For nearly 30 minutes Friday, members of Kansas City’s Municipal Art Commission sat practically entraced by what they were seeing.
As soon as Pieterjan Gijs and Arnout Van Vaerenbergh, an artist duo from Belgium — who, as part of the commission meeting, were chosen to receive $2.18 million to bring public art to the new Barney Allis Plaza — were done with their presentation, the commissioners began to gush.
New art for Barney Allis Plaza
“This is stunning,” Commissioner Kathleen McCarthy said. “I’m almost speechless.”
“I love everything about this,” Commissioner Matt Wegerer said. “I’ve lived in KC for 25 years, worked and lived five minutes from the site. . . .having a piece of artwork that’s that well thought-out, well-crafted and inspirationally designed. . .I couldn’t love it more. It’s not what I was expecting, but it’s also exactly what I was hoping for.”
“I echo so much of what was stated,” said Commissioner Stephanie Smith. “It’s really beautiful.”…