Ch Ch Ch Changes

Count the Changes, Krutch Park, Knoxville, October 2010

I took a little walk around downtown this afternoon to see what was going on. As always, the answer is plenty. The picture above contains subtle and not-so-subtle notices that change is afoot.

One of the first things that I noticed, and it's contained in that picture, were ribbons all along Gay Street on every light post and liberally hung on any available surface to which they might be tied. I don't know if I missed a parade or a patriotic event, but there were five ribbons in each bunch and they were inscribed with "Together we Stand" on one and the various branches of the military - including the National Guard - on each of the others. There must be a hundred or more running the length of the street. Do any readers know the story? Here are a couple more pictures of the ribbons along the street.

Arcade Building with Ribbon, Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

Ribbon close-up looking north on Gay Street, Knoxville, October 2010

Also in the picture at the top, if you look just behind the sculptures on the ground is a long piece of plywood where the fountain used to be. I suppose the covers mark the end of fountain season. I know it is too cold for children to play in them like they did all summer, but I'll miss them until spring.

The other news in the photograph might not be obvious to anyone who has not followed the Dogwood Arts Sculpture project, which I've previously discussed here, here and here. I had begun to wonder if someone forgot to gather the art that was scheduled to be downtown until - I thought - the end of September. It may have been October, because, as the month ends, the sculptures are on the move.

The one on the left in the picture has been mentioned here before and was originally located beside the convention center. It is titled "Sailors Warning" - yes, without the apostrophe. Why is it now on Gay Street? Does this mean we are keeping it, but in a new location? It is crowding Flow Mojo, also in that picture. I'm hoping Flow Mojo stays, but it deserves its own space.

Entrance to Krutch Park - without "Trinity" sculpture, Knoxville, October 2010

This sent me searching Krutch Park for other sculptures. "Trinity" was gone! I thought this one had the best chance of staying. I'm disappointed. The entrance to Krutch Park definitely looks like something is missing. Also absent was "Snowflake," and "Storyteller." The later is a real disappointment. I really thought it had found a home. Still, we enjoyed these and many others for months and they enriched us. I appreciate the Dogwood Arts Festival and Arts in Public Spaces for letting us borrow them. Still, I would like to see more great permanent installations around the city.