That seems like an offer it would be hard to refuse, don't you think? I mean assuming that you liked outdoor art, that you agreed the piece of art itself was very nice, and that it really wouldn't cost you anything. So let me walk you through what the process of making an offer like this is like.
A few years ago, a small group of your neighbors bought a piece of outdoor metal sculpture and offered it to the Village. For free. There was resistance. There was concern about who would pay for a concrete pedestal. One of your neighbors came forward and paid for it. Then there was talk about the cost of landscaping around it. Another of your neighbors came forward and paid for that. But still, there was resistance. The resistance took two forms.
There was the blanket resistance. Some said the "process" of acquiring the piece of art and offering it was faulty. We should have had an "art committee." This resistance came mostly from Steve Bernard and Gaspar Gonzalez. So, we went about trying to find a "committee." We asked the Commission, which then included Bernard and Bryan Cooper, to appoint one. The Commission unanimously didn't want to, and it assigned this responsibility to the Foundation. The Foundation? OK, the Foundation. The Foundation didn't believe in the concept of relevant art experts for this kind of task, and it too declined to appoint a committee. So no committee.
Then, there was the specific resistance. Two people said they didn't like the particular piece of sculpture. (Too bad no one chose a piece of art that everyone in the world, or at least everyone in Biscayne Park, would like.) Well, it's actually a bit unclear how many people didn't like it. Barbara Watts was the first complainer. But she didn't exactly say she personally didn't like it. She said that she, an art history professor, had shopped it around to some of her FIU colleagues, and two of them didn't like it. So she declared it bad art, on behalf of her colleagues. The other person who didn't like it was Kristin Montouri. Although I'm not sure she ever said she personally didn't like it, her concern was that the ibises wouldn't like it, and that it would scare them away. Do not tell me you don't believe Kristin actually made this argument. It was witnessed by many people.
Back in those days, the majority of the Commission was not trying to obstruct, resist, derail, and suggest crises and conspiracies, so the offer was made, and it was accepted by that majority. Bernard and Cooper voted their consciences, or something, and stood valiantly against the sculpture. And funny enough, both Bernard and Cooper, and Gaspar Gonzalez, conceded that the sculpture, and the concept of public art in BP, might be good. It was just the "process" they didn't like.
We're now back to making a new offer. This time, it's a larger group of your neighbors, and this time, it's a different sculptor. But more importantly, this time, it's a different Commission. And this time, Cooper, Watts, and Noah Jacobs, are in charge. They've punished Roxy Ross, and secondarily Bob Anderson (though Cooper isn't through with Bob yet), and now they want to spank me, beyond something as subtle and mundane as trampling my First Amendment rights.
I asked Barbara Watts, the supposed art maven, to put the sculpture offer on the Commission agenda for the August meeting. It wasn't the sculptor her friends reassured her was inferior, so I thought maybe this time. And Barbara herself was busy, sort of, trying to control the recreation center mural project. For all I knew, maybe she was in a public art mood. So even though she wouldn't be commandeering the sculpture project, as she did the mural project, perhaps some crumbs of enthusiasm might fall the sculpture's way. Barbara eventually wrote back to tell me she didn't agree with the "process" by which the offer was being made, although there is, of course, no other process, and she refused to sponsor the agenda item. (She wasn't concerned about a lack of process regarding "her" mural. She simply invented one and forged ahead.) And she let me know that if I didn't back off, the spanking for which I was angling would lead to hurt feelings, anger, resentment, and polarization, resulting in more rancor in the Village. Was I quite sure I wanted all that on my head?
Incidentally, back in the days when there was talk of an "art committee," I asked Barbara Watts, you know, the art history professor, if she would do us the honor of sitting on such a committee if we formed one. She said it would not be useful, since her only area of knowledge is XVth Century art. So Barbara feels she's not qualified to criticize modern art, she feels she's not qualified to appreciate modern art, but she feels free to complain and try to obstruct the process. Now that I think back on it, Gaspar, the critic, curmudgeon, and "art committee" advocate, also refused to be part of such a committee. I asked him.
So what I think I'll do is ask Bob or Roxy to put the sculpture on the agenda, and have the offer rejected by the Commission, if that's what the juvenile and vengeful Cooper/Jacobs/Watts posse want to do. It's bad enough that they tell me they won't accept any improvement in the Village. Let them tell it to you.
There is a central theme running through Fred Jonas' blogs - or more accurately - a repetitive theme that seems to permeate the Village meetings as reported by Fred, whose commentary I regard as both accurate and unbiased.
