By its very nature, art is subjective. What might be construed as a masterpiece and a treasure by some is trash and visual blight to others. And the problem with public art, even if it’s on private property, is that it’s in the public viewshed. Those going through the community have to see it — whether they want to or not. Such is the case in La Jolla, where several large-scale works are painted on private buildings. Nonetheless, these pieces, which might dubiously be considered “art,” are within the public purview. But they were placed there largely without the public’s input, consent or, often, even their knowledge. The anchor project is called Murals of La Jolla, whose website says it was “conceived in 2010 as a means to enhance the civic character of the community by commissioning public art projects on private property throughout La Jolla. The site further explains that Murals of La Jolla is a project of the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library initiated by the La Jolla Community Foundation. A case in point is the “Blah, Blah, Blah” piece on Ivanhoe Avenue that reminds us of a bad Seinfeld episode. This is art? Words on a wall? We’ve even heard criticism that this, and works like it, might actually constitute a “sign” under the city’s municipal code since it comprises words — not images. Another example is a “graffiti special” masquerading as something aesthetic on the building next to La Jolla Brewing Company on Fay Avenue. It replaced a previous work, a blown-up photo of a microscopic grain of sand that was, surprisingly, relatively uninteresting. It’s hard to figure if this piece of graffiti was actually painted — or tagged. In any event, it ought to be “painted out.” A better question is: Does this artwork (?) fit “the Jewel”? Does this say “La Jolla”? Then there is the portrait of a palm tree with brains, which can virtually be seen only if you’re a patron at George’s Restaurant on Prospect Street. We’re certain that everyone is appreciative of the fact that, in La Jolla at least, vegetation has brains. In all fairness, there are a couple of examples of art that we (subjectively) happen to like. One is on Eads Avenue, a multi-colored squares wall, which La Jollans actually participated in creating, wherein people were allowed to choose among colors and paint their own square. The other is in an alleyway on the back of a building behind Girard Avenue that was created by an artist on a forklift. The problem with these last two, though we find them relatively pleasing and in character with the community, is that they’re several years old, as well as tired. The squares wall is even so old that a work crew was out there recently touching it up. Though public art is fine in its place, the contention here is that much of the public art in La Jolla is not fine and is out of place in the community. And yet it’s being touted as a public benefit. But who’s really benefiting? Though aesthetic, subjective art, which might be pleasing to some, benefits few. There are real problems in La Jolla — aging infrastructure, traffic jams on Torrey Pines with signals that desperately need syncing, multitudinous examples of potholes and cracked pavement, et cetera — that need to be addressed. There is a persistent foul smell from animal waste driving away customers from Cove restaurants. And yell if you’ve ever had trouble finding a parking spot in the Village. There are real needs, of a much higher priority, that deserve concrete solutions in La Jolla. These problems, if resolved, would truly better the quality of life for everyone in the community. And that list does not include public art. We think time, effort and money is being misspent on public art that benefits few. That money could be put toward more important and purposeful pursuits — treating foul smells at the Cove, paying for traffic lights to by synchronized on Torrey Pines, patching potholes, filling cracks: The list goes on and on. Tell us what you think. Do you agree that it’s time for the public to actually be consulted on what’s being done for their benefit in the Jewel? Better yet, offer suggestions for what projects/tasks you’d like to see accomplished that would actually improve La Jolla. Send views/suggestions to [email protected].