Comments on: Spirit of the Seas - Hot or Not? http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/ San Diego News, Chargers, Local News, Etc Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:21:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Peter http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-56 Peter Mon, 25 Aug 2003 17:53:16 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-56 comment -- this thing kicks ass! comment — this thing kicks ass!

]]> By: Peter http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-55 Peter Mon, 25 Aug 2003 17:26:20 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-55 I think the "Spirit of the Seas" is nice but I don't think it should be the symbol of San Diego. This artwork would have been perfect for the 2004 olympics in Athens. Here in San Diego I would support it if it was at Sea World, Mission Bay, or any other place where it wouldn't be considered the image of San Diego. At the San Diego Bay, I would rather see a monument in honor of our military. It could be something that our military personnel could look at proudly on their way in and out of the Bay. I think the “Spirit of the Seas” is nice but I don’t think it should be the symbol of San Diego. This artwork would have been perfect for the 2004 olympics in Athens. Here in San Diego I would support it if it was at Sea World, Mission Bay, or any other place where it wouldn’t be considered the image of San Diego. At the San Diego Bay, I would rather see a monument in honor of our military. It could be something that our military personnel could look at proudly on their way in and out of the Bay.

]]> By: Kynn Bartlett http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-50 Kynn Bartlett Thu, 07 Aug 2003 17:53:48 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-50 PS: Anyone who thinks orca don't have anything to do with San Diego obviously is not recalling Sea World's most famous attraction. PS: Anyone who thinks orca don’t have anything to do with San Diego obviously is not recalling Sea World’s most famous attraction.

]]> By: Kynn Bartlett http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-49 Kynn Bartlett Thu, 07 Aug 2003 17:41:10 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-49 I don't see a problem with it, but then, I don't see a problem with public funding of art, either. (Even though that's not the issue here.) The fears of a "pagan" look and a "dead religion" strike me as rather misguided. The classical myths are part of Western society's cultural heritage. Isn't it far less offensive to have an image that only exists in an iconic sense (rather than as a literal deity) than it would be to, say, have a huge image of Jesus or Moses? In Western culture, Poseidon or Neptune is taken as a symbol, not as a religious figure. On the other hand, when I first saw the small picture here, I thought it was a proposal for a Rose Parade float. I can't see it as being "the symbol of San Diego" as, say, the arch is for St. Louis. But as a work of art in and of itself, I think it's fine. --Kynn I don’t see a problem with it, but then, I don’t see a problem with public funding of art, either. (Even though that’s not the issue here.)

The fears of a “pagan” look and a “dead religion” strike me as rather misguided. The classical myths are part of Western society’s cultural heritage. Isn’t it far less offensive to have an image that only exists in an iconic sense (rather than as a literal deity) than it would be to, say, have a huge image of Jesus or Moses? In Western culture, Poseidon or Neptune is taken as a symbol, not as a religious figure.

On the other hand, when I first saw the small picture here, I thought it was a proposal for a Rose Parade float. I can’t see it as being “the symbol of San Diego” as, say, the arch is for St. Louis. But as a work of art in and of itself, I think it’s fine.

–Kynn

]]> By: joe http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-47 joe Tue, 05 Aug 2003 06:23:56 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-47 Hi Linda: <br /> <a href="http://www.npca.org/marine_and_coastal/marine_wildlife/orca.asp">This</a> says that "killer whales" are the largest members of the dolphin family. So either use is probably correct. I think "killer whale" or "orca" would be more accurate than either "dolphin" or "whale" in this case. Hi Linda:
This says that “killer whales” are the largest members of the dolphin family. So either use is probably correct. I think “killer whale” or “orca” would be more accurate than either “dolphin” or “whale” in this case.

