12 July 2011

$4 Million + in art for the Pleasure Dome?

| johnboy
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The Liberals’ Zed Seselja is up in arms over plans to fit out the proposed ACT Government mega building with $4.3 million dollars in public art.

An ACT government consultation report prepared by the Cox Group has recommended that 1% of the total proposed budget for the $432 million government office block be spent on public art.

Thats $4.3 million to simply enhance the character, functionality and amenity of the precinct in which it is located. (ACT Government Consultation Report, Cox Group, May 2009)

This is self indulgence at its highest, Zed said. First we saw the revelations of an $11 million plush new Ministerial wing connected to the Legislative Assembly by a $2 million sky bridge, now there are plans for millions to be spent on art and all at a time when Canberrans are feeling the cost of living strain more than ever before.

Instead of focussing on delivering core services and taking the cost burden off Canberra families, Katy Gallagher and her Government are planning grand office accommodation adorned with millions in public art.

Now remember this whole shebang is projected to cost around $430 million dollars even before the blowouts start.

Compare and contrast to Taipei 101 built for $1.8 billion.

taipeir 101

It’s over half a kilometre high, is built to withstand typhoons and earthquakes, and Richard Hammond has made a documentary about it.

Anyone think we’re going to get a quarter of that?

[Photo Courtesy Wikipedia]

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Thoroughly Smashed9:01 am 13 Jul 11

Mysteryman said :

Thoroughly Smashed said :

at a time when Canberrans are feeling the cost of living strain more than ever before

No matter what the Labor folly du jour, you can set your watch to the Liberals trotting out this line.

That line happens to be a fairly accurate statement.

Oh, also.

Keijidosha said :

troll-sniffer said :

I wonder how many of the Nay brigade here wander into their friends’ homes and spot a bit of art on the walls or a craft item somewhere and tut tut a little at the obvious waste of money on something completely useless.

The difference being that the Gubmint is spending tax payer’s money on highfalutin public art, whereas my friends dole out their own hard earned. I don’t think anyone is questioning its usefulness, but I certainly object to spending hundreds-of-thousands of tay payer’s dollars on single pieces of art.

Precisely.

It’s probably also worth noting that the magnificent modern art collection in New Parliament House has been funded entirely by sales from the gift shop there.

troll-sniffer said :

I wonder how many of the Nay brigade here wander into their friends’ homes and spot a bit of art on the walls or a craft item somewhere and tut tut a little at the obvious waste of money on something completely useless.

The difference being that the Gubmint is spending tax payer’s money on highfalutin public art, whereas my friends dole out their own hard earned. I don’t think anyone is questioning its usefulness, but I certainly object to spending hundreds-of-thousands of tay payer’s dollars on single pieces of art.

Felix the Cat1:18 pm 12 Jul 11

Katy Gallagher was speaking on Mark Parton’s radio program the other morning about this and denied that $4.3M was going to be spent on public art in the new building. She said there would be some art but would not be drawn into revealing a dollar figure.

This report dates back to jon Stanhope, who we all know loved to spend taxpayer’s money on public art, so it’s probably not very relevant now Katy is running the ship.

Thoroughly Smashed12:58 pm 12 Jul 11

Mysteryman said :

Thoroughly Smashed said :

at a time when Canberrans are feeling the cost of living strain more than ever before

No matter what the Labor folly du jour, you can set your watch to the Liberals trotting out this line.

That line happens to be a fairly accurate statement.

That probably depends whether or not cars for every family member and 65″ televisions are included in the cost of living.

troll-sniffer12:16 pm 12 Jul 11

Gee I’m glad I don’t live in a city full of philistines. Awww hang on… now I’m all confused.

I wonder how many of the Nay brigade here wander into their friends’ homes and spot a bit of art on the walls or a craft item somewhere and tut tut a little at the obvious waste of money on something completely useless.

Life’s so easy when you live in an Alan Jones/Pauline Hanson type world, everything is just so black and white. I wished I lived in it, then I too wouldn’t have to spend a little time pondering the deeper issues behind government decisions.

Thoroughly Smashed said :

at a time when Canberrans are feeling the cost of living strain more than ever before

No matter what the Labor folly du jour, you can set your watch to the Liberals trotting out this line.

That line happens to be a fairly accurate statement.

So what will we end up with? 10 owls? A few more copies of dinornis maximus? Some new rubbish?

I’m not suggesting bare walls, but a few prints or getting a loan of some works that aren’t currently on display from a gallery or museum would be cheaper and as interesting.

Thoroughly Smashed11:56 am 12 Jul 11

at a time when Canberrans are feeling the cost of living strain more than ever before

No matter what the Labor folly du jour, you can set your watch to the Liberals trotting out this line.

What a bunch of muppets. I’m sick of this government and their idiotic expenditures.

I reckon well be calling this the “Blunderdome” before it is completed.

Wait until we see the finished price for the pleasure dome!

surely the skybridge would count as public art? It will enhance the character, functionality and amenity of the area?
Maybe we could even tie it in as a new war memorial and make a replica of one of the kokoda bridges… (http://www.kokodawalkway.com.au/stations/wairopi.html) – that’d certainly make it one of the more interesting art installations!

Compare and contrast to Taipei 101 built for $1.8 billion.
It’s not entirely a fair comparison – that was completed 6 years ago, and that number is US$ – at that time our exchange rate was in the toilet. Throw in inflation, and I’d bet the equivalent A$ in 2011 would be pushing $3B.

Funny that consultants recommended a percentage exactly in line with the public art program Stanhope just lamented the passing of. As anyone who’s done consulting knows, the first rule is “find out what they want to be told, then find a way to tell them that.”

Not that I have a particular problem with public art, nor the whole blanket 1% idea, but as arguments go “the consultants told us to” is not a strong one with me.

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