Do you like to travel? Most likely, the answer to this question will be positive, which, however, is not surprising, because in the modern world it is quite difficult to meet a person who would not like to discover more and more new sights of our planet. And there are actually a huge number of them. For example, even a sophisticated tourist will be amazed by a clothespin monument, a traffic light tree or a giant water tap. So why not admire these works of human imagination?
However, this article will talk about the first of the above places. In it, we will describe a monument to a clothespin, which, by the way, is far from being found in a single copy in the world.
At first glance, it becomes even surprising that such an ordinary object could become an inspiration for a whole cohort of sculptors from different countries. It is hard to imagine that a clothespin is a monument that is very popular among both local residents and guests of the USA, Belgium and even Russia.
Unusual monuments of the planet
It is worth noting that in fact in the modern world there are many amazing monuments dedicated to the most ordinary and everydayhousehold items.
For example, a fork is the simplest and most familiar thing in everyone's life, but you can't do without it. This is probably why a special monument was erected to this cutlery in Springfield (USA). Also, such a sculpture, by the way, can be seen in Vevey (Switzerland), where an 8-meter stainless steel sculpture is installed in Lake Geneva. The fork by sculptor Jean-Pierre Zaug serves as a sign for the Alimentarium food museum, located opposite the sculpture.
Another equally well-known cutlery is a spoon. In Minneapolis (USA) there is a sculpture of her in tandem with a cherry, and in the city of Berezino (Belarus) it is planned to install a wooden spoon 3.50 m high, made by craftsmen from solid wood. In Russian cities, there are also such monuments. In Ulyanovsk - an aluminum spoon, in Nizhny Novgorod - a "Spoon of Taste" with an olive, and in Perm, the author R. Ismagilov created this cutlery, clutched in his hand.
What else? Try to guess! A woman's wardrobe is simply impossible to imagine without this item. They come in a variety of colors and shapes, with heels or platforms. Well, shoes, of course. So, a monument to the female subject stands in Prague, on Vezhenskaya Street. A huge classic white shoe appeared in Prague in 2007 at the initiative of the organizers of the Sculpture Grande festival.
In Australia, in the city of Melbourne, there is a monument to an ordinary wallet, made of granite and steel. An exact copy of the sculpture can be found in the center of Krasnodar.
Interesting facts about a common item
Before tellingin more detail about where the clothespin monument is located, let's talk about the thing itself.
Not everyone knows that her story goes back to the times of the primitive system, far from us, when women were dressed in animal skins. But even such a semblance of clothing had to be washed and dried. It was then that a clothespin appeared, consisting of two pieces of wood and tied with dried veins of dead animals. In addition to its intended purpose, the clothespin was used as a hairpin or fastener on clothes.
The modern thing is mainly represented by two models - with a thread and a spring-ring and with a twisted spring without a thread. There are also one-piece clothespins. Interestingly, in the United States in the period 1852-1887. 146 types of clothespins were officially patented, including these familiar varieties. Agree, it’s impossible to even imagine what they all might look like.
Monument to clothespin. Philadelphia (USA)
Surprisingly, even this item can inspire sculptors enough to eventually become a piece of design art.
Today, a giant clothespin 15 meters high rises in the center of Philadelphia (USA), just opposite the city hall. According to stories, this monument was erected by a certain businessman who quickly became rich in the production of this item.
But in fact, the author of the sculpture is Klaus Oldenburg, who loved to create unusual monuments to simple things: a broom, a shovel, a toothbrushbrush and even a lion's tail. The "clothespin monument" appeared on the streets of the city a long time ago, in 1976.
Monument to clothespin in Ust-Kamenogorsk
A seemingly ordinary clothespin was immortalized in Ust-Kamenogorsk, where a four-meter statue was installed near the Komendantka River.
The reasons for this choice are still unknown, but local sculptors constantly surprise the townspeople. Among other things, huge bracelets and rings based on the tales of the East are scattered around the city, modest at first glance.
Although, it is quite possible that the aforementioned giant sculpture from Philadelphia was also inspired by the authors.
Clothespin in Belgium
In 2010, an exhibition of creative installations and sculptures dedicated to culture and nature was launched in Chaudfontaine Park in Belgium. The purpose of the exhibition is to show the negative impact of man on the environment.
Among the sculptures, I especially remember a giant wooden clothespin, fixed on the lawn, like a pinched sheet. The author's idea was that visitors could see how modern people mock the earth. Agree, such an installation will surely make many people think.
Amazing monuments of a humble city
Agree that our capital is accustomed to surprise, we are somehow already accustomed to. But the unusual sculptures and statues placed on the streets of the Russian hinterland are actually news for many of us.
Here,for example, have you ever heard that on Cathedral Square in Omsk there is an unusual composition “Children Feeding Penguins”, which has been preserved since the times of the USSR? Most probably not. And in general, it would seem, well, what does the sculpture have to do with Omsk, and why do small children feed penguins? Mystery! And now, perhaps, not a single ethnographer will be able to answer this question.
And on Marx Avenue of the same settlement there is a monument to Don Quixote, created by A. Kapralov. The clumsy Spanish hero proudly sits on a horse with an expressive smile. It is made almost from scrap metal and looks very funny.
There is also a monument to clothespins in Omsk. Of course, it is not as huge as, for example, in the USA or Belgium, but the locals are actually proud of this statue. By the way, they say that it can fulfill even the most cherished desires. Ready to try? Then go to Omsk, find a monument to a clothespin, touch it, closing your eyes, and guess. Everything will definitely come true in the very near future!
