THOUSAND OAKS : Sculpture Choices for Center Displayed

Thousand Oaks officials have placed small-scale models of 14 proposed sculptures on display at City Hall, hoping to avert controversy that has befallen the city previously over publicly financed art.

Carol Williams, who manages the city’s art program, said the display is intended to help the city select a “proper” piece of art for the front entrance of the Goebel Senior Adult Center on Janss Road.

Four years ago, the city set aside $40,000 to pay for a sculpture at the Goebel center, under a resolution that requires 1% of public building construction dollars to be allocated for art.

But two years ago, a controversial sculpture was rejected by the City Council after it drew a storm of criticism from city residents, Williams said.

Most of those residents said the sculpture was too abstract, she said.

“There was mixed reaction, most of it negative,” she said. “It was felt that (the artist) did not have a sense of what the community wanted.”

The 20-foot-tall sculpture, titled “Spiral Paths,” was constructed of steel.

Councilman Alex Fiore said it “looked to me like an Erector Set.”

This time the City Council appointed a 12-member committee, made up of citizens, artists and two council members, to help in the selection.

Committee members are expected to narrow down the list to five sculptures, which will be reviewed by the Thousand Oaks Arts Commission.

The commission will select three sculptures to be presented to the council.

The only restrictions on the artwork are that it be vandal-proof, reflect different generations and represent recognizable forms.

The models on display at City Hall represent the work of eight sculptors, six from California as well as one from Colorado and one from New Mexico.

Only one of the artists is from Ventura County.

Their works were chosen from 64 submissions and will be displayed until the end of September in the lobby of City Hall at 2150 W. Hillcrest Drive.

Most artists have selected bronze for their sculptures, and their models depict human subjects of different ages who are reading, playing or dancing.

A ballot box has been placed next to the sculptures to allow people to vote for their favorite work of art.