Depending on the route I go through town, I pass by this bicycle sculpture.  I have no idea how long its been there and the identifying label on the front upright bar is barely readable, so I don’t even know who installed it.  Even though it is situated on the pavement, in clear public view, I wonder how many passersby notice it.  Admittedly, I passed it by many times without much thought, but I did notice it and always thought to myself that someday I would photograph the scene.  It is perhaps easy to see why I was attracted to photographing this scene, the stark contrast between the shape and lines of the bicycle sculpture and the vertical slats of the building wall as well as the contrasting colours between the neutral pavement, the deep red bicycle and the blue wall.  Someone has obviously given some consideration and taken the time to the presentation of this scene.  And within an urban landscape, it is a pleasant scene.

Such public works of art are few and far in-between and more municipal public funds ought to be considered for displaying a variety of works of art.  Thinking about this particular bicycle sculpture, regardless of when it was installed, it somehow seems ever more relevant in todays world by making, perhaps unintentionally, a subtle yet pertinent statement, a reminder about our society, our environment and how we locomote.

About This Photograph

The above photograph was taken around midday on an overcast day.  After observing this sculpture numerous times and under varying light conditions, I opted to photograph it on a bright overcast day.  Under any other existing daylight conditions I would have to contend with the sun’s position and the shadows not only caused from the sculpture itself, but shadows throughout the visible scene as well as shadows from other objects beyond the image frame.  I did not want any shadows to cause a distraction from the main emphasis of the scene.  When I shot this sculpture, I took several images from different angles and positions, and found this perspective to be the most ideal.