South DaCola

Hal Wick’s jaded view of art

“Art should be used to sell cars.”

Okay, it’s been awhile since I have gone off, just kidding, but after reading this article I literally want to bang my head against the wall;

Airport officials have teamed with the Sioux Falls Arts Council to create a long-range master plan for the purchase and display of art highlighting the city and region to visitors.

One idea is a rotating display that features the work of local artists.

Hey! That sounds like a great idea that is waaaayyyy past due. But it gets better . . .

“We’d like to have something with an aviation theme but also focus on the attributes of the area and the heritage of the area,” airport executive director Dan Letellier said.

Huh? I don’t even get his logic. Dan, when people fly into an airport and get off an AIRPLANE they understand the concept of what an airport is, so why would we bombard them with more pictures of airplanes? I have a better idea, art that is representative of our community. The last thing I want to think about when I get off an airplane is being on an airplane.

Board member Hal Wick suggested talking with Avera and Sanford health systems, which have emphasized incorporating art into their new interior building designs.

Yeah, just walk around the hospital, there are tons of paintings of people getting Cancer treatments and open heart surgery . . .

Wick’s goal is to use artwork to sell the area to visitors and also show potential businesses and employees the depth of the community.

Why is it when a Republican talks about art they can only do so if it has capital value? Wick’s view of art is that it has to have monetary value, or it is not art. Hal, what you are looking for is large format advertising at the airport, not art. Your suggestion only devalues the emotional affect art has on people. Trust me, I have worked 18 years in the graphic art industry, and have been an artist my entire life. There is a difference. Art should give visitors an emotional feeling as to why we have a great community. We shouldn’t be trying to sell them something with a painting of a buffalo. And why are we letting a guy who thinks everyone in SD should carry a gun decide on what art is acceptable? That is a travesty in itself.

My suggestion? Bring me on as a volunteer consultant.

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