Downtown Dangos (not dildos)

Jun Kaneko: Downtown Dangos (not dildos)

No, a prehistoric dragon did not lay eggs along the Des Moines River.  These ceramic sculptures called "dangos" are by world renowned artist Jun Kaneko and are the Des Moines Public Art Foundation’s newest gift to the community. 

Standing over 7' tall (add another 3' or so for the base) these ceramic pieces were individually sculpted by hand.  Kaneko’s signature style is shown in the geometrical shapes and lines which decorate each dango:  One drips (cries), one zig-zags (vibrates), one is cold (so it put a sweater on), one can't decide what it is (so it's three in one), and one is holey.  The artist contrasts light with dark, straight with curved, color with colorless, and cold with warm to illustrate bold sculpture.  Each one unique, but together all five are cohesive as one group.

 The overall impact when standing between or directly next to the works is one of monumental proportions.  One feels small; dwarfed by the giants.  They aren’t tall enough to make you feel as though you’re in the redwoods, but tall enough to make you feel like a munchkin next to Shaq.   From afar they blend in with the Des Moines skyline, imitating high-rises.  They fit in seamlessly with the architecture.  Take into consideration the coral colored stripe along the top of the Embassy Suites; notice how nicely it complements the composition.

Embassy Suites stripe in background

Cactus?

It's hard to deny that the sculptures look like, well… giant dildos.  It is true, they are pretty phallic looking.  But they are really so much more than that.  This guy is not world famous for creating giant ding dongs.  Check out his attention to detail on the glazing.  And anyone who has worked with clay before knows that hand sculpted pieces of this size demand mucho respect.

I met with an 86 year old art history professor earlier in the week.  He was complaining about how absorbed my generation is in multitasking and how we're always on our phones or laptops or listening to our ipods.  He gave me this take home advice, "Next time you're walking, even if it's only two blocks: turn off your ipod, take off your headphones and just look at what's around you… Who knows, you might meet an ant."  I advise everyone to do the same with Jun Kaneko's work.  Hundreds of people will pass these works every day and never really see them.  Closely examine the landscape he's created with this composition because it's so much more than first impressions.  

Nov. 13 - Dedication at the Des Moines River Walk 12:00 noon

JUN KANEKO WILL BE THERE!!!

Look at the Des Moines Public Art Foundation’s website.  There are cool photos of installation and a link to the artist’s website. http://dsmpublicartfoundation.org/public-art/five-dangos/

 I want to preface this drawing by saying that I mean no disrespect to Jun Kaneko.  I give him mad props for raising ceramics to the highest level of fine art work.  It’s just for giggles.