Kook wrote on Jul 25, 2007 1:42 AM:who surfs like that?

Bangles? wrote on Jul 25, 2007 1:47 AM:Walk like and Egyption.

Art Critic wrote on Jul 25, 2007 1:55 AM:At least the birds like it.

Art Critique wrote on Jul 25, 2007 4:04 AM:It just goes to show that you can't please everyone. Maybe the critics would be satisfied if you had sent a floating bronze foundry out onto the waves and splashed molten bronze onto a perfect surfing form to be captured in perpetuity. Did anyone volunteer? Did you misrepresent yourself as Michelangelo? To the artist, cut yourself some slack; I just watched a KPBS show on JMWTurner, Great Britain's most famous artist, and you should have seen the initial critiques on his paintings. They were every bit as cutting as yours. Consider the source. It is the very nature of art to be misunderstood.

Sue wrote on Jul 25, 2007 4:40 AM:The hands...no surfer young or old looks like a ballerina! This one is a barnie for sure.

Monica wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:07 AM:To Mr. Antichevich: I saw the picture and I like it. I'm not a surfer, just a person who likes art. When I'm out that way, I'll look for it. Don't let the critics get you down. Anyone can be a critic. They obviously aren't artists, nor do they have an eye for art.

Moondogie wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:18 AM:This is what you get if you let a vegetarian to cook your steak.

Mimi wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:37 AM:OK, I'm not a surfer but I know the art is about surfing, that's all I need.

Looks kind of "dorky" wrote on Jul 25, 2007 6:16 AM:to me. The surfer looks like he is going to fly (look at the arms) But heh, who cares. Maybe the sculpture is meant to be all things to all people in this politically correct society. This is what you get.

oside omar wrote on Jul 25, 2007 6:24 AM:why commission a guy from Hemet to show us what a surfer looks like? He's 80 miles from the beach.

Lane wrote on Jul 25, 2007 6:56 AM:I wouldn't expect any other response from the arrogant locals in Encinitas.

JoJo wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:20 AM:So many surfers alienate themselves by acting so "hardcore" that it gives the sport a bad name. If you truly love the ocean you love every aspect about it...whether it's scuba, snorkeling, bodyboarding, bodysurfing or surfing. "St. Pierre said he thinks the statue is "dorky," but somehow is a fitting representation of what surfing has become: corporate and gentrified, where unskilled riders on plastic boards from China help themselves to the best waves." Well,....Mr. St. Pierre you yourself as well as all of us as American citizens have let the American economy become dependent on China! I despise chinese products but,...there are alot of people out there who don't have $600-$700 to spend on a surfboard. Can you blame them? ...The statue does look dorky though... peace

What a bunch... wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:31 AM:of surfersnobs. I suppose you all looked perfect the first time you hit a board and never looked like a dork, right? Right. At least this guy can carve something meaningful, if ya get my drift, hmmm?

JP wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:31 AM:You can't force surfers to like the statue. The artist needs to grow some thick skin and realize that soon the blogs will focus on other things and eventually the art will assimilate. With any luck the surf community will accept the surfer statue as a kind of mascot. Currently, the majority of surfers feel that the statue mocks them. Keep in mind, the statue is going to be there until the end of days. There is some confusion because we've been told that the statue is a teenage beginner learning to surf but now he is supposed to be in the middle of a critical move. I think with a few minor tweaks the statue could actually achieve this, but I'm sure that would be too expensive. After viewing the statue up close I am no longer bothered by the arms as much as the stale emotionless expression on the surfer's face. Where is the stoke? The artist took a risk with the piece and risky art is usually my favorite but for those who make surfing Cardiff part of their daily routine and have to look at it everyday, it's disappointing. I think that for the artist, the controversy was the best thing that could have happened because EVERYBODY is talking about it. Wouldn't it be worse if the statue only earned a few yawns?

