I’ve always enjoyed the Mustangs at Las Colinas, a bronze sculpture of nine wild mustangs that are in the Williams Square in Irving, Texas.  Created by wildlife artist Robert Glen, the mustangs are the largest equestrian sculpture in the world, and commemorate the wild mustangs that inhabited Texas.

The mustangs are portrayed bigger than life, roughly one and a half times their true size, and are shown crossing a stream of water.  Fountains on the ground make it look like water is splashing off their hooves as they run through it.

Adjacent to the sculpture, in the West Tower of the Square, is the Mustangs of Las Colinas Museum.  The Museum shows the story of how Robert Glen created the sculpture, including a short video, and also houses some of his other work.

Williams Square Plaza is located at 5205 North O’Connor Drive, just north of Highway 114, in Irving, Texas.

Do you have some favorite public art that you enjoy?  Please leave a comment telling me about it.  I’d love to know what it is and where it’s located.

Photo credit: flickr

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

One of my favorite museums in Paris was the Musee Rodin in the First Arrondissement.

Surrounded by beautiful gardens, this collection of sculptures and other artwork was wonderful.

I took the photo of these hands, and don’t even recall what the sculpture was called.  For some reason, I found them compelling.

Join a group of other travel bloggers who are sharing photos today as part of Photo Friday.  I loved the travel photos, and think you will, too!

Photo credit:  personal collection

Post from: Fly Away Cafe

The Baroque-style fountain, designed by architect Nicola Salvi, is located in a busy section of the city, not far from the popular Via del Corso.

To get to the fountain you walk down narrow streets, some of which seem more like alleys than streets, to the historic center of Rome.  You can hear the noise of the fountain as your approach the piazza, and it gets louder as you approach.

Then, you step into the Piazza di Trevi and before you is the majestic Baroque-style fountain with its intricate sculptures, cascading water, and faded stones.  The design is a tribute to the power and lushness of the sea, both in its design and the roaring water spilling over the rocks.

The fountain, which was completed in 1762, is about 85 feet high and 65 fee4t wide, and presented almost theater-style (especially noticeable when seen from overhead).  

Against the backdrop of the fountain is a large sculpture of Oceanus in the center, along with chariot in the shape of a shell drawn by seahorses.  Additional sculptures flank each side of Oceanus, resting in the niches.  In the water are additional sculptures representing sea creatures, both real and mythological. 

I was expecting something pretty cool — but walking into that Piazza and seeing the fountain for the first time was incredible!  I visited during the late afternoon and also in the evening, both times the Piazza was full of people and energy.  The glow of the fountain in the evening was beautiful and quite romantic.

Even if you haven’t visited Rome, you may have seen Trevi Fountain in the movies:

• In Three Coins in the Fountain (1954), three American roommates working in Italy wish for the man of their dreams after throwing coins into Trevi Fountain.
• In La Dolce Vita (1960), you see Anita Ekberg jumping into the fountain (fully clothed), inviting Marcello Mastroianni to join her.
• In the Lizzie McGuire Movie (2003), Hillary Duff graduated middle school and vacations in Italy.

So what’s with the coin throwing tradition?  Keep reading to find out.

There are a couple of variations on the coin throwing story, all rooted in tradition and interpretation.

The most popular interpretation is that throwing a coin over your shoulder into the water of the fountain will ensure a return visit to Rome.

A current version of this tradition is throwing three coins with the right hand over the left shoulder.  This tradition of three coins probably comes from the movie Three Coins in the Fountain.  In that movie, however, it was three different women each throwing one coin into the fountain.

Still another version of the tradition is that throwing two coins will ensure a marriage coming soon, and three coins means a divorce.

I opted for one coin, throwing it into the fountain with my right hand over my left shoulder.

Whatever the interpretation, thousands of visitors throw coins every day.  It’s estimated that over €3000 a day is collected from the fountain.  The money is used to support needy projects around Rome.

Trevi Fountain is located at 57 F$, Piazza di Trevi.  If you get lost, or turned around as I did, just look for the signs or ask anyone on the street.  The narrow streets, few of which are straight or set up on a grid, can be confusing.  I just asked for help, and people were very cooperative in getting me pointed in the right direction.

Photo credit: personal collection

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Post from: Fly Away Cafe