Imagine walking in the woods and coming across six large men struggling to transport a coffin on their shoulders, heads bowed in concentration, arms taut under their burden. It might take you a moment to realize you’re looking at a sculpture: Six life-sized somber mourners and a casket.
This is “The Funeral Procession,” or “The Seven Muses,” and sadly, it is not on public property. But don’t worry, the Under Rocks team isn’t shy about asking for permission: We scored a tour from Jan Stilson, a former librarian at Northern Illinois University's Lorado Taft campus and author of the book Art and Beauty in the Heartland: The Story of the Eagle's Nest Camp at Oregon, Illinois.
Thanks to Dan Libman, Spencer Tritt, Jan Stilson, and Melanie Costello for helping overturn this rock. Not literally. Special kudos to Jared Ortega for the excellent photographs in this month's slide show: It's better than being there (because you would be trespassing. Don't trespass.)!
As always, if you have an idea for an episode of Under Rocks, email us at rocks@niu.edu. We are always looking for our next adventure!
Under Rocks is produced by WNIJ at Northern Illinois University.
