Changhua City Government should demolish what local residents call the “most hideous public artwork in history” — a malfunctioning lamp in the shape of a lotus blossom — that has been on a traffic island for years, a city councilor said.
Changhua City Councilor Yeh Mang-chia (葉孟家) made the remarks at a session of the Chang-hua City Council on Tuesday during which some of the public art installations in the city were discussed, including the lotus flower.
Located at the intersection of Heping Road and Jhonghua Road, once a triangle channelization island, or a so-called “Triangle Park,” the lotus-shaped art installation is part of a landscape improvement project carried out years ago.
Photo: Tang Shih-ming, Taipei Times
Aside from the lotus-shaped lamp, the city government also installed a large round fountain, together with music and a lighting display. However, shortly after the opening of the art installation, some of the features broke down, triggering widespread public criticism.
Some ridiculed the installation, saying it resembled a longevity peach, a Chinese steamed bun shaped like a peach, a honeycomb or a soccer ball. Others lashed out at its design, saying it was “so horrible that it could become a classic.”
Yeh said that prior to the completion of the installation, about 80 percent of local residents were in favor of the plan, while they are now all against it on account of its “awful appearance” and he urged the city government to listen to public opinion and immediately tear down the installation.
In response, Changhua Mayor Chiu Chien-fu (邱建富) said the city government would make a decision on whether to demolish the art installation after factoring in opinions from all sectors of society.
Translated by Stacy Hsu, staff writer
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