Technology clashed with tradition at Monday night’s Gig Harbor City Council meeting. 

The presentation of a small red-clay-over-foam model of a proposed life-sized bronze statue for the new maritime pier turned into a discussion about the artistic process.

The maquette — a small-scale model­ — of a man holding a large salmon is based on a 1909 picture taken by Pacific Northwest photographer Asahel Curtis.

The issue of contention centered on how the maquette was made — in this case, using 3-D software to digitize the photograph. A sculpting machine then produced a maquette in polyurethane foam that was sprayed with a fine coating of red clay.

That contrasts with a traditional, classically trained  sculptor who uses a hands-on technique to create a model.

The person responsible for sculpting the actual statue, Tacoma artist Doug Granum, had no qualms about the method used to produce the maquette.

“A machine takes you part way. It doesn’t take you to this,” he said, pointing to the model. “It’s a boilerplate approach. We all use it in the arts.”

Gig Harbor sculptor Mardie Rees, a member of the Gig Harbor Arts Commission, conceded that technology can be helpful in artistic endeavors, but she questioned its use in this case.

“I think technology is a tool and can be useful,” she said. “Unfortunately, this not a commissioned work of art. This is manufacturing.”

Accepting the model using today’s digital technology means “we aren’t authentic and don’t accept what’s real,” Rees said.

She was supported by her father, Don Rees, a builder and owner of Real Carriage Door Co.

“What I see here is a Xerox copy,” he said.

He compared the process used to produce the model to Milli Vanilli, one of the most popular musical acts in the late 1980s and early 1990s, infamous for having its Best New Artist Grammy revoked when it was revealed the duo did not actually sing the lead vocals on its debut album.

Technology is causing us to lose our humanity,  Don Rees said.

“I think everyone has good intentions,” he said. “But we forget where we come from. I think it reflects poorly on us in the city.”

The Reeses both asked the city council to give some more thought to accepting the maquette as a demonstration of Granum’s ability to produce the statue.

Granum characterized the Reeses’ take on the process as simplistic and said that, like all artists, he uses the technology available.

“I’m not new to the art world,” Granum said.

The verbal battle over the artistic process left at least one city council member unsure initially.

“Tell us what to do,” council member Tim Payne said, referencing the arts commission. “I’m relying on your expertise here.”

Council member Steve Ekberg pointed out the project is being funded by the Greater Gig Harbor Foundation, not the city.

“I think we should be embracing this,” he said. “I think we need to move forward with it.”

Those comments were echoed by council member Paul Kadzik, who downplayed the artistic concerns the Reeses brought up.

“We’re taking two different approaches to the same end,” council member Derek Young said. “I still think we’re going to end up with a nice result.”

The city council voted unanimously to accept the maquette and move forward with the project.

In related a related move, the city council voted to name the new maritime pier the “People’s Dock.” Other names that were considered included “Fishermen’s Pier” and “Maritime Pier.”

Also Monday, the city council approved an ordinance that pertains to the Shorecrest Community Septic System that would remove the 50 percent surcharge on sewer service customers outside of Gig Harbor. In addition, it established a sewer general facilities charge of $13,300 per equivalent residential unit  for connection to the SCSS and set up a dedicated Shorecrest sewer reserve fund.

The city council gave tacit approval for the Sand Volleyball Group to move forward with plans for a lighting concept for the Sand Volleyball Courts at the corner of Crescent Valley Drive and Vernhardson Street. Meanwhile, the city council will review the prospect of adding lighting to a city park.

The city council held a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance on downtown parking amendments.

Mayor Chuck Hunter recommended the city prepare and adopt a “Downtown Historic Inventory and Characterization Report” that will document existing conditions in Gig Harbor’s view basin and provide a framework for future development.

Reporter Brett Davis can be reached at 253-853-9243 or by email at brett.davis@gateline.com. Follow him on Twitter, @gateway_brett.