01/20/2020
Update on the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation project.
Some of you are aware of the project I've been involved with for the past four years, creating a sculpture of Theodore Roosevelt for placement in a City park in San Luis Obispo, CA. The committee chose me to create the statue because I was a long-time resident in that area; I have been interested in TR for many years and have proven my ability and professionalism in sculpting figurative art.
In keeping with the history of San Luis Obispo County and embracing the idea of conservation of natural resources. The idea/concept of the proposed installation is to remember the value of wild-lands, the need to preserve them from development for future generations, and to have the inspirational figure of Theodore Roosevelt as the centerpiece. The site providing a quiet place for community contemplation, appreciation for conservation, and importantly, the option for community interaction with the aid of mobile interpretive components relating to the sculpture and site.
TR visited San Luis Obispo, along with many other communities in 1903 on his "Loop Tour". He traveled to the West Coast of California to see it for himself. He talked to and with the people and promoted the concept of conservation of our country's beautiful natural lands. His purpose was to remind people that protecting this land is something the government must do but cannot do alone; the people must advocate for it, protect it, guard it. TR is known as our "Conservation President."
The sculpture shows a loose version of TR, seated on a granite boulder, with other stone blocks nearby providing visitors a place to sit; below grade stepping stones with quotes by TR and local conservation-minded folks. Plans call for mobile interpretive apps so that anyone with a smartphone could look up anything related to any of the issues. Issues could include discussions on the US Government's policies for the treatment of the American indigenous people for the previous 100 years and what was still going on when TR became President as well as discussions of racism of the times that continues through today.
The project has been open for review from anyone during this entire time, in public meetings, and on-line. Initially, the committee that was helping to raise private funds for the project called it the Theodore Roosevelt Monument which in hindsight was a mistake. Now renamed the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Grove, because the site for the proposed sculpture, approved by the SLO Recreation Commission, is in a grove of towering pine trees in Mitchel Park, where TR spoke long ago.
Everything appeared to be moving forward smoothly until January of 2019. The Mayor of San Luis Obispo, Heidi Harmon, posted a question asking "why we need more monuments of white men at this point?". People began posting rather heated opinions, asking why they had not had a say in the sculpture; about why not do a different one of a Woman; or a Native American; or of someone who had a great deal of history in the City or county.
There were also comments from people defending the idea, who understood why TR would be an inspiration, as well as encouraging that others commission artworks commemorating memorable people and moments from the City's history.
The Mayor decided to request a "Monuments Policy", an amendment to the already-in-place Public Arts Policy created during the time I sculpted the "Tuquski' wa Suwa" or "Grizzly bear and Chumash girl/child" installed in San Luis Obispo Mission Plaza in 1988. By doing so she effectively halted the project until the City Council decided on the details of the new policy.
The TR Sculpture Committee requested a few minutes of the Mayor's time to present the project in full so that she could see it that it is much more than a bust of an old deceased white male with no relationship to the city and county. It was surprising for all concerned that the Mayor refused the meeting stating that "basically it wasn't worth her time." she signed her response: "In Truth and Patriotism" forwarding it to several other people as well as to us.
I wrote a letter to Mayor Harmon, respectfully asking her to reconsider, receiving a curt reply stating that I had been condescending towards her.
A friend summed it up this way:
"Y’know what’s condescending? Her response to the committee saying: "There is no configuration of your proposed idea that is worthy of my evaluation. It is wrong on its face and for me to pretend otherwise would be false and a waste of both of our time. I encourage you to not fall into the trap that Ms. Zima has of suggesting that my stand on this is an attempt to be 'cool’." That statement is not only rude but exactly the opposite of what a mayor is supposed to do. I’m surprised. I had thought better of Heidi". Your letter was wonderful: sweet, respectful, well-reasoned, well-researched, educational. I learned several things I hadn’t known - TR’s age (early twenties) when he said the ‘dead Indians’ thing has softened my stance on that issue even more than it already was, given his monumental conservation legacy".
My question (entirely rhetorical) is since when is the conservation of the earth's precious natural resources, community involvement and a quiet place for contemplation not worth someone's time, much less an elected official's time? Now more than ever, it is SO IMPORTANT to offer people in a world moving too fast with much stress and anxiety, space to slow down and reconnect with nature and art. As a city leader, the Mayor ought to be proud to offer her constituents this excellent opportunity, at no cost to her city budget. I'd love to see her sharing in the celebration of art as a form of community bonding and peace, rather than finding only problems and negativity in the project.
The SLO City Council on July 19th, 2019 reached a consensus to have the staff write up a proposal to bar all monuments and all public art representing individuals. Following the Mayor's request to deny recognizable likenesses of any human on any City property. She cited that "we are all flawed"… The only art allowed would be ideas and concepts in visual form.
The vote to adopt this proposal was postponed until the first part of the coming year, 2020. It will be open to public comment at that time... Which is now.
However, most people are not aware that such an important decision is taking place.
The TR project committee received a notice on Thursday, January16th, 2020 that the vote is scheduled for the City Council Meeting the following Tuesday, January 21st at 6pm.
Are you are at all concerned that there will be a ruling to bar any likenesses or references to actual people in art form on city property in the City of San Luis Obispo, CA if this proposal passes?
Whether or not you are for, or against the Theodore Roosevelt project, please attend, ask to see the proposal, and then speak up. This proposal would ban ANY tribute to any inspirational person.
City Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 21, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, 990 Palm Street,
San Luis Obispo, California
Item 15: Amendment to Public Art Policy
and Procedures Manual
Council Members: Carlyn Christianson, Andy Pease, Erica A. Stewart, Vice Mayor Aaron Gomez, and Mayor Heidi Harmon.
Details:
Item 15 will be the last item of the evening:
Below are two reasonably good discussions of what people are thinking about the decision made by the SLO Mayor and the SLO City Council:
The Dave Congalton Show from KVEC San Luis Obispo, a good discussion, especially when people began calling in at the end when Dave asks for calls for action.
https://post.futurimedia.com/kvecam/playlist/2/listen-991.html?cb=1563498640.726437&fbclid=IwAR1hFaIjeJjoMn2P_4uIqUX_CuJ6L5D1npaKeYA3SVtcaiWwPWbdk8Tv-qw
KCPP AirTalk in Pasadena, CA
https://www.scpr.org/programs/airtalk/2019/07/29/64730/san-luis-obispo-no-longer-wants-to-dedicate-monume/
