If there's one thing I can't stand now about California Avenue -- and I used to love California Avenue -- it's that weird "sculpture" of the giant head with legs.

Calling it a sculpture is giving it far more dignity than it deserves. The thing is bizarre, meaningless and unpleasant. It intrudes, bringing its message of absurdity and just plain wackiness to what used to be an easy going street. Garbage. If it were legal to do so, I'd be first in line to volunteer to haul it off to the junkyard, which is where it belongs. I'd be embarassed if I lived or worked on that street.

In seeing that ridiculous looking car sculpture in Friday's Palo Alto Weekly, I suspected that I would finally learn who made that object on California Avenue, and I was right. God!

I'm not an artist and I know it. The woman who made these objects outght to take up another profession.

The Weekly had a story about the art on Friday, July 7. You can read the story here: Web Link

People previously on the Arts Commission should not be paid for their art by the same Art Commission simply because it leads to a sense of improper behavior. Furthermore, when most people's reactions to the two pieces are so negative, it makes everybody wonder. As the article said, nobody wanted to pay $40K for it. Why should the city of Palo Alto pay for it at its discounted $18K price?

Given that it is now owned by the City, I suggest that it be sold on Ebay and that the funds be used for other art projects. I wonder how high the bid for this thing would go!

Two art work pieces by the same ex-Arts Commissioner artist is also extreme. I suggest that in the future the so called Arts Commission do a competition, not to scale models can be exhibited in some in-doors or out-doors public space and after discarding the most heavily opposed and most agreed upon hideous pieces they choose among the remaining ones.

I hope not to ever have to see more City funds go to this artist.

I could not believe my eyes, I cried with joy, what an astonishingly marvelous gift from heaven, I no longer can see any other art work without it being diminished by this spirit awakening, earth shatering life transcending experience. I can now die in piece, I have seen it all.... NOT !!!

Only self-annointed artists and Art Con Missioners. That is what I really see. I suggest the artist take its rock bottom $18,000 worth of art sell it for $40,000 and pocket the difference and spare us the sight. Given that it was so, so, SOOOO CHEAP, he should not have any trouble finding lots of willing buyers!

You should put a big basin next to it so people can barf!!!!

I think "Rrrun" is beautiful, whimsical and a very intersting piece of art. If you had read the article in the Weekly, you would realize that is it neither meaningless nor garbage, as "A wise man" (ha!) from Menlo Park claims it to be. Besides, if you had even an ounce of creativity or innovation in you, you'd be able to see that it is not meaningless garbage on your own. But since you seem to be severely lacking in both, you and those like you will never be able to appreciate a sculpture like "Rrrun" because the only art you will ever appreciate is that which can be immediately comprehended in comparison. How sad.

I find myself wondering who is making these expensive decisions about the local art and often wish that there was a way for the public to vote on a particular piece of work that we are going to be subjected to in our daily commutes before it is paid for and installed. But this is the first time that an example of 'art' has moved me to comment. This sculpture is NOT art. I think it is hideous, ugly. I would not miss it if it was removed.

I haven't seen the Rrrun sculpture. I do like the rag doll on California Street. But, I dislike the sculpture on Page Mill & El Camino Real at the new soccer field. (They took it down for a while, and I was relieved at the time -- erroneously thinking that it was being removed permanently.)

Backfence Web Link has a picture of it on their home page right now.

Ther's also a couple more in their Photo Gallery.
Web Link

Okay, I just checked the Rrrun picture at the weblink that John posted. For what it's worth, I think it's fine.

...In general, I think we could use more sculpture, not less around here. (Personally, I wish we had more whimsically sculpted water fountains in our parks, as well.)