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  • From: rhrjr AT webtv.net (Richard Robinson)
  • To: chpac-staff AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: [Chpac-staff] TOC Art
  • Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:37:03 -0400


Dear Commission Members,

In view of the continuing, publicly aired controversy about the TOC
artwork, I have addressed the following letter to the Chapel Hill News,
in which I seek to convey a somewhat conciliatory tone, in the hope that
this adverse publicity may abate.

"In the aftermath of the September 10 ceremony dedicating the new
Chapel Hill Town Operations Center, there have been several published
accounts of negative reactions to the public arwork that was included in
that capital improvement project.

While it will not address other cited reservations nor fully ameliorate
one particular source of dissatisfaction, it may be useful to correct a
recurring misperception that underlies one of the complaints expressed
about the art at the Center. The articles and letters published to date
erroneously assume that the $420,616 budget for art was met in full with
Town resources. In fact, the cost to the Town was $258,342, with the
remainder addressed by grants from the Federal Transit Administration
and the North Carolia Department of Transportation.

It is gratifying to learn that, in spite of their various complaints
about this project, most of the comentators appear to endorse the basic
premise that enhancing our shared public space with appealing artwork is
a legitimate and desirable municipal undertaking.

When public art projects are proposed, important questions about the
nature, location and cost of the artwork likely will arise and must be
addressed with care. The challenge, always, is to seek consensus that
can attract an appropriate measure of public support. In this instance,
those of us involved in the decision-making process failed to satisfy
some of our fellow citizens. I am confident that we will benefit in the
future from careful consideration of the concerns that have been
expressed."





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