Crystal City Takes Flight Statues 21-30

Chicago had its cows, Tucson had its horses, and Washington, D.C. had its donkies and elephants. Those are just the first three cities that come to my mind when I think of cities that have in the past done series of statues that were placed all over the city. It is something many cities have done over the years. In April 2008, Crystal City placed its own set of statues around the "city." For Crystal City the choice was planes.

Crystal City is a neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia. It is right across the Potomac River from D.C. and is right before you get to Washington Reagan National Airport. It is the proximity to the airport that is the main reason this set of statues that have just landed in Crystal City are in the shape of planes. All the statues started out with one of two identical plane designs, but 50 different artists or artistic groups transformed the statues into distinct plane statues. The two starting styles are bi-plane and jet.

The statues will remain on display through July 2008. Go here for a downloadable walking map of the statue locations.

Flying Home is located at the corner of 18th Street and Crystal Drive. The artist is Anne Marchand. The sponsor is Holland & Knight.

This bi-plane has clouds painted on the wings. On the body and stand it looks like a building.

Chalk it Up is located at 18th Street and Crystal Drive. The artist is You. The Sponsor is Crystal City BID.

Paper Airplane is loacted at the corner of 18th Street and South Bell Street. The artist is Nicholas Donnelly. The sponsor is Bureau of National Affairs (BNA).

This bi-plane is painted sky blue. On it are painted several paper airplane desings flying among clouds painted on the plane.

From Crystal City With Love is located at 1851 South Bell Street. The artist is Trilogy Design Group. The sponsor is Crystal City BID.

This jet plane has a James Bond look to it with a 007 painted on the tail and silhouettes on the stand and wings. On the base it says From Crystal City With Love.

Rocket, Rocket #9 is located at the corner of 20th Street and South Bell Street. The artist is Beth Baldwin. The sponsor is Crystal City Marriot.

This jet plane is made to look like a rocket. It is mostly silver with a black starry stand and greeen base. On the plane the number 9 is painted on top. There is even a rocket flame added coming out the back.

Soar Above the Rim is located in front of 2111 Jefferson Davis Highway. The artists are Amy Marshall and The Washington Wizards. The sponsor is Archstone.

Soar Above the Rim is painted light blue with the cockpit looking like a basketball. On the plane there are silhouettes of the Washington Wizard players and they have signed their silhouettes. The stand is made to look like the wood basketball court and the base has basketballs painted on it.

Stripes is located at 23rd Street and Jefferson Davis Highway. The artist is Anne Marchand. The sponsor is Crystal City BID.

Stripes is painted with many colorful stripes. The stripes are rainbowish, although not strictly in rainbow color order.

It is Written in the Stars is located in the 23rd Street Median before you get to Crystal Drive. The artist is Linda Doyle. The sponsor is Lowe Enterprises Real Estate Group.

This jet plane has an earth globe on the base. It has stars the form words on the body and stand of the plane. I believe all the words are peace in different languages, as I recognize the only English word being peace and that the word pax and Shalom are also on it among the foreign words I did not recognize.

Starry Flight is located near the corner of 23rd Street and Crystal Drive. The artist is Roger Cutler. The sponsor is Lowe Enterprises Real Estate Group.

This bi-plane is painted in a similar design to the famous painting Starry Night.

Artomatic is located on Crystal Drive a few storefront/restaurant fronts from the 29th statue. The sponsor and artist is Artomatic.

This bi-plane is splattered with different colored paints. There are also letters thrown in the mix.