Questioning Money Spent For Public Art

[Merlion]

Interesting quote from this article, 'question spending thousands of tax dollars for things like "a stack of rocks," as Councilman Manuel Rico calls it.'

Questions Surface About Money Spent For Public Art

The appreciation of art, like beauty, is said to be in the eye of the beholder.

But the Chattanooga City Council recently voted to spend taxpayer dollars on public art that is raising some eyebrows.

Councilmembers voted unanimously to spend $50,000 to lease ten pieces of outdoor art for 18 months. It is supposed to enhance the beauty of downtowns' renovated art district near the Walnut Street Bridge.

Wednesday afternoon council members boarded a CARTA bus to take a tour and see for themselves what it is they agreed to lease. An arts committee picked the pieces council members agreed to pay for.

Some of them said they have a hard time "getting" what the artist is trying to say and now question spending thousands of tax dollars for things like "a stack of rocks," as Councilman Manuel Rico calls it.

[fused]

I wish there were some pictures with this news story, Sam Spiksa is in this outdoor sculpture exhibition.

In response to Merlion's next post, no luck finding images yet, just a list of sculptors.

[Merlion]

You mean SamSculptor is now in this outdoor sculpture exhibition in Chattanooga. (Tough to spell this word.)

About you wish to see photos of the public art talked about in this news story, I am a bit too busy now to search for them. I'll let others have a go at it. Actually Fused you yourself are very good at this sort of thing.

[fritchie]

Sam's post elsewhere and earlier indicates that he's part of this, but clearly he doesn't make "piles of rocks". He uses steel, and very well.

[MountainSong]

Gee, I'd like to see what the fuse is about - personally I'm very, very partial to artistically stacked rocks - reminds me of the nice things in life like the Grand Canyon, desert spires, Zen Gardens and Spa's.

[Robert Mileha.]

Public funds for works of art?

So what do you think if you have to pay the licence fee (tax) for the BBC. An institution for broadcasting TV and Radio. (Everyone in Britain has to pay if they own a TV).

The BBC gave £60,000 (=$110,000) to Tracy Emin for her sculpture for the Liver Bird to be caste and erected in Liverpool England. See:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...de/4293245.stm

Do you think a tax funded broadcaster should be commissioning Visual Art? May be if you are the recipient but should there be some public input in deciding which work is chosen? Do you think the Public Audit Office should look at value for money on this one?

The bird on the pole may have some significance if you were to notice it but very few people do, mistaking it for a lamppost. We have also had to bear the object on the fourth plinth in Trafalgar Square in London. So out of place it is an eyesaw.

Were the Chattanooga City Council members elected for their taste in art?

Mountshang's love of the new additions to Chicago's beautiful lakefront see

http://mountshang.blogspot.com/2006/...dalena_29.html

is worth bringing here.