Mandy Walton

Stone statues sit in an empty lot on the corner of Water St. and Ocean Avenue.

By Mandy Walton

Published Friday, May 8, 2009 | 4:57 p.m.

Updated Saturday, May 9, 2009 | 10:25 a.m.

On the corner of Water Street and Ocean Avenue sits an empty lot. I drive by it every day without looking over. Early last week, though, some stones caught my eye. They were laid out on the ground, and I wondered if someone was constructing a sun dial. It seemed appropriate that there would be some sort of display on the street, with ArtFest coming. A few days later the stones were stacked into statues, which kind of look like people. Never have I seen anyone out with these stone statues. Another day went by and some pennants were draped around the perimeter of the artwork. The last time I drove by a sign was also present that said "May you enjoy this tribute to mothers who have weathered the storm."

What storm? Motherhood in general? Or is the artist representing a specific group or cause?

This has got to mean something. Who is the artist and what do his stones mean?

I contacted the City's Cultural Arts and Tourism Department, but they told me it wasn't part of ArtFest. I then contacted the City's Redevelopment Agency, thinking they'd surely know something. All I got was another puzzled shrug to my puzzling question.

A friend told me that in Korea, Buddhists stack stones in small towers while praying. They believe it brings good luck.

I will most likely continue to "stalk" this corner all weekend, hoping to find the person who made these and get my questions answered. I'll probably be honked at a few more times for stopping my car in the middle of the street, too.

If you know what these are, please comment and let the rest of us in on the secret!