City Council Rejects Artist’s Donation of 30-Foot Sculpture

Saying the community is not ready to play host to avant-garde sculpture, the City Council rejected the donation of a 30-foot, glowing green tower of recycled computer parts but said it will reconsider it at a later date.

In a 4-1 vote, the Thousand Oaks council decided not to accept Encino-based artist Steven Simon’s incandescent sculpture, titled “Components.”

Simon initially wanted the sculpture placed atop the Civic Arts Plaza but then hoped the city would accept his work and place it next to the former City Hall on Hillcrest Drive.

But the National Park Service, which will soon move into the building, issued a letter to the city, saying it did not want the tower placed next to its headquarters.

“I personally have grave reservations about the appropriateness of Mr. Simon’s sculpture adjacent to our offices,” Park Service Supt. Arthur Eck wrote. “It is my request that the National Park Service enjoy the relative peace and quiet that is the reasonable expectation of any tenant.”

“Components” is a towering monolith of old computer parts, crafted by Simon in homage to conservation. Using solar power, the sculpture collects sunlight during the day, which, in turn, makes the sculpture emit a green glow at night.

“I thought it was pretty neat,” said Councilwoman Linda Parks, the sculpture’s sole supporter. “But I understand the council’s position. . . . It’s fairly bold.”