What Is It About Art?

SAN FRANCISCO, January 9, 2017 – The City announces the installation of six large-scale illuminated bamboo lanterns, titled Sui Sui Ping An – Peace All Year Round , by Hong Kong artist Freeman Lau. Organized by the San Francisco Arts Commission in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation & Park Department and the Asian Art Museum and sponsored by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, San Francisco, the installation commemorates the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and is scheduled to coincide with the Lunar New Year. Sui Sui Ping An – Peace All Year Round , by Hong Kong artist Freeman Lau SOURCE: http://www.sfartscommission.org/pubartcollection/pubart-press-releases/2017/01/09/large-scale-sculptures-will-light-up-civic-center-plaza/

For several years and in all the years I've live in San Francisco, this particular art installation or showcase was the charm and highlights to being a resident of the City in seeing unique art period. A recent article in the San Francisco Chronicle shared a sad episode in art work being put to rest. For whatever reason or cause. Sign of the times, transitional period. It doesn't seem to make sense when something staple or memorable leaves its mark and not be notice one bit. The article goes on to say, "public artwork are being evicted from the vacant building, which will be torn down for new housing." Really? Or is there a hidden agenda to do away with something possibly irrelevent today? Let's think twice before we really do away with art. This install probably took years to create and later become a point of reference visually. It was always eye catching when you see it at the  intersection whether your driving, biking or simply stumbling upon this city s...