U is for Umbrella

I found this photo online several years ago.  I just love that gigantic umbrella!

When I wanted to use it for my U in the A to Z Challenge, I thought I'd do a little more

investigating on this photo.  As it turns out, The Big Umbrella was a two year project by

Aleksandra Mir.  From 2003 to 2004, she travelled to London, Paris, NYC, Martinique,

Dresden, Copenhagen with the umbrella and documented social reaction.

The umbrella, which was twice the size of the largest men's umbrella on the market, could

shield 16 people from the rain.  But her question was, would 16 strangers really crowd

together under it's protection? 



She says, "Traveling the world with a familiar object of uncanny proportions can have some unexpected effects. While The Big Umbrella proved useful as a tool for plucking down stray balls from trees, its unwieldy size on busy streets turned altruistic motives into harassment. Providing a shelter, it brought some strangers momentarily together, while alienating others, and in its most salient moments, simply amplified the solitude of the bearer."

So, how about you?  If it was pouring rain and someone was nearby with a gigantic umbrella and offered you some shelter, would you take it?  I think I would, unless the owner of the umbrella looked like a real creep. lol.  In fact, I've offered to share my umbrella with a stranger before, but I'm just friendly like that. haha.  Anyway, I want one of these huge umbrellas!  Although, if the wind was really strong, I think it might carry me away like Mary Poppins! :)

If you'd like to read more about the Big Umbrella project click HERE.

I've joined 1900 other bloggers in the A to Z Challenge for the month of April!

We're celebrating the letter U all day, Tuesday the 24th.

♥