Putnam: Art installation targeted for destruction in Bath Township given stay of execution

Lansing State Journal

Bath artist Robert Park stands along The Blue Loop installation he's been working on in the wooded lot on property for the past two years. Park has been told by the township to clean up the "junk," which he views as an art installation. He has a bachelor's of fine arts from Michigan State University. He also earned his teaching certificate there. He had a solo show at MSU in the fall of 2017.

Story has been updated to correct date of next court hearing.

BATH TWP. – Robert Park’s art installation at his home by Park Lake has gotten a stay of execution.

William Metros, a longtime Bath attorney and township resident, volunteered to defend Park’s art pro bono. A court hearing to decide the fate of the work, which was set for Monday, has been delayed until Aug. 13.

In May, the township ordered Park to clean up his property. That included removing a 1,000-foot art installation called The Blue Loop.

It’s an arranged collection of bit and pieces of found objects, broken toys, lettering and items that would otherwise be considered trash, all in shades of blue. The blue stuff is along a trail in the woods on his property. Authorities have deemed it junk.

Park’s an off-the-grid but established artist who just wants to be left alone. He's lived for nearly 40 years on the 1 ½ acre property across the street from the township’s Park Lake Beach.

“I want to spend my time creating things, not having to defend them,” Park said.

Part of The Blue Loop installation in the wooded lot on Bath artist Robert Park's property, Thursday, July 5, 2018. Park has been told by the township to clean up the "junk" in his yard, which he views as an art installation. Park has a bachelor's in fine arts from Michigan State University. He also earned his teaching certificate there. He had a solo show at MSU in the fall of 2017.

Township Supervisor Jack Phillips said other township residents have called it an eyesore.

Metros, who said he has a “soft spot” for artists, stepped up after reading a July 8 column about the controversy.

He said he walked the property with a group, including the township’s new ordinance compliance officer, Dave Vincent, who previously worked for the city of Lansing.

Also walking the art installation was Marvin Fouty, who owns a group of condominiums next to Park's property. Fouty said he and others initially complained about items and cars along the road on the edge of Park’s property.

Park said his three vehicles are licensed. He moved them and cleaned up other items. Fouty said he has no further complaints.

But Vincent, the township's ordinance compliance officer, said other neighbors have complained about the art installation, which is now hidden by foliage but is more visible when there are no leaves on the trees.

He said Park agreed to clean up piles of brush on his property by Aug. 8

Once the brush is cleared, Vincent said, township officials still have to decide whether The Blue Loop itself violates the anti-junk ordinance. A hearing is set in Clinton County District Court on Aug. 16.

Metros said he believes a strong case can be made that The Blue Loop is art, not junk.

“I think the township is way overstepping here at this point in time. I’m relatively confident we’ll have this resolved,” he said. "He’s harmless. He’s not doing anything wrong."

Judy Putnam is a columnist with the Lansing State Journal. Contact her at (517) 267-1304 or at jputnam@lsj.com. Follow her on twitter @judyputnam.