Is Octetra the right art for Del Mar?

A proposal to put a modern sculpture by an acclaimed artist outside the Del Mar Civic Center nearly died last week before the public could even weigh in.

"I'd rather just rip the bandaid off now," said deputy mayor Dan Quirk, saying the whole issue was too divisive.

After a heated exchange about everything from how the art would take away public space to how it might block sunset views, the Del Mar City Council voted 3-2 to proceed to a 60-day public comment phase.

In April, as opposition mounted to what would be the city's first permanent outdoor art, the council decided to increase the public comment period from 30 to 60 days; install story poles to clearly show the size of the proposed pieces; and add to a survey a "none of the above" option for those who disliked all the sculptures.

That didn't quiet critics who saw the permanent art, which would be donated to the city, as a liability. It would require maintenance, could be a safety risk to children who climb it, and would reduce public space.

"If you're going to have something permanent, it really needs to be widely vetted, not by a small group of people," said Laura DeMarco, a former member of the San Diego Museum of Art collections committee.

The arts advisory committee, which advises the city on public art projects, was recommending Octetra, a sculpture by the renowned, late artist, Isamu Noguchi. Other options were Play Sculpture by Noguchi, and Celeste by Carol Bove.

While the committee has brought temporary art around town, this would be the first community-owned art the committee has helped install, said artist and committee member Karla Leopold.

"Looking at the surrounding towns, La Jolla, Encinitas, Oceanside, which are all filled with community art," including museums, workshop spaces, and art education, "I hang my head." Art brings people together and draws visitors to town, she added. "Somehow, Del Mar seems to have missed the message."

Leopold reminded the council that they were the ones who created an art committee to advise them on art-related issues. "As a member of that committee, I'm advising you that the art we're presenting to you today will put Del Mar on the art map."

Finding art that would be a fit for the site was a seven-year mission, said Bonnie Grossman, the committee's chair. They finally hired New York art consultant Vivian Brodie, who walked the Civic Center grounds and offered ideas, helping them settle on three world-class sculptures.

Octetra, an eight-foot-high see-through pyramid of bright red structures, was chosen with children in mind, said committee member Julie Maxey-Allison. "It's very interactive."

Concerns that children might fall would be addressed by a risk analysis of the chosen piece, a city report said. The committee fielded questions about the sculpture's color - "Not ferrari red" - as well as its material and transparency.

Del Mar's piece would be fiberglass - manufactured by the Isamu Noguchi Foundation, Grossman said. Earlier versions of Octetra were made of concrete and other materials in other locations. There are about 12 total around the world.

"Sailboats are made out of fiberglass, and they're in the water all the time," she replied to concerns that the work might not withstand the local climate.

Harder to answer were claims that the sculpture is just wrong for the town. "Futuristic modern design does not feel right at all for Del Mar," read one comment.

Councilmember Dwight Worden, who supported the work, said the city has heard from nearly as many who are fiercely opposed as those in favor. "If we're looking for noncontroversial art, we're dreaming."