Notes from 6/11/08 Capitol Hill Station Artwork Forum
Presented by Sound Transit, the Capitol Hill Arts Center, the Capitol Hill Chamber and Ignition Northwest co-hosting a panel discussion on the proposed artwork for the Capitol Hill light rail station. Artist Mike Ross and Ellen Forney were present.
I arrived late to the meeting but just in time for public comments. Here are my notes. I do have to admit from the advertisement of this forum and this being their second presention this seemed more like a promotion to garner public approval rather than a forum to hear public comments.
Susan Brenner, a Capitol Hill resident for 20 years said “this is not Capitol Hill”.
Another person said “glad people speaking up against the project”
Another person said this art is “Edgy and stimulating” repeatedly.
One person said he did not want the art to reflect grief.
Overall, the comments did seem to reflect “unanimous disdain” as the Seattle PI called it of the initial meeting.
Only two persons seemed to really support that art piece with such enthusiasm (I frankly had to wonder if these were friends of the artists or “plants” as someone suggested after the meeting. )
Another person did not like Transit dictating what art is.
Alot of people pointed out that this is what art is supposed to do - make people think and talk but I don’t this art is really getting people to talk in a good way. It may end up being more devisive.
The pointed comment of the meeting that the newspapers have already noted is when George Baken who is publisher of the SGN Seattle Gay News and Navy Vet said he just couldn’t get past that these were planes ment to kill and destroy and are used against humanity.
This brought up a discussion of post traumatic stress disorder and the effect it would have on vets and the public. I think it was a new perspective that had not been brought up yet.
Its a bit alarming to think an art piece unknowing to alot of us can continue to evoke emotional trauma and difficult memories and yes even pain in a person.
I don’t think one has to be an expert in stress disorders to realize how the suspension overhead of two disassembled jets about to crash into each other (excuse me “kissing”) could provoke anxiety in a vet.
To compare, I don’t believe the suspended cars at SAM evoke the same kind of feelings of destruction.
I also voiced my concern there did not seem to be community involved in the process and pointed out that the Jimi Hendrix statue just one block South was a prime example of art that has become endeared to the community. I was curious how many people present were for and against the proposed art given there was a sizeable turnout of the community and asked for a show of hands. The moderator promptly cut me off and loudly voiced that this is “not a democracy or a majority rules situation”. Oh really? (obviously). I encouraged transit to listen to the community and then the moderator deferred to Michael Wells of the Chamber of Commerce (to I presume show how the art was selected) who confirmed that only a group of ten selected the art. It should be noted that Capitol Hill has about 40,000 residents and hundreds of business owners. Unfortunately it appears the community does not have a say as Sound Transit has the final word but they assured the forum their comments do have weight and to send in their letters.
The Director of the Capitol Hill Arts Center commented Transit should address concerns not being addressed and those who cannot advocate for themselves. He stressed the art may be effecting others and to take responsiblity.
Then among the other lectures telling us what to like as art, we then got a lecture on how Baker-Miller Pink is used to calm people in correctional facilities but I pointed out studies also showed these people also became aggressive again after an hour and a transit station hopefully should not be considered a prison environment.
After the meeting closed I did talk to Mike Ross if he had received any feedback from the community in regards to his art before he had submitted his plans and he stated he had not. I also asked him why the full color printed poster announcements for this forum showed his 2007 Burning Man exhiibt “Big Rig Jig” and not the proposed jet plane art which is what the forum was about? Does Transit not want to show his proposed art? He said he did not put the posters out. I encouraged Mike to talk to some vets and seniors and around the community and he assured me he is listening.
At the end of the meeting the woman pointed out there were snacks in the back of the room. In the rarest moment of my life I wasn’t hungry.
It appears the community is not accepting of this art and I don't see much light at the end of the tunnel in acceptance anytime in the future.
