San Franciscans Not Too Open To Public Art

"'I have always thought that it was an unusual irony,' said Jill Manton, who has been the city's public art director for the past 17 years. 'For such a progressive city, we are so conservative about our public art.'"

"In the past 10 years, the list of projects that have been turned down by amateur art critics runs from the top of City Hall to the foot (literally) of Market Street. They even turned down a peace symbol for the Panhandle of Golden Gate Park, for God's sake."

"The big bronze spider is in no danger of being removed, of course. The creation of Louise Bourgeois, the work is technically only supposed to be displayed for eight months, although Mayor Gavin Newsom said, with a wink at the dedication last week: 'Sometimes we forget to take them away, and nobody calls to complain.'"

"But besides avoiding the hassles of public hearings that are needed for a permanent sculpture, the spider has other advantages. It is by a world-renowned artist, it is an acclaimed work, and it is actually very cool. The way the immense insect balances on pinpoint feet (do spiders have tiptoes?) makes the structure look light and alive."