"Many have called the hulking Brutalist fountain at Embarcardero Plaza "maligned" and even "ugly," but artist Armand Vaillancourt's sculptural work still has many ardent fans who will not be pleased by the lastest move by SF Rec & Parks to remove it in short order. It's been two months since San Francisco's Recreation and Parks Department submitted its formal request to have the Vaillancourt Fountain removed, seeking the SF Arts Commission's approval for deaccession of the artwork for various reasons, including public safety."
"Since then, a battle has been brewing between preservationists, art historians, skateboarders, and 96-year-old Vaillancourt himself, on one side, and city officials and fountain detractors on the other side, a battle which threatens to slow or even derail the city's plans for a grand renovation of the two plazas. Now, as the Chronicle reports, Rec & Parks is seeking to fast-track the removal of the fountain by proposing to pay for its disassemblage and storage, until such time as a final decision about its fate."
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department has formally requested deaccession of Armand Vaillancourt's 710-ton Brutalist fountain at Embarcadero Plaza, citing public safety, structural integrity issues, disrepair, and prohibitive restoration costs. City redesign plans for Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park exclude the fountain. Preservationists, art historians, skateboarders, and the artist oppose removal, while city officials and detractors support it. Rec & Parks proposes to fast-track temporary disassembly and storage, estimating $4.4 million to dismantle and store the fountain within months. The SF Arts Commission will decide whether to approve the disassembly and storage proposal.
#vaillancourt-fountain #public-art-deaccession #san-francisco-rec--parks #preservation-vs-development
Read at sfist.com
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