This Blows
- 960 x 240 in
- Henry Novak
A simple pen drawing of a dandelion on a vibrant yellow background created by 12-year old Omaha native Hank Novak. The work is cropped to interact with the gap in the silos, thus sending the seeds blowing into the Omaha horizon. The image is paired with the following explanatory poem by Hanks about the innovative movement of dandelion seeds:
THIS BLOWS
Dandelion seeds
Flying everywhere,
Helicopters and airplanes
Racing in the air.
I see car commercials
Almost all the time,
Their MPG’s are a revolution
But sometimes I wonder what
Transportation would be like
If we did not have evolution.
This work is part of Emerging Terrain's Stored Potential project, which began as a desire to re-purpose the grain elevator at 33rd and Vinton Streets. Emerging Terrain partnered with the elevator owners, city agencies, neighborhood associations and various community organizations to make the project happen. They solicited artists to submit designs addressing the themes of land use, food, and agriculture, a selection of which were printed on polyester mesh banners and installed on the exterior of the elevator silos. Up-lit at night, the banners were viewable to drivers passing on I-80, transforming the derelict structure into a super-size, drive-by art gallery. The project culminated with an outdoor dinner party for 500 people, all of whom were seated at an 800-foot-long table near the base of the installation.
- Current Location: Archive-Not Available for Viewing - Omaha Parks Department 1819 Farnam Street, #701, Omaha, NE 68183 (google map)
- Collections: Stored Potential