Biking to Bucky, Part 14

Bucky wears the words
and music of Varsity.
6/29/2018 dwm photo

Some of the Bucky statues take ingenuity to an incredible level as the artist thinks outside the mammal to embody its role in the parade.

In today's blog, we meet #12, 43, 13, and 41.

5th Quarter - #12 - Artist Kim Marie

He stands in the lobby of the AC Hotel (by Marriott) just a block from Capitol Square holding drum sticks and a large bass drum.

A long time ago, when Director of Bands Mike Leckrone arrived in Madison, often the marching band was the best part of U.W. football games.  The band took the field after the game to entertain.  And they did as the scoreboard added time to the clock and the quarter changed to 5.

U rah-rah! Wisconsin.  (dwm)

The 5th Quarter looks like chaos on the field with band members all over the place while playing the music on time and quite well.

5th Quarter Bucky is covered in sheet music to great effect.  A trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Flute, and Saxophone lay at his feet, probably discarded by band members throwing a ball around the field.

Baller Bucky - #43 - Artist Brooke Wentland

In front of the Red Gym
6/29/2018 (dwm)

He is an old school basketball player fitting his position in front of the iconic Red Gym on the University of Wisconsin campus.  Built in 1894 as a military training facility, the Red Gym was also an athletic and student event center which hosted varsity basketball games until the Fieldhouse opened in 1930.

Baller Bucky.  (dwm)

The Gym was built for $127,000; renovated in 1998 at a cost of $13 million.  Today it serves as home to a variety of student services organization.

The graphics and uniform design fit the era and I gather from his intense game-face that Bucky knows how to use his elbows under the boards to rebound wayward set shots.

There is an allowance to comfort I noticed, Bucky's shoes come with a special fit for each claw-carrying toe.  On, Wisconsin!

A Taste of Madison - # 13 - Artist James McKiernan

A few Madison landmarks - cheese, bikes,
running past the Capitol etc.
 6/29/18 dwm photo

Outside the Hilton Madison Monona Terrace Hotel stands a wood Bucky with the skyline and landmarks of the city etched all over it.

It isn't wood, of course, just a real good job making him look like it.

This statue amazed me with subtle drawings across the Badger midsection like it was a wall in an ancient cave.  It seems old and new at once.

This Bucky is understated which makes sense when standing in front of a Hilton Hotel.  A brash Bucky wouldn't do.

Of course this Bucky is outside the
Chazen Museum of Art.  6/16/18 (dwm)

Bucky come se Picasso - # 41 - Artist Julie Hustad

Earlier this year, the National Geographic channel ran a limited episode series called "Genius" which centered around the life of Pablo Picasso.

At no point during the series was there a suggestion Picasso would someday paint Buckingham U Badger.

Maybe he did.  Maybe he didn't.  But a version of what a Picasso Bucky might look like stands outside the building holding several actual Picasso pieces of art.

Whimsy, cubism, and
bright colors pay respect
to Pablo from Bucky.

Julie Hustad puts her stamp on it with a "Buckasso" faux signature on the base to complete the three dimensional picture.

The free museum is on a pedestrian mall through the heart of campus.  It is a short walk from University Avenue to find the Chazen.

I hope Bucky persuades passers-by to stop inside.

You can find more Bucky Badger public art through this link.