A couple of weeks ago we reported that the city is considering de-installing a series of whimsical street sign sculptures on Park Boulevard that have been on display for 23 years — much longer than the decade they were planned to be shown for.
Wednesday night our partners at NBC7 San Diego revisited the murals and talked to artist Roberto Salas, who thinks the city should restore the artwork. I spoke with reporter Gene Cubbison for the piece; you can watch the clip below:
Next step: The city’s group of public art advisers will meet on Nov. 29 to decide whether to recommend the de-installation. Then another group of commissioners will weigh in before the city makes its final decision.
What do you think?
Our readers seem split. “NO … I love these sculptures, wish there were more!” wrote one reader.
“Without meaningful curation or clear connection to their context, I’d suggest these particular pieces may have run their course as public art,” said another.
Salas sent along a photo of the original crew that installed the “Night Visions” sculptures on Park Boulevard in 1988. (Salas is on the left.)
You’ve chimed in in letters, too. Diana Puig says: “The suggestion that these pieces have outlived an expected time frame should be a positive point. Rejoice! Something lasted longer than we hoped. Art does not expire.”
But Michael Richards demurred. “I would be willing to bet there is not one out of a hundred persons who have driven Park Blvd even gave a thought, let alone a good look at those ‘signs,’” he wrote.
Tell us below: Do you agree with Richards? Or do you agree with the artist, the pieces should stay?
I’m Kelly Bennett, reporter for Voice of San Diego. You can reach me directly at kelly.bennett@voiceofsandiego.org or 619.325.0531.
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