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Public Art: What Do You Think?
Monday, March 03, 2008 12:21 AM  

Station art from Red LineArt that exists in public space has a design challenge. Not only must it survive the elements of weather - and in Houston that means, long, humid summers and an annual hurricane season - it must also be integrated into a community so that it mirrors both the neighborhood's culture and the environment.

To that end, METRO Solutions is inviting your comments regarding its public art program in the corridors where we're building light rail.

The artists selected for this program have already refined their original proposals based on community reaction during last year's exhibits - and now you're invited to view the new renderings and meet the artists.

"Public art will provide transit passengers and neighborhoods with a rich variety of artwork. The public art will be appropriately tailored to the character of each neighborhood," said Mike Martinez, manager of Stakeholder Affairs at METRO. "We want to make sure the community has input in what they want to see around these light-rail station stops because they live there, many of them work there, their children go to school there. We want the community to like the artwork that reflects its neighborhood."

Artist renderings will be on exhibit in each of the corridor offices through March 18. Public art from Red Line stationThe photos on this post are some of the existing public art you'll see along our Red Line.

We'll also host an open house at each corridor office with refreshments and a chance to chat with the artists. The event is free and open to the public.  Here's the schedule:

East End Corridor Office

March 10, 6 to 8 p.m.

6215 Harrisburg Blvd.

713/343-4360

 

North Corridor Office

March 11, 6 to 8 p.m.

2613 Fulton St.

713/343-4354

 

Southeast Corridor Office

March 12, 6 to 8 pm.

Palm Center

5330 Griggs Rd.

713/343-4350

 

Uptown Corridor

March 13, 4 to 6 p.m.

Hilton Houston Post Oak

2001 Post Oak Blvd. 

713/739-4059

 

 

Posted by Mary Sit
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    • Comments

    Dominc Mazoch said:

    I can see the general station design fit the area in the sense of color and general materials.

    That is, Preston satation fits the clors of an older section of Downtown, while Relient Park's colors reflect the two stadia nearby.

    But, in reality, I think people don't really care about the fine art detail.  Partly, it is the Houston culture, or maybe, lack thereof.  But the present platforms are so narrow, and partons need to move on, that art on the platforms are a waste.  

    And in one case, dangerous.  At the TMC TC Station, there is a timeline concerning the history of medicine.  This timeline is in the brick along the white warning strip.  What is wrong with this picture?

    The Kuykendahl P&R platform is attractive, moves a lot of people, but has no "art".  Maybe an example for the LRT.

    # March 3, 2008 6:49 PM

    Elizabeth said:

    Regular riders won't pay much attention, but visitors will.  I see them looking at those zoo pictures at the Memorial-Hermann/Houston Zoo platform all the time.

    # March 4, 2008 3:25 PM

    Cedric Collins said:

    Elizabeth said:  "Regular riders won't pay much attention, but visitors will.  I see them looking at those zoo pictures at the Memorial-Hermann/Houston Zoo platform all the time."

    DANG!  You're right about that because regular riders like me would want to just get on, get off, and move on---even though there is a time to gaze at what you see at the individual stations.

    # March 4, 2008 4:05 PM

    Olivia said:

    I haven't lived in Houston for a few years and so never used the Light Rail.  I am now in London and as someone reliant on public transportation, I can honestly say that a beautiful station or bus stop does a lot to lift my mood.  Ugly or dirty stops make me depressed and add stress to my commute.  It's an overall effect - we may not stand and gaze, but we notice subconsciously - and that makes all the difference.

    Please don't stop the public art installations.  When I come back to Houston I hope to see it all.

    # March 9, 2008 10:06 AM

    Olivia said:

    I take that back, there are no cleean or beautiful stations in London, though some contain creative tile work, and one has started a program of mural exhibitions.

    You should feel lucky that the Light Rail stops are simple, modern, and above ground.  I hope that in future it continues to expand across the city.

    # March 9, 2008 10:10 AM

    Dominc Mazoch said:

    Olivia:

    At least here you don't have to, "mond the gap" as on the London Tubes/Underground.

    # March 13, 2008 7:03 PM
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