The
Community Bridge is an art project that started with the simple idea of painting a plain bridge to make it look like a brick bridge, a style known as
trompe l'oeil, French for
fool the eye.
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Just an ordinary bridge, right? |
From a distance it doesn't look impressive because it is so well done. At closer inspection, it is clearly painted on but the work is exquisite.
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Real lily pads and the start of the bridge |
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L by a "statue" |
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Dry bird bath |
The bridge and area is decorated with several medallions featuring subjects that were suggested by locals who were asked, "What object represents the spirit of community to you?".
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Frederick, town of spires! |
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Lincoln penny |
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Breastfeeding in public! |
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People intertwined, taken from the Book of Kells--what could be more communal? |
A guide explains the symbolism intended, though I couldn't find the breastfeeding on the guide. Click on the picture below to enlarge it.
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Explanation of the symbols and features |
One especially interesting medallion is
Archangel. Not only does the name pun on the arch of the bridge, but it also looks wrong.
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Archangel from the wrong angle, i.e. looking straight on |
The artist, Cochran, intended it to be seen from a window in the nearby Delaplaine Visual Arts Center. The Center was closed when we were there but standing on a stone fence under the window just about gives the right perspective on the painting.
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Archangel from the right angle |
The trompe l'oeil style is imitated all over the town with some works more convincing than others.
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Man on the street |
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Earthbound (the whole window is a painting, not just the angel inside!) |
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Big news downtown! |
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