This sculpture is fabulous! It is modern, exciting, perfectly suited for the site. I am proud of Evanston that we can do something like this, and proud that my tax money has contributed.
This sculpture reminds me of tightrope walking during circus arts classes at the Actors Gymnasium in the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. They should make the most of this "free" advertising!
In a few months these council members will be asking for a tax increase to cover the huge budget mess. The $100,000 would have paid for one employee's job.
It is clear these people have no idea of fiscal responsibility.
Watch and see how many of the council members will claim they did not know the city was in a budget crisis.
Just remember the outcry about "Cloudgate" at Millennium Park: extravagant artist fees, cost overruns, necessary structural reinforcements to the underground garage to hold the weight, endless hand-polishing by highly-paid union labor...but the result--an instant icon, "The Bean"! Everybody loves it, it makes the park a destination, it opens peoples' eyes to something magical and unique. Art is sometimes complicated, sometimes obscure, sometimes sublime. It challenges us to see differently. The idea that you could pay lots of students with this commission just means that we would end up with a bunch of student-quality art. Let's dream big dreams here. Art is for the ages. I think the sculpture looks great.
While I think public art is a good thing, in a time when there is a budget deficit it seems like there are better ways to spend $100,000. I suspect many social service agencies could certainly use the money.
I'm not sure why Ann Rainey, if opposed, voted in favor... and in terms of the expenditure... it is my understanding that the money is not being taken away from something else, rather is for the cultural arts division, bringing art to Evanston. Regardless of whether or not you care for the particular piece, part of living in this community is the opportunity to be exposed to art in various public places. As to planting flowers instead... it would be incredible if more of our commissions would work together and see just what they might come up with.... imagine if our ecological, parks and recreation, cultural arts, and human services (just to name a few) came together on a collaborative project....
I've seen similar works in Germany and the Czech Republic, and they're always a talking point. They liven up the neighborhood and create excitement. Kids and adults (with imagination) alike love thought provoking public art; think Millennium Park.
The fact that Evanston City Council voted this through shows vision on their part.
If the Council wants it, they should take a collection among themselves and pay for it. No public funds whether general or 'art fund.'
What do they expect to cut to pay for it, human services ? Money is not free !
The sculpture is a great way to celebrate art in our city AND will provide a solid visual landmark to orient visitors. A win all around. Reminds me of the sculpture of a couple of business people scaling a wall in Chicago that I enjoyed from the "L" on my way to work for years.
We need art. We need levity. As much now as ever.
Totally don't get the "suicide" aspect. Seems way more "Man on a Wire" to me.
It is wonderful that the University is putting its resources toward making these materials available to everyone. I thought it might interest your readers to know that we also have a copy of this map in the Map Collection at the Evanston History Center. It is in fairly good condition so is available for the public to use. We also have other maps from the 1870s in Evanston and several earlier that document the early settlement of the community. For information about the resources at the History Center, please call (847) 475-3410 or email me at losborne@evanstonhistorycenter.org.
Yes, the physical map is available for viewing at the Northwestern University Archives. The map remains very fragile so options for viewing may be limited. Call the NU Archives for more information.
As Jeff once wrote about blogging, "What we need more of, among the like-minded, is to read our colleagues' posts with a mindset that extends the benefit of the doubt rather than reflexively nitpicks, or takes a word in the worst possible way." I didn't mention your friend in my post, but I think you missed the point. Longevity is not the issue. My observation was about the cumulative effect of Jeff's community engagement, and the value of that to a campaign. The people greeting Jeff mostly aren't his social circle or schoolmates. They are people whose lives have touched his, or vice versa.
Jeff didn't write the article about campaign money, or send out a single press release about fundraising. Quite the opposite, Jeff thinks it's a poor metric, and has spoken eloquently about the corrosive effect of money in politics. See the video from his announcement speech, or some of his writings on reform at electjeffsmith.org
Finally, Jeff has a proven track record of encouraging young people to get involved in politics, and standing up for their rights to vote, to have a say in electing representatives of their choice, and even to run for office. Jeff Smith has the new ideas that we need and the energy to make them happen.
