Explore the History and public reaction of this artwork.
Upon public release, Rebirth's design became a "target for ridicule". In June 2011, Milwaukie neighborhood association leaders sent a letter to the Public Art Advisory Committee expressing their disappointment with the proposed deer concept, hoping to see changes to its final design. Some residents thought the sculpture should be more accessible and less expensive; conversely, the Oak Lodge Community Council chairwoman, who also served as a member of the art committee, hoped the sculpture could serve as a community space and reach "icon" status. In a formal letter, TriMet's general manager responded to the neighborhood associations by encouraging residents to "communicate directly with the art committee by inviting members to neighborhood association leadership meetings". The agency's spokeswoman also told committee leaders that the public was welcome to share their preferences regarding the work's dimensions, fabrication methods, form, and materials. Oak Grove and Milwaukie residents also disagreed about whether or not those in the latter city had a say about the sculpture, which would have been within the area's boundaries according to the first design.In October 2011, at a public meeting to address TriMet's projected budget gap, one Milwaukie resident asked the agency to abandon its plans to fund Rebirth, saying that "a lot of people think that thing's just ugly. Why are they spending money on something that's an unnecessary add-on at the same time they're talking about cutting bus routes again?" The agency's general manager responded that all possibilities would be considered, though TriMet officials confirmed that cuts to its public art program were not an option and the MAX Orange Line's budget was separate from TriMet's financial problems.In November 2011, TriMet's public art coordinator confirmed Alavi's withdrawal from the project, saying, "The artist for Park (Avenue) did his due diligence. He did everything possible to make that a reality, but sometimes it's not realistic." According to The Oregonian, Alavi was unable to meet the Public Art Advisory Committee's technical requirements and remain under budget. One committee member admitted, "The form itself was something a lot of people out in the community weren't happy with in the first place, so once the mosaic piece was taken away, it kind of devalued it." Alavi released the following statement:In honor of the death of the "Deer Baby/Twilight Zone Bambi", I thought a quote by Rod Serling, might be appropriate...
"For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy; and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own for the children, and the children yet unborn. And the pity of it is, that these things cannot be confined to the Twilight Zone."
From The Twilight Zone episode, "The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street", March 6, 1960
Thanks,Seyed Alavi
The debate over the sculpture's proposed design by TriMet, the art committee, and members of the public reached "near-yelling match" status, resulting in "animosity and general nastiness". Following Alavi's withdrawal, the art committee made plans to reconvene and consider other design proposals for the site.
The Oregonian The Twilight Zone right Seyed Alavi Oak Grove TriMet MAX Orange Line Milwaukie Rod Serling The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street