Fifth & Huron

Stopped. Watched. icon

In what some city workers say is the first demonstration at the new plaza in front of city hall, a group has gathered on International Women’s Day to protest funding spent on the Herbert Dreiseitl water sculpture, saying it could be better spent on women’s issues – supporting, for example, SafeHouse Center, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. A police officer has emerged and has taken down cardboard signs that were tied with string to the sculpture. The protesters – including Alan Haber and Odile Hugonot Haber – remain, holding signs directed at the passing traffic. [photo] [photo] [photo]

» Want more items like this one? Visit the Stopped. Watched. page.

4 Comments

  1. By Tim Henning
    March 8, 2012 at 4:25 pm | permalink

    Lets go one better. Let’s take a fraction of the cost and hire a LOCAL artist, of which there are many , to create a work in honor of the victims. Then take the bulk of it and give it to women’s issues.

  2. By Lisa PT
    March 8, 2012 at 6:01 pm | permalink

    I so agree with using local talent. Between the K-12 school artists and the university, I bet they could come up with some stunning art that would mean something to the community. Plus, I would love to see public art funded by donations (and I don’t mean taxes). What is wrong with asking local companies to chip into a project that will enhance the community, without sacrificing the services only the city can provide.

  3. By Alan Goldsmith
    March 9, 2012 at 6:28 am | permalink

    Noted Constitutional Law expert our Mayor says we can’t restrict our ‘art buys’ to locals because of the Interstate Commerce Act. But of course, won’t request a written opinion from the Ann Arbor City Attorney to share with the rest of us.

  4. By Greg Pratt
    March 15, 2012 at 11:49 am | permalink

    Constitutional Law experts should consider the dictum: “Constitutions are living documents.” ;)