Unusual sculpture certainly sparks people's imaginations
It's a fun game for motorists stuck in traffic along Randall.
Many sit in their cars and try to guess what the sculpture is at the southeast corner of Randall and Algonquin Road.
Is it a giant musical note? It is a lever that controls the traffic light at the intersection?
I've heard from many of you wondering exactly what it is.
Robert Craig of Des Moines designed the piece, which is entitled "Untitled III," and is part of a series of six pieces.
When Craig created this piece, he said, he was looking at two very different objects. The first - a nickle-plated ACME Thunderer whistle, which he said is similar to a coaches whistle. The other - a 1940s orchard tractor.
However, he said, he wasn't trying to represent the objects' original forms when he created the piece. Instead, he said, he was trying to elicit a range of representations and associations.
"It wasn't something where you say, 'Oh, it's a 'blank.'"
Instead, he said, it was meant to get people thinking about what it might be, and to draw on their own perspective when coming up with ideas for what it is.
And that it certainly has over the past year, since it was placed at the intersection.
The sculpture was put there as part of the Village of Algonquin's Public Art Program.
As part of the program, the village has placed artwork throughout the community, both indoors and out in hopes of providing an opportunity for residents to enjoy art on a daily basis, Senior Planner Ben Mason said.
This piece certainly has provided an opportunity for many to view artwork on the daily basis, as they sit in the traffic. And it also has sparked much discussion.
Feel free to send along some of your ideas for what "Untitled III" looks like. But you'd better get a good look soon. Mason says this fall the village will be removing these sculptures and adding in new ones.
Under one roof: On Sept. 25 and Oct. 30, the folks at On Q Hennessy's Steak and Seafood along Randall Road in Elgin are holding a Ladies Night Expo.
Many different vendors selling different kinds of purses, wallets, sunglasses, cosmetics, jewelry and more will be on hand to show off their latest items.
The events run from 5 to 9 p.m.
Sweet Tomatoes, anyone? Christine Cannon of Cary, who loves frequenting Randall Road businesses, is hoping for one more in particular.
She e-mailed me to say her choice for a new restaurant would be Sweet Tomatoes, located at least somewhere along Randall.
I'm sure many buffet lovers out there would agree with you, Christine.
Right now, the Sweet Tomatoes locations nearest Randall Road are in Schaumburg and St. Charles.
• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from South Elgin to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or at (847) 894-5036.