More Art in the Park

Thursday
This morning I went to explore a new park and discover another Art for all installation. The park was Fernbank Park, jointly managed by Hamilton County Parks and the Cincinnati Park Board. It's a long thin park located by the Ohio River on the west side of town. The title of the art work is The song of the talking wire, by Henry F. Farney, 1847-1914. Farny was born in France, but his family emigrated to the United States in 1853. The family moved to Warren in Pennsylvania, near a Seneca reservation, and Farny became profoundly affected by the Indian civilization he encountered at an early age. Around 1859, the Farny family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Attracted by painting and drawing, the young man became an illustrator for magazines and books for children. The information plaque tells us this about the painting: "The image speaks eloquently of the plight of the Indians, fee-ranging, independent people who had been crowded into reservations. The hunter's bewildered rage as he presses his ear to the telegraph pole, together with the snowy backdrop of setting sun, buffalo carcass and deer carcass suggest the death of a way of life and the encroachment of the European-American society." I had been thinking of blipping the river through an avenue of trees, maybe with a barge going by, but unfortunately there was a work crew cutting some dead wood out of the trees, and as is so often the case, there wasn't a barge there when I wanted one! I got in a walk of about 2 1/2 miles, but then in the afternoon, Laura got off work early and showed some interest in going to the pool, so I went with her to keep her company, and as well as reading my kindle for a while, I swam 22 laps, so I got double exercise today!
A great day for Olympics viewing. Team GB did so well today - just been watching the canoeing - brilliant. Then Gabby taking the gold for the U.S. in the womens gymnastics overall - got to love her smile!

One year ago: Busy bee