Lincoln Park Public Art

I wondered what had happened to the public art aspect of the Aquatic Center design. DH and I had attended an input session some time ago, held in the Blatz Pavilion- I remember it seemed to be hosted by a ten-year-old boy and that chips and salsa were served; more importantly, I wasn't all that impressed with the designs or the fact that local artists were not more prominently showcased. There were no other citizens in attendance while we perused the proposed designs and commented appropriately. Then I never heard anything more about it- until I found this March 26, 2009 article in the Third Coast Digest. Takashi Soga, a Japanese artist who will work on the piece in New York, has been selected to bring us this, (below) or a very similar, piece of art.

Now, I know that everyone has his or her own opinion about what is beautiful and what constitutes art (and what constitutes giant basketball hoops). But, I think that public art should take into better consideration the situation into which it will be placed, and would have liked to attend the more recent meeting regarding this, but missed the notice. (For the record, I do like a variety of art, including the iconic Milwaukee sunburst; the larger-than-life bronze statue of Baron Frederick von Steuben by Washington Park is another favorite.)

I have a friend from Cartagena, Colombia. This past week she was telling me about her city, and its artist Fernando Botero- that he created public sculpture, and that he is a "beloved Colombian artist." His pieces seem to me reminiscent of the art of the indigenous peoples of that part of the world. I wish this future Lincoln Park art (by the way, the total public art budget for Lincoln Park is about $250,000, but Soga’s proposed art will require an additional $100,000 from the city) was just more rooted in place. Or had something to it at all.