Here we are back in the mode of politicians making decisions about art. I have been the recipient of a local (Broward) email campaign to protest the political policing of art decisions by being asked to show up at commission meetings. There is always somebody, a commissioner, a citizen, an artist, that dislikes a decision for selected art. Those with the purse strings are going to make the final decision, even with protests coming from both sides.
Commissioners question art projects for beaches, airport restrooms
The Giant Fish Tank was one of the designs submitted by Dwight Hoffman to wrap the shuttle fleet at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Total project cost to wrap 23 shuttles would be $125,000. (Broward County, Courtesy / June 25, 2011)
By Larry Barszewski, Sun Sentinel
If Broward County is going to be spending money on public art in lean budget years, commissioners say the art better be worth it.
Hurricane-resistant beach displays of pelicans-on-poles in Pompano Beach and Hollywood? Not when they’re going to cost $134,000 in beach renourishment funds.
A half-million dollars to create textured mosaics to place at the entrances of airport restrooms? Maybe travelers would appreciate upgrades to the bathroom fixtures more – or even clearer signage showing restroom locations.
“We’re in a different era now,” Vice Mayor John Rodstrom said. He said the county’s art appreciation has to be balanced against new economics.
“Think about the functionality of our restrooms and forget about the art,” he said.
Commissioners last week reviewed the county’s Public Art & Design Program. They liked many of the projects, but said parts of the program need to make more fiscal sense, and use a little common sense.
What’s the point of having a new $25,000 glass artwork paid for through the county’s art program sitting in storage for more than a year now, commissioners asked. The piece’s home was supposed to be a new Hispanic cultural center that hasn’t been built at the Main Library.
“Let the library find a suitable site where it will be appreciated and get it out of storage,” Broward Mayor Sue Gunzburger said.
Commissioners also want to have more say than just giving their opinions about the projects. They asked staff to bring back new rules that would require them to approve the artist design on any project costing more than $100,000. They will consider the projects and proposed rules Tuesday.
While Gunzburger complained that putting the projects on meeting agendas would divert commission attention from much more costly issues confronting the county, other commissioners wanted to make sure thay had a chance to vote against projects they did not like.
Commissioner Lois Wexler said it didn’t appear some projects received much scrutiny.
“I guess when we had money it really wasn’t questioned,” Wexler said. “It becomes painfully obvious that the process was a runaway train.”
But Gunzburger defended the art program.
“I really feel it’s the face of our community,” Gunzburger said. “The arts enhancements stand out.”
Another project that divided the commission was the proposed spending of more than $100,000 to create a special wrap with a giant aquarium theme for airport shuttle buses. Rodstrom questioned why the county would waste money for art on the sides of the shuttles when that space could be used for advertisements that would generate money for the county.
Commissioner Barbara Sharief and others supported the art wraps on shuttles.
“We’re trying to create a feel for when you arrive at the airport,” Sharief said. That’s why commissioners immediately dismissed one of the proposed shuttle wraps, which showed alligators ripping apart the shuttle.
However, even Sharief had problems with the aquarium design that included people on a pier. The initial drawings included whimsical views of a cigar-smoking fish and of sharks chomping threateningly close to people’s feet.
“This would be fine without all of the violent activity going on on the bottom,” she said.
“They need to take the dangling feet out,” Gunzburger said, exasperated. “Nothing like micromanaging art.”
lbarszewski@tribune.com or 954-356-4556
sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-broward-public-art-20110625,0,3241229.story
Via: South Florida Sun-Sentinel © 2011
