IN Light IN

Friday and Saturday night saw the presentation of

IN Light IN, an exhibit of twenty-four light installations

designed by artists from all over the United States.

The event was to honor the 100th anniversary

of The Indianapolis Foundation,

Indiana's oldest and largest community 

foundation meant to continuously improve

the quality of life for the people of Marion County.

Although it was a "rain or shine" event,

IN Light IN was hit by heavy rains a few hours

before the lights were to be switched on.

As thunderstorms blew through, flooding many

intersections, I was still at home, but decided to go

as soon as the rain turned to sprinkles.

I'm glad I did and that feeling was probably

shared by the other folks who came, too.

While some of the installations were 

literally washed out by the rain, most were

up and running on cue, their lights pulsating,

changing, and glowing in response

to both music and the movement of the crowds.

Performers and models in lighted costumes 

walked among the spectators, laughing, chatting,

and posing for pictures. Of course there was

food and music. A first-rate gospel performance by

Rodnie Bryant and the Indie Singers were

part of an installation involving the Bethel A.M.E.

Church, and Projected Visions was presented by

a pair of artist/musicians from Los Angeles.

As the evening dried out, more and more 

people showed up, in some areas they were 

shoulder to shoulder. More performers

were in evidence and, as the connections

dried out, more of the exhibits were

 activated. Sadly, I couldn't stay longer

to enjoy the additional fun.

I only hope that this is just the first,

the inaugural IN Light IN.

Clear As Mud

The water flowing from the Central Canal into 

the White River looks as crystalline as one might want, 

but as the sign a few feet away advises, 

looks are deceiving. 

Segregation

After swim practice Friday, I walked over to the Canal.
While a bit cooler, the day was sunny and beautiful.
People were walking, running, cycling and
skating alongside the water, enjoying every moment.
I saw turtles sunbathing under the Washington 
Street bridge, a heron ot two in flight over
the river, and ducks and geese taking a mid-day
siesta. Their naptime brought about a question:
Why were they segregated?
Under one bridge, there was a flock of mallards
dozing and drifting in the water.
Under another bridge there was a flock
of geese. Well, the birds were primarily geese;
a few confused-looking mallards paddled around
as if wondering how they got there and
where were their buddies?

And then there was this guy.

Where did he belong? 

His expression makes him look as 

though even he is a bit confused
because none of the other 
geese look like him.

Art in Speedway: Larry Poons

Well, not really in Speedway, but back to the Canal

where the leaves floating on the dyed water made me think

of artist Larry Poons' op art paintings from the 1960's.

The golden leaves floated at different depths,

giving a similar effect as of his "Northern Grave,"

where the colors undulated front to back

on the red surface of the canvas.

Poons, who is now seventy-eight, was one of my

favorite artists when I was in art school.

His Op Art paintings teased my eyes; I loved the

way the vari-colored ovals were balanced and hovered

on the background color. The first one I recall

seeing was green. It just sang to me,

which shouldn't be a surprise because

Larry Poons first studied music at 

the New England Conservatory of Music

before deciding to become an artist.

Mallard on Red Water

From time to time, the Central Canal is dyed 

to help promote a holiday or event. 

On St. Patrick's Day it becomes that nasty,

flat green. It is pink during Cancer Awareness

events. Monday found it an odd, dark 

red for, what? National Butchers' Day? Bleh.

No matter, because the reflections from

the trees complimented the water

and it didn't keep this duck from happily

grooming and bathing itself.

Talking to Each Other, Not Their 'Phones

A post on The View from Squirrel Ridge reminded me 

of this photo. I took it a couple weeks ago 

while walking along the Central Canal.

At the first sign of warm weather, people use the

canal for exercise - rowing, kayaking, or

using paddle boats to travel its 1-1/4 mile

length. Located in downtown Indy, the site is

also popular with workers as a place for a lunchtime

stroll or run. While swimming is not allowed,

the canal is opened several times a year

for the swim leg of a triathlon and

a couple swim competitions.

