I’ll do you one better — I think public art is NECESSARY for the community (not just beneficial), but that wasn’t the issue. My objections were to your method, hazy focus, and questionable academic rigor. Honestly, I think your adviser let you down here. The root concept was good and had potential. The execution was problematic and messy. But, you are not my student, so there you go. I just put out my opinion — and maybe this illustrates the difference between social sciences & art programs.

I’ve been reading a lot of comments saying, “$10,000 would be better off spent _______.” I agree. I am fully aware there are a lot more pressing issues here in Detroit. Regardless if the Kickstarter is successful, if this project was able to inspire people to start their own community-based projects (or participate in existing efforts) then I feel it will still have been a worthwhile project.

That said, I do believe that public art is beneficial to the community.

you can still go and play there like I did this past summer.

I know what you did last summer…

Seriously? People think he should get credit for that?

Quoting per the article:
“I wanted to see if something negative would translate into people doing something positive,” he said Saturday while visiting the field. It’s the project part of his senior thesis

Do we know what field his senior thesis is in? Is he studying behavioral psychology? He’s not doing this for some kicks on a friday night.

That applies to real life more than it does sports. Think about all the break throughs in just about any industry. When an idea starts, it’s almost always weird, and it almost always draws the criticism from the snob establishment. 99 times out of 100 it doesn’t work. BUT, that 1 time it does it changes the world.

As long people, and kids especially, are creative, and allowed to be creative I will not be depressed about education in America.

Now as a focus point for community activism, preservation of a cultural heritage site, and a useful place for sport and recreation, well then this project would have merit. I would be interested to see the student’s thesis topic and research questions. We do not really know enough about the ultimate goal here. Also, I am reminded of some wise words by Nietzsche-

“…when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you.”
Beyond Good and Evil

Many a student began a project intending only to gain the credit and move on but instead found a lifetime of useful work therein. We should give this one some time, I think. It may yet bear some better fruit than a statue.