The Bully Pulpit

“Platinum Bull” serves as a shining symbol for East Hampton Village government, in part because of how the 16-foot-long stainless steel sculpture got there in the first place.

Because a bull always strides purposefully where it wants to go, and that can look confident and sure-footed. But it’s also because most people won’t make the mistake of getting in its way.

Enrique Cabrera’s sculpture “Platinum Bull” is a striking work, and displaying it in a public park is a bold move. It was installed in time for the holiday weekend and will stay up through fall. Park visitors seem intrigued with the addition and have taken to using its base as a bench of sorts.

Village Trustee Sandra Melendez introduced the idea to the East Hampton Village Board on August 19, suggesting it as a test run for other public art displays. What followed was a remarkably condensed debate of the logistics of such an idea, which culminated in Mayor Jerry Larsen, whose support for the plan made it a fait accompli, essentially waving a hand and willing it into policy. “We want it sooner rather than later,” Melendez said, and she got her wish.

Along the way, there was some dissent voiced, if briefly. Trustee Sarah Amaden worried about the prudence of introducing such a variable into the middle of the busy village on a holiday weekend, and her colleague Carrie Doyle warned about “hastily” making such a decision, sensibly suggesting instead that a committee take up the idea.

Both ultimately voted in favor of the measure; as the newest members of the Newtown Party coalition running village government at the mayor’s direction, it might have been asking too much for them to run with the bull themselves instead of blending into the safety of the 5-0 crowd around them. Merely by speaking up and voicing objections, they started down a path they should explore further and with more gusto the next time they have reservations. It’s the job, as is voting “no” sometimes.

As for the idea itself, public art is a wonderful thing, and there’s something to be said about cutting through the red tape to make something happen quickly — it’s a little breathtaking. But once you catch your breath, questions come to mind.

Why this sculpture, and this place? In a region known for its arts community, and a number of local artists who work in large media who would be thrilled to have such a prominent, and timely, gesture of support from the village. Herrick Park might be the right place, but it feels appropriate to spend more than minutes thinking it through.

It also was, frankly, weird to have board members, on the fly, throwing out potential sites for the massive work and skipping any attempt at due diligence. Melendez’s dismissive “Nobody is going to be bothered about it … it’s not like it’s going to affect anybody” in reference to one proposed site is a pretty remarkable statement to anyone who has observed life in East Hampton Village for any period of time.

In fact, the bull landed in Herrick Park mostly because of the mayor’s sudden enthusiasm: “I like the park idea — let’s just put it in the park. … I think it would look cool.” And, finally, “The park it is!”

“I just wish there was more of a process,” Doyle lamented. Though saying so out loud is as risky as waving a red cape, so do we.