RACC Press Releases
January 24, 2007
RACC Supports Artist’s Request to Remove
the Chinese Dragon Sculpture in Old Town/Chinatown
Update: The dragon sculpture in Old Town/Chinatown was taken down by the artist on Saturday, February 10, 2007.
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An artist’s request and a Public Art Advisory Committee recommendation to remove a controversial sculpture in Old Town/Chinatown were accepted today by the Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) Board of Directors.
The sculpture in question is a red granite carving of a Chinese dragon that is contained within one of eight metal “festival lantern” structures. The lanterns are part of a comprehensive streetscape renovation project NW 3rd and 4th Avenues that was led by Portland Development Commission (PDC) and Portland Department of Transportation (PDOT) and was guided by a steering committee of 8 community stakeholders. For the public art selection process, RACC’s public art advisory committee assembled a public art selection panel of 9 citizens, and engaged a community brainstorm group of 12 individuals and 7 cultural organizations throughout the process.
A brief history of the project:
- February, 2004: RACC issues call to artists
- May, 2004: RACC receives 59 applications. RACC’s Public Art Advisory Committee requests detailed proposals from 4 semi-finalists.
- August, 2004: Public meeting to review semi-finalists. Brian Goldbloom of Amboy, Washington is selected for the project.
- October, 2004: Artist meets with 3rd & 4th Avenue Steering Committee to gather feedback.
- February, 2005: The artist presents revised proposals, which are approved by the selection panel.
- March, 2005: Public Open House. Some citizens express concerns about the negative symbolism of having a dragon come from the ground as originally proposed by the artist.
- June, 2005: The artist meets with citizens from various cultural communities for further advice on representing culturally specific symbols correctly.
- August, 2005: The artist presents revised drawings to the community brainstorming group and the public art selection panel. The dragon is now emerging from the top stone. Final drawings are approved.
- October, 2005: Final designs are presented to the 3rd & 4th Avenue Steering Committee.
- March, 2006: Community members visit the artist’s studio to observe the fabrication process.
- September, 2006: First four sculptures are installed.
In October of 2006, some Chinese citizens and business-owners began to express concern that the dragon was depicted in a culturally offensive manner. To further understand the specific concerns of the Chinese community, RACC hosted a public meeting on January 8, 2007, at a location that leaders of the Chinese community agreed would be most appropriate -- the Legin Restaurant in SE Portland. More than 300 citizens attended that meeting. Those who testified expressed the unanimous sentiment that the dragon be removed. Since that meeting, RACC has actively sought feedback from other community members as well, and is monitoring public reaction to this project in the local media.
The Public Art Advisory Committee met on January 23 to discuss the community input that had been received; to collect additional information from members of the original selection panel including Louis Lee of the Old Town/Chinatown Steering Committee and June Schuman of the Nikkei Legacy Center; and to hear the artist’s thoughts on the sculpture, original review process and the current concerns. After much discussion, and with the artist’s urging, the PAAC unanimously approved a motion to remove the sculpture and to actively engage the community in further conversations about other appropriate next steps. That action was accepted unanimously by the full RACC Board at today’s board meeting, January 24, 2007.
RACC has facilitated the installation of public art throughout the metropolitan region for the past 27 years. During this time there has always been a commitment to seek input from the community and encourage artists and community members to enter a dialogue. “Brian Goldbloom worked with several volunteer citizen groups over the past three years to create a collection of public artworks that would reflect the diverse cultures that have historically influenced Old Town/Chinatown,” said Mary Edmeades, Chair of the RACC Board. “The process of creating, installing and managing public art is complex. We understand and support the artist’s decision to remove the dragon and appreciate his interest in continuing to work with the community to complete the project.”
RACC Executive Director Eloise Damrosch explained additional outreach steps the organization will take with the Old Town/Chinatown community. “Four of the eight sculptures in this project have yet to be fabricated or installed. We are expanding the original art selection panel for 3rd and 4th Avenues to include more citizens of Chinese descent, and this panel will work closely with the artist to complete this project with a better understanding of Chinese iconography.”
Through vision, leadership and service the Regional Arts
& Culture Council works to integrate arts and culture in all aspects of
community life.
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Jeff Hawthorne
Director of Community Affairs
503.823.5258
jhawthorne@racc.org
Mary Bauer
Communications Associate
503.823.5426
mbauer@racc.org
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