"Epstein was dead on, and your comments are even more dead on. .... People have been saying for years that there aren't any useful shops in downtown Evanston. Where can you go to buy a pair of underwear?
Epstein isn't calling for more 'useful' shops. He seems to want more unique and charming boutiques.
It would be nice to have places in downtown Evanston that sell basic housewares and clothing - but such a store would not be a unique or charming family owned small business. It would be a chain - like Macy's, Kohls, J.C. Penney, Sears.
I haven't been to Andersonville very often ( I did go to Svea once to try their Swedish pancakes...IHOP is still the undefeated champion) , but I don't know where you would get your basic stuff like underwear over there. ( Good news for Andersonville residents : Target is going to open at the old Wilson Yards in 2010. Of course, the Uptown NIMBYs put up a fight, but it looks like they lost. )
So, I agree that Evanston needs more practical stores. Something like Willow Plaza ( Target, Kohls, IHOP, Chipotle, and a newer Whole Foods ) would be good. Chain stores are more efficient, which means that they are good for the environment.
Dear Mr. Yep: To your point that downtown Evanston is bereft of free market influence, let me say that should you decide to open an underwear store you'll find plenty of vacant space.
Well that depends on your your preference.
CVS generally carries Hanes.
They carry socks and nylons too.
Something sporty, why not try the yoga shop or Uncle Dan's,
the Gap and Jos. A. Bank, or Ann Taylor?
All the best in your quest for the perfect pair of boxers or briefs!
Or maybe that is bikinis or boy shorts!
This sculpture is fabulous! It is modern, exciting, perfectly suited for the site. I am proud of Evanston that we can do something like this, and proud that my tax money has contributed.
This sculpture reminds me of tightrope walking during circus arts classes at the Actors Gymnasium in the Noyes Cultural Arts Center. They should make the most of this "free" advertising!
In a few months these council members will be asking for a tax increase to cover the huge budget mess. The $100,000 would have paid for one employee's job.
It is clear these people have no idea of fiscal responsibility.
Watch and see how many of the council members will claim they did not know the city was in a budget crisis.
Just remember the outcry about "Cloudgate" at Millennium Park: extravagant artist fees, cost overruns, necessary structural reinforcements to the underground garage to hold the weight, endless hand-polishing by highly-paid union labor...but the result--an instant icon, "The Bean"! Everybody loves it, it makes the park a destination, it opens peoples' eyes to something magical and unique. Art is sometimes complicated, sometimes obscure, sometimes sublime. It challenges us to see differently. The idea that you could pay lots of students with this commission just means that we would end up with a bunch of student-quality art. Let's dream big dreams here. Art is for the ages. I think the sculpture looks great.
I could use the money as well...but I can comprehend that public art is just as beneficial to the fabric of a community as any social service agency.
as a simpleton this might be the only discussion you can think of to provoke thoughtful discussion.
But then there are others that prefer a more spirited conversation with those of opposing views.
Open your mind and lift the weight of seriousness from your soul. You just might like what you find...
It's MY tax money as well...and I like the piece.
So now what?
While I think public art is a good thing, in a time when there is a budget deficit it seems like there are better ways to spend $100,000. I suspect many social service agencies could certainly use the money.
I'm not sure why Ann Rainey, if opposed, voted in favor... and in terms of the expenditure... it is my understanding that the money is not being taken away from something else, rather is for the cultural arts division, bringing art to Evanston. Regardless of whether or not you care for the particular piece, part of living in this community is the opportunity to be exposed to art in various public places. As to planting flowers instead... it would be incredible if more of our commissions would work together and see just what they might come up with.... imagine if our ecological, parks and recreation, cultural arts, and human services (just to name a few) came together on a collaborative project....
I love it.
"I don't like it at all," Rainey said.
But then she voted for it anyway...
I think the only discussion this sculpture should be provoking is WHY THE HELL.
I've seen similar works in Germany and the Czech Republic, and they're always a talking point. They liven up the neighborhood and create excitement. Kids and adults (with imagination) alike love thought provoking public art; think Millennium Park.
