Taking aim at SA’s public art, Krier says: ‘That ain’t art’

“Liquid Crystal” is a $1 million, 30-foot-tall interactive sculpture by London-based Jason Bruges Studio. Councilman Joe Krier says he remembers thinking, “What in the world is this, and is it going to do something?” after its unveiling last year at the Convention Center. less “Liquid Crystal” is a $1 million, 30-foot-tall interactive sculpture by London-based Jason Bruges Studio. Councilman Joe Krier says he remembers thinking, “What in the world is this, and is it going to do ... more Photo: San Antonio Express-News / File Photo Photo: San Antonio Express-News / File Photo Image 1 of / 84 Caption Close Taking aim at SA’s public art, Krier says: ‘That ain’t art’ 1 / 84 Back to Gallery

A San Antonio councilman on Thursday offered a biting critique of some of the city’s public art, producing a slideshow depicting what he called questionable pieces.

“That ain’t art to me,” said Councilman Joe Krier, pointing to a photo of an abstract sculpture. “And I realize art is subjective.”

Krier suggested that San Antonio ought to do a better job of selecting more aesthetically appealing art created by more local artists. He complained about particular pieces of art, such as “Liquid Crystal,” the $1 million, 30-foot-tall sculpture by London-based Jason Bruges Studio that Krier and others have mocked by calling it a giant “cheese grater.”

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He said he remembered standing near the sculpture during its unveiling at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. When the curtain fell, he recalled thinking, “What in the world is this, and is it going to do something?”

Krier’s attack came as the council was scheduled to vote on a list of 135 artists — including 82 from Texas, of which 59 are from San Antonio — that would be “pre-qualified” to eventually win city commissions. Those artists go through a multiple-step vetting process. In part, the councilman wanted to disrupt the process and force San Antonio to reduce its use of out-of-state and international artists.

By ordinance, San Antonio spends 1 percent of its capital-improvements budget on public art projects. That means, for example, that the city will set aside $8.5 million from the proposed $850 million 2017 bond program, should it be approved, for public-art projects.

His criticism was met with a considerable amount of opposition from his colleagues, who championed the municipal spending on art projects, which in part, come from San Antonio’s major bond programs.

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Councilman Roberto Treviño, an architect, was the first to respond.

“This isn’t about just art. It’s about people,” he said. “And I think we need to be very mindful about how we’re addressing our community and showing support for the arts.”

Riffing on Krier’s use of whether San Antonio would have turned away Michelangelo, had he not been on the city’s pre-approved artists list, Treviño talked about the crafting of “David.”

“You mention Michelangelo ... well, 500 years ago — I think you were there,” Treviño said, lightheartedly jabbing Krier over his seniority. “He got criticized for (creating “David”) because nobody had approached doing sculpture in such a big way.”

jbaugh@express-news.net

Twitter: @jbaugh