Great. Public art is fantastic. I especially like the light display just hope it uses "green" bulbs.

by Adam L on Feb 17, 2010 4:14 pm • link • report

Talk about wallpapering. The Takoma installation seems to bear no relationship to the space.

by Gene Koo on Feb 17, 2010 4:15 pm • link • report

I don't mind the art, but hopefully we see some unique art that's perhaps relevant to the city at other stations that are given a make over.

by Vik on Feb 17, 2010 4:20 pm • link • report

Hooray! Anything to get more illumination in the stations. They can call it whatever they like.

by Tom Veil on Feb 17, 2010 4:21 pm • link • report

They should put some art in the tunnel connecting the Farragut North and Farragut West stations too! Oh wait...

by Teo on Feb 17, 2010 4:26 pm • link • report

Ugh, I'm a Takoma resident and I didn't take the time to review the art project proposals. Now I wish I had. I'm not a fan of the design, but that aside, I can't believe the city is spending $250,000 on it.

by James on Feb 17, 2010 5:11 pm • link • report

Complete waste of money...

K

by Kaleel on Feb 17, 2010 5:25 pm • link • report

Exactly why do we need this art work it could be going to other more important things

by kk on Feb 17, 2010 5:31 pm • link • report

But at least the yuppies of the area can be smug about their 'public art'.

What the hell is so great about 'public art' anyways?

by MPC on Feb 17, 2010 5:57 pm • link • report

@ MPC, everyone gets to see it unlike pieces in a private collection.

by Bianchi on Feb 17, 2010 6:55 pm • link • report

What a dumb idea.

by MPC on Feb 17, 2010 6:58 pm • link • report

the peice in Takoma is by Sam Gilliam. Sam is an internationally recognized historically important abstract artist who also happens to have graced Washington DC with his creative genius for about 5 decades now. Sam's pieces are collected and displayed worldwide in both public and private collections. Sam helped redefine the boundaries of painting in the 1960's.

Washington DC is richer because of Sam Gilliams contributions and the metro station at Takoma certainly will be enriched with the addition of a Sam Gilliam. Not only that, Sam is a hell of a nice man who is very generous and supportive of other artists.

@ James, I encourage you to read some art history. Depth of knowledge enhances one's appreciation for all things and certainly will add to anyone's appreciation for the treasure that Sam Gilliam is in our community and how special it will be to have art from someone of the caliber of Sam Gilliam facing a public street.

by Bianchi on Feb 17, 2010 7:17 pm • link • report

@Bianchi

Art history or not, we don't have the money for things like this. I'm sure Sam is wonderful but we're broke.

K

by Kaleel on Feb 17, 2010 7:27 pm • link • report

the DC CAH was established precisely for this purpose. Its completely appropriate. To be able to hang a Sam Gilliam at a DC metro is a fitting fulfillment of the commissions' aim and mission. Its an impoverished soul that doesn't recognize the importance and value of great art to a society of humans especially in lean times.

by Bianchi on Feb 17, 2010 7:42 pm • link • report

more 'hope' and 'change' from obummer...

by MPC on Feb 17, 2010 8:06 pm • link • report

My favorite part is the partially invisible person. How do they do that?

Art is what feeds the human soul. Personally, I think there is not enough of it. Stockholm has significant artwork in every station, and it makes their system both unique and more fulfilling to use.
If we only made art when there wasn't "something more important" to spend money on, then we would never have any at all.

by Steve O on Feb 17, 2010 8:13 pm • link • report

These aren't just "lean" times. We have 10% unemployment nationally and state and local jurisdictions are facing more layoffs and serious budget defecits with no end in sight. I'm not concerned with an "impoverished soul". I'm concerned about having impoverished grandkids because we've spent money so whimsically during a terrible economic crisis. This is economy is in shambles and we'd better put our 'game face' on if we wanna fix it. I wish we could put projects like this public art in Takoma/FW up for a vote.

K

by Kaleel on Feb 17, 2010 8:53 pm • link • report

more 'hope' and 'change' from obummer...
by MPC on Feb 17, 2010 8:06 pm

Uh? Not everything in DC has to do with national politics, for Christ's sake. Oh, except in MPC World, of course. (Like Disney World but with more grousing about yuppies and liberals.)

by MPCee, MPDoo on Feb 17, 2010 9:07 pm • link • report

@ Kaleel, so you'd like to see the DC Commission on Arts and Humanities disbanded? Will that solve all the problems? Your grandkids' education (read: academic performance) and thus chances for employment is enhanced with arts education.

by Bianchi on Feb 17, 2010 10:36 pm • link • report

@Bianchi, my opposition to the Gilliam mosaic has nothing to do with my acknowledged lack of appreciation for the work of art itself. Rather, I am opposed to spending such a large quantity of money, that could be well spent beautifying hundreds of cement walls in the District, to adorn a single wall with a mosaic that will very likely fall victim to some kid's can of spray paint. A kid who will, most likely, also lack the requisite art history lesson you say is required to appreciate the mosaic.

