PORTLAND — A piece of public art that prompted an outcry is going to be dismantled.
The City Council voted Monday night against spending $30,000 to $50,000 to move “Tracing the Fore” to a new location. That means the creation of Boston artist Shauna Gillies-Smith will be removed altogether.
The low-slung sculpture features stainless steel waves seeded with tall grass. The grass was supposed to sweep over the waves, representing the Fore River, which flows into Casco Bay. Critics said it was unsightly, especially after weeds sprouted.
Councilor John Anton tells the Portland Press Herald that he doesn’t view the unanimous vote as a repudiation of public art. He says it’s “like with everything — you win some and you lose some.”
Gillies-Smith didn’t immediately return a call.
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