|
In 1971, artist Corita Kent (1918-1986) designed
the rainbow swash which was painted on one of the storage tanks in
Dorchester. The tanks were quite drab, and the rainbow painting greatly brightened the commute for many Bostonians along the
Southeast Expressway (I93).
If you look closely at the blue swash, some people believe it resembles the
profile of Vietnamese Leader Ho Chin Minh. A forehead, nose,
lips, and long beard, might be discerned. In 1971, the United States was at
war with Vietnam, and some people believe the blue swash was intentionally
designed as a public protest. Corita Kent was a promoter of peace in the world,
but denied that a profile was embedded in the rainbow.
The storage tank was eventually demolished, and the rainbow swash was
painted on the remaining tank. It is said the nose was made less pronounced
on the second tank. Art is perceived by the eye of the beholder, and
one can likely see other things in this rainbow.
Corita Kent is also famous for the 1985 United States
postage stamp "Love," which sold hundreds of millions of copies. About
Ho Chin Minh, he actually worked at Boston's Parker House Hotel during the
1920's when he lived in the United States.
The tank is on the east side of I93 about 2 miles south of downtown Boston. You can't miss it while driving north or south; the blue swash is quite
visible as the painting is huge.
Return to Strange Boston Page
|
