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2 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Chamber Communiqué: Shop local during Ashland’s Festival of Light celebration ... Alfalfa farmers reach settlement over Jackson County's GMO ban ... Review: Camelot's "Oklahoma!" is a warm, joyful romp ... Chamber Communiqué: Shop local during Ashland’s Festival of Light celebration ... Alfalfa farmers reach settlement over Jackson County's GMO ban ... Review: Camelot's "Oklahoma!" is a warm, joyful romp ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Art process was followed correctly Comment By Arnold Bleicher DailyTidings.com By Arnold Bleicher Posted Dec. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Arnold Bleicher Posted Dec. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News While I admire George Kramer for his passion, we have, politely, agreed to disagree. In reading Kramer’s Dec. 2 letter, it seems we were at different meetings. Kramer believes it will be a done deal, with the council “unanimously” voting to accept the “Gather” sculpture. If you were at the meeting (or listen to the audio of the meeting) you may have a different impression. The council study session Monday evening reviewed the process for selecting the proposed sculpture, and the City Council asked many questions of the Public Art Commission (PAC). While some may believe the process for choosing the sculpture was “flawed,” the meeting demonstrated the process, as defined by city ordinance, was followed. Had the PAC done other than follow the established process, then there would be grounds for complaints, but that is not the case. Kramer's assertion that there was an avoidance of “how things might have even been considered to proceed differently” is a misunderstanding of what the meeting was about. The meeting was to determine if the process laid out by city ordinance was followed. It was shown that it was. How things might have been different is a non-issue, as the PAC had no authority to do other than what they were charged with. The allegation that kid gloves were used on the PAC is another area of disagreement. Again, listen to the lengthy questioning part of the session. Councilors asked many challenging questions and the PAC fielded them directly. It is true, as Kramer states, that “nobody from outside the arts community spoke” at the hearing. Kramer chose not to speak, but the study session was open to anyone to speak. As well, all PAC meetings include an agenda item for citizen issues, an opportunity for anyone to speak. The site for “Gather,” between the library and the fire station, is in the Siskiyou-Hargadine Historic District, not the Downtown Historic District. The site is at the exact confluence of three historic districts: Downtown, Siskiyou-Hargadine and Railroad. “Gather” was designed with that in mind, gathering the areas and bringing a focus to this point of convergence. The assertion that the scale of the sculpture is “out-sized” is also unfounded. People have reacted to the publication of a Photoshopped representation of the sculpture. For that reason, on Monday, Nov. 30, the city erected a to-scale, simplified replica of “Gather.” Being 19.5 feet in height with the base, the sculpture is 5.5 feet lower than the Christmas tree pole currently on the site and not nearly as wide. The mature, 40-foot trees on the site are already taller than the proposed “Gather.” Speaking with people who came to see the replica (again, sadly, few turned out), they all expressed surprise at the actual scale of the piece in real life as compared with the image they had seen. Public art is often controversial. There are those who oppose the proposed sculpture. But they do not get to pretend they speak for all citizens of Ashland. It’s art, and there will always be differing opinions about the merits of any art placed at the Gateway. That is true of art in general. I see some plays at OSF I am not crazy about, but I always find something of value in each of them. That is the nature of experiencing art. To presume that the majority of the city is opposed to the piece is contrary to my experience. Arnold Bleicher lives in Ashland. By Arnold Bleicher DailyTidings.com By Arnold Bleicher Posted Dec. 4, 2015 at 12:01 AM » 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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