As if the status of the Armory and 98 Cannon are not enough to keep people on edge, I am going to add another item to the list.
Chestertown is the recipient of a large number of sculptures, to be sprinkled around the community, under the auspices of the Chestertown Public Art Committee, which answers to the Town Council. Many citizens have noticed the expanding number of additions to the streetscape of our historic town, and reviews are mixed. Home to a vibrant and varied arts community, for which we are all grateful, it appears that any location selected is acceptable to the Town.
I am going out on a limb and saying it may be necessary to reconsider the placement of such art in Fountain Park, our town’s centerpiece. This park has been a feature for over 100 years, and has benefitted from ongoing cooperation between the Town and Chestertown Garden Club. I recently learned that one of the art works, described as “resembling the head of a character in The Mandalorian” and the same color as our beloved fountain, sitting on a pedestal, will find a new home in Fountain Park.
Yes, it is a public space. Yes, the Victorians collected follies and sculptures. But the head of an alien is hardly in character with the space and should not find a home there. Perhaps it would look well in front of the Visitor’s Center, a more readily visible location. Or centered in the roundabout by Royal Farms at the south end of High Street.
I ask the Town Council to reconsider this particular item placed in this particular space. Further that the Council request that the Public Arts Committee look at the collection to find a more suitable piece, if Fountain Park is indeed to host one of these sculptures.
Sincerely,
Karen Paul Mack
Judi O’Brien says
Art will never be universally appealing, nor does it have a responsibility to be. While you personally might not like it, it might bring joy to others, or even just spark a conversation. I’m sure there were people in 1899 who thought the fountain itself was garish. We are a small, rural county and many of our residents might not ever have the opportunity to visit an art museum in Philadelphia or DC, but they can freely walk around town and interact with different works of art. Who knows who might find themselves inspired by any one of the pieces placed around town. Even if a particular piece is not to my personal liking, I’m glad they’re there.
Chris kelsch says
To me, placing ” avant guard” , modern sculpture in a truly historic location is not right. Why are the desires of modernistic art patrons all of a sudden more important than those who prefer the historic look? Its awkward, we are led by the nose to think because some wealthy art person donated, or lent this stuff, all of us have to trip over it weather we enjoy it or not….no thanks
Melinda Bookwalter says
I agree: please allow the fountain to be the signature “Figurehead” for the Park.
Fred W. J. Kirchner, -Tolchester says
I am not an expert, nor did I follow the Star Wars series, but I believe your reference to it being a “head of an alien” would be inappropriate for the park as I have seen it change in the past 40+ years.. It may very well be correct for the park and the visitors center, as those places are indeed already full of “aliens” ! Not only from invading tourists from other states, but some may even be from other planets as I expect CPD could confirm on a full moon night !
It would NOT be appropriate for the traffic circle, as that is frequented and used by the majority of Kent County people who LIVE here year round as they are NOT “aliens”.. I have lived in Kent County for over 40 years, and I guess I am still a “chicken-necker” in Rock Hall.. :oD
Joanne Ghio says
I agree. Fountain Park is a delightful centerpiece for our town and does not need further embellishment.
Lynn Wait says
Thanks for speaking up, Karen.
Chris kelsch says
Isn’t that still allowed? Or if we disagree with you we must remain silent?
Jake Pullen says
I agree 120% with Miss Mark. The fountain in the center of the park suits the park PWRFECTLY!
Ben Tilghman says
Thank you, Ms. Mack, for voicing your concern. I want to offer a little clarity since your letter is vague about the planned installation and others reading this might not have seen the work or the siting.
I don’t think there’s a way for me to share a picture, but the sculpture is a ceramic head sculpture by Patricia Volk (a Google search will bring up similar ones). Her series of heads were inspired by her study of ancient ancient sculpture from Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Archaic Greece – it’s her attempt to capture the feeling of power and mystery they express. If it looks like an alien to you, I suspect that’s because science fiction artists and moviemakers have also often drawn on those sculptures for their “otherworldly” appearance.
In consultation with the Garden Club (which maintains the plantings) we settled on a site at the west entrance of the park, right on the corner of High and Spring Streets. That entrance to the park has several shrubs that obscure the rest of the park, meaning that it will be visually separated from the graceful core of the park. The Public Arts Committee likes the idea of adding a modern response to ancient sculpture (in the way that the fountain features a 19th-century version of Hebe), but we also treasure that location as the oldest public sculpture in town. We feel, and the Town Council agreed when it approved the location, that this location at the edge of the park will create a nice echo while still giving Hebe pride of place.
