Big Blue Shirt & Public Art
Jim McGuigan
Since my last update I have gotten several inquiries about why the
County would have the 1% for public art
project in the first place. First let me say that although I'm
thoroughly irritated by the "Big Blue Shirt" which the public art
committee plans to stick on the side of the soon-to-be-built airport
parking structure, that is not the only project which the committee
approved. In fact, I really like 3 of the 4 projects.
The first project is a series of neon strips in various patterns which
will be displayed inside of the airport. It's considered to be a
project that has a dual purpose. I've even heard of it called a "way
finding" project.
.... i.e.. follow this hall and turn right at the blue neon strip...
The second airport project is a series of wrought iron painted panels
that depict images that represent Milwaukee in some way shape or form.
The third project is planned to go up at the "City Campus" building on
about 28th and Wells. It is images of the Milwaukee city scape.
All three of these projects are quite spectacular and I believe will
add to the aesthetic value of our community in general.
One thing that I think is important to reiterate is that there are no
tax dollars going into the airport projects. Some people have inquired
about the possibility that this is wasting tax dollars. The cost for
airport art is paid for by the airlines.
Some wondered what the airlines had to say about the "big blue shirt"
project. The answer is that they were silent in the meeting that it
was unveiled at the County Board. However, one of the airline VP's
was on the selection panel.
County Executive Ament favors the proposal and doesn't want the
process changed. However, he was privy to a special preview meeting
two weeks before the unveiling of the project. (Before the contract
was signed incidentally...)
So what is happening now? There are several proposals circulating on
the County Board. One completely eliminates the 1% for public art
program. I think that would be a mistake. The other requires County
Board approval before any contracts would be signed. I favor that
option.
I'm also considering the possibility of simply paying off the artist
and not having the blue shirt put up. The down side of this is that
we would have to replace the airport revenue with tax revenue.
Another angle is that we may not have to pay him the entire $220,000
to get out of the contract.
Finally, I don't completely dislike the concept of a stained glass
style blue shirt sculpture. However, the scale of the project, sense
of place and monumental qualities are too much to overlook. The
Public Arts committee disregarded the direction the County Board and I
believe there should be consequences.
Jim McGuigan, Milwaukee County Supervisor
Mike Lambert
monstrosity that MUST be stopped.
"Jim McGuigan" <mcgu...@EXECPC.com> wrote in message
news:3a897872$0$70805$272e...@news.execpc.com...
Brad F
Jim McGuigan <mcgu...@EXECPC.com> wrote in message
news:3a897872$0$70805$272e...@news.execpc.com...
> and not having the blue shirt put up. The down side of this is that
> we would have to replace the airport revenue with tax revenue.
> Another angle is that we may not have to pay him the entire $220,000
> to get out of the contract.
>
> Finally, I don't completely dislike the concept of a stained glass
> style blue shirt sculpture. However, the scale of the project, sense
> of place and monumental qualities are too much to overlook. The
> Public Arts committee disregarded the direction the County Board and I
> believe there should be consequences.
Gee, I thought the major problem with the shirt was people thought it cost
too much. It doesn't seem like that is your major "hang-up" with it.
(hang-up the shirt...)
T
> Thanks Jim....at least ther is SOMEONE on OUR side...teh shirt is a
> monstrosity that MUST be stopped.
I just want to clarify: Is it because you don't like how it looks that you
believe it must be stopped, or because you don't like the finances or
alternatives thereto that you don't like it? Historically, Milwaukee has
*always* worked toward more than just aesthetics and minimal functional
projects; the library building is an incredible example of one
beautification project, and many statues and other items show support for
non-utilitarian projects throughout our history. That you don't
specifically *like* the aesthetics of the art is a different problem
entirely, and after you present your background in art history, your
curriculum vitae and list of shows in galleries you've put on, I'd be happy
to hear why your opinion on art matters.
The fact is that art doesn't mean "pretty." Art doesn't mean "something
everyone likes." I haven't seen a lot of info on the shirt, but what I
have seen looks interesting and, as with much art, there is a certain
amount of historical background.
As for what has been probably the most controversial piece of art on public
display, I think the sunburst on the end of Wisconsin Ave should never have
had the plastic protective bags removed, because at least then it looked
like an epic abstract safe sex PSA.
Nature Boy
superficial.
Stub
noticed Sunday that between the Marcus Center and the river there is already
a sculpture. Can't something be done about this?
Stub
"Brad F" <shoe...@repairman.com> wrote in message
news:3a898d2b$0$70811$272e...@news.execpc.com...
Mark Mathu
> specifically *like* the aesthetics of the art is a different problem
> entirely, and after you present your background in art history, your
> curriculum vitae and list of shows in galleries you've put on, I'd be happy
> to hear why your opinion on art matters.
No, it's just bad. Appliances inside the shirt? Come on.
That's about as inspired as a painting of whales, when you live in a city
that's located next to one of the largest bodies of fresh water in the
world... erm... ummm... oh...
Nature Boy
in the peice that would really spark it
off like a hugh knife in its back.
