But is it good?

weird signage for littleton village, coloradoArt is very subjective. One person’s favorite is another’s hated reject.

But when art meets commerce – what used to be called, “commercial art,” there is another standard. It must communicate.

The artists behind the signage of the new Littleton Village, a residential and commercial development near my home, crossed the edge a little too far:

1. At each edge of the main corner’s signage area, there are two obelisks that look like something from a science fiction movie.

2. During the day, shadows hinder readability of the development’s name.

signage for littleton village, colorado

3. What’s with those white vertical stripes? Before the development name went up, I thought they were giant adhesive strips to adhere the development’s name. No. They are not lighted, either. And then there are a bunch of holes that look like ventilation for an underground chamber.

Whaaaat??

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2 Replies to “But is it good?”

  1. I totally agree with you. I’m all for blurring the lines between fine and commercial art, but there is a point where the line ceases to exist and the commercial art no longer communicates – at least to the general public. The problem is, where is that point?

    As you say in your first paragraph, art – any kind of art – communicates different things to different people. Perhaps the builders of this development are actually going for the science fiction look. Possibly they don’t care if the name is legible as long as the obelisks make a statement.

    Or perhaps the decision to use these pieces was made by someone who thought to him/herself, “Well, I don’t get it, but maybe the younger generation that we’re trying to attract will.” And, of course, it’s always possible that the artist had a very clear concept and was able to communicate it well enough for the client to buy it. Or horrors – maybe the client had the idea and no one could talk him/her out of it!

    1. Thanks for your comments, Deb.

      You are right – it’s hard to find the line where fine art & commercial art is. Sometimes the best has both worlds covered.

      I would love to quiz the creator of this particular art to discuss their thinking. Or better, I’d like to discuss the thought processes involved with those who paid for the art.

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