Not the Right ‘Component’

Of all the buildings in all the towns in all the world, an artist looking for a permanent home for his abstract sculpture has chosen . . . the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza!

Oh, woe.

If ever a building deserved to have a serious case of sculpture phobia, this is the one. Its downsized, immobilized and probably-not-such-a-great-idea-to-begin-with Copper Curtain continues to baffle all who behold it.

Now comes sculptor Steven Simon, creator of a green, glowing, 30-foot tower of recycled computer parts, lighted from within by solar energy. He calls it “Component” and thinks a dandy spot for it would be on top of the plaza.

Jane Brooks, chairwoman of the city’s Arts Commission, diplomatically described the piece as “interesting” and “very avant-garde” and possibly a nice addition to a library or park in the city. At a public hearing Thursday night, the Arts Commission voted unanimously to accept the sculpture but left unresolved the matter of location.

Sculptor Simon says that, aside from drawing attention to the building, the glowing tower would give onlookers a glimpse of an environmentally responsible city of the future, a city powered by alternative fuel.

“It’s something I believe very strongly in.”

In form and function, the Civic Arts Plaza is an overall success. It hosts bravura performances of tragedy, comedy, pathos and farce (and that’s just the City Council meetings). Community groups and touring stars alike make use of its fine theatrical facilities. City government hums within its office spaces.

We continue to like the proposal of the previous Arts Commission, to hold a contest for Thousand Oaks residents to suggest what ought to replace the Copper Curtain--and how to pay for it.

But great green gobs of gaily glowing circuit boards?

Not here. Please.