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Fantastical Traveler (1 of 3)

Posted by
Steven (Chicagoland, United States) on 22 October 2019 in People & Portrait and Portfolio.

Statue of Ray Bradbury, author who was born and raised in Waukegan, Illinois. Titled “Fantastical Traveler,” the statue was created in stainless steel by artist Zachary Oxman. The design — which features Bradbury, book in hand, on a rocket ship — was inspired by Bradbury’s poem “If Only We Had Taller Been.” The statue tells the story of a man “beaming with unbridled imagination, curiosity and surprise,” Oxman said at the dedication. It shows a “seasoned Bradbury” astride a vintage-style rocket ship with his “legs blissfully outstretched to the wind.” “We see a grown man on the outside yet a curious boy on the in,” Oxman said. “As a writer, Ray loved metaphors, and this rocket is the personification of the scores of novels young Ray devoured at the Waukegan Library that propelled him to uncharted worlds.

“The cogs and gears turn, interlock and harmonize, the endless churning of a vibrant and curious mind. Enraptured in the glory of the moment, Bradbury sends to the cosmos with pages fanning in the wind, beckoning us to explore, imagine, write and tell stories yet untold.” Bradbury, who died in 2012, often spoke of the hours he spent at the Waukegan Public Library, then housed in the Carnegie Building on Sheridan Road. The library moved in 1965 to its current home at the corner of County and Clayton streets. Bradbury, who received an Academy Award, two Emmy awards and a Pulitzer Prize but never attended college, struggled during his years at Central School, said Jonathan Eller, the director of the Center for Ray Bradbury Studies at Indiana University.

The statue was dedicated on August 22, 2019, what would have been Ray Bradbury's 99th birthday if he were still alive.

Photo captured August 23, 2019.

NIKON D7000 1/180 second F/6.7 ISO 200 21 mm

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Spotlight Images

By Marie - Montagnes from Entre montagnes et Bretagne, France

A magnificent sculpture! great framing too.

22 Oct 2019 5:21am

Jypyä Pop from Turku, Finland

I wish him a good trip. Stunning sculpture

22 Oct 2019 5:58am

Dreams come true from Utrecht, Netherlands

A amazing sculpture with a interesting story.
Thanks for the explanation.

22 Oct 2019 6:05am

Ronnie 2¢ from Atlantic Shores, United Kingdom

A touching tribute and brings back many memories of those 'days'.

22 Oct 2019 6:21am

fateme@@ from Dezful, Iran

Nice light.

22 Oct 2019 7:13am

Ralf Kesper from Fröndenberg, Germany

A really cute statue.

22 Oct 2019 8:01am

Pascale MD from Occitanie, France

Cette sculpture est fantastique, et merci pour son histoire super intéressante.
Bonne journée Steven

22 Oct 2019 8:09am

Hiro from Kyoto, Japan

On a rocket ship, we need a book, but sometimes PC.

22 Oct 2019 8:20am

grouser from Ludlow, United Kingdom

nicely captured and documented Rocket Man

22 Oct 2019 9:21am

Shaun from Massachusetts, United States

A superb image of this great sculpture Steven.

22 Oct 2019 10:45am

Rose from Clinton, United States

I would love to see this for real...

22 Oct 2019 1:16pm

Nicou from Sion, Switzerland

superbe statue et ensemble quel édifice et captage fantastique
Belle soirée

22 Oct 2019 2:14pm

Urspo from Phoenix, United States

Lovely as always!
Got any autumn or Halloween photos ?

22 Oct 2019 2:37pm

Ruthiebear from Titusville, NJ, United States

I like the point of view. Shows off the feeling of dynamic movement of this statue.

22 Oct 2019 2:53pm

Devi from Chennai, India

A superb sculpture ! Great framing !!

22 Oct 2019 3:05pm

Adela Fonts from Barcelona, Spain

Magnificent sculpture! It makes us travel!

22 Oct 2019 3:44pm

Existence Artistique from Angers, France

intéressant

22 Oct 2019 4:23pm

Sam from Chennai, India

Wonderful sculpture and a fine shot. Great tribute and interesting story. :)

22 Oct 2019 4:25pm

jpla from St Barthélémy, France

Jolie sculpture
JP

22 Oct 2019 6:33pm

Rick from Toronto, Canada

That's an awesome piece of homage art. Nice bright detail shot, too.

22 Oct 2019 6:50pm

Laurence from Châteaugay, France

Belle sculpture et un touchant hommage !

22 Oct 2019 7:22pm

Mhelene from Villiers-sur-Marne, France

Beautiful composition and tribute to Ray Bradbury !

22 Oct 2019 7:27pm

Don from Spokane, United States

This statue says so much about our future. Impressive picture

22 Oct 2019 8:18pm

London Caller from United Kingdom

No wonder it still looks so spanking new.
Fascinating story.

22 Oct 2019 9:54pm

Steve Rice from Olympia, United States

A beautiful image of the rocket sculpture. An excellent tribute to the author.

22 Oct 2019 11:20pm

Martine Girard from Brest, France

Une sculpture très originale, j'aime !

23 Oct 2019 1:05am

jeanmadis from Chonburi, Thailand

L'image est impeccable, les couleurs sont douces et belles, la sculpture est magnifique.

23 Oct 2019 1:56am

Elaine Hancock from Olney, United States

A fabulous sculpture! This is such a wonderful tribute to such a prolific author. He had a wonderful imagination.

23 Oct 2019 2:13am

B. Thomas from Arlington, Texas, United States

I like this traveler with his book and rocket ship.

23 Oct 2019 2:23am

Harry from Apex, NC, United States

A worthy tribute to a far-sighted author. And a fine image of it, which you didn't waste any time capturing.

23 Oct 2019 2:37am

willy from Belgium

une belle sculpture et une superbe composition Steven

greetings

23 Oct 2019 10:22am

Remus from Portugal

Books and their stories are a great way to travel.
Imagination is an excellent vehicle for entering other worlds.

23 Oct 2019 10:56am

sherri from Little Rock, Arkansas, United States

a very cool sculpture

25 Oct 2019 3:45pm

The Yum List from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Love the book in hand and look of joy and adventure on his face.

27 Oct 2019 11:21pm