Ben Tilghman
Chair, Chestertown Public Arts Committee
[email protected]
Loretta P Sutton says
Could the town people please have a vote on whether “our” tiny park requires another sculpture in our tiny park.
Linda K. Hall says
Karen Mack is so right in her plea for another place for this sculpture! What are they thinking? Please pass this on to the powers that be. Linda Hall, artist and a member of the Betterton community for 25 years
Neal Jackson says
I totally agree with Ms. O’brien. Art has never been expected to please all senses of taste. Having something a bit different will, in my humble opinion, give Fountain Park some spark, from which it will benefit. I am a traditionalist in personal taste, but I often find myself delighted by something unexpected and different, popping up in contrast to other artistic elements. A more modern sculpture installed in Fountain Park might do just that for others as well.
I might note that the fountain sculpture – Hebe, the goddess of youth, bearing water for the gods on Mount Olympus – which was installed at the turn of the 20th century, might have been viewed at the time as part of that radical movement known as “La Belle Epoque.” So controversy almost always follows art.
Edward E. Maxcy says
I know nothing of any of this, but assuming the letter writer’s information is true, I have to agree. Leave the fountain park as is.
I LOVE having these sculptures in our town, and other than the blue one near the walking path, I have loved each of them.
Edward Maxcy
Chestertown
Judi O’Brien says
When you see the sculpture, I think you will find that the description in the original letter in no way describes the piece. It is, as Mr. Tilghman noted, very reminiscent of ancient Middle Eastern/Asian bust. To call it alien/Mandalorian misrepresents it entirely and seems intended only to gin up controversy.
Karen Paul Mack says
Ms O’Brien,
I am quoting another individual who was attempting to provide an idea of the sculpture’s appearance. In this individual’s mind, it was an apt description. It was not an attempt to gin up controversy.
Ben Tilghman says
Dear all,
In addition to my comment above, where I attempted to clarify the location of the work, please take a look at this image prepared by David Hegland, another member of the Public Arts Committee.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1B1SuaVXt9WlblIw5qKxghBKk21CGvf71/view?usp=drive_link
As you’ll see, we will be placing the work at the very edge of the park to preserve the integrity of its traditional core.
A photo of the sculpture is also included. Perhaps it may look to some like “a character from the Mandalorian,” but I see the masterworks of Archaic Greece and Egyptian faience.
I hope this helps clarify the plans.
Ben Tilghman
Chair, Chestertown Public Arts Committee
[email protected]
Clare says
Thank you, Karen for your thoughtful and appropriate comment regarding the placement of the sculpture being considered for fountain park.
Joseph A. Fick, Jr. says
Agreed! And what about those two ‘things’ across from the post office? Surely a better place could be found for them…. like behind someone’s garage. Or donate them to WC and they can place them on campus as a gathering place for the May Day festivities or display them inside the Armory giving it a purpose!
SHSweetser says
I agree with Joseph Fick about the 2 awkward sculptures across from the Post Office. They are inappropriate in a graceful, historic town like ours, an assault to our sensibilities. Please hide them someplace less visible, or give them back to the donors. Do we have to accept every donation? Maybe they are given to us as a punishment!
Loretta Sutton says
I feel we will lose the charm of our park and fountain ⛲️ if we install an alien head in the middle it. I have so many childhood memories and memories of my children and their children in this park in front of the fountain. Please let the town vote before you make a major change to our “towns” history. Thank you Loretta Sutton
Elaine Mackie Bowman says
I am in total agreement with Karen Mack. I have viewed the piece, and after seeing it, I feel even more strongly that is not appropriate or needed in our beautiful Victorian Park. Fountain Park is the centerpiece of our lovely, historic town.
We are very fortunate to have such a large, graceful, signature piece. I feel it would be more appropriate for town to direct their energy towards developing a plan that would eliminate the telephone polls and allow us to add the timeless lanterns that grace both Fountain and Memorial Park to our downtown district.
Although I am not a member of the Arts Community, I feel that my ownership of the Village House in downtown Chestertown for the last forty years, have proven I have a strong aesthetic sense.
I encourage the town council to revisit their decision. Elaine Bowman
Sharon Lewandowski says
I love modern art actually I love all types of art, however, I agree with Karen Mack. I think that some of the placements are rather distracting around town. Please find a different home for Head and allow Hebe to reign in our beautiful park.