LAMORINDA WEEKLY | "The Measure of Man" to Remain


The Measure of Man Photo Ohlen Alexander

"This piece is a perfect addition to our community and represents its creativity," said Orinda Parks and Recreation Director Todd Skinner as the Orinda City Council accepted the donation of the sculpture titled "The Measure of Man," by artist Keith Bush. The piece has been on loan from the artist and is located on the Upper Library Plaza where it will now remain, noted Skinner. The Council also accepted the loan of seven new sculptures to the city, which are scheduled to be installed at the Library Plaza in mid-October and will be on display for about a year.

At 96' high, "The Measure of Man" towers over passers-by. The steel structure represents three symbolic human beings, trapped in a giant measuring tool. "In this sculpture I have used an abstract micrometer (a precision measuring tool) as the symbol of the bureaucracies trying to impose perceived standards on individuals," wrote the artist in his statement to the city, "The three figures are fighting off the process of being measured by someone else's standards or ideas."

"I love to look at children experiencing these sculptures," said Council Member Amy Worth, "I remember seeing one child with his parents; the father was explaining what science was like for him. It is a wonderful allusion to science and men."

"We want to thank Keith (Bush) from the bottom of our hearts," said Skinner, who explained that Bush decided to donate his statue because he was impressed by the art program and was pleased by the way he and his work had been treated by the city.

"The Measure of Man" joins several other publicly-displayed works that have been donated either to the City or the Friends of the Library, including Allison McCrady's painting of Orinda, donated by the artist, that hangs in City Hall; and "Mother Reading to Child," a bronze-work by Kevin Christison on display by the library.

"We are working with the City Council to purchase a few more pieces," said Skinner, "the Parks and Recreation Department has set aside restricted funds that are matched by private donations for that purpose."

Skinner noted that the city is seeing an increase in the offers of artwork to be loaned for display. "We started with seven or eight pieces and we now have more than twenty," he said, "I believe that we are getting close to our maximum."