It is time for San Jose to grow up and make a decision, as a community, as to what iconic symbol should grace the northern end of Chavez Plaza. Perhaps it is also time to revisit the southern end of the park, and the disappointing rendering of Quetzacotl.
For how long will our city be paralyzed by the historic amnesia and political timidity that allowed the statue of Thomas Fallon raising the American flag to be placed in storage for 12 years? How much longer will our residents and visitors alike transverse the north island of that majestic park and ponder the emptiness?
Quetzacotl should be moved to another site in the middle or side of the park. In its place should be a statue of Caesar Chavez – a secular saint whose good was surely not interred with his bones, but lives on in the minds and hearts of millions around the world. This would be a fitting definition to the southern end of the splendid park.
But we should not stop there. Surely we are not so lacking in courage or vision that we can fail to find the solution to the simple problem of how we honor all the people and peoples who have made San Jose the unique place to live that all love. Now is the time for those of good will and firm resolve to render an opinion and contribute to the solution.
Now that Fallon is out of the box, we must not be too afraid to honor those who sacrificed so much. Perhaps it might be a statue of St. Joseph, the patron saint of the city, the inspiration for those first brave pioneers that came for Mexico to this blessed valley. And before the ACLU and others start looking to make a mountain out of a small statue – this has nothing to do with religion. It is a simple and direct honor to the beliefs of the founders of the pueblo, our spiritual ancestors, nothing more - but it is quite profound, and much should be made of it. And this rendering should include a multi-cultural look at the city – let’s surround Joseph with children of all the different peoples who now live here. Children, you remember, were part of his special charge. This would be a fitting way to fill that void. Now the real question is: do we have the courage and resolve to do it?
Tom, great suggestion on moving Quetzalcoatl but as long as they would be going to the trouble, it wouldn’t cost much more to pile it on a truck and give it a new home at the Mexican Heritage complex where it would be better understood, far more appreciated and much less ridiculed.
Your St. Joseph suggestion is a tough one as I don’t feel it’s appropriate to spend public funds on anything remotely religious, but a statue of Caesar Chavez would be an excellent replacement for Quetzie in the plaza. This sounds like a solution that would please all but the most unreasonable uppity types.
St. Joseph already has a monument built in his honor. It is right a the corner of Market & San Fernando- the St. Joseph’s Cathedral & Basilica.
Tom-
Speaking of moving statues…some people, and I am one of them, think the Fallon statue should be relocated to it’s intended original location.
I would like to know your thoughts on the present location of the Fallon statue, and if you support the idea of moving it to Plaza de Caesar Chavez.
What San Jose really needs is a statue of St. Thomas McEnery, the patron saint of downtown self-interest.
Too late for spending money on things that are remotely religious.
“Quetzalcoatl was a god of such importance and power that nearly no aspect of everyday life seemed to go untouched by him.”
How is it the ACLU hasn’t taken on Quetzie? Nothing raises ACLU hackles more than religious symbols in public settings – oh but wait, now that I think about it I’ve never heard of the ACLU attacking any religion other than Christianity.
I say embrace our pile of dog crap and decorate it with a leprachaun hat on St Patricks day, with a stove pipe hat on Lincoln’s birthday, with rabbit ears and Easter Eggs on Easter, with a Santa Claus hat on Christmas, a sombrero on Cinco de Mayo, etc.
Set up a kiosk of Quetzie history. I would *truly* love to see footage of the Quetzie unveiling. The way I hear it – it was basically like the black sherrif riding into Rock Ridge the first time (Blazing Saddles).
I agree with Ed that the Fallon should replace Quetzie but the political and cultural climate in this town created the current situation and all but guarantees that it will remain. Only replacing Quetzie with Chavez has chance of success, albeit an extremely slight one. Ideally, the embarrassment that is Quetzie needs to trade places with Fallon so he’ll be hidden from view, but this won’t ever happen. Behind the walls of the Mexican Heritage complex is the best we can hope for, and even that is a long shot. This is something Gonzo should push for with his lap dog council right away, since they all have a habit of ignoring citizen input and protest. The decision by Gonzo to move Quetzie to a less conspicuous location would sail through with votes to spare.