The fact that Evanston City Council voted this through shows vision on their part.
Thanks!
If the Council wants it, they should take a collection among themselves and pay for it. No public funds whether general or 'art fund.'
What do they expect to cut to pay for it, human services ? Money is not free !
There is always controversy over these weird sculptures.
Why not spend money on flowers, a la Chicago?
The sculpture is a great way to celebrate art in our city AND will provide a solid visual landmark to orient visitors. A win all around. Reminds me of the sculpture of a couple of business people scaling a wall in Chicago that I enjoyed from the "L" on my way to work for years.
We need art. We need levity. As much now as ever.
Totally don't get the "suicide" aspect. Seems way more "Man on a Wire" to me.
"He says that he did not know if there was any reason besides random variance that gang violence may have increased from 2007."
Seems like all the guys from the major drug busts a few years back are now back on the streets.
Not just a huge waste of money, but a huge waste of MY tax money
It is wonderful that the University is putting its resources toward making these materials available to everyone. I thought it might interest your readers to know that we also have a copy of this map in the Map Collection at the Evanston History Center. It is in fairly good condition so is available for the public to use. We also have other maps from the 1870s in Evanston and several earlier that document the early settlement of the community. For information about the resources at the History Center, please call (847) 475-3410 or email me at losborne@evanstonhistorycenter.org.
This seems like a huge waste of money...
Yes, the physical map is available for viewing at the Northwestern University Archives. The map remains very fragile so options for viewing may be limited. Call the NU Archives for more information.
As Jeff once wrote about blogging, "What we need more of, among the like-minded, is to read our colleagues' posts with a mindset that extends the benefit of the doubt rather than reflexively nitpicks, or takes a word in the worst possible way." I didn't mention your friend in my post, but I think you missed the point. Longevity is not the issue. My observation was about the cumulative effect of Jeff's community engagement, and the value of that to a campaign. The people greeting Jeff mostly aren't his social circle or schoolmates. They are people whose lives have touched his, or vice versa.
Jeff didn't write the article about campaign money, or send out a single press release about fundraising. Quite the opposite, Jeff thinks it's a poor metric, and has spoken eloquently about the corrosive effect of money in politics. See the video from his announcement speech, or some of his writings on reform at electjeffsmith.org
Finally, Jeff has a proven track record of encouraging young people to get involved in politics, and standing up for their rights to vote, to have a say in electing representatives of their choice, and even to run for office. Jeff Smith has the new ideas that we need and the energy to make them happen.
"Epstein was dead on, and your comments are even more dead on. .... People have been saying for years that there aren't any useful shops in downtown Evanston. Where can you go to buy a pair of underwear?
Epstein isn't calling for more 'useful' shops. He seems to want more unique and charming boutiques.
It would be nice to have places in downtown Evanston that sell basic housewares and clothing - but such a store would not be a unique or charming family owned small business. It would be a chain - like Macy's, Kohls, J.C. Penney, Sears.
I haven't been to Andersonville very often ( I did go to Svea once to try their Swedish pancakes...IHOP is still the undefeated champion) , but I don't know where you would get your basic stuff like underwear over there. ( Good news for Andersonville residents : Target is going to open at the old Wilson Yards in 2010. Of course, the Uptown NIMBYs put up a fight, but it looks like they lost. )
So, I agree that Evanston needs more practical stores. Something like Willow Plaza ( Target, Kohls, IHOP, Chipotle, and a newer Whole Foods ) would be good. Chain stores are more efficient, which means that they are good for the environment.
Is it available for physical public viewing?
Dear Mr. Yep: To your point that downtown Evanston is bereft of free market influence, let me say that should you decide to open an underwear store you'll find plenty of vacant space.
Well that depends on your your preference.
CVS generally carries Hanes.
They carry socks and nylons too.
Something sporty, why not try the yoga shop or Uncle Dan's,
the Gap and Jos. A. Bank, or Ann Taylor?
All the best in your quest for the perfect pair of boxers or briefs!
Or maybe that is bikinis or boy shorts!
Very sincerely
Manon Kavesky