Rotary Takes Issue with Siting Sculptures Near Hart Park Stage

After politics and religion, it sometimes seems that few things generate as much controversy and conflict as public art. Milwaukee County had its "Blue Shirt." Now we have the "Tosa Six."

When highly regarded artist Richard Taylor completed a commission for six colorful, abstract metal sculptures to grace the pedestrian bridge over the Menomonee River in Tosa Village, he had every right to believe they were there to stay.

But the pedestals upon which they were placed — pairs of concrete arcs at either end of the bridge — had a separate function. They also served as traffic barriers to keep anyone from driving over the bridge.

However, the barriers proved to be a congestive impediment to pedestrian traffic and commerce as well, and those at the north end of the bridge, next to popular , were removed, along with the two sculptures they held.

Those Taylor sculptures, replaced by a fountain, have ended up in a garage at the city's Public Works yard.

With an accepted design for a new playground in came an interest in reuniting the family of sculptures in a new home. The place selected was a triangle of lawn at the intersection of three paved pathways just south of the playground and west of the Rotary Pavilion music stage.

Rotarians beg to differ

That decision, however, did not take into account the feelings of the Rotary Club, which raised the funds to build the music stage. After the plan was presented to the Wauwatosa Board of Parks and Forestry Commissioners, Rotarians met and, according to a letter to the city from club President Rich Mannisto, unanimously agreed in their opposition to the plan.

"Let me go on record that we're not opposed to public art," Mannisto said in an interview. "But the original architectural design of the bowl surrounding the stage was meant to complement it, and an art installation was not part of the plan."

Mannisto said that the Rotary Club was exceedingly pleased with how the city had realized the design of the stage and audience bowl, and now feels that any unexpected additions to the design will detract from it.

"That triangle was not designed for a display of art, and if it had been, they would have made it larger," he said.

Club members also believe that the sculptures, in an unlit setting near the stage, could become an attractive nuisance, inviting vandalism that might then spill over to the music stage.

"It was for this very reason that fixtures in the bowl, and in the design of the stage itself, were kept simple and to a minimum — to discourage vandals," Mannisto said.

"Besides, there are plenty of other places the sculptures could be put in the park," he said. "If they were up on the berm along State Street, where they would get spillover light, or somewhere along the walking paths, we'd be fine with it."

The sculptor's view

Taylor did not actually select the triangle as the most appropriate location for his sculptures, but after it was proposed he visited and approved.

"After looking around, I thought, there's a synergy that can occur with the music stage and the playground," he said. "I see them as complementary.

"I guess I'd have to respectfully take issue with the Rotary."

On his website as well as in an interview, Taylor makes frequent references to music as an inspiration for his work and a theme within it.

"Music plays a big part in my life — I play the saxophone — and in almost everything I do, I like to think you can find some rhythm and harmony," Taylor said.

"With that in mind, I'd also like to think that in these works there is a harmony with these things, with musical performances, with a children's playground."

Taylor said he can imagine the pieces going elsewhere — but not just anywhere.

"I'm not adamant," he said. "I see the triangle as a potentially appropriate location, although I could see other areas."

Taylor's concern as an artist is that the sculptures continue to serve the purpose and tell the story for which they were created, and their placement and surroundings do matter.

"They were very specifically designed for one location, and I was very disappointed in the decision to move them, especially for a rather cheap-looking fountain," Taylor said.

"They incorporate symbols specific to Wauwatosa. There's a day lily motif, the city flower. I did a lot of research at the and made references to mill wheels, to industry, to farming. There are architectural references to some of the grand old homes of Wauwatosa.

"One of the shapes refers to the tracings of fireflies in the night sky."

We are family

While abstract, the sculptures unmistakably evoke another symbol in their humanistic forms: family, the bedrock of community. As such, said one of Taylor's supporters, they need to be closely reunited. The supporter asked not to be named because of his involvement in other park projects.

So, while the artist himself says he could live with another location, there are those who say that the tight triangle between music and laughter is the most appropriate place, and others who say it is the least appropriate.

The official debate will resume at the next meeting of the Parks and Forestry Board at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 15 at the Muellner Building in Hart Park, 7300 Chestnut St.