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"Public Art became a part of the urban renewal programs, as it had in centuries past, functioning <br /> as an emblem of culture and manifestation of economic wealth, a sign of the power of its patron" <br /> (Seine and Webster 1992, p. xiv). The first matching grant for an art commission was made in <br /> 1967 to the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Community prestige was a motivating factor in the <br /> selection of famed American sculptor Alexander Calder for the creation of a landmark sculpture <br /> for it public space. J.M. Palmer (2012) describes the tortured journey: <br /> "Grand Rapids was in the midst of an urban renewal plan, and was seeking to <br /> commission an artist to create a piece for an urban plaza. Calder's La Grande Vitesse <br /> was selected by a mayor appointed panel that was also comprised of NEA <br /> representatives. The sculpture was dedicated in 1969 and quickly drew a great deal of ire <br /> as well as praise. Many months of debate ensued, yet after a time the piece became a <br /> beloved city icon." (Palmer 2012, p. 61) <br /> Even though the piece experienced initial public controversy, it ultimately was embraced <br /> by the community, becoming part of the official city letterhead and even was emblazoned on the <br /> city's garbage trucks (Halbreich 1988, p. 9). <br /> / r <br /> r <br /> r, <br /> r <br /> r' <br /> I <br /> r <br /> »,i I <br /> VI II d6 YYYYYIIuuuuuuB pV I.. <br /> IIIIIIIIIII VVV V uu i iii <br /> i' <br /> %Filfiruremry ryqp <br /> vv- JJ!!h'NMI(J ONmmm <br /> �//O/,/ .rDYIWVK(rcfi(man ' <br /> /r! /O�//lldn rivur»tmsxrtr�yIQI <br /> l//„/l/%///9%aJ1''tlpdmrmvnmu <br /> Ilp <br /> u <br /> w :.........r <br /> i <br /> /f%i% naii�///1�( f(/irmttittii, rrrr NI014NIVmIIIIVmHli�h <br /> 49 <br />