File:Spider (4676697504).jpg

Now THAT is public art :)

One of Louise Bourgeois' spider sculptures. I haven't seen one in person before, it's quite simply wonderful. The gesture is captivating - the legs arc down so lightly, it's like they're really just hanging off the body and not supporting a giagantic metal monster.

Sadly, she died last week at age 98, but she remained an active artist right up until then.

The Spider is an ode to my mother. She was my best friend. Like a spider, my mother was a weaver. My family was in the business of tapestry restoration, and my mother was in charge of the workshop. Like spiders, my mother was very clever. Spiders are friendly presences that eat mosquitoes. We know that mosquitoes spread diseases and are therefore unwanted. So, spiders are helpful and protective, just like my mother.