I noticed the other day that this house near me (on NH Avenue extended) has some new features. So I stopped to take some pictures and the owner strolled out to greet me. He was a friendly guy, didn't act or look peculiar, but let's face it: he has a giant red elephant, a giant tricycle, part of a catamaran maybe (?), and a giant frog (see roof) in front of his house, which otherwise looks abandoned. He created a beautiful metal gate out of ... stuff. I complimented him on his fascinating house, but I was too embarrassed and surprised by his presence to ask really pertinent questions: why do you do this? do you live inside that house? what are you making/growing in that big building behind your house? (A few years ago someone who works at a plant nursery across the street told me that the big building behind the elephant house is a factory but he didn't know what kind.) Note hand-written sign on house: "Industrial Art." Eccentric people rule!
7 comments:
You got caught-oops!! We have a guy around the corner who does the same stuff. (he's a teacher!) He has a plastic cow head on the side of his house, a Rocket ship and a Ronald McDonald, among other things. If I were his wife...well,I wouldn't be his wife!!
In my experience, people with lots of crazy art around their houses like to talk about their crazy art.
I still haven't managed to do a post about our neighborhood artist, who has built essentially an entire compound of found art. I've had a few tours since the first time I stopped to ask him about it.
Next time you see this guy, ask him what his story is!
Googling is also handy.
I love it! I want that frog on my house. I wish we had creative types like that in our neighborhood.
I LOVE this post! Since I drive by said Red Elephant every week, it's so interesting to learn more about "what goes on" in that building(s).
I've only ever seen the side where the elephant is, so you provided pics of other cool stuff.
I think my favorites (as of today) are the giant concrete ball, which is affixed to the house by a huge chain (as though the house is in danger of running away) and the fence/gate, which I hadn't seen before reading this post.
I once had a neighbor who put a brass bed frame in her front yard, to create a flower "bed." They were of the sort who put white-painted tires around trees and so forth. Honestly, the yard was both intriguing and repulsive.
One man's trash . . .
My kind of guy. Eccentrics rule. --Margo
I really love that gate. I agree that you should ask him. He'll be flattered!
Have you heard that Tom Waits song "What's he Building in There?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaLjwSpZ6Cs
I'm sure he's not nearly as creepy as the Tom Waits guy, though.
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