AKA Doris by Laura Jean McLaughlin, Bob Ziller

About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art

We had heard there was something new happening in this small, neighborhood garden in Bloomfield, so we rode over to see what we might find. To our great pleasure we discovered that Laura Jean McLaughlin and Bob Ziller were in the process of creating another mosaic piece for this beautiful spot.

We noticed how the creature’s back looked like it might be perfect for kids to sit on.

Curious about the small prisms we saw scattered around the tall tail, we looked closer we found kaleidoscopes! How cool is that? The best part is that they’re positioned for both the young and the young at heart – so we didn’t have to kneel down to try them out.

We plan to return once the sculpture is completed to get updated photos and information. It’s a wonderful addition to the garden and the neighborhood.

UPDATE:
We contacted the artists for more information and Mr Ziller told us

"There will eventually be a bird house and a weathervane on top of the tail, and the top of her head contains a basin which funnels rainwater out of her mouth, which will go into a mosaic birdbath in the shape of a big teacup (which has yet to be made/funded)."

He also directed us to the Facebook page for The Octopus Garden where there’re photos of the construction from the beginning. They also show you how to make your own kaleidoscopes like the ones embedded in Doris’ tail.

In an interview with this Sea Dragon on that FB page, we learn that Fabulousa Lochnessa Kaleidoscopa Mosaica comes from Loch Ness in Scottland. Her famous sister (Nessie) calls her Bessie, but her friends call her Doris.

Doris is being worked on every afternoon except Sundays and the public can participate with placing the tiles. This is a very cool project and we recommend you stop by if you can. Even if you can’t stay to help, it’s worth it to see the process.

UPDATE:
We rode by in late December to check on Doris. It appears that Doris herself is complete. The birdhouse has been started, but no sign of the weathervane or birdbath yet. We noted some other additions to the garden and are looking forward to seeing it in the spring again.

UPDATE 5 May 2014
The birdhouse is finished. No sign of the birdbath or weathervane yet, but Doris and the surrounding garden appear ready for spring.

Octavia by Laura Jean McLaughlin

About Pgh Murals
Spreadsheet of Pittsburgh Public Art and blog archives
Map of Pittsburgh Public Art

In 2006, the Three Rivers Arts Festival installed a seven hole putt–putt golf course in Point State Park. They called the course Lions, and Tigers, and Groundhogs...Oh My! and Octavia was created for one of those holes. This was Laura Jean McLaughlin’s first three dimensional mosaic. The tile pieces are embedded in concrete over a wire mesh form.

When the Arts Festival folks contacted Ms McLaughlin to tell her they could no longer store Octavia, she donated it to a community garden in Bloomfield. An associate professor at Carnegie Mellon University had started a neighborhood garden on a lot that she purchased when an abandoned building burned down. Now when you ride down South Aiken St., you see Octavia anchoring the park–like space, with raised gardens all around her.

ɢ
Summer or Winter, Octavia is the focal point of this community garden.

Octavia is actually two–faced. This side faces the road.

This side faces the back of the garden.

UPDATE: Stopped by to see what was new in the community garden in early Sept 2013. We discovered a new sculpture in progress. A Sea Serpent at the back end of the garden.

We also decided to add a few photos here showing Octavia in the summer and some other nice touches from around the garden.

Some fun street signs make it hard to miss this little oasis.

Obviously this garden isn’t just for the grown–ups.

UPDATE:
When we stopped by in December we found Octavia in the Christmas spirit!

In 2015 there was a successful crowd funding campaign to raise money to restore Octavia. After years of enduring the changing Pittsburgh weather she needed some TLC. Once restoration is completed we'll post some new pictures.

UPDATE:
On 11 Sep 2016 the new and improved Octavia returned to the community garden. This time she was made of sturdier stuff. The original sculpture was never intended to be on display outdoors and didn't quite hold up to the ever changing local weather. Her makeover was done with her living conditions considered this time, and we hope to see her last many, many years.

Like the original Octavia, the new and improved version has two sides with different expressions.

There are some hand made tiles incorporated into her on both sides. Here are just a few examples: