Did I say ‘People’ would be the subject of this post? Well, it’s not, it’s Art. That’s right, it’s my website; I owwwwnnnn this domain name, and until I come up with something more ridiculously hard to spell and pronouce and move it all over there, this is where I decide what to post about next. Ahh, the joys of being a tiny dictator. NOW YOU WILL VIEW THE PHOTOS OF THE ART.
First up, the Fair’s most iconic sculpture, the Butter Cow:
Every year a full-size cow is sculpted entirely out of butter and put on display in the Agriculture building, along with another large sculpture of varying theme. Last year there was quite the kerfluffle over a proposed Michael Jackson sculpture- people were virulently opposed to it and some considered boycotting the fair if it was displayed, though the initial inspiration came from a pun celebrating the anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s…wait for it…moon walk.
This year’s theme was less controversial, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’ ‘Green Eggs and Ham’.
Here we see a Fox in a Box…
And here, a Mouse in a House. Keep in mind, everything seen is sculpted by hand out of Iowan butter. Though they do recycle it, that’s a hell of a lot of butter.
Over at the Cultural Center, I visited the ‘Art Attack’ (no joke, that’s what it’s called on the map). Two floors full of Iowan arts and handicrafts, including a large room devoted to woodcarving and dollhouses:
Crossing through an open hallway to the fine arts room, I passed stands selling loomed weaving, barbwire sculptures, and tie-dyed shirts:
In the open space on the first floor a giant sand sculpture was in process:
Wouldn’t you know it, I come hundreds of miles to America’s Heartland™ and what do I find in the Scrapbook section but hipsters?
In case it’s hard to see, that’s a 7-foot tall guy in a teal t-shirt with bleach-blonde mullet, a guy on the left with handlebar moustache wearing a faded Purple Rain shirt and cutoff jean shorts, a girl with henna-red hair wearing some sort of gold lamè breastplate, and a normal Iowan woman holding a beer looking at me funny. Remember that part in ‘Fight Club’ where Ed Norton says of Marla, “Marla… the big tourist. Her lie reflected my lie. Suddenly, I felt nothing”? Well I was gonna have a field day mocking all the art but they had to go and ruin it for me. Way to go, guys.
Actually, I’m glad people took the time and energy to share their handiwork. Even if it’s not at the highest level of artistic ability, they succeeded in sharing what was important to them with thousands of people. Sure, I can scoff at them, but was I not entertained and engaged? Did their work not speak to me on some level that I thought to capture it for posterity? Being fortunate enough to know many talented people and live in a place that draws even more talent to it from places like Iowa, my bar is raised rather high. Anyway, here’s some art:
His stare will haunt you.
Hauuuuuunt youuuuuuuu.
This picture really pissed me off on some level. Why would a FROG need to ride a FISH, and why would his head need to be above…you know what? Forget it. Just forget it.
Beiber Fever has reached the Midwest; soon the epidemic will destroy the country.
Dear lord, don’t let Kirby be dead. If I’m making fun of someone’s scrapbook tribute to their dead cat I am going straight to hell.
They had a section of the hallway devoted to art therapy. I liked this informative drawing:
Back in the Agriculture building, several tables were devoted to folk craft and food tableaus:
Get it? Get iiiiiit?
Pioneer Hall featured loads of antiques as well as live bluegrass and squaredancing performances. They also showcased large collections and family heirlooms; what really confused me was that they awarded ribbons for the heirlooms and collections. Was it Antique Roadshow-style criteria? Historical value? Size? What?
This guy had quite the crowd watching him perform- er, sculpt:
VRRRRRRR! CHAINSAW AAAAAART!
