Subscriber Comments for
Fundraising campaign aims to restore Herbert Bayer's deterio...

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 283907P	2012-05-30 08:58 PM
Bulldoze the ugly, waterfront out-of-place monstrosity.
COMMENT 283910P	2012-05-30 10:19 PM
What a total waste of money!
COMMENT 283916	2012-05-31 07:04 AM
Bulldoze!
COMMENT 283927	2012-05-31 07:28 AM
Yes, change the keyword "restore" to "demolish" and I will happily contribute.
FLICKA	2012-05-31 07:37 AM
Thank heavens we're not the only ones!! Like the edhat comments, right on. My husband and I thought it was ugly 20 years ago and we haven't changed our minds.
COMMENT 283935	2012-05-31 07:41 AM
Knock it over and you'll have some ocean front stadium seating. Where is the "artist" on all of this? Didn't he plan for this? I vote to release us of this "art" ashes to ashes, dust to dust! I didn't know this was a gay thing?
COMMENT 283937P	2012-05-31 07:47 AM
How could the City of SB Geniuses' think it would not need any maintenance DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA (like paint) we should take it from their retirement for another decision not done correctly from whoever made that decision --be responsible for your actions (O I forgot if your a City employee there is a clause excusing you from any responsibility
COMMENT 283946	2012-05-31 08:10 AM
Love the gate. Can't wait for this project
COMMENT 283947	2012-05-31 08:11 AM
I kinda like it to be honest. Sure it's wierd, out of place, possibly even ugly, but it gives this town something to laugh about. I don't think we should spend a bunch of money fixing it every few years though and instead it would be cool if local artists got a chance to paint it in their style every few months to spice it up...just a thought....
COMMENT 283948	2012-05-31 08:13 AM
Why such a big deal and $$$$$$ for "restoration" A couple dozen volunteers; a power washer and a bunch of people with power buffers could make that thing look 200% better than it does now. Everyone wants to make everything a big deal. Sure; it wouldn't be perfect but the way it looks now it's an embarrassment. There are a couple of test patches that have been buffed; they look great.
S.B.RON	2012-05-31 08:30 AM
Agree with bulldoze and bury that ugly thing....doesn't fit in at all with the waterfront.
COMMENT 283907P	2012-05-31 08:35 AM
948 - Regardless of what's done to this coastal, waterfront piece of "art," it will NEVER fit in with the rest of the architecture & natural beach environment. Period. What the heck were the City brass thinking when they allowed this out-of-place "object d'art" to be erected? Somebody must have contributed handsomely to a campaign or two or three. Bulldoze it the only remedy for this "piece."
COMMENT 283966	2012-05-31 08:42 AM
I think many of you codgers have identified WHY it needs to remain. Art isn't supposed to "fit in" with a theme or be a natural element (not that it can't be those things) but it's supposed to be evocative, which the gate clearly is. And, to those that think it's a "gay thing" that's just bizarre. With that theory, only Mexicans should participate in Fiesta? OK, grumpy old folks, back to your red-tile roofed Santa Barbara bubble...
COMMENT 283973	2012-05-31 08:52 AM
It's not at the beach. It's on a triangular piece of land next to a very busy roadway. I think it's glorious, even covered with moss and faded. I can't wait to see it repainted and polished.
COMMENT 283927	2012-05-31 09:17 AM
So I guess we now have the answer to the question "How much DOES it cost to polish a turd?"
COMMENT 283907P	2012-05-31 09:23 AM
Hello, Rainbow Coalition! Where are you peeps? This thing is begging your involvement. Hello? Anybody home? Guess not. Ok then, bring in the Marborg roll-off boxes & start the dozers.
COMMENT 283994	2012-05-31 09:28 AM
This is certainly not Picasso, but the banter here reminds me of the fuss in to 60's when the baboon was set up in front of Chicago's City Hall. I am sure that some want to scrap it today.
COMMENT 283997	2012-05-31 09:33 AM
We've always called it the Standard Brands Paint sign 'cuz it looked very similar to that store's sculpture in Sacramento (although not as artistic). Never thought much more of the Chromatic Gate until we went to Istanbul, mentioned we were from SB, and a young native said how much she loved it when she visited - and wished her country had more freedom in art. Different perspective now.
COMMENT 284000	2012-05-31 09:40 AM
Why can't a drunk driver crash into this thing?
COMMENT 283927	2012-05-31 10:04 AM
Once the prop 8 appeals are extinguished and gays are again allowed to marry in CA, the city ought to rent the area around the gate for weddings. Advertise it nationally as the premiere destination for gay weddings. Make some dough.
