I love art and I enjoy the sometimes ridiculous object-buildings which have become the norm for art museums in recent years. That said, I was relieved and pleased to read that the Fishers have decided to abandon plans to locate their museum at the Presidio. Although their statement says that they might consider other Presidio locations, I am hoping they've learned their lesson and will not try to blight the Main Post once again.
There is something obnoxious and outrageous to me about the way in which the Fisher's insinuated themselves and their view of what a public place should be without regard to what park users, preservationists or virtually anyone else want (save, of course, Don's fellow Trustee's). No doubt, trade offs will be made in order to add amenities to and preserve historic character of the Presidio. Will the Presidio reorganize to be a more private agency than the Trust? The Presidio will change, but I don't like the idea of private individuals dictating the use of this resource in this manner. This is some sort of alternative universe version of urban renewal where rich and obnoxious people rule... oh wait, that might have been our version of urban renewal...
Apparently Don Fisher demanded more space than the current SFMOMA for the collection, so negotiations to donate his collection to MOMA broke down. There is an interesting and odd tension here. A person with a noted art collection wants to share it with the public, even offering to build the museum. At the same time, this person is unwilling to work with people who want to help the art be exhibited and enjoyed by the public. It would be nice to see the Fisher's use the public relations issues and community tension the resulted from the Presidio plan as an opportunity to recreate the concept of the museum. Why not engage in a public process of planning, siting and programming the space? The building has the opportunity to serve the community in a new and fully integrated way which the Fisher's do not recognize. And, I don't mean a community meeting room located next to the security desk that is rented out at a discounted rate to non-profits. Why not challenge the conventional museum experience? There is a chance to reconfigure the function of this museum and integrate it in the fabric of the city in a completely new way. Why not work with the residents of San Francisco to make this museum a showcase for art and community? If the Fisher's want to give the public a gift of art, why not work with that public?
And, one final question: why can't the Presidio keep the bowling alley?
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