SoMa sculpture

Regarding “Burning Man art spills beyond playa” (Aug. 30): I read with interest about the evolution of large sculpture art introduced in Burning Man for export throughout the country. It is ironic that sculpture would be produced in the Nevada desert while it is being removed from public view in SoMa, a neighborhood hardly noted for its abundance of outdoor art.

Let me point out an existing large sculpture attached to the 12th floor of a building exterior at the southeast corner of Third and Townsend streets in SoMa. This stainless steel work by Seattle’s Mark Stevens is easily visible from street level. Unfortunately, unlike the evolution of large sculpture at Burning Man, the fate of the SoMa sculpture is being subjected to devolution. A proposed construction of a highrise hotel at 701 Third St. (at the site of a McDonald’s restaurant) would block the street view of the artwork.

The city should encourage privately and publicly funded art for the enjoyment of the walking public and should ensure that this art is not obscured by future development. Saving “Artifacts from a Coal Mine” would be a good start.

Howard Bloomberg, San Francisco