Two Open Rectangles is most pointless windmill in the world.

This sculpture is one of many commissioned under section 429 of the San Francisco planning code, which required that anyone constructing a new building in the downtown district provide funding for public art of equal value to at least 1% of the total construction cost. You’d think that if you’re commissioning a dude to make a windmill that you’d at least have it generate some electricity or something, but nope. In fact, the two rectangles rotate so slowly that you can’t even tell that they’re moving. At least they’re embodying the California spirit of relaxation?

There are seven variations of Rickey’s Two Open Rectangles in the U.S., one of which was mercilessly stolen in 1976 from its pedestal in front of Middlebury College and was never seen again. We have to hand it to the thieves-- stealing a twelve foot tall sculpture undetected takes a subtlety that we at the Sartle office can only dream of.  

Fortunately, nobody has attempted to run away with the San Francisco edition of the sculpture. It is located in Sydney G. Walton Square, which is named after the mastermind behind the public art program: a hot-shot investment banker with a passion for massive sculptures. We’re not sure if this passion stems from an attempt compensate for his own (ahem) inadequacies, but twelve feet is a lot of height to compete with.