| Provocation goes beyond the park and into city offices
With another five days to go before its scheduled dismantling, the golden chain-link fence that is serving as the controversial opening phase of a two-month-long art exhibit in Mount Vernon Place survived the weekend - remaining up, open and a source of disagreement.
The fence originally blocked all access to the historic park and was to remain in place until Saturday. Late last week, amid heavy criticism from residents, the Maryland Institute College of Art student who created the fence removed a section from each of the park's four quadrants, allowing public access.
Despite the compromise, public comments continued to be directed at the artist and the fence through the weekend - including plastic bags full of dog droppings hung on its posts and a printed and laminated sign reading: "Warning, Keep Out! Rich Kid Art."
Other signs suggested boycotting the Walters Art Museum, which is assisting MICA with the project and holding a companion exhibit.
Access to park no longer on the fence
With help from the city Department of Recreation and Parks, the art student whose golden fence sealed off Mount Vernon Place from the public reopened all four sections of the park yesterday after reinforcing the structure.
High winds forced Maryland Institute College of Art student Lee B. Freeman to cancel plans to open the park Thursday, when parts of the chain-link fence -- weakened by the removal of one section in each of the park's squares -- blew down, chipping off two pieces of a marble baluster.
Freeman's decision to reopen the park, strongly recommended to him by MICA faculty, was made in light of heavy public opposition. The fence was originally to remain in place until March 29.
MICA officials called the damage caused by the falling fence minor and said the school would be responsible for replacing or repairing the baluster, in the stairwell at the northern end of the park's southern quadrant.
This & That
Juliet Hinely, daughter of Patrick and Mary "Beedle" Hinely of Lexington, is quoted in an article that appeared March 16 in the Baltimore Sun. The article discusses the reemergence of interest in sewing and looks at the latest trends, including the interests of students at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where Hinely is a senior fibers major. In the article, Hinely is quoted saying that she likes "clothing that 'looks like your hands made it.'" Hinely, who, the article notes, learned to sew from her mother, "recycles and customizes garments, � 'collaging' her wardrobe." This is part of the March 26, 2008 online edition of The News-Gazette.Have an opinion on this matter? We'd like to hear from you. Click here. .
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