Sculptures installed at Justice Building now hidden by vegetation. Why is that?
This is part of a weekly series answering "Why is that?" questions about Salem and the Mid-Valley.
The question: Two sculptures flank the walkway to the entrance of the Justice Building in Salem, and overgrown vegetation conceals them from passersby. Why is that? We have the answer to the two-part question. But first, a little history.
The background: The Justice Building, 1162 Court St. NE, houses the central offices of the Oregon Department of Justice, including the Office of the Attorney General.
The Oregon Department of Justice provides legal representation to the state government and advocates for and protects all Oregonians, especially the most vulnerable, such as children and seniors. It is not to be confused with the Oregon Judicial Department, which oversees the state court system.
The DOJ was created in 1947, with the Attorney General named the department head. It is headquartered in Salem and employs more than 1,300 people statewide in nine divisions that run programs related to child support, charitable activities, district attorney assistance, crime victim compensation and consumer protection.
Why are two sculptures at the Justice Building partly concealed?
The first part of the question is easy. The sculptures were commissioned through Oregon's Percent for Art in Public Places Program.
The Percent for Art legislation was passed in 1975, mandating that 1% of direct construction funds of new or remodeled state buildings with construction budgets of $100,000 or more be set aside for the acquisition of artwork. The Oregon Arts Commission oversees the program.
The process for the acquisition of the sculptures at the Justice Building began in the fall of 2008 with a site-specific request. In 2010, "To Scale the Scales of Justice" by Nehalem artist M.J. Anderson, was installed.
The art features two nude female figures hand-carved of Italian Bardiglio marble, the same type of stone used to create Michelangelo's sculpture of David.
Anderson divides times between her studios on the Oregon Coast and in Carrara, Italy, where she selects marble and other stones from quarries and yards for her figurative and abstract sculptures.
The figures at the Justice Building stand facing each other within triangular islands on opposite sides of the walkway, representing the artist's contemporary interpretation of justice and the dialogue which takes place in the search for justice.
They are mounted on black granite stepped bases, symbolizing the steps taken to secure justice. A title stone accompanies the figures with these words:
"To scale the Scales of Justice:
Seek balance & dialogue,
Hold fast patience & perseverance,
Work for truth & fairness,
Honor safety & community."
A selection committee unanimously chose the artwork, but not without controversy. Anderson spent more time justifying the pieces than she did carving them.
She carved the figures with unfinished heads, which she hoped would cause people to think, question or reflect on the ideas of justice.
The second part of the question, about the landscaping surrounding the sculptures, is more difficult to tackle.
The native plants in the beds were considered part of the art project, chosen by the artist and installed by a landscaper she hired. Driving by 13 years later, the figures are nearly hidden by twisted branches of vine maples, unless you know where to look. The view is less obscured now that many of their leaves have dropped.
The figures are easier to spot walking on the sidewalk.
The artist contacted the Oregon Arts Commission this fall, requesting maintenance and landscaping. The sculptures need to be cleaned, with noticeable blackish, green mold and/or lichen on the surface this week.
But whose responsibility is it?
The Oregon Arts Commission said the legal title for all works of art acquired through the Percent for Art Program is the state of Oregon on behalf of the contracting or resident agency, in this case, the Oregon Department of Justice.
The Percent for Art Program does not have a maintenance fund, leaving the responsibility of maintaining and conserving the artwork to the contracting agency. The Arts Commission will provide professional expertise and coordination when maintenance is needed and said it was checking with the team at the Justice Building to offer support in this case.
Oh, by the way
Oregon's Percent for Art in Public Places Program collection has grown to nearly 2,700 pieces statewide and can be discovered in state buildings and public universities across Oregon.
A search of the collection's online portal for examples in Salem shows 91 records, the majority installed at the Oregon State Hospital, Oregon Department of Transportation headquarters, and DMV headquarters. Officials said the portal data is not complete and their internal database shows a more accurate number of 389 pieces of public art in Salem.
The individual descriptions in the online portal note some artworks may be in locations with limited public access and recommend contacting the site before visiting to ensure access.
Two of the most visible and accessible pieces in Salem include ones at the Oregon State Hospital and the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center.
The Oregon State Hospital Memorial commemorates more than 3,400 individuals who died in state institutions from 1913 to 1970. It includes a building housing the historical metal urns that held ashes of the unclaimed, newly created ceramic urns to hold the remains, and a columbarium wall with the names and dates of those yet unclaimed.
The fairgrounds entrance gate on Sunnyview Road NE features two stepped mosaic walls. The walls feature quilt- and fair-inspired ceramic tiles in geometric designs with images representing hallmarks of the fair, including plants and produce, people and entertainment, and livestock.
Capi Lynn is a senior reporter for the Statesman Journal. Email your "Why is that" questions to her at clynn@statesmanjournal.com.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Marble sculptures need maintenance in front of state Justice Building