by James on Feb 17, 2010 11:12 pm • link • report

@Bianchi, It would be a start but certainly not solve "all" of the problems. The public has no business funding the arts when we're all broke and so many other essential services like snow removal are hurting for funds (read WTOP: 25 percent of D.C. plows out of commission)http://www.wtop.com/?sid=1884422&nid=25.
History has given us great art without taxpayer money. Can we do anything on our own anymore? Many of us are worried about law enforcement, emergency services, transportation and trying to balance budgets. So please paint some hundred dollar bills and send them to the treasury or find private funding for these projects for the time being at least. Otherwise we'll all go the way of California. I don't want to pick on the arts alone and use them as a scapegoat, they're just one example of waste that the above article reminded me of.

K

by Kaleel on Feb 17, 2010 11:40 pm • link • report

@James, I said "depth of knowledge enhances appreciation" not what you said I said. Anyway being exposed to the original work of great artists is a primary element in an art history education, whether the recipient is aware its happening or not. Sam's piece in this location will provide that exposure. Regarding cement walls, the DC CAH has a great program that achieves the goal you envision: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011401650.html
So both goals are simultaneously pursued and achieved! Hurrah!
As to defacing Sam's piece: there are other pieces around the city that don't get defaced. Possibility of being defaced is not a good reason for not putting up art.

by Bianchi on Feb 18, 2010 12:03 am • link • report

Kaleel, you're probably one of those people who think phys ed in public schools is a "waste of time" too. You (one) either recognize(s) the value of art and how arts education-including exposure to original works by great artists-enhances all around creative problem solving ability by teaching the skill of free thinking and exercising the imagination, skills that can be applied to all the worlds problems, or you don't. But even if art didn't have these "externalities" art for arts sake is valued by a lot of people. Art isn't free, but it gives back. Its an investment. Its not a "waste". It's really sad you think that way. I'm so glad I live in a world where there is a DCCAH and a Sam Gilliam and that the DCCAH is savvy enough to put a work by Sam at the metro. It wasn't the DCCAH or any other arts advocacy group, public or private, that made Sam a great artist. Sam did that. I'm happy to chip in my DC taxes for the CAH. Its a very small portion of the budget with such a great return on the investment!

by Bianchi on Feb 18, 2010 12:42 am • link • report

Bianchi, There are alot of items that are very small parts of the budget that have added up over time and put us in the fiscal mess we're in. The credit card is maxed out and we need to make cuts all over the place to get a handle on this thing. We have to start taking the financial crisis more seriously. It's getting worse not better.
Again, this isn't about Sam Gilliam.

K

by Kaleel on Feb 18, 2010 8:24 am • link • report

Its about recognizing the value of art and the returns an investment in arts gives back.

by Bianchi on Feb 18, 2010 9:06 am • link • report

Kaleel, if you get rid of art spending until the government's fiscal problems end, then you'll never get any public art. The city government has had fiscal problems for years, and unless they change their policies completely, they'll have them forever. Cutting out public goods will not have enough of a benefit to the budget as it will cost the look and feel of the city.

You could likewise argue that we should simply build the most economical and functional government buildings. We saw how that worked out, and now we're spending money to make them less miserable. So, now we're less wealthy over all.

Public art funded by private individuals pretty much only happens nowadays if it's a commemorative statue to an atrocity or a really important event. Historically, public art that wasn't commemorative only happened when you had some filthy rich patron running the government.

by Neil Flanagan on Feb 18, 2010 10:35 am • link • report

in any case DC had top bond ratings as recently as Mar '09 (AAA) and has had A+ rating since 2005. But that's not the point. Its recognizing the intrinsic value in art and thus making an investment in it.
capcha words: "kinglier art"

by Bianchi on Feb 18, 2010 1:17 pm • link • report

I love the Sam Gilliam: such an intricate and vibrant work, by a major artist, where you would least expect it -- in an underpass. It fits the space beautifully, echoing shapes that are already there. And the light display for Farragut West is unusual and a bit mysterious. It will make waiting -- and waiting is what taking the metro is all about -- much less tedious. Both will enrich our daily commutes. Thank you, DC Commission!

by Nancy G. on Feb 18, 2010 1:44 pm • link • report

@ Bianchi, I think that as to the disagreement between me and you it boils down to perception of the risk of defacement. I hope you're right, I hope that the piece is respected enough to be safe from taggers, and less importantly, I hope that I enjoy Gilliam's final product.

I actually do support public art. The abundance of public art in the District (both gov't funded as will be with Takoma station, and privately funded as with lawn ornamentation displayed by many District residents) is one of the things I love about living here. I'm just nervous about making such a large expenditure in this particular case.

by James on Feb 18, 2010 2:42 pm • link • report

'If we wait until we can afford it then we'll never get it'.

I love that logic here. I'm going to use that rationale to explain to my wife why I need to go out and buy a 2010 Camaro SS. When she says "we can't afford it", I'll reply "well if we wait until we can afford it then we'll never get one." Then we'll rack up some debt with the purchase.

