Taubman Museum of Art

Saturday, 7 October 2017

Whatever you think about the Frank Gehry-esque building, the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke (Virginia) has some great exhibits. We came to see "Play", but were thoroughly enamored of Paul Villinski's work as well.

Paul Villinski: Farther

This butterfly is made from smaller butterflies cut from discarded aluminum cans.

A closer view of butterflies in another sculpture. Lighting is essential to the look of the pieces.

One of two wall sculptures of birds. This one is made from old vinyl records. The other was made from discarded paper.

Play: Toys Reimagined as Art

This Taubman original exhibit "highlights artists who use toys to create magically transformative installations and participatory experiences for the 'kid in all of us.'"

Jason Scroggin's "Rainbow Legion" is on display outside the gallery. These bears(?) are made of corrugated plastic.

"Herd": A smaller set of "bears" inside the gallery.

Herb Williams makes sculptures from Crayola® crayons.

Arctic fox.

Billie Grace Lynn specializes in inflatable sculptures. (The required fans are in discrete locations!)

The "Quadropus" by Jason Hackenwerth is composed of thousands of balloons.

Two displays used LEGO® building blocks. This one by artist and chemist John V. Muntean looks like an interesting sculpture, ...

... but comes to life when it's shadow reveals three different figures -- triceratops (dinosaur), unicorn, and elephant.

Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

Friday, 6 October 2017

The Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory near Gap Mills, WV, is a premier site to watch the fall raptor migration. We took advantage of the superb fall weather to make a visit.

The Observatory tower is on a short spur off the Allegheny Trail.

Fall colors were beginning to develop.

The observatory is a rebuilt fire tower built atop a rocky ridge.

Looking west along the ridge. The top rocks hang over the edge.

Looking east along the ridge into Virginia.

Looking south to the distance Blue Ridge across at least three ridges of the Valley & Ridge geophysical province.

Amazingly, there is a latrine at the top of the ridge. It's been "upgraded" since we've last been up here (in 2005) and can no longer boast of the best view of any outhouse in North America.