Page 127 - David Bermant Foundation

PUBLIC ARTcircuitCircuit was a program created by DWB to promote public art. The David Bermant Foundation provided funds to museums and municipalities nationwide for the installation of a “bendable flagpole” which was used to display a series of wind pieces created by various artists. The wind pieces were lent by the Foundation and each piece stayed in place for six months before being replaced with a different piece for another six months.KENNY SCHNEIDER Icarus Rides Again 1995 103”H x 90”W x 48”D Ledbetter Beach Santa Barbara, California126(continued)balls and most of us recognize the tongue-in- cheek comments on our machine age represented by the “happenings” produced by the action of the billiard balls. On the other hand, to view the usual public art form chosen by the cognoscenti, go to Lincoln Center in New York City and view the Henry Moore sculpture. See how many people sitting or walking around it actually look at it. They are people-watching or reading or drawing— anything but looking at the piece. Why? It’s the same as it was before. And they don’t truly understand what it is.I don’t recall ever seeing Henry Moore’s name anywhere in the vicinity of his sculpture, never mind an explanation of what it’s all about. Both are musts for public art. A non-art audience is entitled to know the identity of the artist and to receive an explanation of the work in terms that are understandable. In the art that I place in my shopping centers, I describe my understanding of what the art is about in such terms and include a short biography of the artist as well as a summary of art institutions in which the artist’s work has been collected or exhibited. I have the artist check the copy before it’s printed on a permanent sign placed near the artwork. This sign gives the general public some indication of what they’re looking at and at the same time conveys an important message: “This is Art with a capital A. Please consider and respect it as such. Restrain yourself from vandalizing it and stop others from doing so.” This works, most of the time.circuit