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MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2704
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 10:20 am: | 
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Oh...by the way, there are a few "Strings attached" to this gift:
It must be used within the next 13 hours 13 mins
ONLY CERTIFIED CHECKS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR PAYMENT ON THIS ITEM. PAYPAL WILL ONLY BE CONSIDERED IF BUYER PAYS THE FEES.
Shipping and handling cost will be determined at the end of the auction. Buyer can make arrangements for shipping or we can deliver for a fee.
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2188
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 10:31 am: |
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Now, if we could just have your paypal account login info too..... |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 166
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 10:52 am: |
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What happens if the town, in turn, donates the sculpture to some museum or something? Can it get a tax credit and pass it along to residents? I am seeing a long list of possible things the BOT's can donate to ease our burden if this is possible. Why, we might even donate the gazebo! And what about all those "coming soon" signs? |
Lizziecat
Citizen
Username: Lizziecat
Post Number: 797
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 5:46 pm: |
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And what about donating the plastic orange-on-a-pole from in front of the middle school? |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2705
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, August 21, 2005 - 6:50 pm: |
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Only 4 hours 43 mins to accept my "gift" of "the World's Largest Seri Indian Handmade all natural basket".
http://cgi.ebay.com/Seri-Indian-hand-woven-basket-limberbush-worlds-largest_W0QQ itemZ7706554090QQcategoryZ4005QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Who's got the certified check for $300,000? |
arizona
Citizen
Username: Arizona
Post Number: 162
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 11:30 pm: |
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Tony Smith's widow died recently and her obituary is in today's NY Times. Learn more about the Smiths. Check out today's paper. They were an accomplished couple. Their daughter Kiki is a huge force in Contemporary Art today. |
Pizzaz
Supporter
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 2312
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 22, 2005 - 11:45 pm: |
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Jane Lawrence Smith, 90, Actress....
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/obituaries/index.html |
AlleyGater
Citizen
Username: Alleygater
Post Number: 913
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 10:41 am: |
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Oh no!!! Now who is going to use that HUGE TAX RIGHT OFF that Tony Smith's wife was going to get for donating that sculpture to SO? |
Parkingsux
Citizen
Username: Parkingsux
Post Number: 92
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 - 3:44 pm: |
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write on ..  |
Eric DeVaris
Citizen
Username: Eric_devaris
Post Number: 216
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 2:03 pm: |
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Wow! The debate on this forum illustrates vividly that the determination of what society deems fit to be called art is a centuries old controversy still going on strong. Blended with political persuasions this debate raises other important issues like: do we need public art? why a Tony Smith sculpture? what’s the story behind it? why in that location? at what cost to the taxpayers? how come we didn’t know about it until now? is this a priority for our town?
These are all valid questions, and the posters on this board and its readers deserve answers. After all our pockets and our environment are affected and we want to know what’s going on.
I will try as best I can - albeit in a long treatise – to share with the MOL readers the little knowledge I have, and give my two cents on the subject.
Is this project a priority for our town?
Our town does not have a list of priorities. Priorities today are established ad hoc by the BoT, led by the Village President. There is no Strategic Plan for the future of South Orange that would establish our priorities. A plan that receives public input from its inception. A plan that coordinates the budget with our land use needs, our capital improvements needs, our infrastructure, our redevelopment, and with the real estate trends of the region. A plan that addresses our demographics, the business needs, historic preservation, the environment. A flexible plan that, as a living document, would be regularly updated to adjust to changes and to public input.
We do not have priorities because we do not have a Strategic Plan. Instead we have a Land Use Master Plan (updated every 6 years as required by law), an Open Space and Recreation Master Plan, a Church Street Redevelopment Plan, a Central Business District redevelopment Plan, a Parking Study, and a Traffic Study. Few of these plans have received public input, and they are all acting independently without coordination, and with little reference to our budget.
If we had a Strategic Plan it would have designated a space downtown for public art, and we wouldn’t have to remove the gazebo to accommodate art.
If we had a Strategic Plan we would have an appropriation in our budget for public art. Many municipalities in the US set aside for public art 1% to 3% of the budget of certain municipal construction projects. Corporations appropriate 3% to 5% of a construction project’s budget to art.
