Art

Interesting Sculpture

l3wis May 29, 2025 8Comments

I will have to admit, SculptureWalk has turned into a great public art display. After I publicly needled the organization about a proper jury process, and they made the changes, (but not before skewering me in the media) the exhibit has gotten more diverse and interesting. The first few years were a bunch of hokey religious and wildlife themed art, but once they brought in a GENUINE jury, the exhibit got great.

A few years back there was a piece that I think sits at Cherapa II that looks identical to a bull penis. So this year this ‘bird’ sculpture kinda reminds you of a Georgia O’Keeffe painting, if yah know what I mean. It is a beautiful piece, but I’m not seeing birds. But maybe the whole point of the piece is to connect the birds on an emotional level? Maybe I am thinking to much about this since the heart shaped cut-outs almost make the piece sappy and corny. One of my friends said it looked like a plant pod, and I responded, “Sure and I’m the spitting image of Matt Damon.”

Georgia was asked once in a documentary about her flower paintings in 1976, “Did some people find sexual symbolism in your flowers?” And Georgia responded, “They were talking about themselves and not me.” Subjectivity, a wonderful thing. So enjoy the birds, the plant pod, or whatever this beautiful piece is. The mystery is what makes great art. I would be thrilled if this piece won people’s choice. But please, please, please, place it next to the bull penis sculpture.

Art Downtown Sioux Falls Public Works Sioux Falls

Public Art Critique

l3wis May 29, 2025 5Comments

I have been admiring this new sculpture at the Steel District. I like the concept and the design (the cut out key hole is laying to the side of the piece) But, the yellow color doesn’t fit well in the development. I would change the color to a pearl essence iridescent paint that illuminates and sparkles in sunlight and moonlight and changes color depending on the light shining on it, I would also round the edges of the outer structure while leaving the keyhole with a straight on cut. It would give it more of an obelisk look to it. This is why ALL public art should go thru a PUBLIC vetting process even if it is privately funded. You get better art. We learned nothing from Mural-Gate when a private donor email harvester, the police chief and the mayor censored a piece that was later presented at the Smithsonian. When picking public art, a diverse jury of not only artists, but designers, contractors and other lay people help decide. This diversity gives you diverse public art. I can guarantee how this played out; The developer picked out the piece (concept drawings) and presented to the VAC ‘as is’ and they approved it. Zero vetting process. Money doesn’t buy class or taste.

Art Downtown Sioux Falls Public Utilities Public Works Sioux Falls Washington Pavilion

Nepotism run amuck at Sioux Falls City Hall

l3wis May 15, 2025 5Comments

Besides the secretive roof repair happening at the Pavilion they are also installing new outdoor sculptures.

Besides COS Erica Beck’s son getting a job in HR straight out of college, there seems to be some other nepotism and conflicts going on. There was a rumor for awhile that the Public Works Director’s wife who owns an interior design company got the contract for the redesign on city hall recently (that is a rumor I am still looking into), but his son, who owns Urban Oasis, apparently got the contract to install the sculptures. His father makes $232K a year with the city, so it seems a bit odd that he would need even more from the taxpayers. Now they could argue that the sculptures purchase and installation was paid for by a private donation so there is NO conflict, BUT, as I argued in the past that since these sculptures are sitting on public property, they are public art, and the taxpayers will be responsible for their future maintenance, this is a public project NO matter who is paying for it because we own the property the sculptures are being placed on. There are plenty of experienced landscape contractors in Sioux Falls who could have done the job, and with more then a couple years experience. This was clearly an inside handshake deal. I wonder what the city council will do about it. My guess, like the Selberg incident, they will look the other way.

Art Sioux Falls

What is the City’s Art’s Coordinator up to?

l3wis April 2, 2025 7Comments

I guess someone just asked me the question randomly and I told them that I did not know. They said that she has been up to ‘very little’. I asked for an explanation, they told me that several of the non-profits that would be working with her have said they have had little communication but she also works very little with the other city departments. NOW, this is just one person giving me their opinion on the situation and I encouraged a local journalist to reach out to her and get an UPDATE on her progress, or better yet give the council an update at an informational. During times of economic downturns (it’s coming) is the best time to bolster public art which sometimes can give you a sense of calm in times of uncertainty.

Art Book Club Full Circle Book Club Sioux Falls

Art Book Club

l3wis January 25, 2025 3Comments

Okay, Kids, gather round, our first ABC (Art Book Club) meeting is on Sunday January 26 @ 2 PM @ The Book Coop. The first meeting will just be free flowing and figuring out this stuff. But the first meeting requirements will be simple, 1) Bring your favorite art book and be ready to discuss why this is your favorite book 2) bring money to buy beer and other assorted spirits. Mr. Lidster is kind enough to let us use his amazing space, be gratuitous!

I want to warn peeps, I am not a ‘clubby’ person, so don’t think you have to show up to every meeting and be all serious with dues and laminated badges. This will basically be a group of like minded artsy folks talking about what we love. Show up whenever. I will warn you though, when discussing art we must discuss the artist (I am infatuated with artist’s personalities, BTW, they are ALL crazy) and all the politics, religion, drugs and sex that goes along with it. I guess this isn’t a kid’s art club, but feel free to bring them, they may learn all they need to know about life in one meeting, or be completely confused.

See you soon, no RSVP required

Interesting Sculpture

Public Art Critique

Nepotism run amuck at Sioux Falls City Hall

What is the City’s Art’s Coordinator up to?

Art Book Club

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