Residents have questioned the bare pilasters erected in conjunction with the Crown Valley Widening. The Dispatch earlier reported artwork would soon be installed on the pilasters.
On May 18 the MVD made a formal public records request for images of the art pieces to share with readers. An inquiry was also made regarding who was making the selection of the art, since no City committee had been appointed. Although the City had ten days to comply, the images were not released. They were received last night from a source other than City Staff.
The Dispatch was earlier informed the art was being donated by artists through Mission Hospital, which in turn was supplying it for use on Crown Valley. It appears the art selection was made by the Hospital or city staff member Keith Rattay, without participation by the public or the City Council.
Sixteen images were provided to the Council for the first time yesterday. It was not a meeting agenda item, and no action could be taken, but Councilman Ledesma expressed strong displeasure at the stealth selection. The art is expected to be installed within a few days. Sculptures are scheduled to be added to the array this Fall.
Last December a Dispatch article described the use of medical equipment at Mission Hospital for the purpose of creating art images. The Crown Valley art has the same genesis. It was created on equipment used by the Hospital for mammography, x-rays, and ultrasound tests. The works therefore have a distinctly modern, techno, Hitchcock-esque, or avant-garde character, depending on one’s subjective viewpoint.
The fifteen thumbnails below are cropped. Click on each image to see the full view; then click on the full view if you want an enlarged view.
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
So, do I even ask who is paying for this?
Nice that we can pay for art work on streets, and we don’t have enough money to pay for our children’s educations!!!! Government is just ridiculous to me. Our kids future is more important than artwork to distract drivers on an extrememly busy road!!!
I suppose beauty is in the eye of the beholder but if I, as a resident and taxpayer in Mission Viejo, am paying for this then I vote NO! It is not only displeasing to my eye but I see it as a potential traffic hazard as people pass by and try a double take with “What the heck?” These are even worse than a distracting billboard or overhead balloon because they will be practically at eye level to every motorist. Again, what was this selection committee thinking – or were they even thinking?!
Is this so people will stop and critique the art? Didn’t they widen CVP so it would flow smoother? Why not put an art gallery in the middle of one of the intersections during rush hour.
You have got to be kidding me!!!! This is the kind of art that we have to look at? Are you kidding me? Whatever.
And I am am Visual Arts Major!
Here are a few adjectives that come to mind when I think of seeing these pictures on Crown Valley:
appalling, awful, disgusting, dreadful, frightening, hideous, horrific, shocking, terrible, and unnerving.
Please say this isn’t so….
As you stop your car, after driving 55 MPH, to take photos, rest assured that should you get rear ended, but our expanded trauma center is right around the corner.
This is some of the worst taste in public art I have ever seen. Whatever it cost it is too much. This is a civic eyesore & an abomination. This “ART” makes the empty Kalidoscope with its cheap paint & signs seem almost normal. Thanks to city staff & others behind the scenes, M. V. is fast becoming the ugly capitol of So. Orange Co. Job NOT well done!!!!
Only Government would come up with the idea of putting art on the streets so drivers can stare as they fly by. One has to wonder if this is the next evolution of placing art on easles?
How do these lame brain ideas make it past committee. Ah, I forgot there is no committe or dialogue. Projects just happen due to fiat. Still someone had to approve and pay for this trash.
This is really bad art. Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone, or in this case to the stone. Whoever approved any expenditure for this selection should be fired, tarred and feathered, and driven out out town.
Well, I guess the hospital is looking for business. There will be a lot of accidents as people are distracted looking at the “art”, so , this is good for the economy of MV (at least the hospital). Way to boost the economy!!
I know this art will rival the Huntington, the Getty, and the Norton Museums. The selection committee and the city administration might just want to post their own pictures – in the Post Office.
Art or no art, this is unbelievably bad taste for placement on a public road. It is my understanding that this plan was devised in 2005 by council and staff. And I say to the citizens of Mission Viejo, “If we can’t come up with more competent council members and staff management, we are truly on the road to demise.”
Explain to me how this “art” reflects the “California Promise.” How about honoring our youth….? Our early California heritage…..? Our service men and women, veterans…..? Let’s give this more thought.
Do you hear that? I think that is the sound of a train leaving the tracks. I think we have a new entry into the “Biggest Debacle” on the city!
Telling it like it is – CRAP!
Are you listening Mission Viejo City Counsel? Sounds like another project that should be shelved along with the Oso Creek Trail kiosks.
This is the ultimate in bad taste. Who ever said that a hospital was an art critic. It won’t last long as it will probably adorn a bedroom wall in short time.
I agree with all of the above comments and would like to add one of my own: Is this a wise or economical use of the hospital equipment? Appalling!!!
I have voiced my opinion several times times as a 30 year resident of Mission Viejo. Positions within Mission Viejo city government and programs affecting the city should be hired from residents of the city not from neighboring cities. This Rattay individual doesn’t live here so doesn’t have to use the mess he created.
Reading the current budget deficit and the proposed cuts I can’t help but think that people move to Mission Viejo because of the recreation centers and other family oriented activities; but I doubt that anyone would decide to move here because we have pilasters with hospital generated art (?) on our streets. Our landscaping has always been a source of pride and enjoyment and the pilasters are an eye-sore and a distraction.
Ewwwwwww…. really guys??? REALLY??? What on earth is going on? Wow. Not sure WHAT to say about these pictures in the middle of the road. I’m hoping the next set of artwork is at LEAST pretty!!!!