It's bright, it's colorful, and we've heard rumors (unsubstantiated) that it even lights up at night. But what exactly is it and why is it there? The new yellow and green lamp post in front of the Villa Marina building at 43rd and E. Madison seems to be a bit of a mystery.
The building's owners were not forthcoming when we quizzed them; so unfortunately all we can report, in case you've missed it, is the installation of an entirely new piece of art at a very prominent location in the neighborhood.
Judge for yourselves.
I would imagine they are being coy about who is responsible because there has already been a complaint from McGilvra's about it being "obnoxious, bright and ugly"...
ReplyDelete"Bright and ugly" - as opposed to the neon signs in the windows at McGilvras?
Delete"Obnoxious" - as opposed to the liberally served patrons who stumble out at closing time?
When minutiae crap like this is the word on the street, you know you live/work in a joke of a neighborhood
ReplyDeleteGive me a break, there is nothing wrong with the art work and it is a welcome addition to the deteriorating business district in Madison Park! The owner of the property even had the sidewalks fixed and he should thanked, not criticized!
ReplyDeleteIf you don't like what they did, then take yoru complaints to the Business Group or Community Council. I really hope other business owners start to improve their properties in Madison Park, while there still is a chance to fix what is there.
pretty funny..
ReplyDeleteMcGilvra's has really bad food and is now the new home of the drunk hair stylist ( as other bars have seen their customers spooked by her presence).
Don't let the bar with the piles of cigarette butts in the buckets over-ride the well educated and thoughtful customers who visit our neighborhoods. In the same way, don't let the vacant building up the street to take away from the enthusiasm of young couples like the new owners of Bings.
By the way, what ever happened to the owner of McGilvras? Shouldn't Peter be caring for his restaurant like Mark at the Attic does every day?
The word I hear is that the sculpture was fully paid for by a private citizen who did not ask for public funds and had it installed as a personal tribute to our beloved Martha Harris upon her passing.
If we all critique those that want to make our neighborhood better do we end up having them fade away. Remember how bad the Villa marina looked before he took over? Compare that to the buildings of Hugh Ainslie that are really creepy.
I am absolutely disgusted by your post. First, Her name is Vera and I have known her for over 20 years. Alcoholism does not discriminate, Yes your lovely Madison Park has a few local people with serious problems. Do you have a soul?
Delete"Shouldn't Peter...Like Mark..." Appears to me that Peter might be a better business man. Does Howard sweep the sidewalks up at Starbucks, or does he pull up in his fancy car?
Who are you to criticize how someone else runs their business? Who are you to trash Vera? What is your agenda?
And you post Anonymously?
Piss Off!
I agree with John, and to the idiot who says Peter doesnt care for his restaurant clearly has some issues with themself. Peter has 3 bars and 6 kids to feed i'm sorry he can't be there 24/7 to take care of Mcgilvras . You obviously have horrible taste in food if you think their food is bad, its just bar food what do you expect? Also, as for Vera, At least she is true to herself and never pretends to be anything else, and doesnt hide behind a blog
DeleteI'm sorry, John, but is it really necessary to name names of folks with problems? How is it useful to anybody to have whatever privacy that exists stripped away online?
DeleteI think John was trying to give a name and face to a viscous and unprovoked dig at a fellow human being. It is so much easier to make nasty snide comments when there is no real person involved - just a caricature. I applaud John - he is correct in saying that addiction does not discriminate, neither does mental illness nor misfortune and bad luck. Keep your head in the sand and maybe none will come your way.
DeleteWow!
ReplyDeleteGREAT points!
The above comments makes one wonder who gave McGilvras the permission to paint their building in a bright red color. BTW, the red doesn't make up for the UGLY cigarette buckets at their entry or is this their form of artwork?
ReplyDeleteI for one believe the new artwork is a most welcome addition to the business district!!!
I love the artwork. And so do most of the people I have talked too. Its so amasing how the villa marina apartments have been transformed from a old apartment building into such a beautiful well maintained building I love all the upgrades. The french doors are so nice. The paint color is great. Thank you so much for making our neighberhood better.
Delete"When minutiae crap like this is the word on the street, you know you live/work in a joke of a neighborhood."
ReplyDelete----Anonymous
I sort of think that the author meant this in a different way at the time, and it sort of made me mad. However, at this point, it turns out that they were exactly right, but in a different way and I am happy they pointed it out.
Isn't life funny that way?
This is a positive addition to the neighborhood!!!!!!!!!! Whoever spends their time being critical should help in beautifying the neighborhood by removing graffiti!
DeleteWow!This is the first time I have ever been to The Madison Park Blog, and I am completely disgusted! Who cares if some person at McGilvra's has an opinion about the new addition! I believe everyone has a right to that, isn't that what art is about? To stir up emotion? To move, or not move, people artistically? At least they didn't advertise it on some lame website and personally attack a troubled woman or a local business owner. Did that person who said that the art was "obnoxious", etc. make any hateful comments on the person who chose to put it up? I didn't hear anything like that, nor do I see that anything like that on this blog. Just a simple expression of their dislike, verbally, not via the world wibe web. But for you to all actually say such horrific things about specific people, is completely different than one person's opinion about a plastic tree. All of you who have such anger inside of you should seek some help. You should be embarrassed for your lack of respect for human beings feelings and their welfare. It's a damn tree! Way to keep it classy Madison Park..
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's been said by multiple people that they do not find the tree attractive, not just one person. Maybe you should trash talk everyone else in the Park.. not just single certain individuals out...
ReplyDeleteIf the tree is on private property, which appears to be, and is not derelict or obscene in appearance then any one else's opinion on it is moot. Obviously, whomever erected it did so because they liked it. If it is indeed a testament to Martha Harris, it captures her whimsical and sunny nature perfectly!
DeleteThe contents of this comment thread can be distilled down to a single old adage: "everyone can have an opinion, but not everyone gets a vote". I use it on my mother-in-law all the time! If you don't like the light post/tree, don't look at it. If you don't like the food at a certain restaurant, don't patronize it. 20 years ago Madison Park was a true village with diversity (socio-economic, racial and ethnic) and had a whole host of characters that no-one seemed hell bend on running out of the neighborhood. It seems it's slide into the land of the Stepford-wives has taken that character away. We got fed up and moved. Now I read this blog for the sheer entertainment value of the comments! Much like watching the meerkats at the Zoo!
ReplyDelete