Just like everything else in this city no one can get anything righ.t How about the argument now on the high rises by St. James Park. Make them put shops or retail blow those high rises. It’s just anohter piece that should be added to downtown. Now , speaking of statues that is a nice statue there of McKinley maybe we should move that one to the plaza park and replace it with St James. there are a bunch of spinless people running this city.
The South Market Street plaza is large enough to feature a number of symbols of the city’s past and future.
One important piece of the past that was taken away from the plaza by Susan Hammer was the century-old town bell which, coincidentally or not, rested on the exact spot where the plumed serpent was placed.
Hammer arranged with RDA to saw down the plaza’s very healthy century-old native oak tree that sheltered the old town bell at the south end of the plaza, and to send the bell to St. James park.
After solemnly promising to restore the old town bell to the plaza during his first mayoral election campaign, Ron Gonzales betrayed that promise and shipped the bell to North Market Street near the freeway on-ramp where it languishes without dignity, visibility, or celebration.
Come to think of it, Gonzales has managed to marginalize a significant number of important historical symbols. Maybe we should try to bring them all to a dignified place of honor at the plaza or at the new civic center.
I’m a lifelong resident of San Jose, and it is disheartening to see our history pushed into the corners of the city. Let’s bring Fallon, the Bell, MKinley, the Civil War cannon, and similar civic monuments back into the Center of
San Jose.
Lifelong Resident
let’s put a very large quitar. It would honer music in the park; which is one of the few things that seems successful for a large number of San Joseans.
Let’s face it, when the torch was passed from Tom to Susan, all of the forward progress that Tom presided over went into reverse, pedal to the metal. HJ is right when he/she says there are a bunch of spineless people running (and ruining) this city. Hammer did not have any aspirations for higher office and so had nothing to lose in standing up to the anti-Fallon faction but she chose instead to allow an oversized pile of excrement to be installed instead of the Captain. Then she twists the kife on downtown by giving the rubber stamp to Santana Row. Gonzo right now has the perfect opportunity to clean up the mess in the plaza but even he, with all of his railroading tactics, is too spineless to take on the anti-Fallon types. This noisy little group makes a formidable opponent, as Tom can attest to. Remember Tom’s Studio theater proposal—and look at what the Studio has devolved into now. Queztalcoatl achieved third rail status as soon as he was unveiled. It’s going to take someone who can insulate him/herself from the backlash to do what’s right. Leona Helmsley for Mayor!
Let’s put a really large taser gun. Police could take jay walking criminals over to it for weekly tasings.
This town seems to have no sense of humor – none. Being able to poke fun at ones self is a great quality.
Here we have a potential pop culture icon languishing in Cesar Chavez park.
A little lighthearted promotion could turn a real negative into a tourist drawing card. A small Quetzie museum downtown would be great fun.
Don’t think so? Look at how many people flock to the Mystery Spot year after year.
Novice,
How about getting Abercrombie and Fitch to design a t-shirt with a picture of Quetzie and some racially offensive words written underneath it. After all, SJ needs something and anything for it to remain in the national spotlight, now that the finger in the chili story is stale.
This has been discussed over and over and over again here. I know those dumb-asses at CH read this because every day they change course. This POS is a disgrace. Move it to King and Story or Alum Rock and King. I don’t care where it goes. Does anyone know what the Aztec’s did: sacrificed people to the Gods.
All
Let’s see if we can show some real thinking and a bit of vision and seriously come up with ideas for the north island – what would be the best symbol for both our people and visitors to see in that unique spot.
No more attacks on Q. – the statue. Althought, it is disappointing, and I would have liked another rendering, it has a place. St. Joseph was infinitely more imp. to our first ‘pobladores’., but its done…And that spot on the north island should make a singular statement about one of the important people, events, or inspirations that have made us what we are. It can speak also to what we “want” to become.
Do some thinkings. TMcE
Let’s put a statue of Bud Selig. Since we name most public structures after living people in the name of “political influence”.
