Vita (Extremely) Brevis

Back when she was hired as the Institute of Contemporary Art's new director, Jill Medvedow promised the "Vita Brevis," the public art program she had founded, would continue.

Well... we've recently learned that the ICA will no longer do "Vita Brevis". But fear not, the ICA's Deputy Director Paul Bessire says. Public art remains a mission at the ICA. It's just that the Latin term is getting the heave ho.

Bessire notes that the program's name "has resulted in some confusion by the public, including the assumption that the program is endowed by an individual named Vita Brevis, or that the ICA is housing a separately operating public art organization by the name of Vita Brevis.

The last public project to be noted as a Vita Brevis project was Julian Opie's Suzanne walking and Julian walking located on the Northern Avenue Bridge 2005-06.

And no, this has no impact on the ICA's budget for public art. We continue to be committed to the presentation of public art in Boston."