“The building … in the background is unmistakable!” writes Alexandra Burja. “I can spy those teeth-like pillars of the dental school anywhere!” adds Gaia Stenson–the sculpture shown last month is “in the dental school courtyard.”
The “location may explain its nickname,” writes Betsy Williams. Though untitled, it’s “generally referred to as the ‘Tooth Fairy’ around here,” writes Mary Garrelts, who works nearby. Elizabeth Rodriguiz, who also works at the dental school, considers “it one of the ugliest pieces of sculpture in town.” “Not at all sure if it is meant to evoke teeth,” writes Barbara Bushkuhl, “but [an] interesting piece none-the-less.”
“I grew up next door to sculptor Harry Barrett … in Ypsilanti,” writes Ivana Mrazova. “I remember him warning us kids not to look directly into the windows or door of his workshop while he was welding.” The Tooth Fairy is “made of aluminum,” notes Sarah Schaefer, “and was a gift of the Dental Class of 1944,” installed in 1971.
Forty-eight people correctly identified the sculpture. Our winner, drawn at random from the correct entries, is Kathleen Erwin. She will enjoy her $25 gift certificate at Cafe Felix.
To enter this month’s contest, use the photo and clue on the Back Page of the November issue to identify the scene, then follow the instructions at the bottom of the page.
