Fork as art? Most definitely!
Pasadena has a fork in the road and it’s 18 feet tall. Where south St. John and south Pasadena avenues divide, there’s a towering wooden silver fork in the traffic median. A fork at the fork in the road.
For years, Bob Stane would mention to his friend Ken Marshall that there should be a fork at the fork in the road. As a surprise 75th birthday present in 2009, Ken and his team dressed as Caltrans workers and installed the fork in broad daylight. Bob was definitely surprised and amazed that they pulled off the stunt without a hitch. The beauty of this prank is that the installation took place on land owned by Caltrans and managed by the City of Pasadena.
The public loved the Fork and clamored to make it permanent. After much discussion and planning, the Fork was removed in 2010. It was reinstalled permanently in October 2011 and the property was named Fork Plaza. Alongside this piece of art, a charity was born. Put a Fork in Hunger focuses on being an advocate for hometown charities that assist families and individuals in getting back on their feet during challenging times in their lives.
I drive by the Fork every day on my way to and from work. It makes me smile because it is whimsical and fun. The Fork can be many things to many people, but to me it was simply executed to great effect. A birthday present that turned into guerilla art. Genius!
True art is characterized by an irresistible urge in the creative artist. -Albert Einstein
*Tina
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