LettersPublic space
Editor:
I believe I speak for all those affiliated with the surFACE
"Reforming Public Space" exhibition (held at the Wight Art
Gallery during
the month of October) when I express appreciation toward David
Abell (Oct.
9, "Artsy fartsy"), for voicing the frustration that our
"wooden
aberrations" invoked upon him.
Our work is successful after having received such response, for
only the
most accomplished artists are able to speak to the public rather
than at
them. Opinions like Abell’s demonstrate that a conversation has
occurred.
We spoke to him, and he, in this case, screamed back.
Allow me, please, to set the record straight with regard to
our
surFACE pieces. They were not created to pose questions about
art or
the freedom of expression, as Abell implied. Simply, they
advertise a
showing of over 150 competition entries that address the issues
of public
and private space; hence, the placement in the public spaces
here on
campus.
Beware: Not all expression is fueled with conflict-inducing
political
messages. The juxtaposition of minimalist media and "areas of
relaxation
and beauty" (the words used in Abell’s letter describing the
main quad,
Dickson Plaza and the sculpture garden) promoted Abell to form
his own
definition of public space.We applaud his contribution to the
exhibition’s
call for comments on the public domain.
I challenge you, David, to visit the Wight Art Gallery and see
for
yourself what hundred of architects and urban planners around
the world had
to say in their designs now on display.Dawn Marie Buettner
First-year
School of Architecture
Eat up
Editor:
Here is my top 10 list of comments in response to Russell
Johnson’s bash
job (Oct. 13, "Lu Valle, here he comes") on the North Campus
Student
Center.10. The milk may be spoiled, but it is not frozen.
9. Have you ever noticed that a sewer smell usually comes from
the
northeast, no matter what building you step out of on campus
(i.e. the
construction)?
8. It is the student center, and the majority of students prefer
the
current video format.
7. It is a campus eatery, not a library.
6. All ASUCLA food service checkout lines are that narrow (see
Lu Valle,
Cooperage, Treehouse).
5. I don’t know where you’re sit-ting, but I’ve never heard
that
complaint before.
4. It is an open air area and flies get hungry too, don’t they?
(Again,
see Lu Valle).
3. Maybe you should warm your food a little longer.
2. If you would bother to stickaround long enough to watch
the
employees, you would know they change their gloves
constantly.
1. It’s a cafeteria, not a gourmet restaurant, and as such, we
have some
of the best food of any cafe-teria.
Are you satisfied yet, Mr. Johnson?Manny Maltezakis
Customer Service
North Campus Student Center