Release the Kraken

This summer, I came across a news article about an interesting art project that was being staged in Muscatine, Iowa.

This public art display featured the Muscatine River Monster aka The Kraken. A mythological water dwelling monster that has allegedly been sighted in the Mississippi River near Muscatine off and on since ~ 1838.

This gigantic tentacled piece of art has made appearances at a variety of events and locations around the Muscatine area, but has recently been making its way inland and has been spotted in Cedar Rapids and now Iowa City. Apparently he wanted to come to Iowa City for the University of Iowa's homecoming.

I took this picture of the Kraken on the morning of Saturday, October 22. He was hanging out at the former Vito's building in downtown Iowa City on the ped mall.

I hear that the Vito's building is being turned into office and retail space. Maybe the Kraken needs a space to work or perhaps a retail location to sell some of those famous pearl buttons made out of Mississippi River clams.