Bobby wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:35 AM:The surf culture carries the cultural baggage of 'immaturity' and the comments from the apparent 'Lost Boys' above to this sculpture does nothing but underscore the point. J.P. St. Pierre should be careful, dragon slayers whom slay cultural dragons for too long are destined to become dragons themselves. Lighten up J.P. and show some maturity and leadership. Keeping your mouth shut and being perceived to be a fool is preferrable to opening one's mouth and confirming it.

JK wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:36 AM:The fact is, surfers do move through this "pose" on their way to reaching the best position on the board. I wouldn't want it memorialized in bronze where I have to look at it every day either. This statue is like a still picture of your most embarrasing moment on the way to an incredible move.

Professor wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:40 AM:Any artist weak enough to be pressured into "defending" or "explaining" his art is clearly not ready to produce public art. This instance is no exception.

Murph the Surf wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:00 AM:Since the Botanical Society was nice enough to honor us surfers with this silly statue, maybe we could return the favor and commission a statue of a really dumb looking gardener doing something totally unrealistic like doing a handstand on a cactus.

Carlsbad wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:07 AM:This is just as bad as the Carlsbad Bars that were suppose to be "art" and were eventually taken down! Hope this "art" gets taken down as well What a joke!!!!

Artist wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:11 AM:As an artist and a surfer, I find it absolutely ridiculous that such a sculpture was approved by the commission. Never in my twenty something years of surfing in San Diego have I ever seen a surfer make hand gestures like that. Even the kookiest of kooks doesn't surf like that. Realistically, this is the result of having people who know NOTHING about surfing commission and approve the art. There is no way on Earth that this sculptor is a real surfer. I challenge him to show the residents of Cardiff even one picture from a Sufer Magazine that shows anyone looking anything like the sculpture. While this is not as bad as the "Remove the Bars" situation that occurred in Carlsbad years ago, I see it going that way. If you want your town to appeal to toursists with absolutely no sense of what surfing is, then this sculpture meets your needs. However, if you want to pay homage to the most popular sport around here, and to the thousands of men (and some women) who do it every day, then this is a failure. Not to mention the fact that he is riding on the crest of the wave, rather than the face. Another common mistake made by those who know nothing about surfing.

Clearly... wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:14 AM:Clearly the people in here who are defending the art are not surfers. Imagine if your sport...I don't know, let's say baseball...was portrayed in a statue that showed a batter standing outside of the batters box and holding the bat upside down. Would you feel the same way?

look at the art wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:23 AM:Look at the art of it people. I like it and have surfed for 35 years. If Cardiff doesn't want it, I'll take it and display it at my house proudly.

Ladies? wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:34 AM:"His original proposal was to position a female surfer on a breaking wave." I'm trying to imagine how he would have made that look? Would she be a shapely woman, I'd like to see that!

Dude wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:40 AM:Looks like the dudes down at Swami's

Louise wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:46 AM:that statue looks just like me when I'm surfin'......so I may also be a "dork"

Murph the Surf wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:50 AM:Since the Botanical Society was nice enough to honor us surfers with this silly statue, maybe we could return the favor and commission a statue of a really dumb looking gardener doing something totally unrealistic like doing a handstand on a cactus.

James wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:56 AM:Perhaps the statue should be torn down and replaced with a statue commemorating whiny complaining citizens

Tony wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:12 AM:Hey! I'm Surfin'!! WHEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

surf wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:14 AM:Since when are surfers art critics? Real surfers wouldn't care one bit about the lame statue, they just care about waves. Todays surfers are more into the surf image than really into riding the big one.

Encinitan wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:30 AM:Fellow surfers: grow a set and stop being so offended by a simple piece of art. Art is the artists interpretation of how he sees something. That is probably how the artist (and folks reading your comments) view you. Immature, and posing...

bonddi wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:32 AM:The statue is beautifully crafted -- but the artist's vision doesn't work --it doesn't make me think of surfing it looks like a ballet dancer in Swan Lake minus the tutu

Get over it! wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:40 AM:This is a beautiful sculpture memorializing the surfer dorks first surf stand-up. Thank this artist and give him some respect- did any of you pony up an idea for a sculpture. No, I didn't think so. Great piece, Matthew!

