Finding a porpoise-ful monument
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In response to the letter, “Public disclosure needed on dolphin
statue”:
Last year I was offered the opportunity to serve on the Corona del
Mar Centennial Celebration Committee. As a local artist with a strong
sense of community pride, I was honored to help, especially in ways
that pertain to art.
The centennial committee’s proposal to erect a time capsule
monument at the site of Inspiration Point has been met with an
overwhelming majority of public support through the committee’s
outreach campaign. There has, however, also been some criticism that
the process used to select an artist for the monument, the size of
the monument, and its aesthetic nature did not follow an appropriate
democratic process.
In response to these concerns, it should be noted that significant
efforts were made by the centennial committee for the public to
partake in open sessions at the early planning stages prior to having
selected an artist for the monument.
Due to the time sensitivity of the project, the committee made a
proactive decision to offer to the community a design by a
world-class artist in an appropriate location. The committee feels
very fortunate to have the support of an artist of Wyland’s renown.
After Wyland’s preliminary design was revealed, every effort has been
made to acquire acceptance from the community during the committee’s
outreach campaign. I can understand how some may perceive the design
as a “one-option-take-it-or-leave-it” presentation but that
inappropriately discredits the very honorable efforts made by a
volunteer committee to field public input and choose the best option
for the success of the centennial celebration, while considering the
time constraints involved.
As a member of the centennial committee and as a concerned local
artist, I feel I understand both sides of the issue. Clearly local
artists should have the opportunity to participate in the
celebration. In fact, that is my charter within the committee. Art
exhibitions open to local artists will figure prominently in at least
two centennial events that I am helping to organize.
I want to urge the City Council to support the Centennial
Committee’s efforts so we might continue with the momentum
established. Allowing the planning to stall at this critical time
could be devastating to the commitment of volunteers and ultimately
the success of the celebration.
In 1999, I worked alongside the Secretary of State’s Office and
the California State Parks in putting together an art program to
celebrate California’s 150th anniversary of statehood. Much to my
chagrin, bureaucratic malaise and political backstabbing completely
unraveled the state’s sesquicentennial celebrations and eventually,
California failed to celebrate its own 150th anniversary!
The real losers were not those of us involved in its planning but
the people of California. I believe that if we as a community do not
rally around what is currently on the table, a similar fate may
befall us in failing to seize a unique historic opportunity of civic
pride.
STEVE SIMON
Corona del Mar
A 12-foot statue of a dolphin on a 3-foot base? I don’t think so.
Inspiration Point is just that: Inspiration Point. It is not an art
gallery, or a space for large, out of place, sculptures.
Don’t get me wrong, because I love dolphins. The point is
currently is a calming environment, so why make it chaotic and allow
it to block the view of our natural resource, the Pacific Ocean?
The rock commemorating those who donated to the commemoration of
Inspiration Point and those whose names are on that ‘rock’ would be
appalled at this plan, formulated just to make someone -- or the
committee -- look good. I vote “no” on the Wyland statue. Leave what
is there as it is.
As an aside, it is so sad that Old Corona del Mar is being
violated with all of these new three story houses that have changed
the flavor of our community. Driving down Seaview Drive has become a
drive through a tunnel now with all these mega-houses. What is next?
JANE HILGENDORF
Corona del Mar
The sculpture described in the article “Centennial committee plans
dolphin statue” sounds like the right idea in the wrong place. A
centennial sculpture could provide an enduring source of civic pride.
Yet, the proposed sculpture would interfere with the use and
enjoyment of Corona del Mar’s Inspiration Point park overlooking the
ocean.
Inspiration Point is one of few “view parks” in Corona del Mar --
where many residents and visitors enjoy picnicking and sightseeing
year-round with an unobstructed, spectacular view of the ocean. The
park is relatively small and space is limited.
The proposed monument would consist of a 12-foot-high sculpture of
three dolphins atop a 3-foot-high platform, surrounded by an area of
commemorative bricks and a time capsule. All of these things would
obstruct this world-class view and would compete for the limited
space in this scenic park. It is not clear how a world-class view
would be enhanced by an obstruction. A monument of this type would
run counter to the purpose of the park, and would be better suited in
other locations available in Corona del Mar.
In many cities, it is common to place a monument in the middle of
a town square or in the middle of a traffic roundabout, which would
be the equivalent of the center island of Pacific Coast Highway at
Marguerite Avenue.
The center island of Coast Highway offers a prominent location
where the monument could make a community statement and where far
more people could see it more frequently.
Perhaps the monument could be placed in a temporary location for
the Centennial until the acquisition of the Coast Highway right of
way by the city, and then placed permanently in the center island
when the city takes ownership. The placement of the monument in the
center island could be made part of a celebration of the acquisition
of the Coast Highway right-of-way, as a major milestone in the Vision
2004 Improvement Plan for Coast Highway.
Regarding zoning height limits, the Newport Beach’s Zoning
Ordinance Section 20.65.030 protects public views for the benefit of
all city residents. The proposed monument would result in the loss of
public views, and would exceed the height limit on the bluff side of
Ocean Boulevard, in violation of the city’s Zoning Ordinance. The
City ought not violate its own ordinances.
BRUCE COLBERT
Corona del Mar
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