The priority of the hour, as we all know, is SOPAC. The Tony Smith Sculpture Project is a priority only to the extend that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire the sculpture of a world-renowned artist – who happens to be from South Orange, whose work is coveted and purchased by major museums and cities.
What’s the story behind it?
In 1998, a small group of local artists found it strange that although Tony Smith and his work are admired the world over, South Orange didn’t honor its native artist in any way. They began a campaign to acquire one of the works of the artist and have it installed in a public space in South Orange.
In 2002 the Lennie Pierro Memorial Arts Foundation began the “Tony Smith Sculpture Project” with the goal to fabricate and install in downtown South Orange a permanent outdoor sculpture created by its native son Tony Smith. The Foundation’s work with the Tony Smith Estate resulted in a substantial and generous gift to the Village of South Orange: the Estate offered South Orange the rights to fabricate the museum-quality sculpture “Tau”, estimated in value at $500,000-$600,000. Its size: 14 ft. wide x 21 ft. long x 12 ft. high. It is the artist’s wish that his works be reproduced in limited editions of three. This is common for sculptors who work with large metallic pieces. They build their models and they have a foundry or sheet-metal workers who fabricate them in limited editions. Auguste Rodin, as well as many other sculptors did so. To clarify: “Tau” is neither a replica nor a statue. It is an original Smith sculpture like the ones in major cities and most major museums around the country.
The offer was presented to the South Orange BoT in 2002. In 2003 the Village applied for a CDBG grant of $250,000 for the project. In 2005 the County approved the grant. Subsequent to the County’s approval, the Lennie Pierro Memorial Arts Foundation was able to continue its fundraising efforts in earnest.
How come we didn’t know about it until now?
Beats me!
The project has been out in the open since its early stages.
Newspaper articles about it were published in The New York Times (11/3/02), the Star Ledger (1/9/03), and the News-Record (11/21/02, 1/30/03, 11/6/03).
A widely publicized fundraiser for the project was held by the Lennie Pierro Memorial Arts Foundation in 2002 and was attended by more than 250 South Orange and Maplewood residents.
A widely publicized (News-Record, MOL) lecture was given at the Adult School of Maplewood-South Orange, also organized by the Foundation, in 2003.
The Foundation made presentations with all the facts on the project to more than a dozen civic and neighborhood groups in 2004.
The Village BoT held several open public meetings on the subject in 2003, 2004, and 2005. These meetings have been televised, and minutes are posted on the Village’s website.
Community collaboration and transparency are very important for every public arts project. The venues for public participation in the Tony Smith Sculpture Project were offered to the public and many Villagers took advantage of it.
Should there be public art in South Orange?
Should you have that beautiful picture hanging in your living room? Do you really need it? Would you take it down?
No, you don’t really need it. But you wouldn’t live in a living room with empty walls, would you? You did go out and bought a piece of art – be it a photograph, an oil, a watercolor, a pottery bowl, a tapestry, a glass vase, a figurine, any wall-hanging to decorate your walls and beautify your environment.
Let’s face it, art is an integral part of our private lives. We don’t even think whether we need it or not. We just want it, and we get it.
In developing countries, where people cannot afford to buy art for their houses, they create it with their own hands, and they decorate their environment and themselves, thus creating the most beautiful expressions of art: the folk art.
Public art adorns the living room of a community. It has existed since the beginnings of history and in the most primitive societies. It has become an integral part of a successful urban environment.
South Orange does need public art; a creation that will fill our chest with excitement when we look at it, that will make us proud when we show it to our visitors, that will make us happy to share it with our children, that will earn us a place in the world of art. Indeed, this is such a unique town and project that PBS’s “State of the Art” program is waiting for things to begin so they can shoot a documentary on this project and our town.
Why a Tony Smith sculpture?
Because Tony Smith is a child of South Orange. He was born here in a third generation South Orange established family, raised here, worked here, and raised his family here (his daughters attended Columbia High). He loved South Orange.
Because the art of Tony Smith is revered throughout the world, exhibited in major museums, admired in the world of the arts, inspired many other artists, and is on permanent public display in several cities such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, not to mention housed in major museums including the MoMA, the Whitney, the National Gallery, the Metropolitan Museum, and more.
I know not of another artist of enduring international reputation and higher artistic caliber, who is so tied with the soul of South Orange.