ReplyDeleteAs a "Peeping Tom" from Westport, CT, I am struck by an underlying problem that pollutes the otherwise bucolic and beautiful Biscayne Park setting: complication.
No matter what the Village meetings' agendas are, it appears that "complication" (and its ensuing aggravation) become the more important issues at hand, taking precedence over everything else.
Specifically, in his most recent blog: "Would You Like a Piece of Outdoor Metal Sculpture? It's Very Nice, and You Can Have it For Free," Fred addresses the subject of art, making a seemingly benign request that would, I think, rouse the interest of those whose primary intent is the improvement of BP. Instead, a lot of raucousness seems to have developed over a piece of sculpture, which in turn, has made this the "complication du jour."
It appears that Fred and his friends are making BP an offer they can't and shouldn't refuse: a sculpture that would enhance the beauty of BP, and delight its residents by providing (free of charge) a piece of art to admire and call their own.
Instead, and here's the recurring theme: a group of people, and they seem to be the usual suspects, have not only resisted the offer, but have taken umbrage by declaring the sculpture "bad art."
Fred asks that this matter be put on the August agenda to be discussed at the next meeting. A reasonable request I would think. But, even that seems too much to ask, and has become the cause celebre that has
little to do with art itself, but more to do with those who choose to be difficult and make trouble - complicate what should be an uncomplicated matter.
Westport, CT, where I reside, is a community where practical-minded people gather together to discuss matters of importance and make decisions not diffused by those who are hell bent on being controversial and ornery. We conduct ourselves in a manner befitting the needs and wishes of our town and its residents. Matters usually get settled reasonably and without discourse and misdirected wrath. When controversy develops (and naturally there will be conflicting points of view of certain issues) resolution is ultimately reached in a mannerly, orderly, and mature fashion. Our main interests do not become diffused because a few people decide to make life difficult in order to grease their own egos.
Conversely, Biscayne Park, with all its potential, is falling down on the job by creating complication and chaos so that the real agendas get lost in the shuffle. Fred has invited an offer for consideration. A metal sculpture is up for grabs. Take it or leave it, but at least, "play fair" in the process of deciding its outcome.
Judith Marks-White
Westport, Connecticut
Judith,
DeleteThanks very much for your attention and your insight. As to where I'm coming from, "accurate," I certainly hope so. "Unbiased," probably not.
Fred
"Anger, resentment and polarization," is what many residents feel right now. Instead of Commissioner Watts trying to encourage more art in our village there seems to be strong resistance to any attempt to secure new sculptures. A sculpture that our own residents are paying for with their hard earned cash - free to the village, no strings attached.
ReplyDeleteThis is the second time that Fred Jonas has not only found sculptures but went door to door, email to email to get donations. As a result we have the beginnings of a sculpture park. Commissioner Watts often talks about how hard it is for our villagers in these bad economic times so it's even more amazing that Fred had been so successful. What exactly has Commissioner Watts done to raise money for her pet project, the mural? I wonder how her cronies in the art world would critique that project. I know how this tax payer feels about paying for it.
Instead of being thanked for his optimism, tenacity and generous donations Fred is told to back off. Great attitude from a Commissioner. Turn away anyone who wants to actually try to make this neighborhood stand out.
Barbara Kuhl
let them have art
ReplyDeleteThe bizarre thing is that you have to make them have art. They really do resist.
DeleteFred
ReplyDeleteI find it Bizarre that Watts is resistant to adding art to the Village. She lacks the ability to take her personal views out of the equation, not only on art but in most situations. She is an elected official that represents the entire Village not herself. I don't understand her position, does she not like modern art? did she offer any explanation for her opposition? Does she have an alternative to offer? She once represented to me that she had the ability to get some art loaned to the Village because of her contacts. This was after we obtained the Bilhenry sculpture back in 2010. Never happened. So it seems when it comes to art if it's not her idea it's a bad idea. Well I would say to Barbara ok, you don't like this then come up with your own donation to the Village.
If the residents want art and we are somewhat limited to what we can obtain because of the cost factor, then she should be happy that Fred has taken the time and energy to solicit funds and negotiate an affordable piece of art. I looking forward to hearing her objections on Tuesday. I'd suggest that all of us out there in support of adding art come to the meeting on August 6th.
Chuck
PS:
For the record Kristin actually said the sculpture would scare the Ibises away, I was sitting next to her at the meeting. It was a little hard to take her opposition seriously to the Sculpture after that but I think Steve put her up to it, he has that effect on some people. So I forgive her.