HUMANLIKE SCULPTURES HAVE PEOPLE TALKING IN CARLSBAD

CARLSBAD —  One person called up City Hall frightened about the “two women in the grass” outside the library.

A library worker thought “more appropriate settings” might be found for the life-size clay sculptures of two clothed females.

A woman failed to recognize a semi-abstract steel sculpture as artwork. She thought “it was there for temporary storage.”

Many others called Carlsbad’s temporary outdoor exhibit of 11 sculptures “a really great idea,” said Connie Beardsley, city arts manager.

“Most everything I’ve heard is positive,” Beardsley said. “And I think everybody likes the idea of having a temporary exhibition. The artists are very excited. It gives them an opportunity to have their works displayed.

The city’s seven-member arts commission conceived the exhibit as a way to show Carlsbad residents the kind of public art being produced in the area.

“It’s an attempt to create some familiarity in the population with outdoor sculpture,” said David Lewinson, who produced and curated the exhibit.

A key reason for the exhibit is to show a range of art from traditional to new and experimental, city officials say. In 1986, the commission first recommended that the City Council purchase an artwork. But the concrete and steel sculpture designed for the new police station by Julian artist James Hubbell was too abstract for the City Council, which did not approve it.

The City Council will vote again in November on permanent works by Hubbell and artist Andrea Blum that are included as part of a downtown beautification project.

After selecting the artists and artworks for the temporary exhibit, Lewinson placed the works at four public locations: outside the library, in front of City Hall and at Holiday and Stagecoach parks.

What is the public really saying about the art?

When Sherry Freisinger goes to work at City Hall she sees DeMoss’ “In Flight” every day. The bronze figure of a small boy falling through the air is on the City Hall’s front lawn.

“I liked it” from the beginning, she said. “It was very simple, very free.”

A co-worker agreed. “I like this one. It’s pleasing. I think art should be pleasing to the eye.”

The life-size red-brown clay “portraits” that Evelyn Largent and Mary Lou Tursick sculpted of each other recline on the grass outside the library. Nearby stands David Beck-Brown’s “Transition,” a rectangular steel sculpture that suggests a door or some kind of portal.

Among those browsing at the library was Yvonne Shu, an 18-year-old student.

“I thought they were realistic,” Shu said of Tursick’s and Largent’s figures. When asked about Beck-Brown’s “Transition,” she said, “I thought it was there for temporary storage.”

One man, when asked what he thought about the temporary exhibition, harrumphed: “I don’t think it does any harm.”

Aaron and Evan Leftwick, ages 5 and 2, respectively, climbed over the two female figures. Their mother, Cindy Leftwick, said that Beck-Brown’s sculpture “looks like a frame that needs something in it. It looks unfinished.

“It doesn’t do anything for me, but I’m not into abstract art.”

Lewinson, who is the art critic for San Diego magazine and has produced similar temporary exhibits, said that in public art “familiarity breeds consent.” The temporary exhibit, aimed at breeding more familiarity with art, encourages residents to give at least some opinions.

The head of the library’s audio-visual services, Bill Richmond, called Largent’s and Tursick’s sculptures “interesting. They’re sort of subtle. They require a second glance. They catch you off guard, these two statues dozing on the grass. It’s the surprise of discovery, I guess.”

Another library worker said it was “incredible how realistic looking the sculptures are.” But the abstract piece just outside proved more difficult. “I don’t really have an opinion on that.”

Carlsbad artist Kenneth Capps has two pieces among the 11 exhibited. Other sculptors are Christopher Lee, Ron Tatro, Rod Baer, Ron Jermyn and Michael Johnson.

Christine Oatman is creating a group work with students from La Costa Heights Elementary School that will be displayed at Stagecoach Park Nov. 21 and 22.

The public art exhibition ends Nov. 29.