He will surely give a baseball team!
I would settle for a BART stop in downtown San Jose.
Too bad the only good ideas come from outside city hall rather than inside. I like the idea of Ceasar Chavez and St Joseph a lot. Our city is named after him so why wouldn’t that make sense? Anyone else have a better idea? Let me answer that – NO! Just get something in there – it is sad and disgusting that it has stayed empty so long.
Quetzacotl! Its been a while since I remember reading a Quetzacotl discussion. If generating a buzz is an attribute of art then Quetzacotl has at least one point, now and then.
I always felt that the problem with Quetzacotl was the display. I think that a display a bit below ground level would have been better. I feel the statue would have more impact on the viewer who approachs it, and then sees it right before entering the pit.
Comparing Thomas Fallon—a somewhat historical construct—with Cesar Chavez? Puhleeeze!!!
The statue is as ordinary as the man was.
Graham’s quetzalcoatl should not be moved anywhere. Get rid of the “Park god”. Send it back to Graham. But Fallon in the Plaza de Cesar Chavez? Not.
John Michael O’Connor
Another idea for downtown public art: How about a larger than life finger in a chili cup? We went international on that story!! We can leverage that like Santa Cruz’s Mystery Spot.
J.M. O’Connor-
OK, you’ve told us what you DON’T think should be in the Plaza. Do you have any constructive ideas for statues or other public art that should be included?
Tom-
Well, since you asked, and since you don’t seem to be addressing the questions posed in #4, my “thinkings” are:
1. Move the Fallon statue to the north island. Not only would it correct a civic mistake, it would make a dramatic statement to anyone driving or walking down the boulevard…public art at it’s best.
2. A statue of Caesar Chavez is a fine idea, perhaps in a central location of the plaza, with a speaker’s platform for public discourse.
3. A statue of St. Joe, while not a bad idea, is probably better suited for space in front of the church within sight of the plaza.
4. While I do not care for the rendition of Quezzie that graces the Plaza if it is of symbolic importance to a segment of our community then tolerance dictates that it should stay. It’s their plaza too. Public art is often controversial and provokes discussion. In fact, look at all the discussion Quizzie and The Captain have created!
Tom,
I was being completely serious with my Quetzie suggestions. Take our bad, really bad public art (Quetzie) and turn it to the city’s advantage.
Name 1 city that *doesn’t* have bad public art. What’s the difference? A lot of bad public art is just bad in a boring and mind numbing way.
But Quetzie is different. It is so bad that it draws you in and evokes a reaction, no matter how many times you’ve seen it. You cannot not come away with an opinion or something to say about it.
If done right – we could take our Quetzie and add some character and charm to downtown.
But you’re asking about the island…
The Fallon statue would be a great addition to the island – but everyone already knows that.
Let’s get one thing straight posters!
The plastic Snake is not a GOD! Because it is plastic, it will not last the test of time. Direct your attention to how it came to be and you will get my attention! The real stone GOD rests in the Vatican Gallery. How the hell did it get there?
If I may direct you, it was the compromise on the Fallon statue that determined the fate of the Bell Monument at the South end of the park, and subsequently the plastic snake.
$ 500,000.oo was spent on this simple plastic imitation. 70% of the dough was up front money. Street Scapes who built the great piece at the south end of Gore park got zip. Compare the two!
Now the question, Since we must move the Plastic snake to where the sun does not shine on it, due to the UV rays of the sun, what do we replace it with.
I have followed the politics of art in our fair city. It is time to stop complaining and demand that we have art that depicts the true values of our heritage. Now just for the sake of offering up a start of ideas, our past is agriculture, first State capital, The center of Silicon Valley is our present.
My sugestion is that the Fallon Statue be set at the New City Hall. That would in my mind be the best place to show off the new and the old. It would be magnificent there.
To close my post with a goodwill jesture, I will submit a quote not to exceed $100,000 for a life size bronze sculpture of Ceasar Chavez, installed, at the center of Ceasar Chavez Park. Near the Fountain.
Gil Hernandez
South Bay Bronze
Made in the USA