Santa Cruz, California: Collateral Damage

In the beach community of Santa Cruz, next to the town clock, stands an odd buzzkill of a sculpture. Bronze humanoid figures peer and wail skyward, clutching each other as they appear to melt, perhaps the effect of napalm, an atomic burst, or some other horror. "Collateral Damage: A Reality of War" is a sculpture by E. A. Chase. Sponsored by Chase, the local VFW Post, the Resource Center for Nonviolence, and the city of Santa Cruz, it is "In memory of civilians who have died in all wars."

Collateral Damage was dedicated in 1995. It could be a family -- a dad, and a mom holding a child -- and their agony is undeniable. Nothing in its design suggests a specific atrocity, and there's no local connection (such as Santa Cruz being carpet bombed to improve ocean views for the rich).

But maybe that's the point in a place where the realities of the rest of the world can easily be forgotten. Hey, surf's up!