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All the United States Florida Key West Time for Fun
Time for Fun is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

Time for Fun

This statue inspired by Renoir's famous painting embodies the jovial spirit of Key West.

Key West, Florida

Added By
Christine Williamson
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CAPTION
“Time for Fun”, Key West, Florida   Gary Bembridge/CC BY 2.0
“Time for Fun”, Key West, Florida   Gary Bembridge/CC BY 2.0
“Dance in the Country” by Auguste Renoir   Pierre Auguste Renoir/Public Domain
“Dance in the City” by Auguste Renoir   Pierre Auguste Renoir/Public Domain
The precurser “Whispering Close”   anoldent/CC BY-SA 2.0
“Time for Fun”, Key West, Florida   David/CC BY 2.0
  Louchebonvivant / Atlas Obscura User
The statue has been replaced with a rendition of a famous photo   planan / Atlas Obscura User
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About

Standing 20 feet tall in front of the Custom House, Key West's Art and History Museum, the “Time for Fun” statue of an old fashioned dancing couple was inspired by French artist Auguste Renoir's famous 1883 painting “Dance in the Country." As the name suggests, it is considerably more fun than the sculpted dancers that were previously placed here.

This previous statue, based on Renoir's painting “Dance in the City,” showed a couple dancing in a formal ballroom and was called “Whispering Close.” The current installation, however, is a better match to the spirit of Key West than it's precursor. This statue is more lively and more colorful—the dancers appear to be having a much better time.

Both monuments were created by artist Seward Johnson—grandson of the Johnson & Johnson co-founder—who is known for his trompe l'oeil bronze statues. Johnson often donates sculptures to the town, where his is a part-time resident, and his pieces can be found in several places around Key West as well as inside the museum. Though many characterize  Johnson's art as “kitsch,” the "Time for Fun" statue seems to be one of the most photographed objects in Key West.

In Renoir's paintings “Dance in the City” and “Dance in the Country,” the man is modeled on his friend, author Paul Lhote, and the woman is modeled on Aline Charigot, who would later become Renoir's wife. The original painting can be found at the Musée d'Orsey in Paris.

Update November 2017: The statue has been replaced by a 20-foot statue representation of the 1945 Times Square VJ Kiss photo.

Related Tags

Sculptures Statues Paintings Art

Community Contributors

Added By

Christine Williamson

Edited By

rugby007, Louchebonvivant, planan

  • rugby007
  • Louchebonvivant
  • planan

Published

November 22, 2016

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Sources
  • http://encircleworldphotos.photoshelter.com/image/I0000sFqymxjsnFw
  • http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMT8VP_Time_For_Fun_Key_West_FL
  • http://allthingscruise.com/whimsical-sculptures-a-popular-photo-stop-for-key-west-cruise/
  • http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/25082
  • http://onemoderncouple.com/daily-digital-dancing-statues/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dance_in_the_Country
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Seward_Johnson_II
Time for Fun
281 Front St
Key West, Florida
United States
24.558386, -81.806783
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Nearby Places

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society and Museum

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The Key West Museum of Art & History at the Custom House

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Key West Historic Memorial Sculpture Garden

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Key West

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Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society and Museum

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Key West

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Stories 5

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