Sculpture: Art Or Public Nuisance?

Several council members objected to proposed sculptures to a garden at the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert Thursday, citing some safety concerns.

In a 4-1 vote, council members agreed to approve the sculpture garden, pending the review and approval of a Donald Judd sculpture by Councilwoman Jean Benson and Mayor Pro Tem Bill Kroonen.

The Galen, which will be located at the former Palm Desert Visitor’s Center, could be open as early as February and as late as March.

“There is one (sculpture) that I found objectionable,” Mayor Robert Spiegel said, adding that he is worried the homeless will use it as a place to sleep.

Senior Curator Daniell Cornell defended the large, boxy piece, saying that the art is “the most important piece of sculpture in the garden.”

Artist Donald Judd created the sculpture as part of the minimalist movement in the 1970s, Cornell said.

“He created a whole series of these open and closed boxes. This particular box for a long time was in the courtyard of the IBM building in New York City. He has a whole series of these boxes in Martha, Texas,” Cornell said.

But after a lengthy presentation, explaining the history of the sculpture, Spiegel said he still objected to the sculpture.

Councilwoman Jean Benson also spoke out against the sculpture.

“There are several others that I object to as well,” Benson said, adding that she does not believe they honor the memory of the namesake of the garden, Eric Johnson.

Councilwoman Cindy Finerty said the council should leave the sculptures to the “experts.”

“I have an issue about recognizable art,” she admitted, adding that she has listened to her fellow council members advice in the past.

“It’s the curator that puts the pieces together and we need to rely on the experts in the field and it’s not up to individual council members to take a piece away and put a piece in,” Finerty advised.

Councilwoman Jan Harnik questioned if the sculpture will become a public nuisance.

Michael Kiner, the project’s manager, said that he has worked with the insurance company to appease their concerns about the Donald Judd piece.

Kiner said there are plans for a security guard on the property from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily and several security cameras monitoring the sculptures.