Urban Scenes
(Permanent Collection of Oakland University)
The painting, “Neighborhood Gathering” by Rachel Reynolds Z presents a group of fire hydrants situated in close proximity of each other, forming a circle within the grass. Ranging in various colors and styles the multiple hydrants appear personified and offer the impression they are casually mingling.
The depiction is a deliberate organization of placing subjects together that are inherently located in distant proximity of each other. A cluster of fire hydrants is highly irregular. Due to their primary function, fire hydrants are installed with large spans of space between them to best distribute water throughout populated areas.
The painting was created in response to a sculpture titled, “Hydrant Conversation # 3” by local Detroit artist, Robert Zahorsky. Inspired by the narrative provided in the outdoor installation, the painting portrays both the sentiment of community and the articulation of whimsy rooted in Zahorsky’s sculpture.