Monday, October 19, 2009

Cactus Monday - Downtown

Our recent trip to Downtown Tucson made me realize how little I know about the city's center. I'm learning that "The Old Pueblo," as Tucson is nicknamed, has many facets that are worth exploring. We did stumble upon some cactus and other plant forms on our quick trip, but we barely scratched the surface.

This is one of two matching metal basket towers on Scott Avenue at Broadway. It appears the bottom of the obelisk has information about the architecture of the area. Something to check out on on another visit.
The top looks like a Hohokam basket filled with prickly pears and some other plants.
A saguaro harvest is taking place on the lower portion of this wall treatment.
Notice the similar shapes of the basket tower and the Native American figure on the tiles.
A saguaro cactus echos the shapes of the archways in the superior court building.
A purple saguaro bus stop shelter:
This was my favorite bus stop:
At first I thought the big flower was a cactus blossom, but the trailing vines and leaves look like they belong to the rose family.
The flower's filaments are twisted steel rebar. I liked their shadows.
Another giant metal flowering plant sprouts out from the ground beside a sidewalk:
More plant forms on walls of buildings:
The artwork below is hard to see because of the busy reflection. The window has a wrought iron saguaro cactus with a bird and a human figure. It's across the street from the Chicago Store on Congress Street.
I'm kind of curious how the muscle man relates to the cactus here. Looks like they might be saying, "cheers!"
Happy Cactus Monday!

For more cactus posts, visit Teri at Teri's Painted Daisies.

17 comments:

kesslerdee said...

Just wonderful!!! I've not even seen all of these and I've lived here going on 15 years! Makes me want to get out and explore Tucson as I did when I first moved here.

rainfield61 said...

What a comment by Dee. Being 15 years in Tucson but never see these before.
But have to admit, many of us do have this experience.

Salitype said...

wow! those metal baskets is really beautiful. the metal flowers are simply great...love it!

eng

Margaret Ann said...

What splendid public art! I LOVE that bus stop! I must make an effort to see these also my next trip to Tucson! :) Thanks for sharing! HCM!

Anonymous said...

Those mosaics are pretty cool Diane...Lovely shots too.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful pictures, Diane! And gorgeous colors!

Teri said...

Absolutely fascinating! I need to take a trip downtown for sure now!!

HCM!

Lisa at Greenbow said...

What a wonderful grouping of cactus. I can tell you live in cactus country. HCM.

PAK ART said...

I love workable art like the bus stops - it's so nice to incorporate nature into these metal things. HCM! I like previous post with reflections also - they are an art form in themselves I think!

Gaelyn said...

Love the great SW art. I'm not much of a city girl, but liked what little I saw of Tuscon. The university buildings make a nice campus. Great shot of the shadows from the metal flower centers.

Julie said...

What a gorgeous downtown! One I hope to see one day! In that last photo, I just love the man, who seems to be competing with the cactus in the arm wrestling contest!!! They both want to be the winner!!!

Unknown said...

Thanks for taking me downtown. Great basket tower with cactus and plants. And the bus stop - so ornate... I also like the cactus and man artwork :) Have a nice day.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Wow I have never seen a cactus that high and big... Thanks for the vote diane..

Ezhilan said...

This bus stop is an interesting place to waite for the bus. I like the cactus and the muscle man.

penny said...

I love all your wonderful photos of Tucson. I think the muscle man and cactus are both flexing their arms :)
The tile work on the building is gorgeous.
Its been 59 years since I lived in Tucson, a few things have changed giggle,giggle :)

yoon see said...

Wow! The bus stand is so unique!
I love the huge cactus on the grow on the 5th picture. I wonder how big the actual cactus is?
Happy belated Cactus Monday Diane!

Caroline said...

What a great blog! Super great visuals, interesting and fun!
Kudos
Sincerely
Caroline