Bus Shelter Mural Program Gallery - Carp Kite
Mural created by the Comstock family
Located at 28th Ave. W & W Blaine St. in Magnolia
Growing up in Honolulu, in the late '50s and '60s, the new state of Hawaii was rich in Pacific and South Pacific cultural and art heritage. One of the cultural impressions that I still enjoy today is the Japanese celebration of "Boys Day"; symbolized by the traditional Carp Kite (what we call a windsock).
Every house and business with boys flew their Carp Kites, tethered on long bamboo poles, from the peaks of their roofs. The father or patriarch would have the largest Carp Kite tethered at the top and highest point of honor. Each son in the household would have a smaller Carp Kite, each descending down in order of age. We would always look around to find who had the most carp kites, because the more carps on your pole, the higher the honor.
The strong and colorful designs of the Carp Kites have ever since been a strong image of growth, camaraderie and masculinity to me. The striking designs seemed a natural and colorful art project to paint with my wife, Erin and two boys, Caleb, 9 and Zach, 4.
The sky was painted to imitate a frothing stream, to play on the imagery of the Carp. On the backside of the bus shelter, three small Carp Kites designed by each boy, fly from long individual bamboo poles, to express and celebrate their own individuality.
The Japanese have a corresponding celebration for the girls, called "The Parade of Dolls."
-- Patt Comstock
Completed Spring 1993
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