Editor,
The English phone booth on Forest and Beach has turned into an archetypal gauge of what does not work in public art. This recently unveiled project of Laguna’s Art Commission has undoubtedly proven why we must start to rethink art in Laguna now!
The phone booth in question has been stuffed with foam bodies in bathing suits pretending to break a record. The execution is flawed, giving the impression of a high school afternoon project using scraps. The false motivation of being associated with the arts for personal adornment instead of championing the spirit of the arts suffocates the arts in this town. Consequently, there is a lack of interest in understanding how art functions, which further wanes the sensibility when it comes to artists and creativity.
The phone booth is such a great example that teaches us how volunteers with anointed art-authority often lack the understanding how art functions. Case in point, the chosen idea of stuffing people into things is at best a stale idea that was only clever when it was done first.
Results like this are the very reason why no one attends arts commission meetings. The process of institutionalizing art is the commission’s primary focus, instead of capturing the values of art and communicating them with passion. Additionally, the Arts Commission forgets its own functions and reverses its priorities of exposing as many people possible to art with available funds.
Be the champion for all arts and artists, relating to them and help them to expose their creations as best possible. If necessary, fight for creative freedom in the confines of government. Be the liaison between the City Council, the artists and the people (not just the commission and council); and select the city’s art adhering to function first and personal choice second. Curating by jury panel fails because it needs group consent, which usually yields to the lowest common denominator. Most art commissions aim to please, which science and history show is impossible.
One function is to accept that there are no ways to determine good or bad art, nor can we select what others will like or dislike. Rotate commissioners if you want, but to be effective, only one person can be the curator to select art.
Disclaimer: I have applied for this same project.
Michaell Magrutsche, Laguna Beach
The author is a multi media artist.
Dear Reader,
My intent is to revive the arts in Laguna Beach and bring them up to date by creating a cultural vision of what Laguna stands for when it comes to the arts. See more of my thoughts http://www.lagunabeachindy.com/?s=michaell
Thanks,
Michaell
Could not agree more. Thank you Michaell.
I’d rather see this phone booth than the cows in Dana Point. I think it’s sad that you say there’s no way to judge good or bad art while calling this bad art. What are your credentials? I have seen terrible art in fancy museums and great art on trash. Stop whining. Maybe use these emotions to create some art instead of trashing other people’s.
I would love to see a culture of fine art in Laguna.not sure if website is live yet but any day.
Kenny, I have not called this project art at all. Art requires something new, fresh or engaging, even if it is based on an idea that has been repeated since the 40’s (stuffing as many people into cars or other receptacles) No whining here! This is the greatest example to learn for artist, art students, art authorities and the people. I just love this project because in its absolute fallacy it teaches about art.
I don’t see the point of the letter. He doesn’t like the the booth stuffing. So what. Everyone likes and dislikes. Your dislike is my like. I see plenty of art around the city that I like and I also see a few pieces I don’t like.
I think I’ll write the paper and protest.
[…] more introspection our curation by jury (“Rethink Art,” Letters, March 2) would offer better design options than Superwoman from a comic […]
John,
Thanks for your reply. I invite you to go down and see the project up close. Then let me know, if you still believe that this is about like or dislike. My letter is all about the functions of our Arts Commission. I don’t judge or criticize art.