boredkid Anonymous

aww, you guys are just upset you did not get that cash... still short for the mill you need before you kill yourself because the artist can raise it before you? Well maybe if your "news" was better you would have it.

1 year, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

twisteddog Anonymous

I'd stand in City Hall, pee in a cup and drink it for 160k a year. But this "waterfall" might not be as bad as it seems.

Cities have a tradition of funding art (such as the airport mural you pointed out). I personally don't see what difference it makes which municipal department the money comes from, though people might feel better if the dollars came from a specifically tagged Dallas "art fund."

In addition to following the tradition of artist grants and residencies, this installation funded by the water department seems to have an educational purpose, as do many city-funded art projects. The .pdf you linked to says:

...the "video fountain" shows a variety of the processes used by Water Utilities to treat water and wastewater in order to produce clean, save drinking water for the City of Dallas.

Maybe that's propaganda and the installation is just a waterfall video loop. But, if it's accurate, showing people what a massive operation it is to treat wastewater might inspire a few to quit throwing coffee grounds, tampons and the like into the sewer system. If even a few people are are inspired to change their ways, then the department would certainly recoup the cost of the exhibit and then some.

As for the actual dollar figure, 160k spread out over three or four years isn't really all that much. Consider that the artist had to be paid for her time and work, the equipment for the filming and displays had to be bought (how big are these screens? commercial video screens cost significantly more than those used in the home) and the installation process probably includes some rewiring and cosmetic construction using city workers.

I hope you guys follow up on the story. I'd like to see if this is a waste of money or not, and hopefully you'll verify that the project shows what it claims to show.

And show us some pretty pictures, too.

1 year, 7 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )

extasy Anonymous

This is an example of city government wasting taxpayer dollars.

160,000 dollars could feed a lot of babies and help seniors pay water bills; young black families face the expensive water utility expense each month.

Instead our city leaders choose to squander our tax dollars on television sets and water monkies.

Why not give black families the money in the form of vouchers to build collectors for rain water to water our yards and flowers- instead of "flushing" our tax money away on these T.V. shows nobody even gets to see!

1 year, 5 months ago ( Link to this comment | Suggest removal )