If there is an award for " Brave Souls " it should surely go to the elected councillors of Wollongong Council. They are proposing to spend half a million dollars of public money - on some form of " art " to become the centrepiece of the Mall refurbishment.
The very word " Art " tends to raise the hackles of many people. Even getting consensus on what the word means will attract a diversity of opinions and whatever form this proposal takes will certainly create for and against controversy.
About the only things we seem to remember when the art subject is broached are items such as the Mona Lisa and the statue of David. The passage of time seems to smooth away opposition and to reach true significance - the item in question needs to be many centuries old. That introduces the divide between " traditional " art - and " Contemporary " art !
That raises another divisive question. Will council spend the money buying something from overseas that has the blessing of the art world at large, or will the money be spent on an emerging Australian artist ?
Size would be another significant factor. If this piece of " art " is to be the focal point of the Mall it would need to be big enough to stand out and attract attention.
If this question had arisen a century ago, the choice would probably have been for a bronze statue of somebody important sitting on a horse. Even then, the choice of subject would have brought divisive opinions - and probably politics would have become an issue. Far safer to opt for some form of sculpture that resembles no human being.
The biggest hurdle to surmount will be the spending of public money on what some will describe as " rubbish " - when this city has a long list of projects awaiting funds to repair roads, clear blocked drains and provide amenities. These are difficult times. This proposed " art " spendup is taking our civic leaders into territory - where angels fear to tread !
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