Sometimes Things look Clearer, make more sense, when they're Presented in Black + White.

 I bought this winter cap from a street vendor in lower Manhattan not long after Barack Obama had been elected President of the United States.

 Loaner bikes available for guests at classy new hotel "Landing," just opened this summer in Wayzata, MN.

 Back-lit shots never easy to capture in color or Black + White.  I'm inside super-hot retail destination, "Foundry Home Goods," in trendy Minneapolis North Loop. 

 These babies grow in my front yard and, right this minute, I cannot think what the flowers are called.  They are big and gorgeous, seem to have been in-bloom all Summer long.

Neighborhood support for striking bakery workers is seen here in the front yard sign, two blocks south of the Franklin Street Bakery.

Minneapolis Somali-American "Inside Out Project" - Personal and Intimate Portraits that Highlight our Shared Humanity.

Minneapolis has the largest Somali-American population of any city in our country. All during July the center hosts a stunning exhibit of photos in tribute to the people, personalities, capabilities and accomplishments of the S-A community.  We came across the "133 Pinnacle" building while exploring the North Loop last weekend. iPhone fotos do little justice to the beauty of the building and the posters.  I'm headed back there again to learn more.  Will report and post when I get back.

Inspired by large‐format street “pastings”, the Inside Out Project Minneapolis Somali-American Community gives those involved the opportunity to share their portrait and make a statement about Somali- American people and their commitment to our community and our Country. The Inside Out Project is a global platform for people to share their stories and transform their messages into works of public art. Over 260,000 people have participated in 129 countries. The Inside Out Project has displays from Ecuador to Nepal, Mexico to Palestine, inspiring group action on themes such as hope, diversity and climate change.

By bringing Inside Out to Minneapolis, residents will gain a new understanding of the Somali-American identity. These stories will not be framed through the lens of political news or immigration discussions; they are instead, personal and intimate portraits that highlight our shared humanity.

Inside Out is a large-scale participatory art project that transforms messages of personal identity into pieces of artistic work. Everyone is challenged to use black and white photographic portraits to discover, reveal and share the untold stories and images of people around the world. These digitally uploaded images are made into posters and sent back to the project’s co-creators, for them to exhibit in their own communities. These exhibitions will be documented, archived and be made available online at http://www.insideoutproject.net/

Hanging out at the Walker, getting to know the Walker Collage Multiverse #10 by Frank Big Bear.

You can see the new Sculpture Garden in the background, but the green grass, the angles, the strolling art aficionados are reason enough to  keep your eyes focused right here on the foreground.   

You'll read all about artist Frank Big Bear in the following image, but for now here's a look at his lengthy collage installation aross the blue plate special of a diner in the Museum's grill.

I love this one. It's in the underground parking garage and promises a child-like (adult-like as well) adventure if you'll simply walk through the door to your left.

If you happen to see this collage yourself
you'll note recurrent themes of war, cars, popular culture. Plenty of big, naked breasts as well.

Redesigned, enlarged, and more appealingly merchandised book-cum-gift shop than when I last visited the Walker.  Good stuff here as well as throughout the Museum.  Next stop and next time: the Sculpture Garden.  Stay tuned for more.

Independence Day the Hamel Way

Long-time Hamel resident and local legend Buck Manning waves the flag, wishes us a Happy 4th, and reminds us all to come to Hamel tomorrow to watch the parade!