A Mt. Clemens commissioner is seeing red over a city art project that had kids paint fire hydrants around town.

What do you think? Is it art or an eye sore?

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Are you kidding? It is children being allowed to express themselves in a constructive way. If you think about it, these kids will take pride in a community they otherwise may not have because they have a vested interest--their art work! Doesn't the commissioner have more serious issues to deal with than squashing the creativity of children.

Audrey

I think the fire hydrants are GREAT!  Children need to express themselves.  Every adult knows what a fire hydrant looks like, so the color/paint won't throw them off. This is definetely something the children need to get involved in.  I drive through Mt. Clemens every day and have no problem with the hydrants....tell the commissioner to put his grievances elsewhere.....CAN YOU SAY BOREDOM!

 

Maybe the commissioner would think differently if he had a grandchild in the project.  Hmm what do  you think?  Obviously you can tell your getting old when you stop smelling the roses.  I will be letting the commissioner know my opinion via his e-mail.  You can do the same,,,

dherrington@cityofmountclemens.com

 

k

I am the director of the Anton Art Center and I would like to thank you for your support. We wanted to engage children in the community and in public art. The children and their parents were very proud of their work and had a wonderful experience on painting day. The hydrants are great examples of authentic creativity and experiementation by children. I think it is important for us to value and praise their efforts. It is unfortunate that some in the community do not see the value.

This commissioner should have bigger fish to fry. I think the fire hydrants are a nice touch to the city. This just proves the old saying right, "You can please some of the people some of the time . . ."

Let the fire hydrants remain as they are; and do the project again next year.

I encourage you to keep this project going!! It's awesome!

SHAME ON THE MT. CLEMENS COMMISSIONER!!! HAVING 2 OF MY OWN CHILDREN THAT LOVE ART I KNOW HOW HEART BREAKING IT IS WHEN SOMEONE DOESNT LIKE WHAT THEY HAVE DRAWN. THESE CHILDREN PUT THEIR HEARTS AND IDEAS INTO EACH OF THOSE HYDRANTS AND FOR THE COMMISSIONER TO BASH THEM IS SHAMEFUL. ISNT THERE SOME OTHER PRESSING MATTER YOU SHOULD BE DEALING WITH RATHER THAN THE BEAUTIFUL ART WORK THESE CHILDREN PUT THEIR TIME AND EFFORT INTO. I BET YOU WOULDNT FIND ELECTED OFFICIALS OUT PAINTING THINGS IN THEIR COMMUNITY! NO, THEY WOULD PROBABLY BE ON A GOLF COURSE OR VACATION SOMEWHERE INSTEAD. GO WORRY ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE AND LET THESE KIDS HAVE THEIR MOMENT. THEY DESERVE IT!!!!

I am a lifelong Mount Clemens resident, and it angers me greatly that the creative hard work of young children is being scrutinized!  How would the commissioner feel if his son or daughter created a piece of public art only to have it criticized by a local politician in the media?  Shame on you!  The hydrants look great and add a sense of culture, community and creativity to our streets.  It is quite apparent that the public doesn't NOT share the same view as the commissioner.  It is sad that after all of the positive media attention that our city received from hosting the Stars & Stripes Festival last week, it is now being negated by the actions and words of some of our city government.  There are much greater issues facing our city!  I urge Mount Clemens residents to stand up and speak out!  There are three city commission seats up for vote in the fall election...  Luckily for Mount Clemens residents, I believe that commissioner Harrington will not be running for re-election.

In Barcelona ,Spain the graffitti is prized as pubic art and laws FORBID the removal of what is considered a public treasure, both past and present.  Granted, the artists who painted this Spanish art are highly accomplished artisans.  But consider that much of this art freely represents political dissent, satire and public commentary.  Some of this art would NOT be considred 'pretty' or decorative to most, but stands as a monument to freedom of expression.  In the current age of downtown redevelopment, we've lost something: the voice of the people. 

The origianl trappers alley in Greektown was first replaced by a monstrosity of  a multilevel mall, which was subsequently gutted to make way for high priced hotels, overpriced restaurants and a  vegas style casino.  For years before all this development, the alley  housed local artisans selling thier wares.  I remember tons of people milling about on Saturday nights  Now it's a playground for the affluent, while  the voice of the local artist  is  utterly  lost  to  powerful developers who will use marketing data and high priced designers to create a Disney-like theme atmosphere all too prevalent in our current culture

Granted, economic realities certainly have a huge role in Downtown developments.  Attracting a larger influx of visitors is crucial.  But, one of those attractions can be a 'hipness' that draws people without making them feel the only thing to see is that what you have to pay exorbitant fees for.  I personally have no further interest in going to Greektown anymore.  It's a big joke.  The open air feeling is gone, the parking and restaurant prices are through the roof, and there is nothing there for me and a lot of people I talk to.

Getting children involved in a city decorating project makes me feel like there is some hope for a mentality that says 'we're all involved', not just our wallets.  The Anton Art Center is a modern, European style exhibit space which houses the work of artists around the globe, from national icons to local high school kids.  It is a breath of fresh air from the typical 'gift shop' all too typical in our current culture.  Art challenges.   It  is designed to.  If a splash of color that speaks of innocent, youthful exuberance is considered a bad thing, consider first the alternative we're so often presented with. 

Some of these kids could one day be city planners, designers, etc.  If introducing kids to the process
results in some less than 'perfect' painted fire hydarnts, than so be it.  To paint over them would be highly demoralizing to these kids, their parents, the artistic community of Mt. Clemens as a whole, and myself.

Sincerely,
Rod Chism