suns along the Mohawk

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– Q: Is the red metallic structure in front of the Scotia branch of the Schenectady County Public Library a witty piece of art (perhaps designed by grade schoolers), a bit of hortatory, and/or something else entirely? (Click on a photo for a larger version) –

Answer: It is meant to be artful advocacy, but also something functional. . .

Answer (cont.):  The best clue to the primary function of the item comes from a logo affixed to it identifying its maker: “DERO bike racks.”  A trip to DERO.com confirmed that the item is indeed meant to be a bike rack (and that no parts are missing). DERO specializes in bicycle racks that are designed to be “great-looking, long-lasting, functional.”  It also prides itself on making creative custom racks.

Indeed, DERO says:

“Bike racks do not have to be boring. Increasing numbers of organizations are making a statement about their creativity and commitment to supporting bike transportation with a custom designed bicycle rack.

“Just provide us with a rough sketch on a napkin, a logo, or just an idea – and we will work with you to turn your concept into a fully functional piece of street art.”

And, if you go to DERO’s page of existing custom designs, you will find — in addition to racks shaped like a chicken, a tennis racket, yoga positions, and dozens of other whimsical notions  — the following custom rack called “books”:

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Art is, of course, in the eye of the beholder, so I won’t quarrel with calling it a (rather cute) work of art.  But I have to wonder about DERO’s pledge of functionality.  Beyond having to first identify the thing as a bike rack, how does anyone know where to hitch a bicycle on this contraption?  How many bikes is it supposed to accommodate?  What happens if a confused or inconsiderate rider situates his or her bike in a manner that takes up several “places”?

DERO has a large, well-designed website.  However, it may be telling that I could find only two photos of a bicycle parked at a DERO bike rack.  They do, however, show quite a few bikes at “funky bike racks” NOT built by DERO, saying: “This gallery is a result of our travels, and those of friends, who have found bike racks that essentially are sculptures or works of art. Sometimes the design is functional and user-friendly, but more often it is not.”  It makes you wonder just what standard DERO uses in testing functionality.

My first thought this morning upon seeing the little red metal book was, “that’s cute, but who spent money to buy and install it?”  The friendly Library staff at the Scotia branch told me it was — according to the folks from the Parks Department who installed it — meant to be a bike rack.  They were wondering, however, if there were more parts to be added to the rack to make it identifiable and usable. (I later phoned to let them know the rack is complete as is.)

As for the expense, the Library staff was told it was donated by CDTA.  The involvement of the Capital District Transportation Authority piqued my curiosity.

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Warning: No pretty pictures in this posting.  Instead, you’ll find one of the proprietor’s pet peeves.

About two years ago, I tried but was unable to read the above sign, which was posted on the northside entry door of the central branch of the Schenectady County Public Library.  I eventually learned that the sign was a Notification of Asbestos Removal Project — meant to allow staff and patrons to protect themselves from the higher concentrations of airborne asbestos that can result from the removal process, by letting them know the dates and location of the removal activity. The experience resulted in my posting the piece “automatic doors make terrible bulletin boards” (September 23, 2008) at my weblog f/k/a.  As I explained at the time:

[T]he Notice moves to the left as soon as one approaches it.  That’s because it’s attached to an automatic door that slides open when you get near it, and then slides back rather quickly once you pass through.

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–  two buckets-full of golf balls dropping from a helicopter (flown by Bruce Mowery of North Country Heli-flite) toward the special Event pin at Stadium Golf Club in Schenectady NY —

[Note: As always, you can click on a photo for a larger version and scroll over it for a description.]

Yesterday afternoon, the staff of Family & Child Service of Schenectady headed a few miles uptown from their Stockade headquarters to the Stadium Golf Club, for their 5th Annual Golf Ball Drop fundraiser.  A record number of numbered golf balls — nearly all of the 1000 available for “purchase” — had been sold for $10 each and were in buckets ready to be dropped from a helicopter. [Click for our coverage of the 2009 event and the 2011 Golf Ball Drop.]

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– County Legislator Angelo Santabarbara, FCSS Deputy Executive Director Becky Alling, and Bd. Member Jim Lamar just before the R44 helicopter took off –

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The three balls closest to the pin after being dropped from the helicopter over a hole created on the fairway won the three top prizes.

Ball #193, which was the closest to the pin, had been purchased by Andrew Boord, who won the First Top Prize: two Southwest Airline tickets anywhere Southwest flies, plus $2000 cash for traveling money.

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