The Spovangelist

Our community communication outlets are all over this one. As you probably already know if you are reading RiverSpeak, the Arts Commission newsletter, Jon Snyder’s blog, or listening to KYRS, the City and the Art and Wastewater Departments have sponsored a design competition for people 18 and under that will resurface the way we look at wastewater for the next 50 years.

Artistic Japanese manhole covers.

With all the attention paid to the recent idea of putting notifications near storm water drains for Earth Day, I wonder if the winning design will pay heed in some way to protecting the river. I think it would add some dimension to our local identity if the image ingrained in such a civic symbol did not include one of the stereotypical icons of the area. Marmots, Clock Towers, etc. etc. You know what they are. We love them, but we also overuse them.

Marmot mural by Tom Quinn

The tight age limit for this competition is another example of having too narrow of an understanding of what it means to support and recognize “youth.” Because a lot of services and programs are mediated through or significantly impacted by the school system, our culture has unintentionally created an arbitrary cut-off point at age 18.

Now that we are in a knowledge-based economy, functional adulthood is getting pushed further and further out, like it or not. If you are one of the many young Spokanites that are beyond “high school age” but did not make the immediate transition to college, good luck trying to integrate with your community. Many local youth serving agencies see the dire need of young people who are over 18, and thus regularly serve an audience up to around age 22. More on the cultural consequences of this mindset later.

For now I’d like to close with the language on a flier that was tucked in peoples’ utility bills (not so for those of us who prefer paperless billing):

The design should be welcoming and an enhancement to the visual appearance of the City of Spokane manhole covers. The design should appeal to a broad age range and should be uplifting and stimulating to the spirit, intellect and physical senses. The design should be reflective of the City of Spokane and communicate a sense of place. Designs can reflect the environment, nature, water, water quality or the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Designs may not be offensive or serve as commercial advertising particular goods, services, or businesses.

Tags:   Competition · Identity Crisis · Local Art · Pretty Things · Young People3 Comments