to Mexico for a Day of the Dead celebration. Am going to do a post tonight about a Mexican photographer I admire alot, Graciela Iturbide, she has done incredibly beautiful photos about the Day of the Dead... are you familiar with her work ?

Cindy said...

Great post and shadow shot!

Ruth said...

You take wonderful shadow pictures. I like the hand bench but I think my favorite is the deck of cards.

DeniseinVA said...

Great set of photos, wonderful sculpture. I liked in the last one how the young girl's curiosity had made her turn to see what you were taking a photograph of.

Gina said...

Just love the seat..and wonderful shadows!! thanks for sharing :)

Leanne said...

What a great seat.

Jen Laceda | Milk Guides said...

I love these shadow shots!

Catherine, sorry I was MIA for the last few days, as our riad in Marrakech didn't have wifi. Anyway, Essaouira's Gnoua Music Festival is June 23-29 this year! Wish I could be there.

Catherine said...

Thanks Jen for the dates... i would love to go to that festival but will have to wait until I am back based in Europe... enjoy the rest of your trip in Morrocco..

Catherine said...

Hi Gina, Leanne, Denise, Wildeve, Bor, Owen...thanks for all the appreciative comments..thia has proved to be one popular bench!!