As if it wasn’t eye-catching enough, Martha Friend’s iconic “Sapphire City” house – the one with the collection of blue glass bottles out front – has a quaint addition.
Somerville artist Dina Gjertsen has created a miniature, to-scale replica of the house at the “Friend Smithsonian Museum,” the space set aside for visiting works in front of the building and facing the sidewalk. The replica was installed in December.
The museum has featured ongoing installations, many with Friend’s own quirky found object art in them.
But this latest one is unforgettable; from its color choices to the re-creation of individual sculptures, the attention to detail is impressive and charming. Of particular note is an even smaller “Friend Smithsonian Museum” nestled at the bottom.
As with the museum’s other installations, the piece is lit 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The replica will be on view for at least another month, Friend said.
The Friend Smithsonian Museum at the Sapphire City House, 135 Highland Ave., Spring Hill, Somerville
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