They’re taking Marilyn down today! And while some will miss her, I must say that I am happy to see her go. I am talking about J. Seward Johnson’s 26 foot tall statue of Marilyn Monroe that was installed on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile last summer. Art or kitsch was the popular debate. She was wildly popular as a photo op with tourists due to her size and location. I went beyond the love/hate issue with this piece of public, art and posed the question “is bigger always better when it comes to art?” in a blog post that I wrote for FUSEDChicago.org in September of 2011. Below is that post.


Is Bigger Always Better… When it Comes to Art?


This summer’s installation of “Forever Marilyn”, Seward Johnson’s large scale public sculpture of Marilyn Monroe on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, has served to renew the debate about whether large scale public art always qualifies as “art”. So, when considering art, does size matter? This discussion has led me to ask the same question of all art regardless of it being public or private.

Large scale art can allow for interaction and stimulate interest. It often is something that you notice, whether or not you want to. Does that make it intrusive? When we walk into a gallery and are greeted by a large-scale painting is its imposing size that beckons us?
I believe smaller pieces are more intimate to make and to view. Small pieces of art invite the viewer to come closer, to experience the art close-up. Yet time and time again I hear the question “don’t you work larger?’ in response to my Windows Series which, framed are 6.75”x6.75”. On numerous occasions, I have been advised by art consultants to “work bigger” because that is what their clients want.
Of course moving the discussion in this direction opens another can of worms; do we allow our creative process to be dictated to us by the client?? But regardless, it is an issue many artists face.
http://www.fusedchicago.org/general/is-bigger-always-better-when-it-comes-to-art/