Word: essaibi
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Dates: during 2000-2000
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...site-specific for the entrance median and consists of 8200 concrete blocks ranging from four to 30' in height. Reminiscent of skyscrapers or a series of musical notes, the sculpture would pay homage to the Boston skyline while greeting visitors with an illusion of syncopated harmony. But to Annissa Essaibi, president of the Columbia-Savin Hill Civic Association, "100 Columns" represented discord more than harmony...
...overriding concern was that it was taking away from the open space," claims Essaibi, arguing that the sculpture's unwieldy height would block the bayside view. Neighborhood groups, local high schools and businesses contributed to the overwhelming opposition, with additional concerns about kids climbing on or graffitiing the piece. More importantly, local community groups were outraged at having been snubbed and excluded from the decision-making process concerning the publicly visible land. Essaibi claims that UMass, when it was founded in the late '60s, signed a memo agreeing to discuss any exterior aesthetic changes of the public grounds with...
...Essaibi attributes the lack of contention over these pieces to their inconspicuous placement; they did not require public deliberation. The community group is not picking on the artwork itself, but on the infringement of public space-the association is likewise upset about the university's building of a campus center and acquisition of a pump house. Gould emphasizes the artistic strength of the Columbia neighborhood, calling it a "hip community" replete with artists and art-appreciation projects of its own. "I would 100 percent support a piece of artwork, whether I liked it or not, if it was preceded...
...prominent of which include Barbara Lee, The Poss-Kapor Foundation, Nancy Tieken, the LEF Foundation and the Reily Foundation. Intoxicated with his lofty ideals, Tucker shines with enthusiasm about the five pieces that await installation. Excitement, however, takes a continued backseat to local politics, as the miscommunication problem continues. Essaibi claims that the Columbia-Savin Hill Community only agreed to be part of the advisory committee: "We absolutely have not agreed to allow the installation of new pieces," she proclaims. Public art, while it is and should be held up as an ideal, remains a juggling...
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