Public Art Treasure Hunt, Boston
If you get to Boston before April 15th add “Winteractive” to your list of fun and free things to do. On our walk to the Boston Athenaeum I spotted the “The Swing” at the beginning of Winter Street. Not sure if someone was actually swinging between two buildings or if it was fake, Donna and I took a short detour checking out what turned out to be part of a public art project. She’s hard to photograph no matter what the light is, but it’s an excellent execution of someone’s fantasy.
After Googling it later in the day, I suggested we go back in the morning to see some of the other pieces. It was wicked cold—temperature In the low 30’s with a wind chill in the 20’s. I was concerned my battery would drain too quickly, but the pictures online peeked our curiosity.
Also I wanted to photograph The Embrace, a sculpture honoring the love between Martin Luthur King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King in the Boston Common. So after a stop for coffee in a new Dunkin near our hotel, we made our way to Winter Street and began the hunt for the other objects on display. Almost immediately we ran into other people doing the same.
The Embrace
We found and I photographed about half of the art pieces and then hit Macy’s for a bit of shopping and a warm up before walking/riding to Copley Plaza and the Boston Public Library. There we had a 1 p.m. reservation at The Courtyard Tea Room where we celebrated Donna’s birthday with a most elegant and delicious high tea. And then we took a tour of the library.
Clothesline
For many people this public art piece might not be so interesting, but I do remember seeing laundry hung between buildings when I was a kid visiting the city. Rarely do you see it now; it’s good to be reminded of how we once lived to how we live now—IMO!
This piece is hung over The Brattle Book Shop one of Boston’s most popular used bookstores. If you love books and bargins, this is a great stop.
Accessibility:
I rode my Pride Victory 10 from our hotel, the Hilton Boston Park Plaza to Downtown Crossing and then back along the Commons and Garden to Copley Plaza. You just have to be mindful of the uneven sidewalks, but otherwise it was all very doable.