Mark Mathu
> If the artist could make a small change
> in the peice that would really spark it
> off like a hugh knife in its back.
Yeah! I like that idea!
Brewrmwke
>From: Atomi...@webtv.net (Nature Boy)
>Date: 2/17/01 7:02 AM Pacific Standard Time
>Message-id: <24259-3A...@storefull-623.iap.bryant.webtv.net>
>
>If the artist could make a small change
>in the peice that would really spark it
>off like a hugh knife in its back.
>
falsies.
MrBates388
Or you could put a 'stain' on it like the one on Monicas blue dress.....
Brewrmwke
>Date: 2/18/01 8:27 AM Pacific Standard Time
>Message-id: <20010218112752...@ng-fo1.aol.com>
the bottom of their closet instead of making the rest of us look at it!
Nature Boy
West Allis
>Public Art is more than just the Big Blue Shirt
>
Yes, there should be consequences: the committee and artist should be
commended, and the cheeseheads on the County Board should be fired.
The
>Public Arts committee disregarded the direction the County Board and I
>believe there should be consequences.
>
>Jim McGuigan, Milwaukee County Supervisor
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West Allis
>Public Art is more than just the Big Blue Shirt
>
>the County Board. One completely eliminates the 1% for public art
>program. I think that would be a mistake. The other requires County
>Board approval before any contracts would be signed. I favor that
>option.
>Jim McGuigan, Milwaukee County Supervisor
If the County Board chooses "art," we'll have the kind of crap that Joseph
Stalin put up all over Eastern Europe and Adolf Hitler put up all over
Germany.
Who can forget that god awful Walt Disney cuckoo clock that was in front of
the County Board offices for so many years?
West Allis
>Public Art is more than just the Big Blue Shirt
>
>So what is happening now? There are several proposals circulating on
>the County Board. One completely eliminates the 1% for public art
>program. I think that would be a mistake. The other requires County
>Board approval before any contracts would be signed. I favor that
>option.
>Jim McGuigan, Milwaukee County Supervisor
If the County Board chooses "art," we'll have the kind of crap that Joseph
Stalin put up all over Eastern Europe and Adolf Hitler put up all over
Germany.
Who can forget that god awful Walt Disney cuckoo clock that was in front of
the County Board offices for so many years?
(Of course, a Walt Disney cuckoo clock in front of the County Board offices
is
at least in the right place. The little old ladies who donated it from their
chocolate fortune got that much right. Maybe they were shrewder than
everybody
thought.)
Clinton Gallagher
architectural projects were concerned. Hitler we have been told,
wanted to become an architect at one time so he commissioned
quite a few stunning projects that were for the most part decimated
during the war.
Ever hear the saying "The Devil is in the Details"? That was
attributed to a famous architect that worked for the Nazi Party.
His name was Mies van der Rohe. He was one of the lucky Nazis
that were smuggled into the United States before 'The Solution' got
underway and designed many well known 'modernist' buildings
in the United States. The nearest one that I know is the Illinois
Institute of Technology and it is studied by many an architecture
student due to unique uses of exposed structural steel.
The Reichstag in Berlin was a beautiful building. Unlike the sh!t that gets
designed and built in Milwaukee. The Nazis were very urban and
had excellent taste in the arts.
Unlike the most recent piece of sh!t built in Milwaukee called
the Midwest Express Center. Check out some architectural history
books that document early 19th Century Prisons.
Poof! Midwest Express Center.
Stalin commissioned a number of modernist projects himself but
since the Cold War the Russians had not made their urban centers
available to the architectural historians that were most active
in those days.
--
<%= Clinton Gallagher
http://www.metromilwaukee.com/clintongallagher/
"West Allis" <westd...@MailAndNews.com> wrote in message
news:3A9A...@MailAndNews.com...
Nonya Business
a fake persona to justify their own posts? How much sadder is it, when
they have to create these posts to make it appear that "someone else"
supports their own twisted views of reality? Who are you really trying
to fool?
On Sun, 08 Apr 2001 15:52:07 GMT, Thoughtpatrol
<Thoughtpat...@newsranger.com> wrote:
>In article <2rPz6.14598$RF1.1...@bgtnsc06-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>, Clinton
>Gallagher says...
>>
>How dare you violate the sacred precept that anything originating in Nazi
>Germany had merit. Such statements as yours indicate a dangerous level of
>independant thinking.
>
>Thoughtpatrol
Nature Boy
one " kind of art thats marketed to our
multi-culti society. What this kind of art
does is really to alienate people from art.
No matter who you are, it feels that this
piece is somehow forced on you.
Clinton Gallagher
that we have become a headless and empty people and in this
regard as art it perfectly reflects this aspect of our society.
Another glaring fact that it is not at all integrated into
its environment but hangs on a metal structural frame
on the outside of a ugly building that is simply a box.
--
<%= Clinton Gallagher
http://www.metromilwaukee.com/clintongallagher/
"Nature Boy" <Atomi...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:19492-3AD...@storefull-623.iap.bryant.webtv.net...
Nature Boy
its art without soul. The only folks behind
" blue shirts" are the cynical artists who
crank this shit out.