What Is Art?

Whatever "art" is, I wouldn't call it this:







This sculpture is almost as controversial in Medford as the columns:




This one is called "Salmon Flight," and the fish "fly" in the breeze. At least a Rogue Valley artist came up with this one:

There’s something fishy about the
Medford Arts Commission’s latest installation
of public art.

“Salmon Flight,” a 15-foot kinetic sculpture
featuring three fish spinning with the
breeze, was unveiled in the dancing waters
of the Mayor’s Fountain in downtown Medford
on Jan. 18.

The piece is the handiwork of Richard
Jarel, a Rogue Valley-based artist with an
extensive background as an illustrator and
special effects artist for both film and TV.
Jarel, who pieces have appeared in Jungle
Book II and Star Trek movies, has also designed
toys for Mattel.

The Arts Commission tapped Jarel for
the sculpture project in May 2007.

link

This commenter has it right about the columns:

It looks like an aluminum soda can, mangled by the recycling machine. Well worth the money.

And this:

OMG!!! The thing looks like a Wal-Mart version of Stonehenge!!!! What the heck?????

A month after this piece of crap was unveiled, most of the public still hasn't been won over.