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City could launch arc makeover schedule

It is time to face the fact that the “Arc of History” needs the occasional makeover – and who better to point the way than the inspired, public-spirited local artists who have twice now taken that banal piece of public sculpture and, for a brief moment, made it a source of humor, camaraderie and public spirit of the best sort?

But as a society dominated by rules and regulations, we need to find a way for Durango Police spokespeople to hit that humorous note along with us, but they can’t because if anyone falls, breaks a leg or does anything near the statue to injure themselves, then that biblical plague of locusts will be small change next to the number of personal injury attorneys descending on City Hall.

For Mayor Marbury and other responsible officials of our fair town who see joy in the occasional arc makeovers, here is an idea: Maybe we give the Arts Commission oversight for managing a makeover schedule keyed to anything on the calendar – Arbor Day, Opening game of the World Series, Take a Child to Work Day ... it doesn’t matter. The calendar is posted online, but for the artist to get the art on the arc, he needs to then sign and return a liability release (concocted by the city attorney), with the understanding that all data submitted will remain confidential.

Sure, I’ll admit that this whole scheme smacks of putting lipstick on a pig, but hey, Durango, let’s pucker up!

Robert Rosenberg

Durango



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