I think a lot of people would call this "art"...to me, it looks like a red swiss cheese box.

What did Trixie think it was?

I should have explained more because my caption was too flippant :)

I didn't mean to dismiss public art. Public art is a good thing.

Not that anyone but TTU locals would know this, but there's a crank/handle on the other side of this thing, and it *seems* like it's a jack-in-the-box, but the crank doesn't really gear into anything when it cranks. So my question is whether the thing is an interactive sculpture that's already broken or if it's just supposed to suggest the potential of a jack-in-the-box. I would prefer the former because I really wanted to see the look on Trixie's face when the 6 foot weasel popped out of the box.

Either a 6 foot weasel or some Tim Burton version of Jack in the Box with Johnny Depp jumping out.

Maybe there's a new Candid Camera in production.

Anyhow, the crank should do something.

This jack-in-the-box thing is weird. It reminds me of a layplace in Dallas called DZ that had a slightly larger than usual talking trash can that encouraged kids to use it.

Who really knows what that jack-in-the box thing is, but it has my intrest. Maybe your local city's parks & recreation website would have a number you could call...you know so all of us TPOD viewers could know what that thing is too. LOL! I know...I'm too nosey for my own good.

BTW: Has anyone noticed how hard it is to find a jack-in-the-box these days? I'd personally love to see the expressions on my daughter's face when she first see's it, then later when she loves it.

Have you tried opening the lid to see if there is anything inside? Trixie looks as though she's thinking about it!

From the thumbnail I thought you had taken her to some kind of museum or art exhibit! It seemed a logical assumption... Anyway, very cool.

I await the day that some crazy kids head gets stuck into that cylinder.

I don't know about you, but a "Layplace" sounds much better to me than a "Playplace. " =) Good one, Silly.

Trixie is SO "The eighties are back again" with her two tiered, multicolored scrunchie pullback hairdo! Go girl!

It's the other end of the hatch from the TV show "Lost" and the key to all the secrets on the island.

We're going to be staying on campus in Chapel Hill next week. Is this in the vicinity?

LOOKS LIKE A BIG FANCY TRASH CAN TO ME........

You can find jack-in-the-boxes at Schylling.

Ok, that didn't work. First timer. The address is www.schylling.com. Eden toys also makes really cool jack-in-the-boxes.

[links fixed -benmac]

To me, it looks like a face at the angle Ben took the picture. The side notches on the sides are the ears, the tunnels are the eyes and the front notch as the mouth.

Chris: It's not walking distance from UNC but it iis close. This is the Community Center Park on Estes Rd across from University Mall. Have fun!