There are 16 sculptures in the Parade of Floats artwork in San Jose. Each represents a different quality of the San Jose identity including its values and history. The qualities were submitted by residents to be used as themes for the artwork. You can find the sculptures on either side of City Hall. I have seen several of these works, created by artist Andrew Leicester (https://andrewleicester.com), and was pretty sure I had not run into all of them or taken the time to consciously connect to each theme so I decided to make it an outing to see all of them on the same day and to identify and consider the quality represented by each piece as noted on the attached plaques. Here is what I found.
And that is what I found. Pretty fun. You may have noticed that there were 14 and I know there are supposed to be 16. So I walked around and around… and still did not find anymore. Maybe there are only 14? One of the plaques I came across specifically mentioned 16 floats so that couldn’t be it. I continued the search… without success. Though, I had developed a theory that a little research later seemed to support. I could not find absolute evidence that two were moved and would later be returned. However, I did consider how the building to the right in the next picture was only very recently completed and how the sidewalk had been blocked off for some time during construction. Maybe the two missing statues were moved during construction to protect them and to make room for the construction equipment? Maybe this is where they use to be, next to the new building?
*Update follows here – 2023
It turns out the two sculptures were in fact temporarily removed and are now back in their spots, right there in view of the City Hall.
Here is the Future sculpture, shown above, back in the parade.
And here is the Family sculpture.
There you have it, a parade for San Jose, every day.