COMMENT 284011	2012-05-31 10:09 AM
Wow ... I'm unable to decide if I'm surprised or not surprised by the negative comments of the Chromatic Gate. The "Gate" represents so many things, least of all the appreciation of difference (color) brought together (vertical/horizontal beams) to harmonize as one.. not unlike some edhat posts. It is refreshing those who are able to contribute to the restoration process are doing so. It's nice to see colorful art in our town that doesn't thrust itself into a Spanish Revival context. Though on the other hand, that's what I love about this town. Vive la difference ! ...
COMMENT 284013	2012-05-31 10:15 AM
I simply can't believe the amount of animosity here towards a piece of art. Aren't there better things to be angry about?
COMMENT 284020	2012-05-31 10:26 AM
From the comments, it appears that most EdHatters hate this thing, but coming from someone who moved away from SB several years ago....and still misses the place, it's nice to see one of SB's iconic images (love it or hate it) being repaired. Every time I see a pic of the Gate, it makes me reminisce and think back to my many happy days there.
COMMENT 284021	2012-05-31 10:29 AM
Being built in 1991 (right after the 80's), I can see why it was appealing. Not my favorite part of SB, but I could care less. Money is coming from fundraising, so doesn't bother me.
COMMENT 283907P	2012-05-31 10:37 AM
No anger, SY. Just the fact the gate doesn't fit in now that it's 2012. No more Peter Max, Yellow Submarine, Andy Warhol, Mod Squad, etc. It's a new century - clean, simple, back to natural living in harmony with the surroundings & artwork that fits the locale. No anger
SBROCKS	2012-05-31 10:42 AM
Herbert Bayer has done so much for SB's art. I did not understand the arch until I did my research. Knowing his contributions to our town I support the restoration project. If you see it has just a piece of art look deeper into the artist behind the work. Ignorance is bliss.
COMMENT 283907P	2012-05-31 10:43 AM
Not a bad idea, 927. The Gate could be the gay wedding location of choice here on the west coast, maybe even the nation. We have the beautiful beaches, first class hotels along the water front & restaurants everywhere. Fess Parker's & The Four Seasons could be the honeymoon hotels of choice too for the gay community. Many hotels do not want that distinction, so this is a natural fit. This would add HUGE dollars to the S.B. economy.
COMMENT 284033P	2012-05-31 10:44 AM
I agree, SY, amazing! Art never "fits the locale", whatever that is, but is a statement of the artist that at its best makes the viewer think. ...Some of the thoughts above that are provoked by Mr. Bayer's work are a bit staggering.
COMMENT 284042	2012-05-31 11:02 AM
I'm just glad they decided not to leave the dinosaur poop-art permanently on State St. And you thought the Chromatic Gate/Arch/Rectangle/Whatever was a steamy pile!!
COMMENT 284089P	2012-05-31 01:23 PM
020 if you consider this one of SBs iconic images you must be about 20. The Mission and Courthouse are iconic. That gate is a hideous example of art gone wrong...
COMMENT 284120	2012-05-31 02:40 PM
Actually, the Mission and Courthouse are examples of great architecture. The gate is art by a great artist. All are iconic according to the first definition that pops up on Google. i·con·ic adjective 1. of, pertaining to, or characteristic of an icon. 2. Art . (of statues, portraits, etc.) executed according to a convention or tradition.
COMMENT 284121	2012-05-31 02:46 PM
I like 947's idea! Give it over to local artists on a yearly basis and see what they come up with.
COMMENT 284155	2012-05-31 04:24 PM
Best of all worlds in Santa Barbara: private gifts for public art. Thank you donors, it will look lovely and loved when this project is completed. And "we" did it!
AQUAHOLIC	2012-05-31 05:09 PM
Interesting thread of thoughts, opinions and ideas...one of the things I really love about Edhat. Is the Chromatic Gate still art in it's present state of deterioration? Would it still be loved/admired if it became a rusting hulk of metal?
SPARKEY	2012-05-31 07:25 PM
I was young when it was put up and hated it then. I still feel that way. In my opinion it is a gross misuse of money. I could see a statue of one of our local heroes or one of the founders of our city, but not this. Recycle the scrap into something more useful.
COMMENT 284288P	2012-06-01 07:53 AM
I've always loved the colorful statement it makes. Even faded, it looks cheerful. A friend from NYC (who tends to wear all black) once asked me (at a funeral!) what was up with the walls of the Santa Inez Mission, which are covered in paintings. "It looks like someone threw up all over the walls." I thought the walls were beautiful, and gave you something to look at during long services. Different strokes for different folks.
COMMENT 284463	2012-06-01 02:20 PM
The Gate helped me make it through tough outrigger practices. After timed oil rig trips (Rig-Runs), the vibrant gate signalled that I would soon be at the wharf, then on land.

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