Champion Flock of Weedeaters: SHEEP!

This fantastically whimsical temporary public art was created by Jed Berk. The City of San Jose Public Art Program commissioned this as part of the "Art of San Fernando: Re-Visioning the Corridor". They were recipients of the "Our Town" grant from the NEA to launch a new initiative marrying creativity and technology, helping downtown San Jose to promote new partnerships between art and technology. Weedeaters was located on the front lawn of the Diridon Station where a barn housed a flock of sheep and a four foot tall Mother sheep complete with an internal computer placed in her belly. During certain times volunteers (Shepard's) would take the sheep out of the barn to "graze" the lawn. The public was encouraged to take the sheep and "graze" or visit different places in the city. Guest Shepard's would document their sheep's adventures at coffee shops, swimming pools or hanging out on top of a cab. The photos were emailed back to the Mother sheep and shared online with other Shepard's and the general public creating an interactive community project. I personally enjoy art that not only has a sense of humor but also has a purpose behind it. This is a perfect combination because not only is it accessible to a variety of people (who doesn't like sheep!?) but it gets the community involved, and isn't that what public art should be about?