KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — Kalamazoo City Manager Jim Ritsema is recommending that the controversial Fountain of the Pioneers be removed from Bronson Park and stored until a new home for it, or the artistic elements of it, can be found.
He says keeping it would not be consistent with their efforts to end poverty and promote racial healing in the community.
But it’s not his decision to make.
A lot of things would have to happen before that could occur, and it would have a serious ripple effect on the current plans to remodel Bronson Park, significantly altering the plan, requiring the removal of both reflecting pools which dominate the center of the park.
Some Native Americans object to its depiction of their tribesmen, being dominated by a white pioneer, who appears to be holding a club over the head of a plains Indian wearing a full headdress.
Others say it honestly depicts a dark period in American history, and the Ianelli sculpture is a legitimate work of Art. The idea of destroying or removing art that some may find offensive has already drawn criticism from those who believe in freedom of expression.
Both the Kalamazoo Valley Museum and the Art Institute say they don’t have the room to put the sculpture on display.
There are a lot of financial issues that would need to be worked out, and some of the donors to the multi-million dollar plan to revamp Bronson Park may ask to have their money returned.
Because the City only leases the park, the County Board would also have to agree to the idea, and that’s if the City Commission agrees.
It will be on the City Commission’s agenda Monday night.
