Public art is such a tricky thing. Art is usually commissioned by a committee. This is a very dangerous. Committee Art is the result of everyone feeling the need to give their input putting government entities and institutions to do everything they can not to "offend" people. The result is generally bland, dull and--most often--ugly art. No one is challenged; everyone is bored.
In the case above, it's a bit of the above as well as being flat out cheap. The Robert Graham-designed piece was commissioned by the City of San Jose to show the harmony and diversity of its citizens. Originally, the piece was larger, multi-colored, with wings.
Then the city found out how much it would cost. They asked Graham to go back and make it cheaper. This is the result:
Dull beyond belief. Strange lines from the mold and two shades that make no sense. My favorite time to see this is at night when it is wet just after a bit of rain. The water begins to steam off the ground lights and it looks exactly what it truly is: a steaming pile of shit.
This website is dedicated to finding all those bad sculptures and 'artistic' touches that cities and companies force upon us so we think we are living in a society where we are surrounded by culture. Instead, we are surrounded by idiots and the crappy art they force upon us.
