I’ve posted some photos of the sculpture on our blog:

http://abeautifulcity.org/?p=369

You’re missing the point, which is: Does the citizenry mistrust its local governments in matters of public art?

Plus, most of your examples of “amorphic” sculpture aren’t amorphic at all. Anything recognizable, even an obelisk, doesn’t fit the definition.

This topic deserves another post, to come later!

Jon

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wallyg/451487840/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/snapshotsunmade/1176086109/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/afenster/2076271753/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/annwarren/106124504/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/timwilson/1361651/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/distortedreflections/1183888213/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davemarcus/502838977/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/94286041@N00/2310142187/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/normko/2221761546/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/supertremendus/24379296/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/micapixel/347739450/

1) not sure the public is so often against the expenditure; can you back that up?

2) “Given that most people prefer their art to have form why have so many formless works been selected/commissioned?”; this is so presumptuous on so many levels, I don’t even know where to begin!

3) in all the HS criticism, I never once heard design/aesthetics being cited as a reason; on the contrary, it’s as if nobody even considers it, let alone debates it!

4) I think this (http://tinyurl.com/3y6qlm) is the orange sculpture, which, btw, I happen to love! I remember when Hallie and I were dating as 16 year olds, we’d spend hours just hanging out around and on that sculpture

5) are you referring to the courthouse building as art, or the actual art inside the building as the art?

All this to say, I’m not sure I concur with what I think I’m reading into your sense of architectural/artistic style. As an appreciator of both art and architecture - and many other forms of creativity - I try to avoid the idea and/or impulse that any particular era perfected a form (i.e. 18th century English hymnody is not the only music pleasing to God!), but rather try to find good examples of creativity in all eras! In other words, the 18th century produced both good and bad music, and good and bad art and architecture. Likewise, the 20th and 21st centuries have produced good and bad examples of everything.

Let’s not canonize any era/style, which is typically done in a knee-jerk fashion. Rather, let’s stretch ourselves and ask, “what makes something good or bad?” It’s a much harder question, but one that in the end, I believe, results in a much richer overall experience.

PS - what do you think of this “amorphic” sculpture?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/11266609@N00/1418296339/

I love it!!!