]]> By: Eric http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-46 Eric Tue, 05 Aug 2003 01:26:24 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-46 My letter to the port authority: This letter is in regards to the proposed public art display known as "Spirit of the Seas". It amazes me that anyone in San Diego would think that this is an appropriate work of art for public consumption. To my eyes, which are in their late-twenties and will have to endure this monument for many more decades to come (with any luck), it is the most outlandish, tacky work that has ever been conceived. It is reminiscent of works by Christian Lassen--works that may be beautiful to some, but are considered by many to be the modern-day version of "dogs playing poker" paintings, or black velvet Elvis portraits. Please leave the Siegfried and Roy theatrics in Las Vegas. San Diego does not need or prefer them. My letter to the port authority:

This letter is in regards to the proposed public art display known as “Spirit of the Seas”.

It amazes me that anyone in San Diego would think that this is an appropriate work of art for public consumption. To my eyes, which are in their late-twenties and will have to endure this monument for many more decades to come (with any luck), it is the most outlandish, tacky work that has ever been conceived.

It is reminiscent of works by Christian Lassen–works that may be beautiful to some, but are considered by many to be the modern-day version of “dogs playing poker” paintings, or black velvet Elvis portraits.

Please leave the Siegfried and Roy theatrics in Las Vegas. San Diego does not need or prefer them.

]]> By: Linda http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-45 Linda Mon, 04 Aug 2003 15:10:46 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-45 I'm confused...people writing in are defending the dolphins and the official description says they are whales. Let's clear that up. OK I’m confused…people writing in are defending the dolphins and the official description says they are whales. Let’s clear that up. OK

]]> By: David Snow http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-43 David Snow Wed, 30 Jul 2003 18:33:53 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-43 Ugh. I should have left 'Auto-BR' checked. My original comment had formatting. :\ Ugh. I should have left ‘Auto-BR’ checked. My original comment had formatting. :\

]]> By: David Snow http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-42 David Snow Wed, 30 Jul 2003 18:31:39 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-42 Here's what I sent to the city: I'm sorry, I don't like it at all. Why have a angry weapon-weilding god from a dead religion enslaving beautiful, free-spirited dolphins? Is this sculpture meant to be covert political commentary on mankind's relationship to the sea? It sure looks like it to me. At the very least it's vaguely threatening. Get rid of Neptune, get rid of the bridles, get rid of the huge barbed trident towering over passers-by. Keep the dolphins! Everybody loves dolphins. They're beautiful, friendly, intelligent creatures with a sense of humor that seem to really enjoy life. Has anyone on the Board of Port Commissions boated in San Diego? Dolphins pace alongside, showing off with leaps, bow-riding and jumps. It's an amazing experience. Most people will never see such dolphin antics first-hand... but it happens here all the time. I think dolphins at play are a fitting symbol for San Diego, and a fine association for an international visitor to make with our city. Here’s what I sent to the city:

I’m sorry, I don’t like it at all.

Why have a angry weapon-weilding god from a dead religion enslaving beautiful, free-spirited dolphins? Is this sculpture meant to be covert political commentary on mankind’s relationship to the sea? It sure looks like it to me. At the very least it’s vaguely threatening.

Get rid of Neptune, get rid of the bridles, get rid of the huge barbed trident towering over passers-by. Keep the dolphins! Everybody loves dolphins. They’re beautiful, friendly, intelligent creatures with a sense of humor that seem to really enjoy life.

Has anyone on the Board of Port Commissions boated in San Diego? Dolphins pace alongside, showing off with leaps, bow-riding and jumps. It’s an amazing experience. Most people will never see such dolphin antics first-hand… but it happens here all the time. I think dolphins at play are a fitting symbol for San Diego, and a fine association for an international visitor to make with our city.

]]> By: adam http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-40 adam Wed, 30 Jul 2003 04:11:30 +0000 http://sandiegoblog.com/archives/2003/07/29/spirit-of-the-seas-hot-or-not/#comment-40 No public funding? Naming rights for sale? Then I say go for it. <br /> <br /> I will be first in line to see the "Petco Spirit of the Seas"... No public funding? Naming rights for sale? Then I say go for it.

I will be first in line to see the “Petco Spirit of the Seas”…

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