Comments on: Dreiseitl Coming to Ann Arbor in July

By: Paul L. Bancel

Paul L. Bancel — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:22:42 +0000

I hope that CTN gets the Arts Commission on the schedule soon. It will be some of the best fireworks since Safety Girl.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:11:59 +0000

Touche. You might have a bit more faith in human nature than I do on this issue. Lol.

By: Steve Bean

Steve Bean — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:35:44 +0000

“…there are plenty of other folks who wonder why $750K was spent for this art in particular.”

Only $70,000 has been spent, Alan. Interesting that you made essentially the same assumption of approval of the project that Parker did. How arrogant of you to make such a mistake. :-)

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:16:19 +0000

If you have a chance to review how this process was handled, let me know if you think it was open and fair.

Two different issues.

By: Julie Roth

Julie Roth — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:10:23 +0000

Yes, I understand the 1% tax on construction projects — that money being “dedicated” to art in the city. That money, as it currently stands, cannot be used to fix roads or save programs.

I don’t know the nitty-gritty details of the selection process for WHAT art gets approved. I don’t follow it that closely. But I AM happy with the outcome. I think the choice of Dreiseitl was a wise one.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 14:48:02 +0000

This issue has never been about Dreiseitl, the artist. It’s about the flawed and arrogant process on how the selection was made. And while I support the Per Cent For Art program (but not being managed by the current AAAC membership, who have proven they are not up to the task of being open and honest about how the decision was made)there are plenty of other folks who wonder why $750K was spent for this art in particular. You are also wrong about this money being ‘dedicated’ like it’s being provided by some magic art fairy. Construction projects are being ‘taxes’ one per cent, it’s coming from the city of Ann Arbor taxpayers, plain and simple. There wasn’t even a process in place that was followed for anyone else to submit a proposal. How do you know there isn’t anyone local or in Michigan or even the Midwest? Was a request for submissions posted to the art world? Of course not.

There are others not as art appreciating as I am who wonder why the roads are falling apart amdSenior programs are going to be cut with future budgets and money is being spent recklessly.

A protest of Mr.Dreiseitl’s visit would be a perfect place to express that displeasure.

By: Julie Roth

Julie Roth — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:32:12 +0000

OK, have you seen this guy’s work? Check out his website http://www.dreiseitl.de/. This is not just any random artist. He is world-renowned and respected, and has built astounding, dramatic, creative and beautiful waterscapes in world-class cities all over the place. I am sensitive to the need to hire local people to do as much as we can in the city…. but I do not believe there is a local equivalent in this situation. I know this is controversial, but I believe the people who chose Dreiseitl for this project have demonstrated enormous long-range vision. Ann Arbor will pull out of this slump, and we will have a spectacular art installation that will bring people to it, to look and touch and talk to one another. And the money is dedicated — it’s not being taken away from some other need.

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:39:15 +0000

“Parker pointed to the commission’s guidelines, saying that the document outlined the procedures in detail. [That document is being reviewed by the city attorney’s office and is not posted on AAPAC’s website at this point.”

So it hasn’t been reviewed by the city attorney’s office and it’s being used?

By: Alan Goldsmith

Alan Goldsmith — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:33:32 +0000

I”t’s not clear whether the commission will see his designs before he arrives, but they might try to vote on the project and take it to city council for approval while he’s here, she said, adding that details about his visit have yet to be finalized.”

There you go. They don’t even know the design but are ready to vote and move it to the City Council. This is exactly the arrogance that has be the tradmark of this project and I’m guessing there could be a busload of protesters at this meeting when it takes place.

Thanks again Ms. Parker and others who are behind this.