RAINBOW: Structure not befitting Cd'A

Ever since Rainbow was installed, my wife and I thought that we were the only ones in Coeur d’Alene who thought the structure was ugly and absolutely did not fit North Idaho. Recent articles and letters to The Press let us know we were not the only ones. My wife calls the structure (we hesitate to call it art or a sculpture), the “steel slingshots.” Walking up to the slingshots from downtown, with the new park, Tubbs Hill and the lake in the background, it hardly extends a warm welcome, but rather a shudder and an ugh!

We thought we would give the structure a chance at night since we have observed the artist’s work in Albuquerque under a Highway 40 overpass where the colorful lighting display is really cool. But the Coeur d’Alene lighting effect is underwhelming and the lights on the steel structure look like a carnival ride. So, thumbs down on this expensive piece of structure from us. In fairness to the arts commission, the stainless steel flower art at the 3rd Street entrance is well done and has a nice effect at night with the flood lights.

GLEN ROTHROCK

Hayden