Mayor Taylor and Council Members ... I understand that last night's city council meeting adjourned before you were able to consider options for locating the 'Talking Heads' sculpture. So I am writing now to offer my $.02 ... I have read The Almanac article outlining some of the possible locations under consideration. To my view, there are really only two (maybe three) viable options, in order: 1 - Fremont Park, 2 - somewhere near the corner of ECR and Santa Cruz Avenue (city property, not Menlo Center property), and 3) Burgess Park (city center). Here's why: Burning Man Playa art is, by design and per BM's overarching principles, intended to be interacted with and experienced directly (i.e., there are no 'spectators'). Placing Oleg Lobykin's magnificent and thought provoking piece on the fringes of the city (i.e., Sand Hill Road or Marsh Road) dilutes its purpose and intent. When I was growing up here (and I am a life long resident of 65+ years) we used to describe Menlo Park as "Mellow" Park. Regrettably, to my view, not much has changed. Downtown is stagnant, continuing to experience business flight and lacks any semblance of vitality. Locating "Talking Heads" in the heart of the city may be just we what we need to spark more community energy, interaction, collaborative discussion and participation. Thank you for your time and consideration. With warm regards, Tim Johnston (Lifelong Menlo Resident, Burner, and, ironically I suppose, MP Historical Association Board Member) 650.2234.0689 (m) -- “Read, everyday, something no one else is reading. Think, everyday, something no one else is thinking. Do, everyday something no one else would be silly enough to do. It is bad for the mind to continually be part of unanimity” - Christopher Morley Received on Wed Feb 12 2020 - 13:42:24 PST
