Under the Artsgarden

Under the Artsgarden
Canon PowerShot S95
2021

On my Ride Across Indiana, the National Road brought me through Downtown Indianapolis. It’s Washington Street there, and where it intersects Illinois Street it passes under the Artsgarden. It’s a glassed dome that serves as a pedestrian walkway and a place to perform and display art. It’s been here since 1995.

I’ve photographed it from the front and the side many times — type Artsgarden into my blog’s search bar to see — but never from underneath. I made this photo from the saddle of my bike at what is roughly the halfway point across Indiana.

I’ve driven the National Road from its beginning in Baltimore, MD to its end in Vandaila, IL. To read everything I’ve ever written about it, click here.

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Comments

10 responses to “single frame: Under the Artsgarden”

  1. Khürt Williams Avatar

    It sorta looks like a spaceship.

  2. DougD Avatar
    DougD

    Thanks for the suggestion on looking at more photos. I’d been thinking if you displayed art there it would get run over by a car within 10 seconds, but I understand now. Very interesting structure alright.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      I remember when it went in, it felt so alien. Now it’s going on 25 years old and feels like it’s always been there.

  3. Roger Meade Avatar
    Roger Meade

    Too bad that intersection is not motor vehicle free. A great spot for food carts, music, art exhibits, etc. We have made the motor car so convenient that it dominates our lives, at huge expense to the natural environment, the built environment, and human health.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      The city has done a terrific job of making this road a lot more pedestrian friendly. It used to be 4 or 5 lanes westbound, high speed, choked with traffic. Now it’s 2-3 lanes with a wide bike path and ample walking paths. This remains a through road and closing it would gridlock the rest of downtown. But one thing that can be closed without so much impact is Monument Circle, a couple blocks away.

  4. M.B. Henry Avatar

    A very cool shot – I’d really like to explore more of downtown Indie, having only been there once or twice.

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      It’s not a very long drive for you anymore!

  5. Kurt Ingham Avatar
    Kurt Ingham

    When will the Martians take their ship back? ( i guess when Tom Jones is no longer around to stop them)

    1. Jim Grey Avatar

      We thought they’d come and get it anytime for the first couple of years but now we’re sure they’ve forgotten all about it.

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