Who owns an art installation?
Re: “Anti-police acronym removed from Bastion Square mural, replaced with censorship message,” Oct. 29.
As an artist I want to start off by saying, I support public art to the fullest. Public art can be controversial. It can enhance our community and open us up to dialogue. I need to say I was greatly upset over the completed art installation at Bastion Square pertaining to injustices towards Black and Indigenous people.
The idea of surreptitiously encrypting the acronym ACAB into a piece of commissioned public art is both insulting and offensive to the public and the police. I have sold a number of pieces both my own and commissioned work. I could not imagine incorporating a political message of my belief into a piece of commissioned work, without the knowledge of the purchaser. It would be unprofessional, as well as morally unethical.
I was angered to read that the artists responsible for the work were involved in “weeks of negotiations with the city” as to how to deal with the offensive acronym. The solution to cover the letter “S” and include a lengthy notation that criticizes the city for silencing their voices seems to be almost as offensive.
I have been fortunate enough to purchase a few pieces of original art in my lifetime. Since I bought and paid for them, they belong to me. I can do whatever I wish with them.
It is my understanding that since the city owns this installation, the city should not really have to consult with anyone as to what happens with the piece. I feel that for all the good intentions on the part of the city to support public art, the cost and time taken has ended up as a huge waste of taxpayer dollars. In the end, the greater message of “More Justice, More Peace” seems to have been lost to everyone.
Rod MacPherson
Saanich
Restaurant servers, wear your masks
When eating out we find that in some places not all of the staff members wear masks. The person directing us to a table might keep at a suitable distance.
However, often the person serving the meal does not wear a mask and is usually standing a foot or two away, is above us, and talking. Not good.
I have asked why no mask and been told that it is up to the individual server to decide.
It should be mandatory that at least the server wears a mask. Better yet, keep it simple and make it mandatory that masks be worn by everyone in all indoor facilities dealing with the public.
Roger Nield
Victoria
Pandemic will have lingering impact
Let’s take a moment to cheer on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Before COVID-19 he had already set a milestone in increasing Canada’s debt per capita (inflation adjusted) more than any prime minister outside the Great Depression of the 1930s and the two world wars, sadly stealing that honour from his father. With COVID he now has an open field to surpass those PMs who merely had to deal with world wars or global depressions.
So while COVID will pass, we are assured the suffering will continue for generations to come.
Scott Clark
Victoria
Limit cannabis to limit the virus
The authorities have strictly reduced access to bars and nightclubs to an essential minimum. Extended stays assisted by alcohol reduce inhibitions and allow the untested positives to spread the virus.
How does freely available cannabis enhance our drive to get the better of this pandemic? The answer is: It doesn’t.
Leonhard Braunizer
Brentwood Bay
A bridge would help at Kelly Road crossing
Congratulations to Colwood in pressing for a bridge on the Galloping Goose Trail and Wale Road.
I find that crossing the Island Highway by bike to be not so much a challenge at the proposed site as it is at Kelly Road and the Veterans Memorial Parkway, which requires two major street crossings versus the one.
Please consider one more key crossing site.
Larry Maydonik
James Bay
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