The art of aesthetic disagreement

The beautiful thing about art is that it’s rarely beautiful or inspiring to everyone.

We would say it’s never beautiful to everyone except the French Impressionist Monet proved otherwise. But that’s another story.

This story is about a big head on the lawn of the Hayden Public Library.

That head — a sculpture by local artist Michael Horswill that we happen to like a great deal — is called “Epiphany.” To some it is an epiphany — the sudden appearance of a divine being or, in a more literary sense, an illuminating realization or discovery. To others, “Epiphany” lurks somewhere between a disturbing sight and a regrettable waste of taxpayer money.

The latter group is absolutely entitled to its opinion. All told, the project cost almost $85,000, a startling realization or discovery for some taxpayers who would rather have potholes filled or more sheriff’s department patrols than art of any kind, at any cost.

Even critics who love art are entitled to find “Epiphany” perfectly forgettable. The fact that some are speaking out against it now — there’s an online petition for the like-minded to object — is actually one of the best things about public art. Public art makes us talk, exchange viewpoints, maybe even celebrate some of the things that make us different, as well as the same.

The Press supports the concept of publicly financed art because of the enrichment it bestows on a community. The Knight Foundation’s Soul of the Community initiative surveyed 43,000 people in 43 cities and found that “social offerings, openness and welcome-ness,” and — this is key — the “aesthetics of a place – its art, parks, and green spaces,” ranked higher than education, safety, and the local economy as a “driver of attachment.” People love where they live in large part because of what some people consider non-essentials.

How much public art is worth is up to each community to determine, and that, we believe, is where “Epiphany” has led this discussion.

The city of Hayden works hard to give its citizens ample opportunity to participate in the process of selecting public art. Hayden’s Arts Commission meets on the first Wednesday of every month at 3:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Hayden City Hall; you’re invited. You can also find out much more about the Arts Commission by visiting: http://bit.ly/22CR0A4

With your city tax dollars, you’re paying for the privilege to be a critic. Long live public art and your right to have a say in it.