I usually find hidden surprises on my walks around Palo Alto. In New York, the surprise was a little harder to miss—a giant red gummy bear! Apparently, this one even has a mugshot. His crime? Being too sweet? But behind the playful appearance is a more serious story.
This is Vandal Gummy, by New York artist WhIsBe, whose name stands for “What Is Beauty.” He pairs a familiar childhood treat with a prison mugshot—a surprising combination that makes you look twice. (vandalgummybears.com. The artist has described its original meaning as “innocence lost.” Something we associate with sweet childhood memories suddenly looks like a criminal. For me, it raises a question: has the bear changed, or has the sign changed how we see him? (Forbes)
The gummy bear wasn’t the only sculpture that caught my eye. Together, these discoveries made me slow down and enjoy something unexpected among the city’s buildings.
If you follow my Hidden Palo Alto blogs, you know I love finding stories behind everyday places. This New York discovery reminded me that art can make us smile first—and think a little deeper afterward.
What did you see first—a sweet childhood memory or a bear in trouble?
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