QUEENS COUNCILMAN PROPOSES PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR CITY ART PLANS

In Queens, a councilman intends to submit a bill to the City Council this week that would let the public weigh in on public art commissions, according to the New York Times’ Kirk Semple. Jimmy Van Bramer says he envisioned an open, town-hall-style meeting allowing people to discuss the art commissioned as part of the 1982 Percent for Art law, which stipulates that 1 percent of the budget for city construction projects must be devoted to artwork.

Van Bramer’s proposed bill follows the controversy that arose in response to the recent commissioning of a sculpture in Long Island City. The piece—a bright-pink painted bronze figure—was designed by the Brooklyn-based artist Ohad Meromi, who has been selected by a committee of government officials and arts professionals. The project ’s slated to be installed by summer of next year.