Masking Tape? – Providence Park, S.W. Morrison Street near 18th Avenue, Portland, Oregon

On the plaza in front of Portland’s Providence Park – formerly Jeld-Wen Field; PGE Park; Civic Stadium; originally Multnomah Stadium (is nothing sacred?) – stand two sculptures. Created by artist Michael Stutz, each statues is approximately eight feet tall, and made from welded silicon bronze. At first glance, they may appear to be the same but in fact, one is a smiling boy – on the 18th Avenue KeyBank Plaza – and the other a laughing man – on the corner of 20th. Pulling on the long history of the stadium – which was first built in 1926 – Stultz writes, "The heartily smiling man and boy faces portray two stages in the life of an individual, relating to the historical evolution and changing character of the site itself."

Stutz found his artistic inspiration in the mid-nineties in New Orleans, designing and building floats and sculptures for Mardi Gras parades. Facing the Crowd is meant to instill a sense of fun to onlookers. "Facing the Crowd’s dynamic presences becomes a celebration of joy and playfulness," read the plaques outside. "These giant totems engage the spectator in their simple and universal theme of maintaining humor in the midst of a chaotic urban world."

The smiling man and boy were installed in 2001.