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Apaprently the project to repaint the traffic control boxes along Main Street and Maple Street has started. This is a picture of the repainted traffic control box on the southeast corner of Main Street and Broadway across from City Hall  Art and one's opinion of it is often in the eye of the beholder. So what is you opinion? - Is this an attraction or distraction?
- Will this be appropriate throughout the Historic District?
- Does this fit the published theme of Good Living in North Little Rock?
- Should the rest of the boxes be painted?
What do you think?
HDC Meeting
Written by I M Strange, on 04-07-2007 10:53
According to my "North Little Rock Neighborhood News" (mailed to me free monthly, just ask those nice folks at Neighborhood Services to put you on the mailing list) Their next meeting is Thursday, July 12th, 6PM, 2nd floor 506 Main Street. I do not know if they have a "public Comment" portion of their meeting, but, if you ask politely, they will probably take your questions. |
Addendum
Written by I M Strange, on 04-07-2007 10:59
I also noticed that Main Street Argenta meets on Tuesday, July 10th at 5PM at 8th and Main (that's the Electric Department, call to find out which room, they can be hard to find)
The signal box paint job is their project. Address your questions to them first. |
Response to retroman...
Written by dcrazorback, on 04-07-2007 14:40
You're correct, but I see electrical boxes along the lines of fire hydrants, telephone poles, etc. not "canvases" for art. Many public art sculptures, etc. are in locations with well manicured lawns, they are routinely cleaned and maintained, and treated with some amount of respect - not like electric boxes. My point in my original message was that I think it further degrades artists and their ability to be treated as professionals, asking them to paint electrical boxes. There are much better ways to promote their talents. |
Get over it!
Written by Argenitals, on 05-07-2007 10:35
Wow, I never thought I would see a group of people get so up in arms over a piece of art... Oh wait, that happens all the time. Sad that a progressive neighborhood would be so against art-education or appreciation. We need more people in this country like DumbBlonde who have had the opportunity to study art (in any form.) Art is absolutely in the eye of the beholder. You may not like Theresa's work, but I may not like the color you chose to paint your home. Get over it! |
Response to "Get Over It!"
Written by dcrazorback, on 05-07-2007 12:59
You're calling painting on an electrical box "art education or appreciation?" I don't think so. If you want to be educated about art, visit one of the fine galleries in the area or the Arkansas Arts Center. Don't look to your local electrical boxes! Also, I realize this wasn't paid for with tax dollars by any means, but should religious themed art be afixed to city-owned and tax payer funded, property? |
Ask not what Argenta can do for you....
Written by Argenitals, on 05-07-2007 13:56
I agree with DC that if we are paying for this with tax dollars, it SHOULD NOT be religious themed. Seriously though, we're in the SOUTH. Separation of church and state doesn't exist here and there's no sense in pretending it does. People, we can't buy liquor on Sundays, and if someone could explain to me how that does not cross the church/state line, I would love to hear it.
And yes, if we put art in public places, then we are promoting art education. The idea of putting art outside of a gallery or art center makes it accessible to people who might never in their lives step foot in an art gallery. This is a GOOD thing. What if some kid walks by that box, finds it interesting and is inspired to go home and paint? Public education is seriously lacking in art education/appreciation, so I say kudos to anyone who donates their own time (and money) into providing art to people who don't normally see it. DC, you and I may have the time to go to the arts center, or the money to put a piece of fine art in our homes, so we should care about giving others the opportunities that we don't have. And besides, electrical boxes, fire hydrants, telephone poles are EYESORES. If someone tries to make our neighborhood look a little nicer, I'm all for it, even if I don't agree with their taste. At least they're trying... what are YOU doing? |
History as Art
Written by ArgentaFan, on 05-07-2007 14:04
Is it just me or does no one else consider the historic buildings, trolley, streetscaping part of an artistic downtown? Just like I would want to make sure the frame doesn't dominate or take away from my painting, I wouldn't want the street art to take away from the beauty of the historic streetscape. I don't think this is an either/or issue but one that could have been handled better with more discussion up front. |
Question for IM Strange
Written by Argenitals, on 05-07-2007 14:29
How do you contact Neighborhood Services to get on the mailing list? Do you have a number for them? I would appreciate it... Thanks in advance! |
Neighborhood Services
Written by scottmiller, on 05-07-2007 14:48
Argenitals
The number is 340-5394. Ask for Shirley or Dan |
Response to "Ask not what Argenta..."
Written by dcrazorback, on 05-07-2007 17:53
Actually, I'm doing lots, but I'll keep that to myself. And, anyone can step foot in an art gallery. I did not say public art wasn't a good thing or appreciated. I'm all for it in every way. I'm thinking of the artists here; I just think their talent should be compensated and put in other venues besides electrical boxes. And I do not believe that religious art should be on anything city-owned or operated. Some of us "southerners" take the church/state issue very seriously. |
Art on the street
Written by bobthepainter, on 05-07-2007 18:47
I was challenged when I first saw this. It made me stop and think. I wonder how a Presbyterian Church would be represented? (I grew up Presbyterian) Maybe someone yawning while looking at his watch? I must admit I did not like the religious theme at first. But the work is well done and provocative- I like it. |
matthew roberson
Written by matthewroberson, on 05-07-2007 20:55
I think it's great. I hope the city allows artists to paint all the traffic boxes in the city. I don't think this artwork violates the separation of church and state. That argument is a little thin. |
Art in the city
Written by mlm202, on 06-07-2007 11:13
I think it is a fine piece, as it has been said it is south of Broadway, which according to some is not in the Historic District. I recently moved here from Seattle that spends a lot of money on public art. I think it beats the heck out of that gunship grey color it was. |
Written by Argenitals, on 06-07-2007 13:49
MLM202, Seattle is an amazing city, I'm sure you really miss it. I think we in North Little Rock, as well as Little Rock, could strive to be more like cities such as Seattle. I know that Jimmy Moses travels several times a year to Seattle and hopes to model downtown Little Rock after their downtown. Our Rivermarket was designed to imitate Pike's Market. As residents of Argenta, we should be concerned with city programs, but I remember this being mentioned before on the blog and no one seemed to care. Maybe next time we hear about upcoming changes to Argenta, more people will pay attention and speak out sooner than later. |
Electrical boxes are a lot like...
Written by Mr. Anthropy, on 07-07-2007 01:06
...people sometimes. Sit down. Stand up. Back in line. Blend in. Conform. Provide a function and disappear.
Nice to see Some(one) harmlessly stand out a bit.
Now. Opinion can probably only be insight when it is unpolorized - that said; avoiding the hands and the face will not make them any easier to render tomorrow ;) Hopfully this will not be a series -Sorry.
Maybe artists can etch or engrave the metal. This would be more like the various stars, fish, etc that adorn manhole covers, but more crafted & personal and less manufactured as an esthetic than the typical municipal waste / utility blight.
Just sayin' |
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