Letter: Why weren’t local artists chosen?

It is my hope that the 3-3 vote by the Iowa City Council signals the beginning of the end of the public art piece entitled 'The Lens,” a work that embodies all that is mocked about public art.

Large, costly and ultimately meaningless, if this work were funded, it would be an eyesore for downtown. Artist Cecil Balmond's CV is smattered with similar large scale escapades.

It is tragic that neither of the other two finalists were chosen. Hans Breder and Vito Acconci, both have ties to the University of Iowa and resumes befitting of this commission. Breder was the founder of the Intermedia Program at UI and was one of the first video artists, ever. Acconci (MFA in literature and poetry, 1962) is widely considered one of the greatest interdisciplinary artists of the past 50 years.

While Balmond has been lauded for doing his homework about the history of Iowa City, Breder and Acconci are that history. Why those in power choose to turn a blind eye to the rich history of Iowa City, in favor following the misguided steps of other cities, I will never know. I can only hope that this vote signals the end, of what has been a very embarrassing and regretful process for Iowa City.

Jarrett Mitchell

Iowa City