ABSTRACT
Thecreativeprocessgrowsonlymoreintensewhenthegovernmentbecomesinvolved.Forsculptorsflirtingwiththepublicreviewprocess,thecreationof"The LoneSailor"canprovideaninstructivetale.
Tobeginwith,theprocessofselectingthesculptorwasunusual.IrememberreceivingatelephonecallfromSasakiAssociates,anarchitecturalfirmnotedforits landscapeworkandcommissionedbytheUnitedStatesNavyMemorialFoundation(USNMF)tofindbothanarchitectandasculptor.AfterSasakichosethearchitect,thefirmputtogetheralistoffiftysculptorsforanationwidesearchand requestedpresentationsfromeach.Busyprofessionalsnormallyignoremostrequestsofthiskindbecauseproposalsrequireagreatdealofworkandtheoddsof receivingacommissionareratherslim.IdeclinedbecauseIwasoccupiedwith otherworkanddonotenjoymakingpresentations.Thearchitectswerepersuasive,however,andIfinallyagreed,onlytolearnthatmypresentationwouldrequireatleasttwentyphotographsofpastwork,accompanyingstatements,and documentation,allinsextuplicate!Ideclinedagain.Thenmyassistantsaid,"Listen,thisisamarvelousopportunity.Let'sdoit.I'llgetthepicturesanddocuments togetherandmakeupthepresentation."Threemonthslater,hearingnothing,I calledSasakiandrequestedmyphotographsback.IthenlearnedthatIwasoneof fivefinalists.