True Local wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:57 AM:I am truly disappointed with the sculpture. As a Cardiff resident of 20 years, wife and mother of true surfers, I feel this sculpture does not represent the spirit and style of the Cardiff surfers I see on a daily basis. I feel the “surfer’ depicted is a representation of the typical San Elijo camper who surfs a couple of times, every few years or Frankie Avalon in Beach Blanket Bingo. I hardly feel Huntington Beach, Oceanside or any other surf town would have selected this sculpture to represent their town. What a shame.

cardiff wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:20 AM:Sorry, I really wanted to like this sculpture, but it is pretty bad. OK, it's terrible. Let's decide, is it a beginner about to wipe out? (yes). Is it a seasoned surfer in the middle of a critical maneuver? In either case, why is he staring off into the distance with the semi-smile of a 12 year old on prozac? If you want to represent the Cardiff surf scene, the guy/girl should be older and on the nose of a longboard or crouching for a nice bottom turn. Lets immortalize the art of and beauty of surfing, not the awkward stumble of a kid standing on the beach pretending to surf.

Aaron wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:33 AM:I think the work is AMAZING, and I would love to see more of his work is there a website for all of your art?

Egotistical Surfers wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:34 AM:What an overload of testosterone the surfers spew. Only the elite few get to surf? hahahahha, get a freaking life dude!!! yes Duke, you were all born surfing like a pro, you were never a dork!!!!!

Murph the Surf wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:34 AM:Since the Botanical Society was nice enough to honor us surfers with this silly statue, maybe we could return the favor and commission a statue of a really dumb looking gardener doing something totally unrealistic like doing a handstand on a cactus.

aaron wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:36 AM:I think this sculture is one of a kind, and the detail is Amazing!!! I would like to see some more of this art, do you have a website?

Mr. Miyagi wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:52 AM:Wax on wax off, young Daniel!

Not a surfer wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:59 AM:I don't surf, but spend as much time as I can at the beach with my kids. The sculpture should show what the public sees from the shore. I watch these guys/girls surf often and never observed anything like this.

True Local wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:08 AM:To Get Over It: for your information, this artist submitted his proposal by way of a small replica to Cardiff Botanical Society folks - - -this was their choice. I blame this on them, not the artist. He was simply doing what he was commissioned to produce. Suggestion: form another committee or group of locals to fund a replacement. Lets the locals decide as a community. To date there are two very unflattering sculptures in town. The Carpentier Park sculpture of Mr. Carpentier holding a water hose. Hmmm....is the Cardiff Botanical Society responsible for that one too? Maybe they should stick to botanicals and not sculptures?

Dar wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:11 AM:Haven't the cities learned to quit wasting our money on this crap. Good god, at least its not bars I guess.

Stastistician wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:32 AM:If the complainers all get together, they could all pay $5,000 each and raise $90,000 to commission their own vision cast in bronze. Until they're ready to do that, SHUT UP. OK,Mr. JP hotshot... start yer blog efforts at fundraising! I can't wait.

760 LOCAL wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:38 AM:If this statue is to represent the local surf culture, who better to critize it than the local surfers themselves? Lets be honest...it does look like some kook, admit it and move on.

Local Girl wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:41 AM:I'm sorry to join the chorus, but I agree that the statue is bad. I want to like it, but I can't get over the dorkiness. Not something most surfers or beachlovers will point to with pride. It does not evoke the stoke.

ALE wrote on Jul 25, 2007 12:08 PM:Is there nothing better to argue about? It's a statue, people, get over it.

Bill wrote on Jul 25, 2007 12:12 PM:why not put a Ballet Tutu on him! What a jokr and the cardiff ... who approved this.

760 LOCAL wrote on Jul 25, 2007 12:14 PM:To Art Critique, Monica, Lane, JoJo, What a bunch..., Bobby, look, James, surf, Encinitan, Get over it!, Egotistical Surfers and Stastistician: I see why your happy with the statue, its depicts all of you trying to surf on your worse day, go home, your views are not respected!

