Hartland artist Dan Gottsegen said he simply wants to “throw out” the notion of public art for a common area that will be created with the reconfiguration of the intersection. His presentation to the Selectboard will not include anything specific but rather will be a discussion of the concept to generate interest.
“Most people don’t have any idea what public art is or can be,” Gottsegen said. “There is a wide range of work that is possible. I do public art and that is why I think the area has great potential. I want to talk about public art and see if there is any consideration for it.”
Gottsegen said if the Selectboard is receptive to looking at the possibilities for some type of art, he would be willing to facilitate the process.
“I will talk about the parameters, the process of how public art works and funding,” Gottsegen said.
If there is interest, he thinks the time is now to begin the design phase with the creation of a review committee made up of community members and other “stakeholders.”
The committee would develop ideas, what medium would be appropriate and other aspects including the size and scope of any project. He envisions the committee inviting artists to submit ideas and from that pool, three could be selected to move forward with a more detailed proposal
Gottsegen has done public art, his most recent piece was dedicated in a light rail station in Denver where he worked with an architectural firm to make glass windscreen panels from several paintings he did with outdoor themes of mountains, lakes and wildlife.
An idea for a sculpture, by another artist, on a hillside off Interstate 91 near Exit 9 has been scrapped. The reconstruction of the intersection of Routes 5, 12 and Hartland-Quechee Road will result in a four-way stop and eliminate the confusing traffic pattern where drivers often are not sure who has the right-of-way. The $450,000 project will be put out to bid this winter with construction expected to start in the spring.
