Now that the Yakima City Council has approved the Bins of Light art project, the hue and cry has begun about wasting money, priorities and so on. Here's my take on public art.

For years, Yakima had very little in the way of public art. The statue of Col. Weisenberger on Naches Avenue was about the only thing we had in the way of any kind of sculpture out in the public for years. But little by little, public art in our downtown has begun to take hold. It hasn't been easy for the proponents.

Part of the problem is that any kind of art is subjective. You "get it" or you don't. And if you don't "get it," it's hard to understand why somebody else does.

I remember talking to a former Yakima mayor about public art. I was told that one councilman at the time was vehemently opposed to any kind public art at the time, because he didn't want to deal with complaint calls from people who didn't "get it."

Let's take a look at the Millennium Plaza. When it was proposed, the biggest complaint about its installation was the loss of four spaces in a city parking lot. Back when that project was being completed, I was doing an afternoon talk show and got into it pretty good with a caller about that artwork. She said she didn't "get it," and thought it was a waste of space and money. I took from that statement that since she didn't "get it," it shouldn't exist. Yet it does exist today, and serves as a public space enjoyed by thousands of people every year.

I know that our community has problems. I know that we have crime, poverty, graffiti and other pressing issues. I believe our leaders are addressing them. Will we ever have a utopia? No, not as long as people are human.

I look forward to the Bins of Light project moving ahead. It will not be the end of the world as we know it, as some infer. I think it will enhance our community. I "get" this one.

I do feel, however, that our valley's native heritage should be addressed more in future public art projects. I think of the iconic statue of Chief Sealth in Seattle. Perhaps Yakima can do something like that to honor a Yakama leader.

I would like to see that.

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