Laguna Approves Junk Sculpture
A pile of junk was accepted as a work of art Tuesday when the Laguna Beach City Council voted to allow an artist to install two old house trailers and 30 discarded water heaters.
The junk sculpture will be erected in the Cliff Drive back yard of Arnold and Marie Forde. Although the home sits on a seaside cliff, the sculpture will not be visible from the ocean.
However, Betty Ann and David DeLo objected to the proposed sculpture, calling it “garish” and claiming it created “disharmony with its environs.”
DeLo also told the council the sculpture would block his ocean view.
But the artist, Nancy Rubins of the Los Angeles area, urged the council to “protect the freedom of artistic expression.”
Mayor Neil G. Fitzpatrick was the only one of four council members to vote against the sculpture.
“I recognize the fact this is a very minor view blockage,” the mayor said. “But in this case, I think that it’s not really a necessity for the property owner.”
The city’s design review board had recommended approval on the condition that landscaping be installed to offset complaints from the neighbors.
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