The swimmer below was participating

in one of those recent events.

Indy Canal Sharkfest ... Better Late Than, Well, You Know

Sunday afternoon, I went to a meeting at the Natatorium.

While there, one of the organizers commented 

on the Central Canal, and asked whether or not 

swimming in it was allowed.

The woman was from North Carolina and

was fascinated with the idea of swimming its length.

Another IAM member who was present 

and I told her that, other than for sanctioned events,  

swimming is not allowed. So far, there have 

been two swims, with a third scheduled 

as the initial leg of a triathlon. 

These pictures are from the inaugural Indy Sharkfest 

Canal Swim, held last Saturday, July 25.

The top photo was taken just after the start of

the 1500-meter race at the Ohio Street

basin, across the street from the Indiana Historical

Society. Participants swam north that morning, to finish

at the 11th Street basin, just below Buggs Temple. 

The Canal, a part of the White River State Park,

is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike,

providing a tree-lined, easy connection between 

the downtown area and museums. 

The gondolas live under the Michigan Street

bridge when they are not being used to give visitors

rides along the Canal's beautiful length.

P.S., The only sharks to be found in the Canal

are goldfish, some of whom were hired to tie little

shark fins to their backs and nibble the toes

to encourage the slower swimmers.

A Walk in the Thaw

After nearly a month of below normal temperatures,

Sunday felt as though the season was ready to permit a bit 

of spring air to enliven our spirits. And it did.

People were out everywhere I went, jogging, exploring

the city as their dogs pranced along on the ends 

of their people strings, everyone enjoying the first bit 

of sun-warmed air to waft our way in months.

I went downtown to return a couple books to the library,

then took a long walk across the IUPUI campus, then along

the Central Canal to the river, then back into

the downtown area where even the buildings 

looked glad to see a bit of sunlit sky. 

Bright Spot

Last Saturday, the weather was gray, all day.

After leaving a workshop at the Indianapolis Zoo around noon, 

I wended my way along the Central Canal towards 

downtown, taking pictures. The plants have wilted into

the background, their colors subtle, to match the cold.

Except for the rose hips, so big they resemble little tomatoes.

Their color stood out in brilliant contrast to

the tweedy background, like ruby brooches

on a jacket lapel.

Always There, Unnoticed

I've passed by these items for years without noticing 

their special rough/smooth relationships,

but Saturday the bark of the tree and its subtle

coloration displayed beautifully against

the smooth metallic surface of the vent.

Below, a hand rail flashed its brushed metal

surface as it curved around the retaining

wall at the Central Canal, near the fire station.

Cafe on the Canal

I went down to the patio at the Indiana Historical Society,

a place where I could sit out of the sun 

to write or sketch. Next to the Canal, 

the site seemed private, despite the constant parade 

of joggers, cyclists, and people in paddle boats.

Flocks of geese and ducks came in to alight on the Canal, 

sending up sprays of water as their feet braked

on the surface. I sat for a half hour, feeling as though

I had the place to my own. When I left, I realized

another woman had the same idea;

as she sat under a cafe umbrella, she read

her e-book, probably with the same

feeling of peace that I'd enjoyed. 

Paddling on the Wide Open Waters ...

... of the Central Canal.

About a quarter mile south from where this

picture was taken, one can rent a paddle boat

or a kayak to explore the length of downtown Indy's

Central Canal. One will be able to see the

vast array of goldfish that have been liberated

in the waters and see mallards and Canada geese

who have adopted the water way as their own.

Waiting for Daddeh

When I got off the bus outside the Indiana Historical Society 

this afternoon, I noticed a car waiting curbside 

to pick up a passenger. Since the rear door of the SUV
was open, it may have been that the big doggeh's
human was making a delivery. At any rate, the entire
back seat was designated for the comfort
of the dog, and as he lazed in the sun, any breeze
that may have lifted his fur a bit
was undoubtedly appreciated. 

