The “Unconditional Surrender” statue, better known as the kissing sailor, has stood as a symbol of Sarasota’s competing tastes longer than a decade. But would even its most devout fans want the removal of this monstrosity criminalized?

The Legislature seems poised to do just that, with legislation protecting a loose definition of historic monuments from what some might call good taste. Sen. Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, championed SB 1122, a bill he swears is not about Confederate monuments despite criticism to the contrary. To prove it, the bill was written to protect “all monuments and memorials.” 

When I asked specifically if the legislation would stop Sarasota from discharging the sailor from the city’s public art collection, he answered affirmatively.

“It would be protected from removal,” Martin said.

To be honest, I’m not sure reading the bill if that’s the case. The legislation grants authority to the Florida Historical Commission to determine that a monument deserves the protection of the law, presuming this does become state statute. Still, Martin also identifies a “military monument” as any statue depicting a past or present service member (at least since Europeans settled the continent). That seems to sweep in the sailor. 

Importantly, this bill doesn’t just preclude removal of monuments but also stops their relocation. That seems relevant as Unconditional Surrender, a work of art not specifically designed for any particular part of Sarasota—or for the city at all—enticed visitors to multiple parts of the city. Regardless, if city officials violate this law, depending how the final language shakes out, they could be responsible for the cost of restoring the statue and even be removed from office.

Martin maintained throughout the process his bill is about preserving all history. It allows governments who feel stuck with a monument that doesn’t reflect modern sensibility to put up a plaque explaining the history of the work. 

In many ways, “Unconditional Surrender” better establishes my true problem than Civil War celebrations. I’m an ardent defender of free speech, and that means preserving art many find offensive. But to protect this statue from any decision on its display shows proves the silliness of this proposal.

I know a contingency hates the sailor because it depicts a non-consensual groping of a nurse. Most critics, myself included, just think it’s bad art.

First, it’s plagiarized. A clear depiction of Alfred Eisenstaedt’s famous V-Day photo in Times Square (and part of The LIFE Picture Collection), Seward Johnson maintained until his death he based the statue on a military photograph (read publicly domain) of the same moment.

The statue also brings no sense of place. Johnson created a half dozen versions of this statue that are scattered around the country, one which stood a period in Times Square. This one showed up here as part of the Season of Sculpture before a rich veteran made the investment to make Sarasota its home.

But from the moment it first showed up, artists noted its sheer ugliness. The hands don’t match the scale of the body. Local art lover Virginia Hoffman compared it to a Macy’s Day balloon. Artist Dennis Kowal shrouded his own work to avoid it appearing in the same show as this computer-assisted mockery of art. Not only derivative, the sailor delivers a poor copy at that.

Yes, veterans love it. It reminds them of the war ending. Commissioners feared their wrath for years, worried the World War II generation would vote anyone out who dared take down the kitsch shrine. Fine. But for Florida law to affix this distasteful tribute as a permanent part of the landscape hurts the brain as much as the eyes.

Jacob Ogles is contributing senior editor for SRQ MEDIA. 

Photo courtesy Visit Sarasota County

Since the 1800s, it has been said "No man's life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session" and it seems this saying still holds true today.

Last year, the legislature passed a bill mandating businesses with more than 25 employees to E-verify their employees. It’s important to note contractors working on public projects were already required to E-Verify their employees. This bill extended that to the private sector. Those who do not comply face a possible fine of up to $1,000 per day and suspension or revocation of their license.  The bill also requires hospitals that receive federal and state Medicaid reimbursements to track and report care for undocumented immigrants that seek treatment in the emergency room.

This new mandate is having a devastating impact on Florida’s economy, especially construction, hospitality and agriculture, leading to price increases and delays.

Florida is one of 22 states that mandates E-Verify, leaving 28 states for these workers to move to and leave Florida.

Speaking for and about the construction industry, we are already facing workforce issues. A great number of workers have reached retirement age and not enough young workers are entering the field to make up for the losses. Jobs remain open and wages are increasing at historic rates affecting prices for the end user. Couple this with increasing interest rates and many commercial projects are being shelved which has a negative effect on the local economy.

