That patron was absolutely correct. It's not well-designed seating for adults. But kids really like it. They like to sit next to the bronze boy and girl, to make up stories about what they're reading, to pat their bronze heads. They say bye-bye to the bronze children as they leave the library. One little boy was observed giving the bronze girl a kiss on the cheek.
So we like the bench and statue, even though it's not a comfortable place for grownups to sit. I told the unhappy patron that we didn't spend any money on it; it was a donation from a very generous patron, who prefers to remain anonymous. The artist is Max Turner.
Our family and my little ones love it! And it's so wonderful that a patron supplied that for us all. Having art in public places (even the things I don't personally like) is a great reminder to appreciate beauty in the world around us.
ReplyDeleteThe bronze kids in front of the Rec Center are lovely, too, and I think by the same artist. :-)
Thanks for your post, Cathy. The sculpture has become an integral part of the library. It's the first thing most little kids see when they come to the library and it's great fun to watch them "interact" with the "Kids."
ReplyDeleteMy two daughters also love the kids on the bench. They run to it immediately upon entering the library. And when we leave, they sit there on the bench waiting for me to check our books out. Everyone has a different perspective on things, and the library definitely can see things through the eyes of children. Thank you!
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