It's Official!

5:00 Friday, October 11

Floyd Rd

The Second Atlas

One evening, not long after I photographed the Atlas in Buckhead, I spied a second Atlas. He was perched on the crest of a hill along my daily commute. I was surprised to see an Atlas "in the middle of nowhere" and quickly turned my car around to take pictures. None of the other drivers seemed to notice. You would think he'd have been more of a spectacle - he's pretty large! But, no. We daily commuters focus only on the road... or our phones... or the radio... or the food we've spilled in our laps... not the spectacular.

When Atlas first appeared in Buckhead (many years ago), there were actually three individual Atlas sculptures. One was near the center of Buckhead at Roswell Rd. and Irby Ave. The Second Atlas was placed on Pharr Rd., a block from Peachtree St. He carried a globe and advertised a gym. I believe that this Second Atlas is the sculpture I saw on Windy Hill Rd. The Third Atlas was installed at Spring St. and Linden Ave. and is still there. (I will have to take a picture!)

The three Atlases have different gestures and personalities. The First Atlas is somber and introspective. The Second Atlas has curly hair and an 80's style. When I saw him on Windy Hill Rd., he was chained in the holding yard of a construction firm, held in place by a crane and surrounded by fences. His only company was a billboard for the Pink Plumber and the occasional passing bird. I felt that he was ready to party, but that he didn't have a lot of options.

The Second Atlas has moved on since I took these photos. I meant to ask permission to take pictures from inside the fence. I wanted a closer shot of his face. I wanted to see if he was made of mesh and if he was somewhat transparent like the First Atlas. Too late. Sometimes these perfect subjects get away before I can ask all my questions.

Atlas from the roadway

Windy Hill Rd. at Dixie Ave

Atlas and the Pink Plumber billboard

Closer view

A quiet moment between a man and his billboard

Atlas from another angle, showing the crane behind him

Atlas with his chains and the crane

Closer view of Atlas' head and hand

A peaceful place for birds to rest

The Burden of Atlas

Have you heard the old stories of Atlas and how he was fated to carry the heavens on his shoulders? Well... apparently Atlas has moved to Buckhead and he is shouldering signage for advertisers instead. The pay is better, but, oh! the weather!

Atlas promotes a Sherwin Williams paint store

Roswell Rd at Irby Ave

Buckhead

Front view of Atlas

Close-up of Atlas' face

Atlas clearly takes his work seriously. You can tell by his expression that he's a professional.

View from below

Side face view 

He's made of tough stuff.

Fierce titty tattoos

Over time, some parts have fallen away...

Left hand 

But Atlas maintains his determined foothold.

View of Atlas' left foot

And his hunky-ness.

Back view and his buns of steel mesh

Atlas recommends that you get out of the rain by visiting the One Star Ranch on the other side of Irby Avenue. He recommends the BBQ and fries.

One Star Ranch restaurant

Irby Ave, Buck-head

This is traditionally recognized as the spot where, in the 1800's, Henry Irby built his saloon and nailed a deer head over the door so that his customers could fine him. This was clever branding before there was "branding." The brand overtook the location and, all these years later, the neighborhood is known as Buckhead. You can raise a toast to Atlas (outside in the rain) while you're there.

Handyman's Truck

Handyman's truck

McDonalds parking lot

Windy Hill Rd at Ward St SE

Romantic scene of Venice on the side

Driver's side of the truck

Divin' for Que

P. Reds B-B-Que

Chattahoochee Ave. at Defoor Cir.

Front door

Hurry on in!

Sometimes you just can't wait for catering!

Wind Men

Wood and pinwheels and tinsel sparkling in the sun!

Yellow and blue man

Canton Hwy

Orange and yellow man holding a rake

Blue and orange man holding an
unrecognized tool

Looks like the engineers are building a scarecrow lacrosse team!

Urban Alligator

Delightful mural of a black alligator playfully reclining - painted on the old Star Hotel building (now the Atlanta Cleaners) courtesy of ROA for Living Walls.

Alligator Mural 

Mitchell St at Forsyth St

Closer view of the mural

"The Belgian street artist, ROA, paints site specific large scale birds, rodents and animals-often in different states of decomposition--that are, or were once, local to the area."

The frisky back side

The jolly front side

Men and beast

Clever use of the building's architectural details

Leaving you with a smile

The Green Eye

Head South on I-85. Take the turn - North to I-75. As you turn, look up... above the wall, past the chain link fence... but not as far as the train bridge... and you will see it. The Green Eye.

The Green Eye

Entrance ramp to I-75 North from I-85 South

Sees all!

Mr. Bones Plays a Tune

Between Chattahoochee Ave. and Marietta Blvd. is a special property with a sign you have to see!

Sign out front of The Lumberyard

Ellsworth Industrial Blvd

What is that to the right?!

A skeleton sporting a sombrero and playing a guitar!

 What's that machine he's sitting on?

Close-up view of our musician

Can you hear the tune?

Wider view 

From the back

Now... ease through the gate and visit the Bone Garden Cantina!