A Brooklyn, New York artist who has sparked outrage for killing a dog for a film, recently received two other commissions from San Francisco, California in addition to the $750,000 Central Subway contract he was awarded in June. But all his projects are about to be put on hold.
In 2010, Tom Otterness won a $700,000 art contract for his proposed Mother with Children sculpture, planned for prominent placement in the rebuilt San Francisco General Hospital when it opens in 2015. Hospital visitors would be greeted by a large bronze sculpture that “celebrates the joy of a new baby and the role that hospitals play in providing health services in the community,” according to an Arts Commission description.
The City has paid the artist $365,750 so far, according to Kate Patterson, spokeswoman for the Arts Commission, which approves artist selections for public works projects.
In June, the commission awarded Otterness a $750,000 contract to place 59 bronze sculptures in the Moscone station of the proposed Central Subway.
Otterness is a world-renowned sculptor famous for his often-whimsical, cartoon-like sculptures of people and animals. But his past haunts him.
In 1977, at the age of 25, he purchased a shelter dog, tied it to a fence and shot it on film, calling it art. He has repeatedly apologized for the act, most recently on Friday when he called it “indefensible.”
“I have spent the 34 years since then living with my mistake, and trying to bring joy into the world through my public art,” he said.
The Arts Commission was unaware of the dog shooting until a Friday article in The San Francisco Examiner, according to Patterson.
Mayor Ed Lee reacted by calling for a freeze on The City’s contracts with Otterness.
“At the direction of the mayor and [commission president PJ Johnston], we have halted all work on Mr. Otterness’ projects pending further review,” Patterson said. Contract changes are up to the commission.
“We’re going to take a look at all our options,” Johnston said. The commission usually judges “the nature of the art,” but in this case it’s “taking a look at the nature of the artist and that raises complex questions,” he said.
stupid bastart iwanne tie him up and shoot him its art aint it?
Let him donate the money to an Animal Shelter and do community service cleaning dog poop and cat litter boxes.
This man is not the person he was when he made a very stupid mistake. It was 1977 for God’s sake. I hope none of you ever did anything in your past that can come back and bite you in the butt. I have 3 puppy mill Mlatese in my home that I am socializing right now plus my own two dogs and 3 cats, all rescues. I also have 2 birds that were rescues so don’t get on me for not being an animal lover but give this guy a break. Do you know that the world looked at animal welfare very differently back then. Yes, it was a brutal stupid thing to do and I’d even be willing to bet there were some drugs involved. Don’t know it but I’m old enough to know the culture and it was very ditterent. Being gross was “in” back then. We all grow up. We all change. Give him a break. Even God forgives sins so you better know there is not one thing that karma can find to kick you with. What is to be gained by bringing this up and trying to ruin a talanted guy’s life after 25 years. Buying prison art is currently an in thing now. People buy art from convicts that murdered a human being 25 years ago. Suddenly the life of an animal is more valued than a human life. Let’s get some order going here. Ok, I’m off my soap box. I have to go do some dog transports this week and I need my rest. Remember I told you I’m old?
Well said, Gayla! I agree and couldn’t have said it better.
Very Correct and sensible. He definitely would have changed now. No pointing in punishing anyone after decades for throwing stones at dogs when they were a child.
He should pay for his crime!!! How senseless and cruel???
Thank goodness, someone came to their senses regarding this so-called artist…you do the crime, you do the time…meaning no commission for your ‘art’…you needed to have spent the many years regretting what you did to that adopted dog…who was expecting a loving home, not a shot in the head!