I think the City has 100 pieces of outdoor art. Or, is it 300? We have so much of it the city staff tracks it by GPS.
What do you think about it? Do you drive by the metalic "Split Personality" in awe and admiration OR find it a hazardous driving distraction? Or both?
Should "Art Hill" be rebuilt as a landscaped park with trails featuring a collection of outdoor art "discoveries" or would you rather keep the grassy knoll an open space?
Do you fall in love with your favorite piece, only to find the city had it on loan and it's been taken? The above "Pi in the Sky" was my favorite and it's gone. "Scooter" - another, was taken.
Make your comments heard - loud and clear - to our friendly and hard working Arts Commissioners! These citizens want your input on Monday, January 26, 7PM, City Hall.
Direct any questions & comments to RAC@redmond.gov. And, comment here, too. But see the art in person at City Hall Monday night.
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"I can't say as I have been moved at all by anything I have seen to date but no doubt there are those that embrace the exhibits. However, I certainly hope that the city plans a temporary moratorium on any more "outdoor art" expenditures. Considering the financial bind the city/state/country are in I believe there are better uses of the taxpayers money."
-- Carla H. 1/25
My favorite collection of outdoor art is at the Library's north side. I like the gravel pathway, beautiful lanscaping and discovering the abundant collection of various Indian outdoor art.
ReplyDeleteI don't like large numbers of outdoor art clumped together without a theme or standing alone without a backdrop or "anchor".
I can't say as I have been moved at all by anything I have seen to date but no doubt there are those that embrace the exhibits. However I certainly hope that the city plans a temporary moratorium on any more "outdoor art" expenditures. Considering the financial bind the city/state/country are in I believe there are better uses of the taxpayers money.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good meeting tonight, but sparse. Walking to the meeting --past the copious, rich displays of outdoor and indoor City Hall art -- I was crestfallen to find only 14 citizens in attendance, 3 of which were staff. Five of seven commissioners and two youth advocates were in attendance - two commissioner positions are vacant. Commissioners are citizens apointed by the Mayor with the blessings of Council.
ReplyDeleteThe decisions about the vast outdoor art we see in Redmond are made by those who turn out at these meetings. Tonight, 14 citizens out of a city population of 80,000 contributed to what will become of "Art Hill" and other public art decisions.
You were missed, but it's not too late to say something. (I'll copy this post so city knows how Readers feel)
Isn't the art installed by the city, paid by way of developer projects?
ReplyDeleteThe Pi in the Sky piece was located at Luke McRedmond's Landing, near the Sammamish River Trail. It was on loan from another museum. It was not a permanent art piece.
ReplyDeleteThe Art Hill property is part of the City Campus, and is located near the Redmond Library. There is no unifying theme or design. I have lived in other cities, where such an open park would have a joggin trail, children's playground equipment, and a few picnic tables for public use. I assume that city employees walk over to the QFC at Bella Botega to buy lunch or Starbucks. They could stroll thru Art Hill pathways to, you know, burn calories. An alternative design for Art Hill would be an urban garden, with a meandering pathway. There could be a few park benches for young lovers to snuggle on a winter's day. Anyways, the current design of Art Hill lacks any kind of inspiration, relaxation, or connection to people.
The big eye-sore near Art Hill is the city parking garage. The stairways are grotesque looking. The parking garages over at Redmond Towne Center are much better looking structures. If I were a realtor showing off Redmond, I would avoid this ugly sight on my tour through Redmond.
I hope nobody took my comments to mean that I have no appreciation of art. I believe that visual arts and music are an essential part of the human existence. If these pieces are indeed on loan or purchased with something other than tax payer dollars then I say the more the merrier. I was simply trying to acknowledge that during this financial crisis we have to prioritize spending and in my opinion "outdoor art exhibits" should be far down the list. I must also own up to a personal bias. I walk up and down the Sammamish River Trail as well as through Marymoor and Idylwood Parks on a daily basis while I am walking dogs. The stuff that catches my eye is the abundance and variety of wildlife I see. Nothing man can create is as beautiful or inspiring to me as the sight of the bald eagles sitting in the trees and the blue herons perched along the river.
ReplyDeleteThese comments are good! The city taxpayers do pay for outdoor are through the Capital Improvement Program funds. 1% of the Capital Fund is allocated to outdoor art for each public works project built by the city ie. building City Hall (over $40MM cost), bridges, sidewalks, public safety buildings, and the like. So citizines difinitely pay for many significant outdoor art displays. The Arts Commission also has a budget ( I think from the general fund - not sure) to pay other art activiities. The city has a collection of over 103 outdoor art pieces. Not all of these pieces are paid through the capital fund program. Some are paid for by outside donations and grants and with probably taxdollars from the General Fund? Ask a commissioner at RAC@redmond.gov. They would know for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks again (Rich and Carla) for bringing up the cost issues.
I'll send these comments onto the Arts Commission and staff soon.