There!

This is the There scuplture in Oakland City Center. I suppose it waas named in response to Gertrude Stein's statement about Oakland "There is no there there!" Often it's the only thing people have heard about Oaklan. A lot has changed since Gertrude Stein's days. Living in Oakland three years I've found it is tthe most diverse and interesting place I've lived. I walk by this sculpture a lot and it always gives me a smile. It's uplifting to see the splash of color jumping into the air, a small bublly fountain provides background noise and during the week pads are put on the concrete base to accomodate the many people who stop for a rest or sit and eat their lunch. This scuplture proves there is a There in Oakland even if that's a bit corny. But Oakland doesn't need any proof of having character - it's all around us everyday.