An otherworldly art project comes to life near Abilene

An otherworldly art project comes to life near Abilene One slab at a time, an unconventional art display is taking shape on a previously vacant lot west of Abilene. Now, here's where the general Abilene public comes in. So every event and notable place in the world's history corresponds to one on Earth. While this fictional realm is gaining an increasing foothold in our own, linear world — 85 artfully designed "sites" planted across 16 countries — most of Kcymaerxthaere (pronounced Ky-MARE-ex-there) only exists in the mind of artist Eames Demetrios. For those readers scratching their heads, you're not alone. "Some people do not like it; it's not their cup of tea," Demetrios said. Abilene, as it turns out, overlaps with the site of the Museum of the Bench, a sprawling preserve where exotic benches of all stripes could reside in their "natural habitat. Demetrios bought the Abilene lot six years ago with an eye toward incorporating it into his world's ever-expanding narrative. For more on ArtWalk and the hunt, check out Page 3C of today's Reporter-News. By twisting ordinary spots in our world and integrating them into something sprawling and fantastical, Demetrios encourages people to view their surroundings differently. Demetrios himself stood there overseeing the work, wearing a neon blue Kcymaerxthaere T-shirt. In the minds of much of the public, art is something made "for other people. All of which begs a few immediate questions: What's a Museum of the Bench? Why this little, out-of-the-way lot? Who's in charge of this prank, anyway? The answers, at least to the first two of those queries, lie in a parallel, alternative world: Kcymaerxthaere. "I do not understand a word y'all are talking about," said one, waving his hands dismissively. Maybe people will come here and look at the lot across the street in a different way. But at the very least, it forces a reaction. , with clues leading to the art site's location. A dedication ceremony for the site will be at noon Saturday, featuring some authentic Kcymaerxthaere music. An otherworldly art project comes to life near Abilene Trade News selected by Local Linkup on 13/04/2012