the public space
June 09, 2010
saturday slacking
by Ken Mayer
Being a slacker is one of my best things. Hanging out, watching, listening and taking in the spring air is something we are all entitled to after such a brutal winter.
So, camera in hand, I set out on a recent Saturday to see how my fellow citizens were having fun and relaxing in public spaces.
Teams of three biked, ran, climbed and paddled around Omaha during Urban Omaha, the Ultimate Adventure Race. They started and finished in Turner Park at Midtown Crossing.
Plant-a-Wish, a public awareness project aiming to inspire the restoration of native habitats around Omaha, made a stop at the Malcolm X Birthplace on the first leg of their tour to plant native trees in all 50 states.
The Nebraska Children's Home Society Foundation's Sand in the City brought together 350 tons of sand, 17 local corporate teams, architects and professional sand sculptors to build some incredible stuff near the Qwest Center. Of course, if you were under five, you only needed about a ton to make some big fun if you were willing to dig in.
UNO's Mobile Phone Orchestra performs original compositions for iPhones and iPod Touches connected to custom-made speaker gloves in the Bow Truss Gallery as part of the KANEKO Summer Saturdays. Every Saturday in June from 10:00am to noon, KANEKO will open its doors for tours, exhibits and events in the restored historic space.
You can't make this stuff up, folks. No Photoshop here, I swear. Without warning, one of the new Leahy Mall benches spontaneously "color coordinated" with the corner of 14th and Douglas.
The Public Space Archives
Ken Mayer is a freelance writer, photographer, consultant and adjunct faculty member at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He has served on the boards of The Nebraska Choral Arts Society, Downtown Omaha Inc. and Landmark’s Inc. Mr. Mayer has been a consultant and volunteer for Omaha by Design since 2002.
Please send your comments about his column to ken.mayer@cox.net or teresa@omahabydesign.org.