Sunday, March 7, 2004

seeing, sawing



he is diminutive and diligent, and almost invisible, hidden high in the stately greenness just off leidseplein. each time i catch sight of him, i resist the urge to call out, to caution him: when the branch tumbles, he may tumble too.
this is "the little woodcutter", though, one of amsterdam's secret statues, and he pays no heed to passers-by.
he continues coolly, conscientiously, as the world strolls streetward. some may stop and exclaim at the sight of him; others may overlook his presence completely.
it is of no consequence; there is work - careful work, i hope - to be done.

13 comments:

  1. I really like the off-center positioning of the wood cutter. And the exposed bark gives a feeling of his having been at it for a while...

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  2. I love the idea of a "secret statue". I wish we had them here, although I think once revealed, I believe there would be a good chance of them being vandalized or stolen.

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  3. Tee hee!! I've seen it! (My picture didn't turn out so well, as you saw - this one is wonderful!)
    And I still owe you a couple emails... I'll be sure to do that today!!!!

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  4. secret statues from an anonymous artist? brilliant! i'm so thankful you've shared this one:)

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  5. I am really enjoying your photos and words.
    Keep up the good work.

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  6. Yes ... that was my immediate thought ... how come they have not been stolen?
    But a lovely post, Lynn. Many thanks ... but surely not a recent shoot ... is the season change THAT far advanced?

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  7. I bet you heard him sawing before you even saw him. Nice picture, good thing they put him on a plane tree, the contrast with the licht spots is great.

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  8. Funny enough for a while the rumour was that the Queen was behind these pieces. This little woodcutter is my favourite though!

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  9. Hi Lynn - this is margaret, Hotel Zandbergen - I luv your site! Any quiet moment I get I have another look. my compliments!

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  10. I'm also living in Amsterdam, butI never heard about anonymous artists and hidden statues. How wonderfull. Thanks for pointing it out.
    I will try to find this one this afternoon (have to go to the centre anyway and I'm very curious).

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  11. Walking near the Leidseplein, wondering what exactly was the 'Leidse bosje', is it the left or right side of the street? Looking into trees, looking a bit strange to other people. Lots of 'things' in the distance that look promising, but turn out to be a little branch, but finally: Gotcha!

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  12. PS I 'used' your photo with a link to your site on my weblog. Hope this is okay, otherwise please tell me and then I will remove it at once.

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