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LOCAL TAKE Public art installation choice stirs controversy Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Sep. 29, 2015 at 7:40 PM Updated Sep 29, 2015 at 7:41 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Sep. 29, 2015 at 7:40 PM Updated Sep 29, 2015 at 7:41 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Second Ashland public art proposal submitted » Social News The 20-foot tall metal sculpture called “Gather” selected for the Gateway Island might as well have been titled “Lead Balloon.” Beauty may reside in the eye of the beholder, but long threads of comments on town Facebook pages were largely negative or, at least in the “whaaat??” category, complaining it was ugly, looked like a hamster wheel, didn’t represent the flavor, spirit and history of Ashland, was expensive ($100,000) and wasn’t executed by a local artist. Also, said comments, it was chosen by seven-member commission, but the public didn’t get a chance to weigh in on this large installation, something they would be viewing for decades — seated right in the middle of Siskiyou Boulevard in front of the historic Carnegie Library. The roots of the project go back to a City Council decision in 2004 to designate the site as a place for a piece of public art. In 2007, the council and the city Public Arts Commission began putting together a Public Art Master Plan. The same year the council set aside 3 percent of the transient occupancy tax of 7 percent (also known as a bed tax, it's charged on visitor accommodations). At the time it was thought it would take until about 2016 to have enough funds for the piece of artwork. The bed tax was raised in 2008 to 9 percent, making public art's 3 percent share of the bed tax about one-quarter of 1 percent of a visitor's total lodging bill. The Public Arts Commission began honing in on the project description in 2011 and published a Request for Qualifications in 2014. Four artists were selected and made visits to Ashland. Public input intended to help guide the artists was collected in August and September 2014. Final proposals were submitted by the artists in March this year, and three were selected by the Public Arts Commission for consideration by a special selection panel made up of two local artists, a member of the Historic Commission and art historian, a Southern Oregon University art professor and former director of the Schneider Museum of Art, a former Ashland art gallery owner, the head librarian of the Ashland Public Library and the engineering services manager for the city of Ashland. That panel, after hearing public presentations by the three artists attended by about 60 members of the public, choose "Gather" by Susan Zoccola of Seattle. After the Sept. 15 announcement of the selection, opponents of the choice urged citizens to flock to the City Council meeting on Oct. 6 when the Public Arts Commission had planned to recommend approval and voice their objections. Ashland historian George Kramer said such a large and eye-catching modernist structure doesn’t belong in historic downtown and shouldn’t be in the middle of four lanes of traffic, where mainly motorists will view it. Ashland is devotedly pedestrian-friendly and this art, he said, wouldn’t serve walkers. The commission switched to Plan B — to get some dialog going in a study session with the City Council about the art object, the process of choosing it and, of course, what to do now. That session is planned for November at a date to be determined. We asked Ashlanders what they thought of the selection. Lloyd Haines, Ashland patron of public art — I come down on the side of those people who feel it’s not particularly well-suited to the entrance of this town. I’m more of a traditionalist. I like the public art at the other entry to Ashland, the prayer pole ("We Are Here," a tribute to Native Americans). It has more of a connection with people and this town, more of the flavor of the soul of Ashland. I would prefer the runner-up, “Ashland Helix." That would be better. It’s modernistic and cutting edge. Larry Giardina — The “Gathering” choice is interesting. It might not have been my choice. The dissatisfaction with it indicates that the people should have been involved in the selection process. The art object is not dissatisfying to me. Art is a subjective thing. It’s pretty good. Collin Palmerston — It looks like a nautilus seashell. I love displayed art, if it’s good form and catches my attention. That catches my attention and it’s pleasant to look at and inspiring. I prefer kinetic outdoor art. I can be dazzled by it. Hope kids don’t climb on it. Julie Schmiess — Ashland is a funky and artsy community and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Some are going to love it and some are going to hate it. I’m kind of indifferent on it. I don’t know if it speaks to me personally. I appreciate that Ashland tries to keep itself perky and artsy. It would be hard to find something that everyone would be on board with. Fayth Blackwell — What’s it supposed to represent? I don’t see how it’s relatable to anything. If I heard the artist explain what it means, maybe I would be more inclined to like it. If I drove by it, I would say, how is that “Gather?” I could think of better ways to spend $100,000. I’m not that into it. The other two (runners-up) are OK. It’s not (by) a local artist and that’s kind of lame. It would be cool to get a local artist to showcase something really beautiful. Sophia Scott — I’m not crazy about it. It’s not particularly aesthetic and I’m an art student and love art. I would choose something else. It’s an unnecessary orb of metal, but who knows? Some people might love it. They should just give the money to schools. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Sep. 29, 2015 at 7:40 PM Updated Sep 29, 2015 at 7:41 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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