I’m all for public art — I love graffiti (especially East L.A. “In Memory” murals), Shepard Fairey‘s “Obey” jazz and even, on occasion, creepy corporate plaza sculptures (they remind me of being little in D.C.).

But the new billboard bearing the word “Fate” — facing north on La Cienega Boulevard between Venice and Washington Boulevards — doesn’t feel evocative enough to justify the substantial money it took to bring it to life.

Created by artist Doug Aitken, and funded in part by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the billboard feels like a monumental waste of tax-payer money. I mean, there are kids in shelters in downtown who don’t have shoes.

My feeling is that if you’re going to go to the effort of erecting something so huge and public, make sure it’s pushing a boundary or making us contemplate something important. What am I supposed to be feeling about the word “fate?” It’s a nothing word, not unlike — oh, I dunno — “hope.”

But I’m interested to know what you think — so comment if the mood strikes you. Oh, and the billboard will be up through October, so keep your eyes peeled.

Photo courtesy of the artist.