A Kiss Under the Bridge of Sighs ...

A legend says that if Venetian lovers in a gondola 

were to kiss while passing under the Bridge of Sighs 

at sunset as the bells of St Mark's Campanile toll, 

they will be granted eternal love and bliss.

I don't know how that story applies to the bridge 

over the Central Canal at Michigan Street, 

but I'm more inclined to believe commuters driving

over the bridge would sigh in resignation

as they approached their cubicle jobs in downtown

Indy. That would be closer to the original story,

that said prisoners would sigh as they crossed the

bridge on their way to prison, knowing that the view

of Venice from the bridge would be their last.

A watercolor painting of the Bridge of Sighs
 by John Singer Sargent, 1904.
The Brooklyn Museum of Art, New York 

The gondolas live under the bridge during the day,

then are available for rides along the Central Canal

during the evenings. I've seen them being poled

the along the Canal and tied outside 

nearby restaurants.

A Walk in the Winter Sun

The break in the weather gave me the opportunity 

to walk along the Central Canal, both to enjoy the sun 

and to take some pictures. At the end of the

canal, where the water enters the White River, I found

these grasses caught in a splendidly simple

arrangement on the wall, a russet leaf trapped

just so to balance the composition.

And below, at the edge of the river, a school

of carp swam in the current, fighting against it

to reach a quiet pool of water where

a meal could be had.

I could have watched those fish for hours,

their blue-gray bodies accented perfectly against 

the yellow clay mud beneath them.

Just About ...

A month ago, the winter season began and, 

with very little respite, it has been a misery of cold 

that quickly seeps into the bones along with 
the unaccustomed wind chill. 
Waiting for the bus near the Indiana

Historical Society, I looked into the Central Canal

where I was surprised to see gold fish

swimming just under the surface. 

The water was warm enough that steam rose 

from its surface. Ducks swam upstream,

themselves huddled against the frigid winds

 like their human counterparts 

on the streets above.

More from the Canal

The water feature at the end of the Central Canal, 

where the water drains into the White River, is a beautiful place 

on its own. I think I want to go down one day, 

just to sit and watch it change color and character 

as the sun passes over it.

Spotted

In addition to teeming with people walking, jogging and 

cycling along the Central Canal, urban wildlife 

has found the place attractive as well.

Bumblebees are always hovering in and around

the flowers planted along the canal.

 A few years ago, the canal was drained for cleaning, 

with careful attention given to the safe transfer 

of the resident goldfish. The fish were not meant to 

inhabit the canal, having possibly been put there by people 

who released their pets into the water.

"Live free, little Buddy!"

Apparently, they have returned, restored

to their habitat by similar means.

This school traveled together, adding an attractive

flash of contrast to the green water.

This mallard duckling was one of four that remained 

of the original flock. When I first saw them, they were sleeping,
huddled together against the canal wall while

mom preened and groomed on the nearby walkway.

One warning quack from her though, and they

quickly swam to her side and followed her away from

the source of the perceived danger.

Later, the little guys ranged the width 

of the canal, looking for food.

Aliens in White Shrouds

I walked along the canal on my return downtown 

from the IU Medical Center. It's only about 

a mile, but full of color that changes as the plants 

bloom and fade with the seasons.

I was especially impressed with the white echinaeca,

that looked like hoards of white-shrouded

aliens had camped in the flower beds

to feed the bumble bees with the nectar

from their outlandish brains.

Below is a grouping of purple echinaeca, the variety 

most folks may find more familiar.

A Subtle Richness

This summer, our landscape is a vista 

of abundant green foliage and 

the lush colors of flowers of all kinds.

On Thursday the day dawned overcast and muggy.

An afternoon thunderstorm helped to lower the temperatures,

giving residents a pleasant evening.

After my swim at the Natatorium, I walked back

Downtown to enjoy the breezes and 

flowers along the Canal .