Friday, September 21, 2018

Statue of Historic Figure: Terry Fox - Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Terry Fox
Victoria, BC, Canada


N 48° 24.558 W 123° 22.142



Short Description: 

A statue of athlete, cancer victim, and cancer research activist Terry Fox is located in the southwest corner of Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, British Columbia.

Long Description:

Terry Fox lost his right leg to cancer. Nonetheless, he undertook an effort, called the Marathon of Hope., to run the length of Canada from St. John's, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia in order to raise awareness of cancer and funds for cancer research. He managed to cover 3,339 miles in 143 days before his cancer spread and soon thereafter cost him his life. Today he is a Canadian folk hero.


The statue depicts Terry Fox running on a prosthetic right leg. A bronze plaque on the polished black granite base is inscribed:

Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and raised in Port Coquitlam, 
British Columbia, a community near Vancouver on Canada’s west coast. 
An active teenage involved in many sports, Terry was only 18 years old when he
was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma (bone cancer) and forced to have his 
right leg amputated 15 centimeters (six inches) above the knee in 1977. 
While in hospital, Terry was so overcome by the suffering of other cancer patients, 
many of them young children, that he decided to run across Canada to raise money 
for cancer research.

He would call his journey the Marathon of Hope.

After 18 months’ and running over 5,000 kilometers (3,107 miles) to prepare, Terry
started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980 with little fanfare. 
Although it was difficult to garner attention in the beginning, enthusiasm soon grew, and 
the money collected along his route began to mount. Her ran 42 kilometers (26 miles) a day 
through Canada’s Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Ontario. 

It was a journey that Canadians never forgot.

However, on September 1st, after 143 days and 5, 374 kilometer (3,339 miles), Terry was forced 
to stop running outside of Thunder Bay, Ontario because cancer had appeared in his lungs. An 
entire nation was stunned and saddened. Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at age 22.

The heroic Canadian was gone, but his legacy was just beginning.



The front of the base is inscribed:

“Somewhere the hurting must stop...”

TERRY FOX
1958 - 1981



The sides of the base have the inscriptions:

“Dreams are made possible if you try.”

and 

“I believe in miracles. I have to.”

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Casino: MGM Springfield - Springfield, MA.

MGM Springfield
Springfield, MA


N 42° 05.962 W 072° 35.192


Short Description: 

MGM Springfield is located between Main, State, and Union Streets and East Columbus Avenue at One MGM Way, in downtown Springfield, MA.





Long Description:

MGM Springfield is the first resort casino constructed in Massachusetts. It open to the public on August 24, 2018. The $960,000,000 project is built on reclaimed land that was destroyed by the tornado that struck Springfield on June 1, 2011.



The 2 million square-foot complex with contains a gaming area surrounded by a parking garage, 252 room hotel, spa, movie theater, restaurants, and shops. The 125,000 square-foot casino featuring 2,550 slots, 120 table games, a high-limit room and a poker room with 23 tables.


Tenants:

Cal Mare - Italian Restaurant - Main Street
Chandler Steakhouse - Main Street
Indian Motorcycle Apparel
Kringle Candle - Spiritualist Church on Union Street
Regal Cinemas - Union Street
South End Market - State Street
    Bill's Diner
    Gelato and Espresso
    Hearth Grill
    Jack's Lobster Shack
    Wicked Noodles
    Wine and Cheese
Starbucks - Main Street
Tap Sports Bar, Arcade and 6 Bowling Alleys - South Side of Main Plaza






Abstract Sculpture: The Flying Tidings Whirled - Springfield, MA

The Flying Tidings Whirled
Springfield, MA


N 42° 05.898 W 072° 35.131



Short Description: 

The abstract sculpture The Flying Tidings Whirled is located in the entrance to the MGM Springfield Hotel on One MGM Way and Main Street in Springfield, MA.

Long Description:

The MGM Casino Hotel opened on August 24, 2018. It is build on an area of Springfield that was devastated by the tornado that struck on June 1, 2011. In recognition of the resiliency of Springfield in recovering from the tornado the MGM Springfield Casino commissioned Mia Pearlman to create the sculpture that is placed at the entrance to the hotel just before the lobby.

Mia Perlman calls this work "The Flying Tidings Whirled". The 15' high by 12' wide sculpture is constructed from a series of powder coated aluminum plate and arranged to form a counter-clockwise swirling helix to give the impression of a tornado.


A nearby sign is inscribed:

Mia Pearlman
(American, b. 1975)

Flying Tidings Whirled
2018
Power Coated Aluminum

Appox. 180" x 144"


MGM Resorts Fine Art Collection {MGM Logo}


Artistic Seating: Bench of Expectations - Springfield, MA

Bench of Expectations
Springfield, MA


N 42° 05.959 W 072° 35.190


Short Description: 

"Bench of Expectations" is located on the MGM Springfield Casino Plaza at One MGM Way in Springfield, MA.



Long Description:

"Bench of Expectations" is a metal sculpture designed to be used for seating at the MGM Springfield Casino Plaza. It was created by Danish artist Jeppe Hein who is famous for creating similar seating sculptures that have been erected around the world.

According to the MGM Newsroom website: link

Jeppe Hein – “Bench of Expectation” – Jeppe Hein is one of Denmark’s most celebrated contemporary artists. Now based in Berlin, he is known for his sculpturally inventive and conceptually whimsical works, often made for public spaces and social interactions with people. Tasked with designing a functional, captivating work of art for MGM Springfield, Hein created Bench of Expectation – an eye-catching, bright red bench that is prominently displayed in the resort’s outdoor plaza. Part of his ongoing sculpture series, the quirky structure elongates the ubiquitous park bench to an almost Seussian degree with winding loops and slides. Visitors can use it as a typical bench or walk around and through its structure to explore and interact with it.

Mural: Indian Motorcycle - Springfield, MA

Indian Motorcycle
Springfield, MA


N 42° 05.936 W 072° 35.156



Short Description: 

The MGM Springfield Casino commissioned this painting of a mural of an Indian Motorcycle to adorn the back wall of the historic Springfield Armory on the grounds of the casino.



Long Description:

A 30' long by 25' high mural of a Indian Motorcycle was created by local artist John Simpson in 2018. The mural is part of the effort of the newly opened MGM Springfield Casino to incorporate items that reflect the history of Springfield into its design.

The Springfield Armory, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was devastated by the tornado that struck Springfield on June 1, 2011. MGM acquired the property from the City of Springfield and incorporated the building into it's plan. The mural is high on the south wall of the Armory facing the south plaza of the casino. The mural depicts the Indian Scout 45 Police Motorcycle and the logo for the Indian Motorcycle Co. which was founded in Springfield in 1901. The mural compliments Indian Motorcycle's first apparel store located along this plaza.



Lion Statue: Leo, the MGM Springfield Casino Lion - Springfield, MA

MGM Springfield Casino Lion
Springfield, MA


N 42° 05.953 W 072° 35.257




Short Description: 

Leo, the mascot lion for MGM is located at the entrance to the valet parking garage of the new MGM Springfield Casino is at One MGM Way off of State Street in Springfield, MA.

Long Description:

Every MGM property is given a mascot lion. This 600 pound bronze lion is 6' in length. It was fabricated by the George M. Raymond Co. in Las Vegas, moved to Springfield by truck and erected at the entrance to the valet parking garage.

The lion is sitting on its hind legs on top of an 18" high, lighted, five sided platform which is rounded on the front. Behind the platform is a 7' high wall decorated with metal latticework. Near the top of the wall is the inscription MGM SPRINGFIELD