Six new sculptures will be on display in downtown Manhattan Beach for a year starting next month, as part of the third annual Manhattan Beach sculpture garden installation. The existing sculptures will be removed.
The Public Art Trust funds the city’s sculpture garden program – this particular exhibition costs $15,000.
One of the six pieces was controversial: Jason Manley’s Believe, Green, a 15 by 15 foot sculpture with solar panels and a neon green letters that light up to spell ‘BELIEVE.’ Council members and residents argued that it may not fit in with the lifestyle of Manhattan Beach and could be impractical to install.
While the City Council approved the six new sculptures with one dissenting vote by Councilmember Richard Montgomery, the council approved Believe, Green and Christian Tedeschi’s Not a Step, a 27-foot wide frame of wooden ladders, on the condition that the city finds a practical location to install them. If not, city staff will present two different sculptures for the council’s approval.
Because those two sculptures are large and Believe, Green lights up, the council worried that they could disrupt residents and attract children to climb and play and pigeons to sit on them.
The council touched on the artistic qualities of the structures, but noted that art is subjective. “Look around the room. Some people are smiling, some people are grimacing,” said Councilmember Amy Howorth, as the city staff presented pictures of the sculptures.
Councilmember David Lesser said the sculptures should spark dialogue within the community – “It’s meant to be something to talk about,” he said – but still took issue with Believe, Green. “I don’t think it’s consistent with Manhattan Beach,” he said, adding that he would still like to see a more proactive role of public art in the community.
Some residents shared a similar sentiment. “(Not a Step) looks like something that would stand on the roof of Home Depot and (Believe, Green) looks like, maybe, a Hollywood sign,” said resident Jackie Mae, adding, “I just don’t think it’s appropriate for Manhattan Beach.”
On the other hand, Believe, Green was Howorth’s favorite piece.
“Art, like beauty, is truly in the eyes of the beholder,” said Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Powell.
