Biking to Bucky, Part 15

The One Leg Up refers to those
Pink Flamingos. 6/16/18 (dwm photo)

As we continue meeting Bucky most of them now are either on campus or the isthmus.

Today, we meet two of each.... Bucky #42, 15, 16, and 39.

One Leg Up - #42 - Artist Hailey Polk

You probably can't be more on the heart of the University of Wisconsin campus than the fountain near the imposing Memorial Library and legendary Union Terrace.  State Street extends through this area tracing a line from Bascom Hill to the State Capitol.

We met Flamingo Bucky in Part 13, but here are more of the tropical birds.  It seems to represent the way Badgers take a piece of campus with them wherever they go.

Bucky is standing on grass representing Bascom Hill.  The information page says the it is from Camp Randall.

7/14/2018  dwm photo

I noticed the love for Bucky and these statues physically on my first visit.  Look at Bucky's nose (top photo) and you will see it was rubbed for luck so much (before final exams, perhaps?) it lost its color.

It got a little touch-up in the 28 days between stops (new photo left) when I got to see Bucky ready for another round of guests.  The flamingos on the sweater were noticeably brighter, too.

Everyone should be ready for their close-up, no doubt it is a popular place for Bucky selfies and family pictures.

On top of the Monona Terrace Convention Center near
Lake Vista Cafe.  6/29/2018  dwm photo

Bucky Lloyd Wright #15 - Artist Rob Severson

Frank Lloyd Wright is probably the most famous American architect.  He is from Wisconsin and much of his work is seen across the state.

He came up with the idea for the Monona Terrace Convention Center in 1938.  It opened in 1997, a mere 59 years later.  You can read about its long and winding path here.

The colors and shapes on Bucky are a tribute to Wright as they echo glass work designed by the architect.

Pleasant dreams, Bucky
6/29/18 (dwm)

Spark a Dream - #16 - Artist Barbara Westfall

This Bucky is close to American Family Insurance's Dream Bank on the corner of Pickney and East Washington, which is only fitting since he is in dreamland.

The hills and fields
outside Madison.
6/29/18 (dwm)

American Family is the sponsor, so its proclaimed mission to inspire, protect, and restore dreams is depicted in the dream cloud floating over Bucky with hopeful faces of dreamers on his right leg.

Madison is home to the insurance company,  and the lakes, farms, and landscape of the area connect dreams and dreamers.

Just across the street from the Capitol, it is a great place to contemplate hopes, dreams and the ways to reach them.  Legislators and government policy makers would do well to consider the dreamers of all ages each day as they go to work.

Pucky - #39 - Artist Dan Gardiner

Pucky Badger outside the Gordon Dining and Event Center
on a pedestrian mall near the Kohl Center.  6/16/18 (dwm)

It would be great to see this Bucky take the ice with U. W. Hockey teams this season.  He would make an impression.  Although he might want to put blades on before the puck drops.

Looks count, and Pucky looks the part with a captain's "C" on his sweater.  Puck at his feet and stick in hand, he is ready.

You can tell from his stance and the determined look in his eye this is an old-school hockey player.

The skates are tough to fill - Badger men's hockey has six national titles, the Badger women own four.

Look for the stitches above
Pucky's left eye. 6/16/18 (dwm)

Pucky is close to a couple teammates - "And On Wisconsin" stands in front of the Kohl Center while "Superbuck" is a block away.  You will meet those two in the coming weeks.

We are up to 57 in the Bucky parade.  We will see the rest over the next month.

If you've missed any, you can catch up here and find the Flamingo Bucky blog.