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May 9, 2013 by tomdalzell

Major Quirky #1: 1175 Arch / Buddhist Shrine

There is a lively, at times heated ongoing debate among those who follow Quirky Berkeley closely about whether religious iconography is or can be or is not quirky.   Being the exalted and final judge on these matters, I have a pretty good idea where the debate is going to end, but no matter where you stand on that debate, 1175 Arch Street, just north of Eunice, is a shrine to quirk.

"Quirky Berkeley 05--07-2015"

Frederic Fierstein is an electrical contractor. He lives on Arch Street.

Frederic's Electric

His vintage work trucks are sometimes parked outside.  They are 1952 Chevy Delivery Vans.  Pretty awesome.

But nowhere near as awesome as the Buddhist shrine/altar.

#1 1175 Arch

An altar?  A shrine?  Whichever, it is truly a gift to the spirit of the street, given without expectation of reward.  The perfection of giving!  Exquisite detail, pure quirk.  My middle daughter came to the United States from Cambodia when she was 8.  Buddhism was deeply embedded in her world view.  When she first saw this, she understood it.

The iconography is that of Chinese Buddhism as practiced in Malaysia.

Baby god

Baby god

Che Pay Kong / Tua Pek Kong

Che Pay Kong / Tua Pek Kong

Hanuman

Hanuman

Quan Cong / Kuan Kong

Quan Cong / Kuan Kong

Guanyin

Guanyin

The floor of the shrine is tile.

"Quirky Berkeley in Berkeley, Calif., on May 7th,  2015."

Fierstein made the tiles.  People stop and leave an offering, fruit or coins.  They light incense of a candle.  They sweep the floor.

Surrounding the shrine – intricate and elaborate images.

"Quirky Berkeley Walk in Berkeley, Calif., is seen on Sunday, March 2nd 2014."

"Quirky Berkeley in Berkeley, Calif., on May 7th,  2015."

"Quirky Berkeley in Berkeley, Calif., on May 7th,  2015."

It is pretty magical.  Especially in misty crepuscular light.  Enchanting.

Fierstein’s artism can be seen in his Guardian sculpture at the Berkeley marina.

"Quirky Berkeley in Berkeley, Calif., is seen on June 8th, 2015."

It was fashioned after a 6″ clay sculpture that Fierstein saw at a temple in Penang.

Photo: Frderic Fierstein

Photo: Frderic Fierstein

It is a staggering example of uncommissioned public art, is the subject of lingering Berkeley myths and legends, and it is often cited in discussions of the the term “plop art.”  Read more about Fierstein and his sculpture.

 

BOnus P.S.  Bonus prize inside the box!  Walk south a few houses to 1187 Arch.  Check out the shell of the garage.

WomenGanesha

DSCN0431

DSCN0432

The garage-wall mural is to die for.  Big Ganesha – yes, a.k.a. गणेश – on a quirky concrete canvas with ivy tumbling down from above, becoming part of the art.  Hossein Altar owns the garage – and house – and commissioned the mural.

DSCN0429

Artist and tattooist Beth Emmerich took up spray paint for this project, which also celebrates Few and Far, a tattoo and graffiti  “movement that brings together dedicated, talented women all around the world.”

Update

In late 2013 it looks like construction that has started may turn this outdoor art into indoor art.

Major Quirky 1

Dang!  Oh well.  Dang.

Further update: It is really gone.   Garaged in!

But Far and Few – not gone.  I passed their truck on the way to work in early December 2014:

Few and Far

Major quirk indeed.

My friend “digs” Buddha and “digs” that it “isn’t the faith of the book.”  He likes going by and lighting a stick of incense on misty evenings.  We walk up there together.  He mumbles prayers for fallen brothers in arms.  What do you think of the shrine?  He answers quicky. He says:

IMG_3677

 

 

Here you will find photos of the oddball, whimsical, eccentric, and the near-rhyme quirky material culture of Berkeley.
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