Silver Spring, Maryland: Big Hand Releasing Birds
Officially titled "Hand of NOAA" by artist Ray Kaskey. A symbol of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It made more sense when the fountain around it still worked.
- Address:
- 1315 East-West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD
- Directions:
- On the north side of East-West Hwy, a couple hundred feet east of Colesville Rd.
- Admission:
- Free
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Sculpture of a giant hand (officially "Hand of NOAA" by Ray Kaskey) on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration campus. The hand is releasing "doves turning into seagulls" to evoke the seagull in the NOAA logo. Originally part of a fountain, but it leaked into the nearby parking garage, according to one long-time NOAA employee that I talked to. Just down the street from the Giant Acorn; easy walking distance if you're making a pilgrimage to giant things.
[Eva Whitley, 03/31/2014]Nearby Offbeat Places



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When the fountain worked the big hand made somewhat more sense, as it appeared to be thrusting out of the ocean to release its bird messengers.