Let us Know Your Thoughts
In celebration of the City of Dublin’s 2010 Bicentennial, Dublin Arts Council as formed a selection committee to choose an artist to create and install an original, permanent piece of art to join Leatherlips, Out of Bounds and the other large commissioned artworks in the Dublin Art in Public Places collection.
The site-specific artwork will be installed on the Dublin Karrer Barn property, 225 S. High St. in Historic Dublin. The selection committee has chosen three finalists to develop detailed proposals for the bicentennial artwork. Information about the artists and the committee members can be found at www.dublinarts.org.
Dublin Arts Council and the City of Dublin are seeking residents’ thoughts, stories and memories about the Karrer Barn location. This information will help the finalist gain a better understanding of the selected site.
Please let us know your thoughts by posting a comment between Dec. 4 and Dec. 18. Your comments, which will be considered public record, will be supplied to the artists and the selection committee.
Thank you for your contribution.
I am a Waterford Village resident and love the entrance to my community as it is; a historical barn and a field. I am opposed to adding any art or anything else, for, that matter.
Francisco Gomez
December 5, 2009 at 7:49 am
First and foremost, the project should compliment and augment the site, its significance and rural presence. The art, being but a part, will be how well the artist smoothly integrates his statement within the context, whether that is done strongly or subtly. However, don’t allow the art to be a distraction – choosing a partnership over dominance or being the focal point (which I prefer remains with the barn). I particularly enjoy when the four elements of site, architecture, landscape design, and art are used harmoniously so the admirer experiences a textured story of that place, and not merely a piece of art.
Theme wise, it should convey our history and heritage, an honoring of our forefathers.
I’d prefer more passivity; but would consider some functionality or occasional active use.
I probably would dislike any improved parking. I would dislike triteness, such as fountains, stainless steel spheres, large red spoons, or concrete vegetables.
Lew French is extremely creative working with stone and other natural elements. Christo has done wonders to promote environmental art, but more needs to be experienced on a smaller scale; integral to the community and accessible to the every-man.
Wishing you well!
ken klare
December 5, 2009 at 9:02 pm
I live in the neighborhood of the Karrer barn and walk past the site almost daily. I hope the art that is installed at the site does not overwhelm the site, or the charm and history that it represents. To me the site is a glimpse of Dublin’s past that has not been swept away by the fast pace of todays life. I also hope that the art adds and connects to this site and does not stand out or seem out of place to the point that is a odd distraction. Joe Browne
joe browne
December 7, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I just Googled Brower Hatcher and I think his style greatly contrasts the feel of old Dublin and the Karrer barn property – artifacts embedded or not. Our bicentennial installation art should reflect our history and be classic, not trendy.
I don’t want to see something flashy installed. The barn should remain the focal point. Something natural that blends with the environment would be best.
The art shouldn’t be controversial or push the envelope as did the Field Of Corn. The Dublin community should think “ah ha” when they see it.
Emilie
December 9, 2009 at 2:39 am
I am a Waterford Village resident who values the lingering small-town historical feel of this community. Although I am delighted that the City of Dublin has invested in making the Karrer Barn property a park and a continuing feature for the community, I agree with Emilie that the barn is already a focal point and a landmark. I also echo Joe Browne’s comments: any art added to this site should refer strongly to the history of the area and not overshadow the barn, the rolling terrain, the stream, and the stacked stone walls so characteristic of old Dublin.
I enjoyed looking at photos of Brower Hatcher’s work, which is very cool and urban, but his work is definitely not compatible with this historic site – especially those beautiful sparkly installations. Thomas Sayre’s work is also extremely interesting and more organic but when I think Dublin, I don’t think “giant cannoli.” [Or vice versa, for that matter.] Similarly,Suikang Zhao’s work, although visually arresting, seems much more suitable for an urban, somewhat industrial space.
By the way, I think that the Field of Corn works so well because after people finish laughing at the sheer goofiness of it, they appreciate that it’s a monument to the end of the agricultural era and that its metaphorical roots are in the history of this community.
That’s the challenge to these artists: to create something that makes people think about the past without superseding the elements already on the site.
Rosemary Hill
December 15, 2009 at 2:38 am
btw – something’s wrong with the timing feature on this site.
Rosemary Hill
December 15, 2009 at 2:42 am
Thanks for e-mail, just fixed the time.
dublinarts
December 17, 2009 at 6:05 pm
As a resident of Waterford Village, I applaud the City of Dublin for acquiring the Karrer Barn property and establishing it as a public park. I frequently pass the site on foot and by automobile. In my opinion, public artwork for the site should: (1) not overpower the barn as the focal point of the site, (2) complement the barn, (3) communicate a connection with historic Dublin, (4)not be an independent artistic statement that is inconsistent with the site and historic Dublin, (5) evoke a response from the viewer that it respects historic Dublin and belongs on the site with the barn.
Stacy Weislogel
December 17, 2009 at 1:56 pm