Look at the bones!

[eclectic_boy]

Walking in the woods in northern Massachusetts. What's that colorful shape in the distance?





As you get closer you can make out a little more detail.





Get closer. Click this bottom photo for the full-size version. (That's Susan Ruff providing the scale)



Yes, it really is.... a gigantic mural ossuary. Thirty feet high. In vibrant red, blue, and green. Hidden somewhere in the woods, complete with this motto in the upper left: "Take the knowledge that you will someday be these bones, and enjoy now all that is precious. ...Ichabod..YME.2001"


Someone, probably a local who hung out in these woods, has gone and made a buried folkart treasure that's, if not at the level of the Watts towers, is still stunning and beautiful. Especially considering how difficult it must have been to spraypaint this on a vertical rockface--I doubt the artist built scaffolding; presumably they lowered themself from a rope! Next time I'm in Boston I may lead an expedition to it -- email me if you're interested.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

its located somewhere in the woods of lynn mass. i also found this by googling the quote. i cant wait to find this. ICHABOD is the MAN!

"Though other sections of Lynn Woods south of Walden Pond are covered in XC trails and fire roads, the massive "Boneyard" mural best sums up the granite-filled battle zone to the north. Painted on the side of a cliff, the mural depicts hundreds of skulls and bones and carries the message: "Take the knowledge that you will someday be these bones and enjoy now all that is precious." The Lynn Woods Reservation—precious, indeed."

[eclectic-boy.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Anonymous! Thanks to you I was also able to find a couple of more recent photos of it, here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/coollibrarian/1800915650/).