City Arts Commission Opposes Sculpture Plan

A city arts commission has voted not to support a controversial sculpture and fountain proposed for the downtown waterfront that would include a 50-foot-tall Neptune holding the reins to three 50-foot-long Orcas.

The Commission for Arts and Culture has decided it will not endorse the project by artist A. Wasil. The proposal is to go before the Port Commission for a final decision in the spring.

Wasil, who approached the Port Commission with the concept last June, has proposed that the $50-million cost of the sculpture, “Spirit of the Seas,” be covered by corporate funds in exchange for naming rights.

In a vote against the project last week, the city arts commission said “the theme of the proposed artwork has little relevance to San Diego and no historic reference to San Diego.”