The Editor,
Re. "Artwork could amount to 'propaganda', says O'Neill" (The Tri-City News, Sept. 21).
Propaganda is usually a one-sided presentation of selective information and opinions designed primarily to influence people to agree with the perpetrator.
Art - and in particular the public art for which Coquitlam council thankfully accepted funding - is, on the other hand, expressly created to influence those who view it, to inspire us, to calm us, to entertain us, to make us think or look at the world differently. Sometimes, it's created to promote discussion of particular issues; in this case, those issues are racism, diversity, integration, inclusion, and the aim of the project is to explore ways for Coquitlam to be more welcoming and inclusive.
I can't think of a more generous and appropriate description of our values as Canadians nor a more inspiring call to artists to manifest in public art.
And as a creative person, I feel a little insulted that Coun. Terry O'Neill seems to consider artistic output "propaganda." Do councillors O'Neill or Lou Sekora ever listen to music? Go to a movie? Read a book? Visit a museum or gallery? Look around the gorgeous council chambers they deliberate in weekly? These are all expressions of art, of design, of creativity.
We would be nothing but robots or animals without the influence of all expressions of art in our lives, and in challenging times, economically or otherwise, we need the influence of the arts more than ever to help us maintain perspective.
It's also old news - though clearly not embraced yet by all - that creative communities are the most desirable, productive, innovative places to live, work and play. We need more access to the arts in our region, not less.
Linda Baker, Port Coquitlam
