Everyone should be encouraged by critic Ann Jarmusch's article (“Risky business: Panel takes adventurous path, selecting Berkeley-based artists for downtown park project,”
June 4).
(San Diego Museum of Art director) Derrick Cartwright is on the panel that chose the Po Shu Wang team to design (art for) a public park in East Village. Cartwright began by asking the wrong question, but the reply from the Commission for Arts and Culture was heartening. Innocently enough, Cartwright asked what's the Commission for Arts and Culture's vision for art in public places. He should have asked what's the public's vision for public art in public places. The two are very different.
The reply from commission staff member Dana Springs, presumably cleared by management and perhaps the commission itself, was proper for all public art projects everywhere in San Diego forever. Springs replied that it's “this panel's job to decide what's appropriate for this site.” Good. The panel will now seek advice and guidance from the public and create public art that suits the public. The staff reply was also exciting to those who thirst for good public art, and was potentially liberating for future public art projects.
James Varnadore
City Heights
Thank you so much for bringing to light for the region the wonderful park envisioned for the East Village in downtown. The article was informative and captured the essence of what we hope the park will become.
I did wish to share a thought, however, and that is that I think there is little “risk” with regard to the community. Although (landscape architect Martin) Poirier is definitely a proponent of including arts projects in his designs, the extensive inclusion of art in the park was based on requests by members of the community at the two meetings held by the CCDC (Centre City Development Corp., the city's downtown redevelopment arm) in conjunction with the developer.
The East Village has a history – though short – of arts innovation and it's found in the odd painting or sculpture found throughout the area. I'm personally involved with a community group, East Village Community Action Network, that painted a mural at 17th and K (beautification as a way to improve the quality of life) that has been very well received by the community.
I mention this because 1) we are proud our advocacy resulted in what will likely be a wonderful asset, and 2) it demonstrates how community outreach – by CCDC – and collaboration resulted in a better park, one that members of the community can feel is theirs (since much of downtown is built for “visitors”).
Brenda Kayzar
San Diego
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