One hot Kiss and a $35,000 dance. . .

GAINESVILLE, Fla.--No doubt about what that sailor had in mind—one big kiss!

The sailor’s kiss is just one of numerous bronze statues by Seward Johnson scattered around town and on campus until Oct. 14, 2011. They make you do a double take--—the lady sitting on a bench in front of a bank on the corner of North Main and Second or the policeman giving out tickets by parking meters.



The massive 20-foot statue of a waltzing couple on the Plaza of the Americas—well, that is just big.

I like statues that leave room for imagination—like those by Miró, Calder or Arp. Locally, we have copper doughnuts (described as Cherrios) at the law center.

Although not quite a sculpture, a large meteorite on Turlington Plaza certainly looks like art and is routinely “dressed” for Halloween as Mr. Potato Head or covered in tinfoil.

The Solar Walk along Eight Avenue takes you past the planets and meteors, providing bits of information as well as quotes.

Whether you like explicit or implicit works, the good news is that the local community sees the importance of bringing art into our lives.

And about that $35,000 price tag on the dancing couple. . . Could someone enlighten me?