THE FLATULENCE EXHIBIT
This unique exhibit is devoted to the history of the appreciation of Flatulence. It was created in xxxx and features stories, articles, facts, ophotographs and grtaophic art related to the subject. A highloight is a collection of mirror-art images offarts, and the centerpiece is The Magic Flatulence Post which has stored all of the winning contest entries in a Farting Competition. Every time a visitor opushes the button, one hears one of the winning contest entries—and there are more than 60 different onces. Visitors are invited to take pictures/videos of the Exhibit andk use them as they wish. You can see a video about this exhibity on YouTube: "visionary farts".When you visit AVAM, you must experience this Exhibit! Here;s a picture:

FLOWER/BUD VASES
Never being able to find an appropriate vase to hold flowers or single blossoms, Bob made them out of mirrors. They are water-proof, will never tip over, and surely complement the flowers. YUu can design your own.

THE TREE (S) AT THE AMERICAN VISIONARY ART MUSEUM

In early summer of 2005, AVAM wished to have the oak tree outside their main entrance on Key Highway decorated with mirrors. Benson made all of the mirror decorations, and the trunk of the tree was decorated with mirrors as well. This major project would not have been possible without the design and installation expertise of my neighbor, Rick Ames, is a superb artist working primarily in metal and sculpture (check out his BIO). Decoration of the tree (here called TREE ONE) was very successful — see pictures of it HERE.

HOWEVER, THERE WAS A PROBLEM!! Iit was obvious the oak treewas severely stressed. There were many termites, along with bag caterpillars, and the tree was not long for this world. It died in the fall of 2006, was removed—and replaced with LIVE TREE TWO.

Professionally planted in November 2006, this was a smaller oak tree and seemed to be very healthy. We wanted this tree to remain healthy and were able to secure, with the help of Baltimore artist Gene Winford, a metal "girdle" about five feet high that wrapped around the entire tree trunk. Rick Ames worked his magic in augmenting the metal "girdle" by attaching eight-foot iron extensions to each of the vertical bars. All of the heavier decorations for the tree were hung from this to avoid stress on the tree itself. The "girdle" was then covered with mirrors, with an exotic, wildly-colored "vine" made from colored mirrors encircling the entire trunk. Tree Two looked quite spectacular and you can see some pictures of it HERE, the way it looked in May 2007. If you look closely, you'll see all sorts of intriguing "creatures" including a pair of flamingos, a penguin, a cat, a dog, a frog, an octopus and various other odd things, along with a wide range of glittering, shimmering flashies.

THEN, ANOTHER PROBLEM!!

Tree Two appeared to be vibrantly healthy in the spring of 2007. Then it suddenly died!! Inspection showed the soil around the tree was infested (as before) with termites, even though it had been treated for this problem. There was no way to save Tree Two.

NOW, TREE THREE (!!!!!)

This large tree "sculpture" (the highest point is about 21 ft. off the ground), rests on a "trunk" about 7 ft. high. This trunk is made of strong steel and covered with mirrors decorated with vines enricling the entire trunk, with many different colors of mirrors used. The base of TREE THREE begins at the top of the trunk, and is about 9 feet wide at the bottom. The nine layers of metal "branches" were made by Rick Ames. These branches are decorated with thousands of pieces of mirrors and it creates a dazzling display in sunlight. The Visionary Art Museum has called this "The Universal Tree of Life." For pictures of TREE THREE, click HERE. The ree is weatherproof and has become an icon on he Balimore sculture/art scene.

THE ICARUS REFLECTING POND AT AVAM

Late in the summer of 2005, AVAM acquired a magnificent large statue of Icarus created by British artist Andrew Logan , made from mirrors and stained glass. This statue hangs in the center hallway of AVAM’s main building, mounted so that it very slowly turns as it moves up and down, at the highest point being near the AVAM ceiling, lowest point about eight feet above the floor. AVAM requested the team of Benson/Ames to make a “reflecting pond” of mirrors below Icarus, and the result was OCEANUS, the name given to the mirror creation which smbolically represents the ocean into which Icarus fell. The Pond is about 17 feet long and six feet across at the widest point. It is made of thousands of pieces of mirror, each individually cut and formed into various shapes. The vertical six inch high ring around the entire pond, made from strands of half-inch double quarter-inch mirrors, contains more than 6,000 pieces. Since initial installation in September 2005, the pond has been elaborated considerably. Here are some pictures of THE POND including much of the detail elements.

Now, something NEW! Icarus now has The Sun to fly to!
The Sun is 5 ft. in diameter and made from thousands of pieces of colored mirror primarily in red, gold and silver. It is sturdily constructed, made from one sheet each of regular plastic and 1/4 inch plexiglass, with stainless steel mounting hooks. It was built in May 2009, and here is a picture of it in Benson's home awaiting pickup by the AVAM crew:

WORKSHOPS

Workshops are given at the American Visionary Art Museum . For information about these, contact AVAM: 410 244-1900. Workshops are also given in Bob's studio in his home in Glen Burnie. Classes limited to 10 participants.
For information, write: trebor3636@verizon.net or call 410 761-2451.

FOR PICTURES OF WORKSHOPS click HERE

THE BISHOP'S RING

In honor of Archbishop Desmond Tutu's visit to the American Visionary Art Museum January 21, 2006 at AVAM's Tenth Anniversary Celebration, Bob designed and made a mirrored symbolic rendition of a Bishop's Ring to present to Archbishop Tutu. The Ring was made from 1/4" inch mirror, and is about 4 1/2 inches wide.

MIRROR CITIES

These "cities" are made from paired pieces of quarter-inch mirrors glued together.
They are visionary "cities" that make a great show in bright light.