Brini wrote on Jul 25, 2007 12:24 PM:Ho-hum. Another case of North County small-minded spoiled brats. Any other community would graciously accept any form of public art. Only in North County do people have the audacity to complain about commissioned public art.

Alf wrote on Jul 25, 2007 1:29 PM:Aren't you glad that this guy didn't replicate the "Carlsbad Bars"? Get a little perspective here, please. Alf, a Libertarian.

local wrote on Jul 25, 2007 1:50 PM:dude, get it man. like if you don't surf here, don't sculpt here. all u kooks who are too lame to surf should go back to aridzona. locals only, and you know who u are. if the bartender at daleys know u, then your a local. party on.

Ginger wrote on Jul 25, 2007 1:54 PM:What that sculpture represents to me is the euphoria that one experiences out there - in nature at it's best, not the technical correctness of the sport. Otherwise, one could just look at photographs. Isn't that the point of art to speak another language of sorts? I like it.

just another surfer wrote on Jul 25, 2007 2:22 PM:The lesson here is, like it else. If you surf you are not allowed to have an opinion.

JIMI HENDRIX wrote on Jul 25, 2007 2:24 PM:Never hear surf music again..

the true spirit and style of the Cardiff surfers wrote on Jul 25, 2007 2:56 PM:Is Starbucks. You surfers sure think you're awesome.

760 LOCAL wrote on Jul 25, 2007 3:02 PM:brini: another person who was not born or rasied here with the audacity to think their thoughts matter.

JoJo wrote on Jul 25, 2007 3:06 PM:I don't care either way about the friggin' art. I'm not into image. I just don't like the comments of folks like JP St. Pierre who think they're hardcore .... I haven't heard any comments from any pros about it......ya know why?......they don't give a hooot! Kiss my grits :)

BIG KAHUNA wrote on Jul 25, 2007 3:24 PM:760 Local has the exact mentality of idiots who think they're "soo gnarly bra." Who says your thoughts matter....your mommy?

Googe wrote on Jul 25, 2007 3:30 PM:hey,....the sculpture kinda looks like JP St. Pierre.... Ha Ha!

Peggi wrote on Jul 25, 2007 4:44 PM:I am sorry; that sculpture is ugly. If athe "cost of the bronze" prevented the artist from accurately depicting "his vision", he shouldn't have done the sculpture. This reminds me of the Carlsbad "Bars" that were finally removed.

Cardiffian wrote on Jul 25, 2007 5:15 PM:I am disappointed in the sculpture. However, I am more disppointed in the response of J.P. and his leucadiablogspot.com. He has given us a wonderful venue to vent our frustrtions at almost anything, until now. Because of his temper tantrum over this, he may as well shut it down. Unless you have agreed with him on this sculpture,you have been deleted, censored, or debased. His Thought Police are in full swing and it is that, I consider most unfortunate for all Encinitans.

THE THOUGHT POLICE wrote on Jul 25, 2007 6:01 PM:SILENCE YOU!

Creativity wrote on Jul 25, 2007 6:57 PM:Way back when, all those goofy moves the longboarders did looked ever bit as silly as this, but then being a surfer meant doing your own thing and being creative. I guess now there's no room for that in the world of surfing. There wasn't "one way" to surf. Now I guess if you don't fit the cookie cutter vision of what a "move" is, there just isn't room for you in the lineup. Even if your just a statue...

Ann wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:10 PM:First, I am very disappointed that Adam Kaye ran that picture with his not quite balanced article. There are fabulous pictures of the sculpture but Adam ran that one. Second, JP had a chance to be someone in this community until he decided to incite anger. Third, it's time the surfers who have made such nasty comments put their money together and commissioned a statue in Leucadia, which Dan Dalagher would love so he will work with you. Enough already.

Brini wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:46 PM:760 local: I am so local that I remember when North County was still 619. Get a life.

George wrote on Jul 25, 2007 7:49 PM:It's too bad when Patagonia struts in and adds comments that tear down the sculpture. We wonder if the boy Manager is speaking for the corporation or himself. Especially when they go out of their way not to support Cardiff.

bond wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:11 PM:Wow this is a good one.Im a long time surfer and active in many sports.I here stink talk in all. Im surprized on how many surfers have commented on how this art makes them look, dont worry surfers you look good. and I must say matthew is a well known and talented artist and earned this contract from a majority vote.This means I guess more of the city and the public will enjoy this, Inturn more people will think of you surfers to be that much better, Nice good life isnt it.

What? wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:17 PM:This sculpture is off by a bit. There are a number of issues with it. The front hand is all wrong and the board is at the wrong angle. If the cost of bronze kept him from doing what he originally planned he should of changed the surfer to a pose that worked without the wave. I really like the idea of haveing the surfers ante up for their own sculpture. I don't think it will take Five grand from each person unhappy with this thing. From the sound of this blog there are a lot of people unhappy with this sculpture. The question is, are they willing to put their money where their mouths are? Who's willing to put up $20 bucks of their hard earned allowance? Maybe more from the adult surfers who gasp! actually have a job. At twenty bucks apiece we will need 5000 unhappy art critics to pony up to get $100 grand that this one cost. One last thing, bad as this is it is still WAY better then the carlsbad cage aka the bars.

looks good... wrote on Jul 25, 2007 8:35 PM:I think it represents surfers well.

Cardiff Native wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:47 PM:Yet another fine example of an outsider assaulting us with tasteless crap. Could he have found a dorkier positon? Probably not. Did he mean to insult us? It sure feels like it. At least the bars weren't as personal as this. Now the question is how do we get rid of it? VERY uncool!

Amazing- wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:48 PM:What a silly looking sculpture.

To Clearly from native wrote on Jul 25, 2007 9:52 PM:BRAVO WELL SAID.

True Native wrote on Jul 25, 2007 10:01 PM:While I agree that spoiled wanna be brats have invaded our town,those of us who have been here 40 to 50 years find it very INSULTING.

cardiffian wrote on Jul 25, 2007 11:42 PM:At least the Thought Poilice have not banned this blog. Thank you NCTimes. This is better than J.P's any day. Wouldn't have known it was here if he hadn't been such a baby over the sculpture. So, I guess I should thank him too. Thanks J.P. I Won't be needing you anymore. AHHH-that feels good!

Cardiffian and others wrote on Jul 26, 2007 7:24 AM:are not smart enought to understand the unedited Leucadia blog and therefore should only post on the edited NCT blog.

Cardiff Dan wrote on Jul 26, 2007 7:32 AM:Can someone please just tear it down. WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES IN OUR LIVES! Just remove it - please. It's so stupid and dorky - I cannot stand it. It does not represent the surf community. We need a hero to look up to. Love how the self-proclaimed artist blames it on the $$$ shortage. HE IS THE WORST ARTIST !!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am willing to kick in $500 of my own money to get it started!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TEAR IT DOWN AND REDO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack wrote on Jul 26, 2007 7:38 AM:I think JP is pissed because someone that grinds surfboards all day for a living, cannot afford to live in a mobile trailer trash rental that are being forced out of the area. Change Lee in China can build the same board better for $6.93. Everybody has the right to surf. Not just the usual surf dudes that have no jobs or education. Maybe if JP spent some time in School and not so much time on his stupid blogsite, he would be able to have a decent job and afford to live in Cardiff or Leucadia.

Kangaroo wrote on Jul 26, 2007 8:05 AM:Word Jack!

Sunny wrote on Jul 26, 2007 8:37 AM:Thank you for the Leucadia blog.

WKMeyer wrote on Jul 26, 2007 10:25 AM:You don't know, Jack. JP and others are more likely pissed at people with too much money, not enough sense, and little respect for others. There are many well educated surfers who ride handcrafted boards... take some time to get to know them, you might learn something.

an educated leucadian wrote on Jul 26, 2007 2:13 PM:J.P. has hurt a lot of people with his ridculous temper tantrum over the sculpture. Good thing his blog is no longer a viable resource for citiens of Leucadia. Calling people pedophiles is not a thing a smart person would do without evidence. He has actually done us a big favor. Now, surfers and low achievers can quibble among themselves. The rest of us can get on with changing things in Encinitas.Thanks J.P.

Einstein wrote on Jul 26, 2007 3:39 PM:FYI: Hey everyone.....guess what besides surfboards and kung pao chicken,.....Vans shoes and most all brands of surf/skate clothing is manufactured where?.......yep...CHINA! or Thailand. So for all of you ... talking crap about surfboards from China......you'd better throw away all of your other gear because.....guess what....It ain't made here! It's really too bad it's that way but.....we're all to blame

Truth Hurtz wrote on Jul 26, 2007 5:31 PM:I think he made the surfer in the statue look too normal and decent,rather than like the losers who have been in such an uproar over it. It may come as a shock to most of them but outside their own circle...most of us don't consider them athletes, handsome or "cool" or anyone to emulate or admire.

Mayor Bud wrote on Jul 26, 2007 9:02 PM:To Brini, "Any other community would graciously accept any form of public art." Carlsbad spent 100 grand REMOVING THE BARS.

response to 'Major Bud' wrote on Jul 27, 2007 5:23 AM:I reluctantly admit that I pay my taxes in Escondido. Maybe we should all reexamine our motives regarding public art......................................................................................................

Brini wrote on Jul 27, 2007 7:12 AM:Mayor Bud: My point exactly. Carlsbad, too, is in North County.

Escondido surfer wrote on Jul 27, 2007 11:25 AM:I get it. He started out sculpting a girl and didn't have enough money to add the additional bronze needed to make her look like a girl. Instead he made her a boy but didn't bother changing anything else. It's just a money issue. Too bad he couldn't afford to do it right and totally botched it.

JP wrote on Jul 27, 2007 2:02 PM:We should have outsourced the surfer statue to China like they did with new Martin Luther King statue.

What? wrote on Jul 27, 2007 2:44 PM:Escondido Surfer. Please save your comments for subjects you know something about. If you knew ANYTHING about the process involved in making a bronze sculpture you would know that the sculpture is first made out of wax. The wax is then coated in a ceramic material. The whole thing is then put in a kiln to melt the wax out. That is why it is called the lost wax process. Then you turn it over and fill it with bronze. Once it cools you break off the ceramic material and finish the sculpture. That's what you get when you try to be witty when you don't know what you are talking about.

Escondido surfer wrote on Jul 27, 2007 4:54 PM:Hey, WHAT? What are you talking about? Don't need a lesson in bronze sculptures and your comment is irrelevant. Reread the article. He wanted to do a woman surfer, but the funds were not there. We have lots of lousy public art in Escondido, also, but here they use public money. This bronze is a disgrace no matter who pays for it.

Nick wrote on Jul 28, 2007 10:00 AM:For the record, if your not a Native American, your not a local! Most of you whiners are all a bunch of longboarding barneys clogging up the line-ups anyways. Who cares about a dumb sculpture anyways? Most of you guys need to work on your surfing, because from what I see from 101 is a whole lot of butt wiggling and arm flapping. KOOKS, 100's and 100's of KOOKS, from Seaside to D-Street, 100's of KOOKS and only a handful of rippers. Crawl back under your rocks Barneys!

casual observer wrote on Jul 28, 2007 3:28 PM:It's a shame that people are shooting the messenger. J.P. has always been the sardonic blog master. It is a shame that the original vision of the artist was compromised by committee. A female figure would have been an excellent landmark for Cardiff.

cardiffian wrote on Jul 28, 2007 4:05 PM:You got that right Nick. Not only are there very few REAL locals here, there are very few good surfers, no offense meant to the MAN-Machado. The sculpture reminds me of what most of you look lke out there. The gulls and pelicans must have a great laugh! Get over yourselves.

cardiffian wrote on Jul 29, 2007 11:02 AM:I am so gay about the statue, I can't stop smiling!

