A Sad Day for Jackson
Posted by Fitzy on May 19th, 2008 |
Today was a sad day for the town of Jackson. Amidst overpriced McMansions and old west themed hotels that are squeezing the soul out of Jackson, there was an iconic mural that gave some of us a little hope. I really never cared if it drew more customers to my shop, but everytime someone said, “wow, that mural really makes me happy”, or, “wow, I just came back to town and couldn’t believe there was something that cool in Jackson” and, “I was up on Saddle Butte and the most prominate thing I could see was that awesome mural” I felt like we had given something back to the community. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe “it’s just paint” like someone said. Maybe more people hated the murals (that’s right, they are both gone now) than appreciated them. Maybe it’s the fact that no one complained, no one asked for it to be painted over, no one asked Tuttle who painted it, and no one asked us. How bout the time and material it took to paint it over? What’s sustainable about that? If the pub needed a project I bet I could find one for them. Yes, it was the Brew Pubs decision. So if you care that it is gone, let them know about it brewpub@snakeriverbrewing.com , or leave a post here and I’ll be sure to send it along. All I know is that there was some sort of symbolism in the art that is now another blank wall.
About the Mural:
It was my decision to paint over the mural in the alley behind the old Fitzy’s.
I think everyone can agree that the idea of “good art” is very subjective.
One of my personal tests of “good art” is that it must either be engaging or give me a sense of joy. Many, many of Mark Tuttle’s works meet the definition. We have a permanent Tuttle installation at the Brewpub that I, for one, cherish. But with all due respect, the back wall of the old Fitzy’s did not bring me joy - just my opinion. I thought it a bit garish and loud, too bright. There, I said it.
I always accepted the mural as a part of Fitzy’s identity when the wall was part of his shop and I certainly made no objection to its existence. There are no bigger supporters of Scott’s business than Snake River Brewing and me. (Well, there is Scott’s mom, I guess! [and Jannine, and pretty much everyone on two wheels and, and, and…etc]) Once the shop moved up front, I decided to return the wall to a neutral, solid color. The plain wall might not bring anyone joy but it doesn’t force itself upon you either.
My actions were not meant to be a personal affront to either Mark Tuttle or Scott Fitzgerald. For those people who did gain a sense of joy from the mural, I’m sorry. I definitely won’t oppose you if you’d like to paint something like it on any wall that you own.
The Brewpub has a great record of supporting local artists. Over the years, I have seen a wide variety of art hung in rotation on our walls. More than once, I have seen the prospect of a future Brewpub show spur an artist on to create enough new work to cover the walls. I have also seen pieces sell for substantial sums. More importantly, I have seen our customers become exposed to the true depth and breadth of the local art scene. Snake River Brewing is not “anti-art”.
I have proposed the following to Scott: I will totally support Scott if he wants a mural on his “new” West wall, even if it duplicates the same artwork. I can also support putting up an informational sign on the alley wall if he feels the loss of the mural as a directional sign has hurt his business. (All within town rules, of course.) We even discussed a future co-op “bikes and beer” mural for the east wall in the loading dock. At the very least, I will put a fresh coat of paint on that very weathered west wall.
Honestly, my overall goal is quite simple: to put a fresh coat of paint on a dilapidated, old building.
Chris Erickson, SRB
Why not paint a new mural on the front of the new shop?
It made me do a double take, very sad day for Millward St. If someone needed to spend energy, time and money painting I have a few projects for them; tax deductible even!
Crazy Times. Just when Tim Young, Pearlman or the Teton Valley News took a week off from cooking up controversy … This happens.
There are no more complimentary guys in the beer and bikes world than Chris E and Scott (sorry…Fitzy). And no better friends (well…for me…as I’m sure you two are sitting at least a few seats away from each other on the bus this week).
To balance the “sad day on Milward” comment, I’ll offer this idea….It’s a wall…which once was the big talk…”Wow, did you see the wall at the New Fitzy’s Bike Shop” Then, this wall was overshadowed by the sperm…I mean raindrops…what have you…. art on the South Wall…and garage doors. The talk turned to this unique addition.
So, I’m not there to judge….but isn’t the NEW Fitzy Shop, with front porch…big green signage seen from Snow King, a real door…and huge cool shop space, all the talk now? Leaving the old alley artwork behind?
Times change. They scraped two houses right out of my neighborhood this week down here in Boulder…trees too (a shame)… Streaking probably isn’t cool anymore…and Jackson-ites are all saying they’re “so over skiing.”
I’m sure that good things will come from the change….like Chris E painting a big white square on the side of the building….for “Bikes and Beers movie night”….projected up onto the wall….(oh, that sounds like good times for sure)
Chris, don’t let Fitzy forget you helping clean out the parking area of boats and broken down cars and you building new trails, you logging long sales floor hours for him, etc….Scott…don’t let Chris forget to encourage more art moving forward…and to see art in all things.
OK….moving forward. When does the spoked shamrock get painted on the grain tower?
Tim
a sad day indeed…all good things seem to come to an end.
on a brighter side, at least it was the old crusty brewer instead of the town.
Chris, weren’t you in your prime in the 80’s? you’re supposed to like day-glow!