Historically South Orange has paid its respects to public art through the beautiful architecture of its public buildings. The Tony Smith sculpture is an opportunity to marry our historic art with the contemporary art of our own, here in our own backyard.
And what an opportunity this is! Under no circumstance would South Orange be able to afford the cost of purchasing a Tony Smith sculpture. We can have it only through the generosity of the Tony Smith Estate who, desiring to give back to the community that Tony called home for so many years, gifted the rights to one of Tony’s priceless creations, the sculpture called “Tau”.
“Tau” is a sculpture bound to create controversy. Those somehow familiar with abstract forms will admire the strength in its boldness, the defiance to gravity in its posture, the intricate exposure of its planes to light, its monumental size. Those ill-at-ease with abstraction will see it as a incongruous assemblage of gigantic plates. But, hey, that’s art. Art is always controversial. Only good art endures the trials of controversy and of time. Tony Smith’s art has done just that.
Why that location?
There are several locations in South Orange where “Tau” could be installed. The plaza on Sloan Street, between the Train Station and the Firehouse was selected collectively by a group of local artists, the Tony Smith Estate, and our Village government. It is ideal if one wishes to bring the two historic structures and the sculpture together and thus accentuate the contrast of the old with the new. Linked with the proper landscape design this contrast could become harmonious.
Replacing the gazebo is a blessing; this structure is a poor attempt to reflect the architecture of the Train Station and the Firehouse.
I must say, however, that this would not have been the location of my choice if I had my ‘drathers, but I don’t have them so I shut up.
The Economics
If the town were to purchase “Tau” outright, it would cost between $500,000 and $600,000. That is why the Foundation worked so hard to establish such good relations with the Tony Smith Estate, because without the gift this project would be impossible. So what the gift means – and it is a gift – is that South Orange will get a museum-quality sculpture simply for the price of fabrication, estimated at $80,000-$90,000. A gift worth in excess of $420,000 sounds like a gift to me.
The Foundation has paid for a preliminary conceptual redesign of the site. Based on that conceptual design the estimated total cost for the project – which includes fabrication, transportation, installation, final site design, engineering, clearing and construction – is $440,000.
The Village has allotted to the project $250,000 it received from the County’s Community Development Block Grant. The Lennie Pierro Memorial Arts Foundation has committed to raise the remainder needed to complete the project through private donations.
Granted the $250,000 CDBG money could have been used to reduce our taxes for 2005 by approximately $44 per household ($250,000÷5,600 households). And although to some these $44 would have made a difference in their budget, it is a worthwhile sacrifice when it comes to enriching our downtown with art, and further enhancing our reputation as a vibrant arts' community. Because believe me, you don’t find many – if any – other villages that have an art gallery, put on famous jazz concerts, and have a downtown sculpture by a world-renowned artist. If all this isn’t a plus for South Orange, then I don’t know what is.
In conclusion I suggest let’s grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the good of South Orange.
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snshirsch
Citizen
Username: Snshirsch
Post Number: 385
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 2:36 pm: |
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I'm still not sure I'm in favor of the location, but that is one of the best communications from anyone associated with our township that I've ever read.
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SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 87
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 3:03 pm: |
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I agree with snhirsch in full.
That doesn't mean I like reading that I have bad taste in architecture (as someone who likes the gazebo). |
Pizzaz
Supporter
Username: Pizzaz
Post Number: 2337
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 3:06 pm: |
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I concur in the idea of having the sculpture built. I think placement should be a matter of public fundraising, and the residents should be apart of the process. Eric, don't you think this piece could serve well in the river walk project under study at this time? The Gazebo and fountain were approved by the BoT with involvement of the Main Street Design Committee just a few years ago. It really doesn't look so bad, and the fountain if it worked properly could be a pleasant feature. |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 188
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 3:07 pm: |
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Mr. DeVairs-
Thank you for taking the time to lay out this issue. I still wonder about that gazebo as the location. And about the cost of refabricating it somewhere else. If it is inconsistent with the village, then raze it and forget about incurring more costs to re-locate it. But I would ask that the board get multiple proposals in the future about any design venture so taxpayers are not given a bill for something not befitting the village. |
Spitz
Supporter
Username: Doublea
Post Number: 1262
Registered: 3-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 3:36 pm: |
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Eric - Thank you for your post. Just to make sure I understand the financing, it seems this is what you have explained: The total costs of the project are $440,000. $250,000 will come from the grant and the remainder will come from private donations. Is this correct? |
Jim Murphy
Citizen
Username: Jimmurphy
Post Number: 221
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 3:50 pm: |
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Eric,
I also add my thanks for adding some historical background.
