San Diego's Kissing Battle!

I can ignore it no more.
The ongoing battle to keep a permanent version of the statue "Unconditional Surrender" based on the WWII photo by a guy I know has heated up and involves politics, art, hurt feelings, and public office resignation. The best of the culture battles that are public art.

(Photo from Roadside America)

Seems that the statue, which has been on loan to the city since 2007 is an offense to the taste of many of the city's art committee members. It's 25 feet tall, brightly colored, and based on a picture (original photographer in hot contention) of sailor kissing a nurse in Times Square on V-J Day, celebrating the end of World War II.

The committee gave it the thumbs down in November when someone proposed a permanent version in bronze. But in a March 6 vote, the city did not agree. Calling it magical, they said if the backers can raise the necessary $1 million to build it, the city welcomes the new piece.

Exit 2 of the city's Public Arts Committee members. Another accused the city have having no taste.

But the battle is about more than just taste, it's about the role of art committees and arts commissions in general. It's been going on, actually, since the 19th centure when the US cities started forming them to deal with public art.

http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/mar/15/kiss-statue-leads-resignations-disappointment/