A modest proposal for immodest art

Marsha Bode

Once again our local Doppler radar has picked up a tempest in this

teacup we call Laguna Beach, occasioned by the chatty remark of one

of our council members. Should a statue depicting nudes be allowed to

greet visitors in front of City Hall? Other countries and other eras

seem to have had no problem with this concept, but I agree that there

is a possibility that such a statue might cause additional work for

city maintenance crews if young people think of it as a vehicle for

public expression.

I am not an artist, but this subject flashed inspiration. Here is

my idea. Why not head off this possibility of vandalism by turning it

into an opportunity? There are many ways for children in town to

exercise their creativity in our public parks filled with art, and

play equipment appropriate to those under 12. My idea addresses the

high-school-age citizen, often overlooked in our public spaces. In

front of City Hall would be two statues, a young man and a young

woman-- he in his Speedo, she in her bikini.

Each week on Friday two students at the high school would be

chosen as “Dressers of the Week.” Criteria for being chosen would be

some extraordinary act of kindness, courage, academic achievement, or

other exemplary behavior.

In a closet in City Hall would be many outfits and accessories

(maybe dipped in something to make them weather proof) that the

students would choose from to dress the statues and give some idea of

their personalities.

Caitlyn and Chad would be dressed in the latest school fashions,

complete with book bags and vegetarian lunches; Jason and Emily are

off to the beach with surfboards and towels. These are only

suggestions; I am sure that the students would come up with much more

creative themes. The statues could express many emotions and

interests, depending on the students themselves and what is going on

in the world that week.

A few months ago, a public installation in front of the Livermore

library caused much interest and debate in that city. An artist’s

design for a sort of labyrinth/water feature made of mosaic tiles was

chosen for the library entrance. The theme for the work was “Great

Thinkers in History.” After the piece was finished it was discovered

that the names of many of the great thinkers, such as Einstein and

Socrates, had been misspelled.

Great doings followed as the council debated whether or not to

make the artist change the spelling, the artist refused to change it

citing “artistic expression,” and townspeople rang in with their

views. The result was that people from all over the area flocked to

the library to see the art work. Schoolchildren were taken by their

teachers and spent happy times trying to find each of the misspelled

names. It turned into public art at its

best -- encouraging people of all ages and educational levels to

think and to examine their values.

We need more art in public spaces that challenges the viewer in

ways that are thought provoking as well as creative. My idea of

ever-changing statues would provide a forum for this kind of debate,

and also give the Council another issue to command public input and

fill up meeting hours.

* MARSHA BODE is a resident of Laguna Beach.