Mark Rosner has indicated earlier in this thread that the $250,000 Community Development Block Grant funds you mention were used for SOPAC.
This fact has led me to believe that the taxpayers now need to come up with the full $440k.
Is this correct, or is there another $250k floating around out there?
Jim |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2716
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 4:04 pm: |
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Eric,
You articulate your case very well. However, a few issues within your post still bother me:
1) "I know not of another artist of enduring international reputation and higher artistic caliber, who is so tied with the soul of South Orange." Frankly, prior to this debate I never heard of him. I would just as easily make your above statement about Max Weinberg, Kevin Spacey, Lauryn Hill, TS Monk, etc etc. Where is our tribute to them?
2) "A gift worth in excess of $420,000 sounds like a gift to me." However, later you infer that the COST of this "gift" is $190,000 ($440,000-$250,000). WORTH is meaningless because the Village will never (and probably CANNOT EVER) sell the item.
3) "let’s grab this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". This seems to infer a time constraint that this must happen NOW. Why not continue the private fundraising until we can AFFORD this?
There are hundreds, if not thousands of things that would be an "integral part of our private lives. We don’t even think whether we need it or not. We just want it, and we get it."
I bet the library WANTS new computers.
I bet the Pool WANTS a modern locker room with a sauna, a waterslide and a modern snack bar.
I bet the Athletic Fields WANT electronic scoring systems.
I bet sledders WANT a tow-rope on Flood's Hill in the Winter.
I bet Village Hall WANTS working Air Conditioning and Heating.
I bet the Police WANT every gadget on CSI.
etc etc.
However, the tax burden in this town is so opressive that there MUST be fiscal constraint shown. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2717
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 4:22 pm: |
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One other CRITICAL point:
You compare this purchase to our own Living Rooms:
"We don’t even think whether we need it or not. We just want it, and we get it." - That is with MY money that I worked for and I DECIDE what to do with it.
In this case, you are not talking about spending your own money. You are spending other people's money that they worked hard for.
I hope you will consider that simple fact on EVERY VOTE that you take as a Trustee. |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 408
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 4:44 pm: |
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Okay - got the budget breakdown today...
Here you go...
PROJECT ESTIMATES
Fabrication of Ton Smith's Tau - 90k
Delivery and Installation - 20k
Site Improvements
- Demo/Site Clearing - 40k
- Brick Paving - 65k
- Structural Soil - 55k
- Furniture/Landscaping/Irrigation - 60k
- Lighting - 35k
Site & Foundation Design/Construction Admin - 75k
PROJECT TOTAL - $440,000
The Village is requesting 250,000 from the NJDOT as apart of the Transit Village Program Grant Application. I am speculating that the rest has been raised by some means...
There ya go - hope it helps
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jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 190
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 5:07 pm: |
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Why would and should the Dept of Transportation give a grant for public art? I would prefer the grant money go towards expanding the jitney service, and I would think, so would the DOT. I don't get it. If there is grant money to be had, why wouldn't it be through some arts foundation?
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 7208
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 5:11 pm: |
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Eric, great post. Thanks for thinking outside the (spreadsheet) box. That's an art in itself. The PBS documentary will be welcome positive PR for the village.
(Wonder if there's gold in that dirt, though. Maybe estimate is a tad high on some of the items. Let's hope bids come in from multiple vendors.) |
SO1969
Citizen
Username: Bklyn1969
Post Number: 88
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 9:07 pm: |
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Eric very effectively makes the case that the art is worthy, the artist deserves SO recognition, and perhaps, most effectively, and perhaps appropriately (more on this below), encourages the reader to look at the merits of this project and not the larger dysfunctions of the village government.
As I said, I agreed it was a great post. I also, incidentally, appreciate the efforts of mrosner to keep us informed even if they're not treatises.
