THE UofA’s CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY is offering a chance to see the work of photographer Robert Mapplethorpe again – and maybe for the first time.

 Mapplethorpe’s 1989-1990 exhibit “The Perfect Moment” – that reached the public months after his death at the age of 42 from complications arising from AIDS – created a major battle in the culture wars with its explicit homoerotic and sadomasochistic images.

Mapplethorpe self-portraits

 The uproar seared an image of Mapplethorpe into the public mind to the exclusion of nearly all his other work.

 And it is that other work – a vast body of strikingly dramatic portraits – that is represented in 104 Mapplethorpe photographs on display at the Center through October 4.

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THE BIKE SANCTUARY, TUCSON’S NEWEST PUBLIC ARTS PROJECT, got off to a celebratory start over the weekend.

New Bike Sanctuary in Barrio Anita

About 200 people gathered at the sanctuary site at the southwest corner of Main and Davis in Barrio Anita for the inaugural. The 12 by 12 foot steel frame sculpture is dedicated to bicyclists who have been injured or died and stands as the northern gateway to the proposed El Paso and Southwestern Greenway, a six-mile long bicycle and pedestrian path to run on a former railroad corridor from downtown, through South Tucson and to the Kino Sports Center.

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Old Stump from Magic Carpet Flying

On Saturday August 15 Tucson’s historic Valley of the Moon is having a birthday celebration at its children’s fantasyland and the public is invited. It will be the first opportunity for visitors to see the newly relocated sculptures from the closed Magic Carpet Golf property. The Pygmy Hut, The Castle, The Old Stump and The Spider Web are now concreted into their permanent location in the front part of the park.

Magic Carpet Castle Being Cut From Site

Valley of the Moon is in the middle of some major renovations. The work continues with the planting of a lawn, trees, shrubs and decorative ground cover for the front acre of the park.  Since 1923, Valley of the Moon has been spreading the message that Kindness to All is the Golden Key to Happiness.  Since the closure of over 30% of the park in 2008, many of the original works of George Legler have not been open to the public.  The Magic Carpet statues give The Moon a much needed facelift and an area to have weddings, birthday parties, and public events, with all proceeds dedicated to keeping the gentle dream of George Legler alive.

Spider Tree Flying From Magic Carpet

The film crew of  FOX 11  TUCSON TREASURES television show with Gina Trunzo will be at the event filming the entire fantasyland for an upcoming episode.

The public is invited to this unique event. Cake, music and good times will be furnished as well as a tour of the historic fantasyland led by the legendary Angus McDougal.

This is a one-night only family oriented event Saturday, August 15th from 7:00PM till 9:00PM. ADMISSION IS FREE, but donations are always welcome. All donations benefit the preservation of Valley of the Moon. Location:  2544 East Allen Road or for more information call 520-323-1331.

Web site: http://www.tucsonvalleyofthemoon.com