Rumsfeld’s visit prompts demonstration for peace

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

{Fairbanks, AK) Donald Rumsfeld’s presence at the dedication of the new World War II monument Sunday drew more than 100 peace demonstrators, who held homemade anti-war signs and booed the defense secretary.

No one was arrested, but a few demonstrators squabbled with law enforcement officers who told them where to walk or stand. Some people were searched for weapons, including one man who said he was told he was frisked because he looked standoffish.

- snip -

The World War II Alaska-Siberia Lend-Lease Memorial honors a program in which Americans supplied thousands of aircraft to the Russian front during World War II. The federally-funded bronze and granite statue cost $600,000.

more

SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS?!!! Who did the statue, Halliburton?

[evlbstrd]

1. Not to get nit-picky,

but $600,000 isn't out of line for a major public installation. Bronze and granite on a large scale ain't cheap. Assuming the entire amount went just to the artist, said artist would pay for materials and all other labor related to creation of the sculpture. Then, there's the value of the artist's time, effort and creativity. I think $600,00 sounds a little chintzy.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

2. I'm a total dolt as far as public art is concerned

Thanks for the information about what it costs to create and install a commerative monument. Clearly, there was a lot more to creating the monument than I had expected.

[evlbstrd]

3. Hey, no worries.

I'm glad I got you thinking about it. People have way too many misconceptions about what a career in the fine arts really means for the artist.