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Pole people.

Ten-Story-Tall Pole With People Walking Up It

Field review by the editors.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

It's the kind of campus outdoor sculpture that causes first-time passersby to do a double-take. A procession of people appear to be strolling up a pole into the clouds. "Walking to the Sky" was built by Carnegie Mellon alumnus Jonathan Borofsky in 2006. It's 100 feet tall, weighs seven tons, and has a reputation for swaying in the wind.

A similar sculpture in Dallas, Texas -- a notoriously breezy city -- was taken down in February 2010. Despite repeated promises to re-erect it, the pole remains earthbound in a Dallas warehouse. There were fears that the same thing was happening in Pittsburgh when the people vanished from the poll in May 2016, but it was just to give them a touch-up. They were reattached in November 2016.

Ten-Story-Tall Pole With People Walking Up It

Carnegie Mellon University

Address:
Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA
Directions:
On the campus of Carnegie Mellon University, but easily visible from the street. From the west, I-376 exit 72A (Oakland) onto Forbes Ave., then drive two miles. From the east, I-376 exit 7 (Edgewood). Turn right onto Braddock Ave. Drive one mile. Turn left onto Forbes Ave. and drive 2.5 miles. The pole is on the south side of Forbes Ave., in an open Quad on the university campus, just east of the stoplight at the intersection of Morewood Ave.
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Nearby Offbeat Places

Garden for Math NerdsGarden for Math Nerds, Pittsburgh, PA - < 1 mi.
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Stephen Foster's Horse JawboneStephen Foster's Horse Jawbone, Pittsburgh, PA - < 1 mi.
In the region:
Sit with Mr. Rogers, Latrobe, PA - 31 mi.

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