I hope everyone had a busy July, because I sure did! While this isn't the time for details, just know that much writing was done, as well as the Midwest Writers Conference. And there was much rejoicing.
But that's not why you're here! You're here to be regaled with fascination, and in that fascinating spirit, I present:
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A bunch of steel over a roadway!
...Also, there appears to be letters or something on it.
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The Carmel Arts & Design District is located just up the Monon Trail from one of my favorite coffeeshops, Soho Cafe. (See my
Indie Indy Coffeeshops #2 post.)
How did it get there? We'll explain with a dramatic reenactment:
Ten years ago, Main Street in Carmel, Indiana was a barren wasteland of tumbleweeds, dried cow skulls, and Hoosiers sleeping against cornstalks while wearing ponchos. (Played by Ryan Reynolds, Steve Buscemi, and Vivica Fox.)
Then, an Artist (Kristen Wiig) arrived, with a Designer (Sean Penn) in tow. And the Carmel world would never be the same.
By the time 2005 rolled around, they transformed Main Street into a thriving Artist Community (played by Woody Allen) which is now a splendid place for a stroll, a bite to eat, and some exceedingly chic boutique shopping.
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No, really. That last item only sounded like a joke...
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The City Planner (Martin Lawrence), wisely decided to incorporate the arts district with the nearby walking/biking trail that runs all the way into Indianapolis: Monon Trail.
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They got the word by combining the words "not a monorail" and removing a couple vowels.
("mononotrail"... "monon trail"... Okay, it was a reach.)
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It's quite a popular trail, and what better way to commemorate it than with a creepily realistic statue.
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Me every time: "Oh, look! There's a father and his son riding a... Man, that's creepy."
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The City of Carmel (a cameo by Conan O'Brian) also made sure to point out in an informative plaque that this statue depicts unsafe riding habits because the child should have a helmet to protect his bronze head.
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Informative!
Also: Cautionary!
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But now for the actual Main Street. And guess what? It's quite nice.
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Not to be confused with a quaint British village.
See how the cars drive on the right?
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| A tiny gallery with rotating art shows. And a mural. |
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A few shops, an art gallery, and general good strolling territory.
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And why is it called the "Arts District"? Because aside from the copious art pieces...
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| Like this sculpture of a treble clef mid flight. |
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Or this one of a giant head grounded for reckless flying stunts.
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...There's also quite a few art galleries and artisan shops. Seriously, there's at least five different art galleries in the space of a couple blocks, an olive oil tasting shop, a music store, restaurants, and other random goodies.
And lest we forget: Realistic statues.
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The poor guy will never get to the comics page.
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| A statuesque lady with her statuesque dog... |
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...While across the street, this lady disapproves.
Statuesquely. |
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Outside the candy shop is a permanent reminder
to buy your child sweets before he steals your hat.
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And last but not least:
The statue that gives you a tiny heart attack every time you drive by.
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But in the end, the fascinating thing is that they opted not to make this a collection of chain shoppes like a modified outdoor mall, but instead embrace the arts and design. Because the truth is: Art is important to have around.
Even if that art happens to be creepily realistic statues.
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