Through The Window Slice Readers Share The Diverse Artistic Creations That Decorate Their Yards

There’s a scene in Woody Allen’s “Annie Hall” where his character, discussing photography and trying to impress a woman, says something like “It’s an art form in which a set of aesthetic criteria have yet to fully emerge.”

Well, the same could be said about our subject today - yard art.

How do you decide what’s good?

What else. You go with what you like. At least that’s what we did after The Slice asked readers to send us snapshots of their lawn decorations.

So the examples you see today were judged to be a cut above because at least one person here at Slice Headquarters gave each a thumbs-up. It was that simple.

But thanks to all the readers who sent photos.

Now this wasn’t really a contest. But John Jankovsky wins the yo-yo and Lilac Festival pin because his sculptures spoke to the dynamic tension and negative capability inherent in a Spokane yard. Plus they look really cool.

Others earned a place on today’s IN Life cover because, well, see for yourself. There’s plenty of creativity out there.

How could you not like a kid saying he is inspired by Jackson Pollock?

So now the big question. What do these yard adornments say about the Inland Northwest?

Perhaps nothing. Sometimes a flamingo is just a flamingo.

But then again, maybe they hint that we secretly are a vulnerable people yearning to express our repressed selfhood and inner angst. Maybe they are a cry for connection in a cold world where people drive by houses and fail to see homes.

Nah. In our opinion, high-quality yard art makes one statement. And it’s this: “The people who live here would be fun to know.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: 6 Color Photos