Madison Common Council Approves Public Art Display
Water Sculpture Will Cost $230,000
Updated: 10:58 am CDT August 6,2008
MADISON, Wis. -- The Madison Common Council on Tuesday approved a new piece of public art.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe "Four Lakes" water sculpture will go on Frances Street near State Street in Madison.The cost of the display is about $230,000 in city tax incremental financing money, but some area residents said they don't think it's very artistic.But one alder called the sculpture the least controversial of the three different selections by three different city committees."This is the safest choice but I think it's also the best choice. It's the most beautiful choice and the most appropriate choice for that area," said Alder Mike Verveer.Verveer sat on two of the three committees, including the State Street Design Oversight committee, which made the final recommendation of "Four Lakes." Verveer said maintenance staff practically begged the committee to approve "Four Lakes" because they were worried about the maintenance of the other pieces.As the city has seen before with the controversial football sculpture near Camp Randall, residents have plenty of opinions about public art. The same is true of the city's latest decision.WISC-TV took computer pictures of a model of the sculpture and showed them to various people on State Street.Anne Faulhaber of Fitchburg said, "I just like it. I like the fact that I might stop and sit down. I think it's really pretty."Some see beauty in the city's latest art pick, while others said they are not impressed.The water sculpture will look like a long black stone trough with four big granite rocks, complete with a bronze badger or two. The sculpture uses granite to represent Madison area lakes."It could become like a landmark like, 'Hey, meet me by the badger on State Street.,'" said Carley Faulhaber, a University of Wisconsin student.Some feel it's calming, like a Zen garden. But others said it seems like a waste of money.But the chairman of the Madison Arts Commission, which voted to reject a different sculpture in favor of a third runner-up called "Emergence" -- a large twisted, butterfly-like metal piece that was supposed to mist in the winter air -- called the money well-spent."Mature cities take the public realm seriously and recognize that public art is part of what makes cities interesting vibrant places," said Michael Bridgeman, chairman of the commission.But one art professor said he believes the sculpture will get vandalized and become a skateboard ramp.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportThe "Four Lakes" water sculpture will go on Frances Street near State Street in Madison.The cost of the display is about $230,000 in city tax incremental financing money, but some area residents said they don't think it's very artistic.But one alder called the sculpture the least controversial of the three different selections by three different city committees."This is the safest choice but I think it's also the best choice. It's the most beautiful choice and the most appropriate choice for that area," said Alder Mike Verveer.Verveer sat on two of the three committees, including the State Street Design Oversight committee, which made the final recommendation of "Four Lakes." Verveer said maintenance staff practically begged the committee to approve "Four Lakes" because they were worried about the maintenance of the other pieces.As the city has seen before with the controversial football sculpture near Camp Randall, residents have plenty of opinions about public art. The same is true of the city's latest decision.WISC-TV took computer pictures of a model of the sculpture and showed them to various people on State Street.Anne Faulhaber of Fitchburg said, "I just like it. I like the fact that I might stop and sit down. I think it's really pretty."Some see beauty in the city's latest art pick, while others said they are not impressed.The water sculpture will look like a long black stone trough with four big granite rocks, complete with a bronze badger or two. The sculpture uses granite to represent Madison area lakes."It could become like a landmark like, 'Hey, meet me by the badger on State Street.,'" said Carley Faulhaber, a University of Wisconsin student.Some feel it's calming, like a Zen garden. But others said it seems like a waste of money.But the chairman of the Madison Arts Commission, which voted to reject a different sculpture in favor of a third runner-up called "Emergence" -- a large twisted, butterfly-like metal piece that was supposed to mist in the winter air -- called the money well-spent."Mature cities take the public realm seriously and recognize that public art is part of what makes cities interesting vibrant places," said Michael Bridgeman, chairman of the commission.But one art professor said he believes the sculpture will get vandalized and become a skateboard ramp. Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
