9 Comments so far

1. Tony on September 26, 2006 1:56 pm

   Cool but eventually these people will die of natural causes or otherwise and then their image will be on display floating in the void. For that reason alone I wouldn’t do it along with the fact that the guy isn’t a local.

   Also, I like the new font. Fresh and clean!

2. ChrisM70 on September 26, 2006 4:18 pm

   Does everything have to be local?

   Maybe this city benefits from having art and ideas from places other than Missouri and Kansas…

   With that said, i’m not crazy about this art piece, because what happens with this project in about 10 years? I’ll tell you my vision: The “moon monitors” will age, and the picture quality in a few years will be as good as an old color TV from the 70s. The electronic parts will continuously need repairing, and then one day they won’t work anymore. Then the arena has some giant black panels that don’t do anything, and people from out of town ask, “What are those ugly things?” And Kansas Citians will reply, “Back in aught-seven, when those things worked, it was art.”
   I hope I’m wrong.

   I’m not against digital art, but it’s not very permanent. The art should have been something that could last for years with little maintenance or the fear that changing technology could make it obsolete. Permanence is why people know KC for the Bartle Hall Pylons, the Nelson-Atkins’ Shuttlecocks, and the Plaza fountains.

   Sure, the fountains and sculptures need maintenance, too, but I’m guessing they are much more durable in KC weather than some flat panel monitors will be.

3. Tim on September 27, 2006 7:06 am

   They can always be replaced with something else at some point. At least for now, they sound somewhat unique. I doubt they will be allowed to go dark.

4. ChrisM70 on September 27, 2006 10:10 am

   Don’t get me wrong, I think these things will look pretty neat - but for how long?

   I’m just sceptical that this art project will be durable. And, for as much money as they are spending, it would be nice if the art would last as long as the building. Who knows, maybe they can keep it maintained…

5. BlogKC on September 27, 2006 12:33 pm

   Yes they can be replaced, but who’s going to pay for it five years from now? The initial cost is covered in the arena’s construction budget through the city’s One Percent For Art program, but who will pony up another couple million in the future?

6. bob berdella on September 27, 2006 2:39 pm

   i hope he chooses really fat people. they “orbit” better.

7. mean on September 27, 2006 3:53 pm

   They’re LED screens, folks. These things are extremely durable and won’t just fall apart in a few years. Be as skeptical as you like, but it would be helpful to familiarize yourself with the technology before forming an opinion.

   Which isn’t to say the installation won’t need maintenance–everything needs maintenance sooner or later. But fears about the LEDs spontaneously winking out or the logic boards controlling it catching on fire for no reason are unfounded at best.

8. ChrisM70 on September 27, 2006 5:06 pm

   While I”m familiarizing myself with technology, perhaps you should read the posts again.

   I don’t think anyone said anything about fires for “no reason” or “spontaneous winking”.

   I am talking about LONG TERM. Not 2 years, not 5 years, but 10-20 years down the road. Have LED boards (like the ones being installed) even been around for 20 years? Are there many outdoor boards like this out there? How durable are they?

   I don’t know all the answers, I’m just asking questions. Hopefully, these are questions that the committe who selected this art asked too.

9. Mr. Beer Belly on January 29, 2007 8:37 pm

   That’s an interesting use for a trampoline!