Australian city spends $170,000 on... this

[Shamanic Rhythm]

Some background. Canberra is celebrating its centenary this year, hence they decided to commission a work of art to commemorate the occasion. The artist used to reside in Canberra, and hot air balloons are fairly common across Canberra.

...and that's about the point where all reason and logic bids us a merry goodbye. This thing is called 'Skywhale', despite the fact that it looks nothing like a whale unless it was a whale drawn by a coked-up Salvador Dali. And yes, it actually cost $170,000.

You can read the artist's rationale (if that is the word...) here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-09/is-it-a-bird-is-it-a-plane-no-its-a-skywhale/4679676?section=act

PS I actually live here.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Ok, that's scary looking.

Oh, and a hundred years of the ACT is it? Didn't know that.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Don't the fins (wings?) kind of look like a bundle of giant, hanging boobies?

Well. Worse things have been bought. I just cannot name any other ones.

 

[Shamanic Rhythm]

Don't the fins (wings?) kind of look like a bundle of giant, hanging boobies?

That is very much intentional, according to the artist.

 

[Extra-Ordinary]

Don't the fins (wings?) kind of look like a bundle of giant, hanging boobies?

That is very much intentional, according to the artist.

Yeah, it's just abstract.
You don't understand the art, man.

 

[Caiphus]

This is what happens when you live in the Southern Hemisphere. All the blood rushes to your head and you end up doing crazy shit like this.
Some people have even reported seeing giant bouncing mice and poisonous duck-beavers. It's nuts.

 

[aba1]

That thing is totally kick ass! I wish we had something like that floating around my town it would be dead interesting.

 

[Knight Templar]

You think thats odd? There will be limited uncirculated triangle coins made, worth $5.
Triangle 5 dollar coins, now thats messed up.

 

[shrekfan246]

This is what happens when you live in the Southern Hemisphere. All the blood rushes to your head and you end up doing crazy shit like this.
Some people have even reported seeing giant bouncing mice and poisonous duck-beavers. It's nuts.

I've heard tales of spiders larger than an adult's hand that catch and eat birds and snakes, too. Madness, I tell you.

As for Skywhale, there's only one appropriate reaction:

The reckoning is upon us, fellow man.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

HAHA it kinda looks like a krogan with wings.

 

[Remus]

Don't the fins (wings?) kind of look like a bundle of giant, hanging boobies?

That is very much intentional, according to the artist.

Yeah, it's just abstract.
You don't understand the art, man.

Clearly this artist has serious mother issues and is possibly lactose intolerant.

 

[Ldude893]

Jesus, look at the size of those nibblets. Those have got to be the most biggest artificial tits I've ever seen.

 

[lacktheknack]

Some background -

NO.

I REJECT ANY ATTEMPTS TO CONTEXTUALIZE THIS.

A picture of an eight-breasted whale floating through the sky requires absolutely NO context.

 

[Offworlder_v1legacy]

As long as it doesn't cross the border, and therefore gets closer to me, I'll be happy.

Just...shoot it down with fireworks or something after its served it it's purpose, I'd like not to see it again, so I don't have night terrors about it.

 

[RicoADF]

This is what happens when you live in the Southern Hemisphere. All the blood rushes to your head and you end up doing crazy shit like this.
Some people have even reported seeing giant bouncing mice and poisonous duck-beavers. It's nuts.

Actually no, this is what happens when you stick all your politicians into one city alone with nothing else there of value. I'm serious Canberra (and it's state, the Australian Capital Territory - ACT-) was created specifically to move the government out of Sydney (since Sydney and Melbourne couldn't agree who'd be stuck with them they decided to put it in the middle). Kinda funny really.

History lesson for those interested:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Canberra

EDIT: I'm starting to wonder if Yahtzee designed this, considering he loves tits on everything.....

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

You know, it kinda looks like a rasta, with the massive pendulous titties being dreads. The stoned facial expression really doesn't help either.

I really don't understand why you're so upset- A giant flying rastaboobwhale is a fantastic use of public money.

 

[A Distant Star]

170000$ well spent.

I approve!

 

[Ed130 The Vanguard]

When they write it in their history books and sing it in hushed songs to their children, they will say... it was this day that the invasion of New Zealand begun!

What? With weapons designed to cause the defenders to fall over laughing?

Because that has to be one of the most absurd looking hot-air balloons I've ever seen.

I sense a Meme incoming along the lines of 'tittywhale'.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I'm Australian and I approve this.