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You’ll Use All Our Minutes, Kid
by Ken Mayer
Life is full of pitfalls for kids. Like using up all the cell phone minutes texting friends or sliding down the banisters at school or maybe even climbing up a tree but not being able to climb down.
As kids we were oblivious to such things, and it seemed perfectly logical to expect that Santa might actually bring us a pony or a helicopter despite the fact that we neither knew how to fly nor ride. Our parents knew better and were ever vigilant to hazards we faced.
But we had no idea about the real danger that lurked in the park, waiting to do us all great bodily harm - falling off a piece of public art.
The recent controversy over the relocation of Leslie Iwai’s Sounding Stones from Turner Park to Dodge and Happy Hollow is a little over the top, it seems to me. Some folks don’t seem capable of fathoming any object they can’t immediately relate to some real world, tangible thing. Apparently, public art should confine itself to guys on horses.
Some have said that the sculptures resemble sewer drains. Others have argued that property values might decline as a result of the presence of the sculptures. The latter is probably more a function of the current housing market than any aesthetic judgment.
Our art scene has improved tremendously over the last few years, both indoors and out. So, in my opinion, it’s time for some of us to catch up. Omahans have been told repeatedly that they ought to have more fun. That’s part of it. A sense of whimsy, wonder, joy and laughter are all part of enjoying ourselves.
We also need to stop evaluating every public art project on the basis of its economic or political capital. It’s time we starting building our cultural capital as a community. Public art helps us do that.
We also need to recognize that art is for adults, too, especially at this time of year. While the Holiday Lights Festival is great, it’s also patently, a family event. How about something for us grownups?
It’s fun to see the lights on Leahy Mall, but for many, it’s a drive by. I think its time to think about some holiday activities in public venues that are not just by and for children.
Traditionally, the lighting has occurred on Thanksgiving evening. Even though I was a board member of one of the festival’s organizers, Downtown Omaha Inc., I never got to attend the ceremonies because of traditional family schedules.
If I had gone, it would have been nice to join friends afterward for some conversation and an adult beverage. That’s difficult because only a fraction of the Old Market businesses are open, despite DOI’s efforts to persuade them otherwise. I can’t blame the merchants and employees for wanting to be home with their families.
Why not just move the lighting ceremony to the Friday evening after Thanksgiving? The Old Market can do some business, and we grownups can have an evening out.
Moreover, maybe some of the arts organizations ought to follow the lead of the Omaha Performing Arts Society with performances on New Year’s Eve. In many cities this practice has grown into what’s called First Night. Begun in Boston in 1976, First Night is a celebration of the community’s art and culture that goes well past the time the kids are in bed.
Call me Scrooge, call me Grinch, but the holidays and the arts in Omaha are for grownups, too.
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