To the editor:
Re: "Poodle on a pole perplexes Main Street resident," Jan. 9.
It's stated a white poodle sculpture on Main Street and 18th Avenue cost $62,000. Is that the true and entire cost ? Did that include the cost to bring Montreal artist Gisele Amantea to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»and supply her accommodation, meals and local transportation?
Karen Henry, a cultural planner with the city, says the project was sponsored by the Ministry of Transport, the city and Translink, all of which are B.C. departments. So why then would she not seek a B.C. artist? I've known two Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»artists for 40 years and suspect they would have been happy to have been offered the work. Ms. Henry also says that "art is subjective." Of course it is, but that is not the point regarding this sculpture. The point is, once again, an unelected person at city hall decided wrongly how to spend taxpayers money.
Buy local we are constantly told and here is yet another flagrant disregard for that good idea. Why not take the white poodle and stick it on a pole in Yaletown where it will be more at home?
Terry Love, Vancouver
