March 9
...serving up your daily dish.
Even though most of those red hearts have been trashed, we notice that some Baristaville miscreants residents have a hard time letting go of Christmas, as evidenced by the occassional dead wreath and icicle lights still hanging around. But we've had our eye on a giant blue-light covered dress decorating a homeowner's front yard on Valley Road -- it's a violation, but it's also kind of seasonless. So in a supreme act of clemency, the Decorating Police is only issuing a warning to unplug - no violation notice just yet. On closer inspection, we noticed that the 10 foot tall ballgown shaped topiary -- in better weather -- will probably be covered with English Ivy.
March 9, 2006 in Seasonal Decorating Violation | Permalink
Point of information.
The dress is an 'art sculpture'. It was on display several years ago on the grounds of the Montclair Art Museum.
It is time to stop the Montclair Art Police.
Now what would a town like Montclair do without ART!
Posted by: Franklin | Mar 9, 2006 2:27:14 PM
It's not holiday decor. The work was created by artist Rolla Herman at the request of the Montclair Art Museum to accompany the exhibition "The Empty Dress." It always makes me smile.
Posted by: Anne-Marie | Mar 9, 2006 2:35:13 PM
Um, guys, that dress has been on that lawn since at least 1999.
Posted by: Meghan | Mar 9, 2006 2:36:18 PM
There's "holiday" decor and "seasonal" decor. I say icicle lights and tree/bush net lights (white, not colored) are fine as winter season decorations through the middle of March. Certainly any decorations that reference Christmas and Hannukah should be removed by January 15.
Posted by: Jim | Mar 9, 2006 2:47:30 PM
Jeez,
I can't believe we're complaining about this. It really doesn't look bad at all, kind of eclectic really. At least we aren't talking about one of those cat and dog houses, where a disturbed person hoards hundreds of cats and dogs in a home, sometimes for years, until a neighbor finally gets a whiff, (Literally) and Animal Control is brought in.
Posted by: Lee Blair | Mar 9, 2006 2:48:21 PM
I have been wondering about the dress, thanks for the details. I hope it stays up.
Posted by: hrhppg | Mar 9, 2006 2:49:01 PM
Seems as though the citizens of Montclair have spoken through their postings on Barista - Let the Art stay!
Posted by: Franklin | Mar 9, 2006 2:52:40 PM
I LOVE it. If I have friends staying with us from out of town I try and make a point to drive by and "show it off"
Posted by: tangomama | Mar 9, 2006 2:56:11 PM
I am the first one to issue a violation to people (like my neighbors who are celebrating the third year of their Christmas wreaths), but that dress ALWAYS makes me smile.
I'd like some sculpture on my lawn. Beats grass.
Posted by: Kevin Lee Allen | Mar 9, 2006 3:03:44 PM
It's kind of busty. A tad immodest, perhaps? A bit for Baristaville's hot-blooded 12-year-old boys? Maybe it should be changed to a burkha.
Posted by: walleroo | Mar 9, 2006 3:11:02 PM
In my Arabic 3 class, walleroo, we've learned that it is properly spelled "burqa." But you as an infidel (in so many ways) may embrace both it and its spelling as you please.
Posted by: cathar | Mar 9, 2006 3:22:26 PM
As walleroo noted, it appears kind of busty; Reubenesque, zaftig, and Va-Va-Va-Voom! also come to mind. Let's get MeMe on the case and see if she can get it down to a Size T2 (T for topiary, in this case). I know I have something better to do; just can't seem to find it.
Posted by: Conan the Grammarian | Mar 9, 2006 3:27:58 PM
methinks that lawn decorations are the Barista's pet peave
Posted by: State Street Pete | Mar 9, 2006 3:50:38 PM
Conan, I have so much I should be doing. And soon. Much too much. And I've really got to go. I can't sit around here jawing all day, for chrissake. So please don't distract me. Just stop posting. Stop it. Stop.
Posted by: walleroo | Mar 9, 2006 4:01:03 PM
I think it needs a big blue satin ribbon. Oh and like so many things like that, whether it is art is clearly in the eye of the beholder but it doesn't bother me even if it doesn't delight me like it does some of you. It is a decent landmark on a dark night on my way home.
Posted by: Max | Mar 9, 2006 4:04:53 PM
You know, I've usually been one for ordinaries and stuff but this is seems more like free expression. I suppose its cool as long as you don't burn out your neighbors eyes.
.... after stating this someone is going to install a klieg light on their front lawn...
Posted by: lasermike026 | Mar 9, 2006 4:23:34 PM
I love the thing! It's much better looking than Goose Poop Park. Let the dress stand!
Posted by: can i get a witness | Mar 9, 2006 4:26:49 PM
I too think that dresses should always stay up.
However I would like to register my preference for a couple of indecent landmarks around these parts.
Thank you very much.
Posted by: crank | Mar 9, 2006 6:27:04 PM
There are quite a few crank - most of the new construction in the area is pretty indecent, IMHO.
Walleroo. Wake up! You have stuff to do! Places to go and people to see! Hustle!
Posted by: Conan the Grammarian | Mar 9, 2006 6:30:00 PM
Yeah, but it's the emetic kind of indecency, not the kind that, just by changing two little letters in the descriptor, makes a man sit up and take notice. And possibly run into telephone poles, but hopefully not while driving.
Oh gosh but I need some caffeine.
Posted by: crank | Mar 9, 2006 6:38:18 PM