End
of Web
To the editor:
In regard to "Solar Web May Be Unraveling,"
we can always continue to hope. The Arts Commission and public artists
are much like other developers who build condos, shopping malls, etc.
Where I may see the beautiful rolling hills in, say, Topanga, a
developer sees $cash$ and condos. Where I see the beautiful open space
of my beach, the Arts Commission and public artists see $cash$ and
public art sculptures.
The funding for the Arts Commission and the public art
sculptures comes from Percent for the Arts, apparently public tax
money put aside for these public art works and grants. In order to
justify their existence, the Arts Commission and public artists have
to keep generating more public art pieces.
The only open space we have left to build large public
art pieces in Santa Monica is the beach, so after Solar Web the Arts
Commission
and the public
artists are going to want to build even more large pieces on our
beach, up and down the coast. They see the area as their goldmine,
just like a developer would love to build some condos on the beach.
What have we gotten?
The arch over Wilshire Bl., those giant watermelon
slices on Pico near Ocean Ave. the rolling thing that is too heavy to
roll, rusting boats under the pier, singing chairs that mock the
beach, and now the Solar Web, a 72footx52footx16foot angular pile of
black aluminum pipes that is an unnatural looking construction to be
built on our beach. Somehow this is supposed to enhance our
appreciation of nature, and is using at least $145,000 of public
money, the total cost is $270,000.
Ms. Holt, the designer of the "sculpture,"
says she wants to "frame the sun and sky." Everywhere you go
in Santa Monica, the sun and sky is framed by buildings, telephone
poles, etc.: the beach is our one open space where we can go and be
"unframed" and enjoy the last of our open space.
The "public art sculptures" we already have
are abysmal and I don’t see this one as being much different. Again,
in order to continue their existence, the Arts Commission and public
artists are going to have to build even more of these. Who benefits
from the Percent for the Arts and public art sculptures? Based on the
track record, the people who make money from it seem to be the only
beneficiaries.
I serve on the Santa Monica/Malibu Unified School
District’s Advisory Committee on the Fine Arts working for better
arts programs for our children. Contrary to what the public perception
may be, we do not have much in the way of arts education in our
schools in Santa Monica. Research has shown that experience of the
Arts also enhances abilities in math, language, science, etc.
Unfortunately, our children are not getting the benefits of that arts
education in our schools.
I propose that we do something good for our children.
Let us stop making more of these public art sculptures and change
"Percent for Arts" to "Percent for Arts
Education." The $145,000 of public money being spent on solar Web
could begin to fund an excellent arts education program that would
truly benefit our children in all areas of their education and life.
Please remember: Ms. Holt and the Arts Commission in
their zeal to build and make their money are desperately trying to
convince us that it is perfectly OK for a child to fall 16 feet off
the Solar Web onto cement covered with rubber. I don’t know what
else to say.
Peter Davison
Santa Monica