According to the Migration Policy Institute there are approximately 800,000 unauthorized people living in Florida. Based on one economic impact study this new mandate could result in the loss of approximately 54,000 jobs in construction alone. According to GCBX members, employees who are E-Verify-ed are leaving out of fear that a spouse or family member could need medical care that would result in their deportation and that is a risk they are not willing to take.

Let’s face it, our immigration system is broken. We are letting millions of people in each year without a clear path to citizenship or a program to sponsor them for work. In most instances they are given a court date years in the future. Wouldn’t a program that permitted an expedited work authorization be to everyone’s benefit?

Good public policy does not necessarily result in a good political sound bite, but it gets to the root of the problem and solves it for the public good. This is certainly a problem that needs to be addressed at the Federal level, but at the State and local level let’s allow for solutions that allow for work and for being productive members of society. When a business wants to sponsor an employee currently it costs tens of thousands of dollars and takes years to accomplish. This just is not doable for a small or medium-sized business.

Let’s ensure that these individuals are here for the right reasons and aspire to the American Dream. Let’s ensure they do not have a criminal background or are here for the wrong reasons. Let’s also have a reasonable and streamlined mechanism where employers can get the workers they need and keep the engine of the local economy running.

I am hopeful that during this legislative session, elected leaders in Tallahassee will take a look at this and reach out to stakeholders to find solutions. I have not heard anything yet and the economic engine is sputtering, but I’m still hopeful.

Mary Dougherty is executive director of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange.

Image courtesy Pixabay: poster by Victor Mendoza.

I often note how fortunate we are to live in a community that strongly supports so many cultural endeavors. Many of us in Sarasota and beyond understand and appreciate the intrinsic value of the arts. After all, that is why so many of us moved here.

But when it comes to our larger society, we still have work to do to justify and even defend the role of the arts, especially the roles of arts education programs and art colleges. What an arts education gives to individuals as well as communities—both in personal enrichment as well as career benefits—should be widely accepted and beyond reproach. Unfortunately, it’s not.  As Ringling College of Art and Design, an institution which aims to be the preeminent art and design college in the world, we feel a responsibility for making these advantages clear.

Certainly, many people understand art schools offer a uniquely advantageous experience for students serious about pursuing careers as artists, art scholars, art educators and creative business leaders. Colleges like ours provide a focused education on artistic skills, history, creative thinking and analysis that may not be found at other colleges or universities. We also provide an environment conducive to producing creative work, where students are inspired and challenged to communicate increasingly complex concepts and emotions through visual and other media.

That same environment teaches experimentation and creativity like nowhere else. Art classes are a singular space where there is no one right answer. You’re able to explore in multiple directions, wherever your impulses and thoughts take you; you can struggle without losing ground; and you have the freedom to fail without actually failing—and perhaps even discover new routes to your own success.

In a world of ever-increasing automation, rote training and artificial intelligence, can there be any greater skill, regardless of profession, than the ability to think creatively? And to love an open-ended challenge? And to seek out unpaved paths to success?

Ask any Ringling student or alum about the role the arts, art education and the College itself played in their life, and they will undoubtedly mention their own personal development—not just in hard skills but in character as well.

What many do not realize is that personal development in creative fields is never confined to the individual. Why? Because art and other creative endeavors are a matter of community enrichment. Art reflects our history, traditions, culture and ourselves, showing those features from new angles. It allows us, individually and together, to dive deep into different topics and emotions, and to reflect on who we are and what we believe.

Art is not a singular field of study. Nor does an arts college represent a narrowing of scope. To    the contrary, art and creative education broaden the minds, skills and possibilities of its students as well as their communities.

Those of us in institutions of higher learning know firsthand the vital role the arts can play in education, personal development, societal enrichment, and yes, financial well-being and workforce productivity in virtually every industry and professional environment. We know this because we see these benefits every day, every year and every decade at Ringling College. 

And we love sharing these vital creative assets with the world.

Dr. Larry Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art & Design. 

Photo courtesy Ringling College.