But for public debt someone 'else' is paying for it so who cares. Pass the buck to the next generation for something we want to look at while driving under a bridge and call it an investment. But at any rate you got your art, enjoy...

K

by Kaleel on Feb 18, 2010 4:41 pm • link • report

@ James, so glad hear it. That perspective wasn't clear from your first comment.
@ Kaleel, The point here is that investing in art produces a return. That's what "investment" means. If you think buying a new car, especially on credit, is an investment... no wonder you're so worried about money.

by Bianchi on Feb 18, 2010 5:05 pm • link • report

Where would Washington be without public art? All those monuments, museums, and galleries surrounding the Mall? They're just a total waste of time, money, and effort? This is a city that loves and thrives on public art. I find it ridiculous for some to so casually dismiss such projects as frivolous due to a temporary budget constraint.

by Adam L on Feb 18, 2010 5:12 pm • link • report

The analogy falls apart due to its scope, Kaleel.

If you were to buy a $1 poster to decorate your room, that would be comparable to the city's expense here - and even then, that's being generous to your analogy.

Your argument hinges on the frivolity of art. While it seems to be a good short term strategy, making places enjoyable is as crucial to boosting pedestrianism as clearing snow.

by Neil Flanagan on Feb 18, 2010 5:30 pm • link • report

Bianchi, Respectfully, investment does not mean producing a return. There are good and bad investments. The point I was trying to make with the car analogy is that going into debt for the car would be a bad investment. For the community, investing in roads, bridges, transit, snow plows and the like, are investments that produce a tangible return. They grease the skids of commerce by enabling peope to move about and keep money flowing back and forth in the region. Which produces the vital function for survival. There is nothing tangibly gained by placing an expensive abstract piece of art under a random, non-descript underpass. Unless you're in the art business of course.

K

by Kaleel on Feb 19, 2010 12:18 am • link • report

If you valuate that the only tangible benefit can be economic activity, then you're likely to find no benefits outside of cash flow. I mean, screw any attempts at happiness.

But a beautiful place attracts residents. And shoppers. And businesses. And tourists. The presence of all that waste downtown plays not a little part in getting people to pay top dollar for square feet.

You can't say that these small improvements - about as much value as a single block of road reconstruction - don't benefit future generations and future economies.

by Neil Flanagan on Feb 19, 2010 1:52 am • link • report

Neil

A piece of art at the Minnesota Avenue Metro station will not attract bussiness or shoppers there. Govenments only hope to build up a an area is to lure private companies there to do the work through incentives. Look at the growth and investment off of Sout Capital Street and the Navy Yard Metro station even before the Nationals Stadium.

K

by Kaleel on Feb 19, 2010 9:04 am • link • report

Also Neil, everyone thinks that their special interest projects are just a drop in the budget bucket. It is your analogy that fails. We're not talking about a $1 poster but a whole room with the walls and ceiling plastered with them one on top of the other. Read my earlier comments. The WH art is only one example of budget largess in troubled times.

K

by Kaleel on Feb 19, 2010 9:15 am • link • report

Nobody is asserting that art and art alone is an economic development tool, Kaleel. You seem to be saying that it has no value whatsoever.

Design matters. Speaking of that Farragut station entrance, it's really bland and poorly lit - Metro's indirect lighting works great in their underground stations but it's not all that effective at street level when it has to compete with the natural light from outside. Adding that piece there will make it a much nicer place to be, and that will have a big impact on ridership and the quality of the pedestrian experience in the area.

by Alex B. on Feb 19, 2010 9:15 am • link • report

Alex, paying for art that provides no functional value to the system at a time when people are being laid off and budgets are in turmoil makes zero sense to me. In a different time we probably wouldn't even be having this conversation. Government likes to compartmentalize their budgets and use the old line that 'this expenditure has already been approved a year ago' or my favorite, 'this expenditure comes from another budget'. Take Metro for example. How many people on this site have been opposed to Metro using funds from the Capital Improvement budget and using it for operations? Government needs to adapt more quickly to economic conditions and cancel non-essential projects that they aren't contractually obligated to. Like public art...

K

by Kaleel on Feb 19, 2010 11:39 pm • link • report

First of all, why am I not shocked that these pieces of art were installed in non African-American sectors. It couldn't be that the chattering class of local DC politics actually doesn't care about black people, right?

I recall the piece in the Post about how the patrons of Metro walked by and didn't even acknowledge when they walked by the world's best violin player at L'enfant Plaza.

So to say that this will have a 'return' on the investment is being facetious. My guess is that the commuters won't even notice the difference.

The only people who will benefit will be whomever received the public largess which is now in their bank accounts, and smug bloggers who got lucky financially and don't have to work for a living.

by MPC on Feb 20, 2010 2:52 am • link • report

so your assertion is that only independently wealthy bloggers love art, or have a cultural history they value?

by Bianchi on Feb 21, 2010 12:00 pm • link • report