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Art work on Main Street building upsets some
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| The Summit Street side of the Philmont Beautification Inc.’s building at 113 Main St. in Philmont was decorated with a variety of slogans, suggestions and opinions relating to climate changes this weekend by a variety of children, artists and residents. A number of Philmont residents have taken a dim view of what is being called a two-week art installation. (Robert Ragaini/Hudson-Catskill Newspapers) |
Village to consult building inspector on the issue
By Francesca Olsen
A community art installation on Main Street in Philmont has created some strong reactions among community members.
The side of a former barbershop on the corner of Main and Summit streets is emblazoned with information, including removable pamphlets, about climate change. Some of the slogans suggest ways to use less power, like “wear wooly sweaters”, and a phrase at the bottom declares, “climate action starts with local action.”
The multicolored wall was decorated by about 60 community members as part of 350 Climate Day, a day of activism sponsored by 350.org, a grassroots global campaign against climate change.
Similar installations went up around the world, and are featured on the 350.org Web site. Philmont Beautification Inc, sponsored the local installation.
A press release from Philmont Beautification states that village trustees Doug Cropper and Robin Andrews were at the initial creation of the installation, as well as Philmont Mayor Clarence “Skip” Speed.
Philmont Beautification co-founder and Executive Director Sally Baker said the installation was not permanent -- it would be up in Philmont for about two weeks.
But residents seem to think it’s a permanent part of the village landscape, and have voiced their concern to the Register-Star, as well as Village Hall.
“We’ve gotten a lot of people coming in this morning and giving their opinion on it. And it has not been very favorable,” said a representative from Village Hall, who said the village would be consulting with their building inspector, Stanley Koloski, Tuesday morning on the matter.
Koloski, contacted Monday by the Register-Star, said he wasn’t able to fully comment, since the installation was only described to him via phone. The building, Koloski said, is a non-residential structure, which means a sign permit is needed if a sign is hung; Koloski said that Philmont Beautification, did not have a permit.
“It’ll be up there for two weeks. It’s an installation,” said Baker. “I think if they went and took a flier from the wall they would understand what it was ... I think they’re probably not engaged in it, and therefore they probably don’t understand it.”
The Philmont installation is part of 5,700 other installations, done at the same time. The number 350 represents scientific research that 350 parts per million (ppm) is the most carbon dioxide that can exist safely in the earth’s atmosphere. The current concentration of carbon dioxide, according to 350.org, is 390 ppm.
Brian Wheeler, a Philmont resident, wasn’t happy when he saw the installation Monday morning.
“It looks horrible ... if somebody else did that to another building, they’d be calling it graffiti,” he said. “I think it’s a disgrace ... it’s pretty sad that it’s supposed to be the Philmont Beautification committee, and this is what we get on their own building of their office.”
“I urge the people who don’t understand it to go onto 350.org,” Baker said. “They can see our project, up with projects done all over the world. It might help them understand what it is.”
As to the complaints: “We don’t mind,” she said. “All actions are controversial ... and hopefully they engage a debate. That means it’s working.”
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
The side of a former barbershop on the corner of Main and Summit streets is emblazoned with information, including removable pamphlets, about climate change. Some of the slogans suggest ways to use less power, like “wear wooly sweaters”, and a phrase at the bottom declares, “climate action starts with local action.”
The multicolored wall was decorated by about 60 community members as part of 350 Climate Day, a day of activism sponsored by 350.org, a grassroots global campaign against climate change.
Similar installations went up around the world, and are featured on the 350.org Web site. Philmont Beautification Inc, sponsored the local installation.
A press release from Philmont Beautification states that village trustees Doug Cropper and Robin Andrews were at the initial creation of the installation, as well as Philmont Mayor Clarence “Skip” Speed.
Philmont Beautification co-founder and Executive Director Sally Baker said the installation was not permanent -- it would be up in Philmont for about two weeks.
But residents seem to think it’s a permanent part of the village landscape, and have voiced their concern to the Register-Star, as well as Village Hall.
“We’ve gotten a lot of people coming in this morning and giving their opinion on it. And it has not been very favorable,” said a representative from Village Hall, who said the village would be consulting with their building inspector, Stanley Koloski, Tuesday morning on the matter.
Koloski, contacted Monday by the Register-Star, said he wasn’t able to fully comment, since the installation was only described to him via phone. The building, Koloski said, is a non-residential structure, which means a sign permit is needed if a sign is hung; Koloski said that Philmont Beautification, did not have a permit.
“It’ll be up there for two weeks. It’s an installation,” said Baker. “I think if they went and took a flier from the wall they would understand what it was ... I think they’re probably not engaged in it, and therefore they probably don’t understand it.”
The Philmont installation is part of 5,700 other installations, done at the same time. The number 350 represents scientific research that 350 parts per million (ppm) is the most carbon dioxide that can exist safely in the earth’s atmosphere. The current concentration of carbon dioxide, according to 350.org, is 390 ppm.
Brian Wheeler, a Philmont resident, wasn’t happy when he saw the installation Monday morning.
“It looks horrible ... if somebody else did that to another building, they’d be calling it graffiti,” he said. “I think it’s a disgrace ... it’s pretty sad that it’s supposed to be the Philmont Beautification committee, and this is what we get on their own building of their office.”
“I urge the people who don’t understand it to go onto 350.org,” Baker said. “They can see our project, up with projects done all over the world. It might help them understand what it is.”
As to the complaints: “We don’t mind,” she said. “All actions are controversial ... and hopefully they engage a debate. That means it’s working.”
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of registerstar.com.
HollyRock wrote on Oct 27, 2009 4:58 PM:
" The people complaining are the ones that don't want to admit that we are going to face a crisis. They obviously are not reading the words. People need to keep in mind that some children helped with this project and we can't all be perfect artists. "
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swingbatter2 wrote on Oct 27, 2009 9:55 AM: