Inouye, Mink memorials need artists

Public art is more than a towering statue or a bust, so don’t be surprised if the state’s memorial to the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye is more of a monument to his legacy than a likeness of his person.

Sculpting something that honors more than 50 years of service is without question a monumental challenge. It would be hard to argue that anyone else in Inouye’s lifetime had more of an impact on Hawaii than he did.

With that in mind, the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts is taking a broad view as it prepares to select an artist to create a memorial for Inouye, as well as an artist to create one for the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink, who died in 2002. The two pieces of art, which will cost $250,000 each, were approved by the Legislature this year.

Barbara Saromines-Ganne, chairwoman of the foundation’s commission and one of five people on the artist selection committee, admits the task of finding the right design "is huge."

"I am hoping to see something really creative," she said. "I think there have been numerous representational images of Sen. Inouye. I think we would hope to have something that would be broader and represent the bulk of work and thought that he brought us here in Hawaii."

The bronze statue of Father Damien, crafted long before the priest from Belgium became a saint, is an example of that viewpoint, Saromines-Ganne said. The statue by New York artist Marisol Escobar, displayed on the Beretania Street side of the state Capitol, is large and blocky, but you know it’s Damien, complete with the scars of Hansen’s disease.

"That is kind of an abstract sculpture," Saromines-Ganne said. "It looks like him but it doesn’t. And it evokes something."

The foundation issued a call for artists last month, and those interested in applying must submit a resume, a statement about why this project interests them and a portfolio. The deadline is Monday. Preference will be given to Hawaii artists.

The instructions to artists note the sculptures must include "but are not limited to" likenesses of Inouye and Mink.

The committee will narrow its list to three or four applicants who will be asked to submit a miniature version of their memorial design, said Eva Laird Smith, who is the executive director of the Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts but not a member of the selection committee.

The intent is to establish a pool of qualified applicants, but the process for selecting an artist for the Mink memorial may not take place right away because the foundation wants to finish the one for Inouye first.

Smith said the committee will likely discuss selection procedures and timing Thursday, when it meets for the first time.

Jennifer Sabas, who was a member of the senator’s staff for 25 years and was chief of staff when he died in December, will represent Inouye’s family on the selection committee.

She said the senator’s widow, Irene Hirano Ino­uye, wants to see something more abstract.

"Mrs. Inouye wanted a broader essence of him, not just his face," Sabas said. "And something more understated. Something softer. Not a big statue of him."

Sabas said she believes the public would want the same thing.

"I would hope they would want something that is really simple," she said. "He wasn’t very verbose."

Memorial art serves a distinct purpose, said Peter Rosegg, one of the foundation commissioners.

"It is not just beautiful or pleasant to look at," he said. "It is supposed to evoke some sense of history or some emotion. If you stand in front of the Lincoln Memorial, it’s beautiful but it also reminds you of a period of American history."

Inouye’s reputation, combined with the fact that his memorial will be done first, will attract a lot of attention to the selection process, Rosegg said.

The Hawai‘i State Foundation on Culture and the Arts has been involved in very visible projects over the past decade — such as restoration of the floor mosaic at the Capitol rotunda, the opening of the Hawai‘i State Art Museum and the museum’s sculpture garden — but nothing like Inouye’s memorial, he said.

"None of these things come quite to the level of a memorial to an individual who has done so much for Hawaii for so long," Rosegg said.

"This one is going to be watched by just about everybody in the state, and people beyond the state. It’s going to be quite a big deal."