*Having said all of the above, problem is that so many things are being done wrong - capital needs unaddressed, costs not budgetd for - SOPAC, others - that in spite of the merits and logic of seperating it from other issues, it is hard not to feel like AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME, THIS AIN'T THE THING FOR US TO BE DOING. Large parts of the village are under construction - let's not add to it right now by tearing up the gazebo, sidewalk, etc. Let's not divert any funding from more critical needs in the village.
Eric and Dave and the rest of the boosters should continue to make their case. I'd much rather write a check (much larger than my household share) to support installation when private monies are on hand to do it than to allow a single dollar of public monies, grant or otherwise, to go into this right now.
As noted by others, it is a matter of priorities. Is there an expiration on the gift(sorry if noted earlier)? What is the rush? |
Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 7210
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 9:39 pm: |
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Why isn't this a good time? Home values are at an all-time high. Employment is fairly robust. We have $250,000 in the till that we need to use ASAP or RETURN to sender.
When would be a good time? After someone else claims the $500,000 sculpture (as gift or a museum acquisition) and we lose the $250,000 in grant money?????
That's $750,000 in value lost because of a diffuse idea of timing. Does not compute. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2719
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 9:56 pm: |
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"Home values are at an all-time high"? So are tax rates!
"After someone else claims the $500,000 sculpture"???? I thought we were already given a GIFT. You are now saying we haven't been given a GIFT???
"lose the $250,000 in grant money"??? Have you actually looked at Downtown South Orange? You can't name at least 100 things that $250,000 could be spent on TODAY?
C'mon, Dave...you've made some good arguments on this and other issues. However, these points are just silly. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 2196
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, August 25, 2005 - 10:02 pm: |
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I still don't think we should spend the money for this; especially since it involves destroying the gazebo. Waste of money... |
SO Refugee
Citizen
Username: So_refugee
Post Number: 863
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 4:42 pm: |
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How much did the gazebo cost? $1,000 bucks from HD? We're not talking about knocking down town hall or the fire station... |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2722
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, August 26, 2005 - 5:38 pm: |
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C'mon...in a town paying $55,000 for SOIL (see Sheena's post above), I'm sure the Gazebo must have cost at least a few million.  |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 410
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 6:49 am: |
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Dave - is this thread a record number for posts?
Also - to any "artist", I was checking out some of Tony Smith's work to "attempt" to form an appreciation that I'm sure lingers somewhere in me and I came upon this...
It's called "Wall" (Clever, eh?)
Now if the BOT had the smarts - they would have opted for this and saved themselves some $$$ for the 4th side of SOPAC...
Just some thoughts.... |
jayjay
Citizen
Username: Jayjayp
Post Number: 191
Registered: 6-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, August 27, 2005 - 7:33 am: |
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Sheena-
By any chance, does the project total of $440,000 include the relocation of the gazebo and fountain, or does it assume that these items are trashed? |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2729
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 11:58 am: |
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The Star Ledger is working on a story about this issue and when they called Calabrese to get his opinion on the controversy, he said something to the effect of "what controversy? We have approved spending the money and the work is underway"
This is the same guy who has previously said "Redevelopment is Done" and "God wanted him to win the election".
Looks like someone is dipping into the "good stuff" at the Pharmacy...... |
Grspring
Citizen
Username: Grspring
Post Number: 32
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 12:06 pm: |
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Bill Calabrese:
It is better to be silent and thought a fool, than open ones mouth and prove it. |
Sheena Collum SHU
Citizen
Username: Sheena_collum
Post Number: 412
Registered: 4-2005
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 7:36 pm: |
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MHD did you talk to Sara? She said she's now covering S.O. in place of Katie Wang. |
MHD
Citizen
Username: Mayhewdrive
Post Number: 2737
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, August 29, 2005 - 11:30 pm: |
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Since nobody accepted the gift* of the Seri Indian basket, how about a gift* of the WORLD'S LARGEST single ALEXANDRITE crystals: http://cgi.ebay.com/One-of-the-WORLDS-LARGEST-single-ALEXANDRITE-crystals_W0QQit emZ5027313573QQcategoryZ10190QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Only $777,000 and because the dimensions are only 33mm x 24mm x 11mm, we won't need to destroy the existing gazebo.
Sounds like a great gift* to me. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.....
*gift means an ebay login & password. Funding will be the taxpayers responsibility. |
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