Dr. Lorri wrote on Jul 29, 2007 4:33 PM:I took a close look at the sculpture today. Although I am neither a surfer or an artist, I like it. I am told that it is really pretty at night, so I will check it out this evening. Thank you to the people involved in making this happen, including the artist.

Clam Digger wrote on Jul 31, 2007 11:57 AM:I had heard that most surfers were vain, self absorbed, narcassistic would-be pretty boys...all the anti art comments that suggest the figure can't compare to their Adonis-like form just prove the point.

Renee wrote on Aug 1, 2007 11:37 AM: I think it's totally dorky, but the intention is pure. And...in a way it's perfect because, especially in Cardiff, most of the surfers are dorky beginners that think they rip. It's funny. Whatever. So we have a dorky surf statue. It makes me laugh...

locals_only wrote on Aug 2, 2007 3:11 PM:Had a friend from PQ that took his daughters camping at San Elijo oblivious to the statue, just so happened they pulled the campsite under the statue. Said they were nearly kept awake all night due to the steady stream of people coming up and busting out laughing at the sight of this "art".

hi wrote on Aug 6, 2007 8:27 AM:the bronze barney is as lame as a typical longboarder

cardiff_resident wrote on Aug 7, 2007 1:45 PM:If it was the artist' intention to represent a beginner surfer, he should know that beginners don't start out riding shortboards!

markus wrote on Aug 7, 2007 7:41 PM:Art? Fine we saw it, now take it away. This in no way reflects surfing, or Cardiff. To the artist: Michelangelo didn't surf, so he shouldn't inspire you for this piece! p.s. The view was much better before this "art" was there.

HAWAIIAN wrote on Aug 17, 2007 3:19 PM:If these guys and gals claiming to be advanced surfers have never been in this stance they have never surfed real waves! I have been in this stance plenty of times just trying to draw a line and get my bearings on huge waves. I know plenty of advanced Hawaiian surfers that stand wide stance with arms out fearlessly surfing huge Pipe or Rockpiles. Every surfer has their own style. Plenty of guys that didn't watch videos all day and mimick how a pro is "supposed" to surf look very similar to this statue at various times on a pumping wave. Surfing is about having fun and facing fears, etc. not about fitting into some style box. Look at some pictures of some legends and you will see this stance or variations thereof: Lopez, Da Bull, Buffalo, Ferriera. Think outside the 2" board box. ALOHA

Julian Lee wrote on Aug 27, 2007 11:58 AM:It's quite obvious why the Hemet sculptor created a silly, fey surfer. He's simply obeying the new unspoken media rule that White males (who make up the majority of surfers in California) are never to be depicted in any honest way. Especially, the White male is not to be portrayed positively or heroically, if at all possible.

Blake wrote on Aug 30, 2007 10:14 AM:The artist proclaims the stature is in a move that nobody gets. I suppose he is doing a floater? The goofiest floater I have ever seen. There are so many great surf artists who understand the culture and portray the style and grace that surfing really is. This is nothing to do with that. It is a shame that this has happened. Public art needs to be enjoyed by all and must first be accepted by the group it represents. Then the vast public will accept it however the pose is (because they don't know any better). The artist is very skilled but not at a surfing pose. Please take this down and someone give this commission to an artist who understands surf history, style and respects the integrity of art.

malibuq wrote on Mar 26, 2008 11:11 PM:tanks God for the voice of reason, Hawaiian! I have been scratching my head over all the nasty comments from "surfers" on here saying how they've never seen that stance- well as a 20 year vet of both the malibu and north shore surf scene and waves, I can tell you, if you have never been in that position, you've never been out when it's heavy! Look at all the guys in the mavericks shots- they're in exactly that position.
I love longboarding as much as anybody, and watching the groms and short guys wrestle their shortboards in small surf is good fun, but the big boys definitely are in a different league, and when it's triple overhead and a giant tahitian monster's looming over your neck, you bettah believe you're gonna be crouching into that line for dear life. Peace!