Friday, March 2, 2012

Out of the Jurisdiction: Fort Myers Again


This is the second in a short series about electricity.  See the differences in this scene during daylight when no electricity lights the scene and at night, when the scene is possible only through the magic of electricity.

In December I showed these lighted cylinders on the main street of Fort Myers, Florida.  I didn't identify the sculptor, and I said that the letters seem to be nonsense symbols.

My bad.

They are called The Caloosahachee Manuscripts, by the sculptor Jim Sanborn.  One cylinder tells (in the Creek language) the story of the migration of three Indian tribes that settled southwest Florida.  The other cylinder lists, in Latin, the names of Florida plants that Thomas Edison tested when trying to find a native plant from which rubber could be made.  (Edison wintered in Fort Myers.)  The complete story is here.

Thanks to my friend Tash of Palos Verdes Daily Photo for researching the sculptor and the meaning of the letters.

If you like photos with reflections, click here.



32 comments:

Kate said...

The night shot is far more interesting to me than the daytime photo. The play of light on the ground. Thanks to Tash also!

SRQ said...

Now I know! I wondered why the mishmash of letters is there. The night shots are terrific.

Cezar and Léia said...

Stunning pictures!The letters and lights reflected on the floor and building facade are so cool!
It's a wonderful idea and a very talented artist!
Léia

Lowell said...

A very interesting and informative post. Have you been to Edison's house?

Sharon said...

this really is an amazing piece of art. I love the top photo where you can see these words reflected all around you.

Unknown said...

This is amazing! I had no idea this was in Fort Myers - how creative. How your night shots and crazy good.

brattcat said...

fantastic, jack.

RedPat said...

The night shots are fabulous! I toured Edison's house when I was there and really enjoyed it. And henry Ford's place across the street.

Malyss said...

I really like this kind of art! Night effects are fabulous!

Davidlind said...

What a great idea. It gives Sesame Street new meaning.

Karl said...

The top photo is stunning, Jack!
Thank you for the infos too.

Sylvia K said...

These are fantastic, Jack! I really love the night shots! Thanks for the background info, makes these shots even more interesting! Enjoy your day and have a wonderful weekend!

Sylvia

John "By Stargoose And Hanglands" said...

Great pictures, Jack, and thanks for the extra info.

Doru Agafiţei said...

The first one is just amazing! Thank you!

My name is Riet said...

What amazing photo's. Beautiful reflections

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Great story, Jack and thanks to Tash as well. Edison definitely contributed to the education in the area. I really like the night view!

Bises,
Genie

Tatjana Parkacheva said...

The night photos are great.

Regards and best wishes

Unknown said...

This is so cool! I remember the first time you posted it but I'm glad you did it again, Jack.

jennyfreckles said...

They really come alive at night - what a great concept (and fab photos).

cieldequimper said...

I remember the December post. I loved them then as I do now!

joo said...

I love them all, but the first one is simply awesome!

Halcyon said...

Oh wow! This is definitely something you need to see at night. I think I may have missed your post on this the first time around. Glad I've seen it now as that's pretty amazing. :)

Regina K said...

Glad you found more information about these manuscripts, they create such a brilliant display on the building.

Tash said...

Wow! You've done well revisiting and doing a double take - the difference between the 2 shots is like night and day :)
Thank you so much for the research credit. You are the best. I think you should add "BLOGGING WELL DONE" to your side-bar! (I'm totally lost on "CLASSY SMART and MANLY" posters still. Did I mention that it'll drive me crazy till I figure it out? :P I thought it may help if I looked for venues that would show plays/dance. I "walked" steets of Asylum Hill on Google and found out that the music/dance academy (?) shut down last year after so many years in business. That was sad to come across.)

Michelle said...

I love the night shots! How awesome.

Luis Gomez said...

This is so cool Jack!

Bob Crowe said...

Excellent shots of a brilliant concept. I love the idea of broadcasting stories with light. It reminds me of Jenny Holzer's word and light columns, although her use of language is different.

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

The night shot is great !

Randy said...

I would love a small version of this for my office.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

The top image is brilliant Jack, what a very clever and innovative idea, you have to take your hat of to artistic people they SEE things that we just don't, well maybe we do when we look through a camera lens haha!

VP said...

The first image is absolutely strange and amazing!

CaT said...

ow. that is amazing. we did not see that much of fort myers when we were there...