Paying tribute to a community visionary
People often discount -- or worse, ignore -- the importance of the
community visionary. This is true in society, in government, in every
area of life, including the individual family. Make no mistake, the
individual with ideas and the ability to execute ideas makes an
enormous difference on the lives touched by said change.
This preface is an introduction to yet another congratulations to
one of the men who has made this community one of the finest in the
world. He is Henry Segerstrom, businessman and arts patron. While it
may seem solicitous and politically incorrect to applaud this man of
great wealth and influence, these words follow the announcement in
the international media that Kathryn Gustafson has been selected to
design the Diana Princess of Wales memorial fountain in London’s Hyde
Park.
Gustafson was the architect hand-selected by Segerstrom to design
the Bridge of Gardens, which is the walkway connecting the two wings
of South Coast Plaza over Bristol Street in Costa Mesa. Segerstrom
could have hired a construction company to build a bridge over
Bristol Street. Instead, he conducted an international search for a
designer who would create a bridge of ascetic and practical elements
of equal import.
This is what community and business vision is all about. Men and
women who take the path less traveled, sometimes at personal expense,
do so because they represent showcasing humanity in forms that are
lasting and substantial, architecture being primary among these
categories.
Newport-Mesa can be proud that Segerstrom hired Gustafson to
create his bridge. Not just because the world architectural community
selected her for this very high profile assignment in England, but
because this one small element of life in our community is a
testament to the importance of individual vision shaping the region
with a keen eye on the quality of life. While architecture and design
may not be as important to humanity as issues relating to health,
education, employment and welfare, society as a whole has always been
elevated by the visual and architectural aspects of community life.
Because of the vision of Henry Segerstrom, and other men and women
who are often mentioned in this column with respect to their
community deeds, Orange County, and in particular the Newport-Mesa
community is poised to become the premier region in the nation.
If you think the developments of the last decade have been
dramatic, the change to come is tenfold in terms of the positive
effect on the residents of this region. And yes, whether you have
heard of Kathryn Gustafson or not, and whether you know anything
about Henry Segerstrom other than his connection with South Coast
Plaza, take a moment and give some thought to the significance of
positive leadership in our society. One man or woman can make a
difference. We are very fortunate to live in a community, a society,
where people care enough to express their individual vision.
* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.
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