February 2019

Buffalo Hunt wall could be (partially) saved by using stone cladding

l3wis February 27, 2019 7Comments

I often shake my head when artists and engineers get together to ‘solve’ a problem. Often engineers win by saying safety is more important than artistic integrity. But if engineers would talk to artists once in awhile they may find a solution that is not only SAFE but beautiful.

I understand the city and the original artist who created the wall are in disagreement, I’m not going down that rabbit hole. That is a gigantic political mess of he said, she said (I tend to believe the artist in this one). I also take issue with the fact that the artist hasn’t really been consulted at all on how to fix this wall (even though they claim they have consulted him, he says otherwise). As I understand it, he agreed to fix the wall for around $30K, but it would require some work AND a special backfill. It would also require the Parks Department To put up a special signage telling people to not climb on the ‘ART’ or take rocks from the structure. But that ship has sailed. The city’s solution is to build a permanent block wall (Which at some estimates could exceed $250K). I think the city, the Parks Department and the artist could all compromise and have the best of both worlds. The city could build their permanent structure and save the rocks from the original wall and ‘clad’ them into the new wall (you can see cladding in the images above). The problem is the city wants to just bulldoze the entire structure without saving the stones that make the buffalo hunt image. The artist has even requested he be allowed to save those stones by carefully deconstructing the wall. The Parks Department is not keen on the idea.

I actually think if the original stones of the image were clad into a permanent structure it would look pretty cool (probably easier to see) and it would be ‘safe’ according to the engineers.

Of course this would require a compromise, and we know the Parks Director doesn’t know the meaning of a compromise. Heck they can’t even find their ‘no mow’ list or how the Elmwood shed fire got started.

Must See Exhibit at Pavilion • Opening this Friday!

l3wis February 26, 2019 0Comments

I got tipped off about Angelica’s show yesterday, and I am very excited to attend her reception and talk on Friday. As a blogger (who actually got into blogging about local politics because of art) I can tell you that there is much more going on with this exhibit than you can even imagine, but I will leave it at that. You know when you have a disclaimer that 12 year olds have to be accompanied by an adult, it’s good stuff.