HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-17 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
Thursday, March 17, 2016
City Hall Community Meeting Room
250 Hamilton Ave
7:30 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Jim Migdal, Nia Taylor, Ben Miyaji, Loren Gordon
Commissioners Absent: Mila Zelkha, Amanda Ross, Dara Silverstein
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Assistant
Liz Kniss, City Council Liaison to PAC
CALL TO ORDER: Chair Migdal called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – none.
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - none.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: February 18, 2016 Regular Meeting Minutes Moved: Vice Chair Miyaji,
Second: Commissioner Taylor. All in favor.
STAFF COMMENTS: Staff provided a summary of the opening event of Susan Narduli’s new media
installation for the City Hall lobby. Staff also updated the commission on the status development of the
upcoming temporary installation of Chime, a sound sculpture by artists Dan Gottwald and Scott Watkins
scheduled for May 16.
ACTION:
1. 441 Page Mill Road – Final review and approval of artwork associated with the private development
project at 441 Page Mill Rd. Alena Campagna of Stoecker & Northway Architects Inc. presented the
summary of the project development, Campagna gave an overview of the art fabrication process of a
group of 5 sculptural elements by artist Fletcher Benton. There was some discussion about the
installation methods and maintenance provisions for the proposed artwork. Moved: Commissioner
Gordon moved to approve the final art plan. Second: Vice Chair Miyaji. All in Favor.
NON-ACTION:
2. 3251 Hanover Street – Initial Review for public art in private development project by SHPDM,
LLC. Staff presented a background of the development project and talked about key architectural
design elements of the new site. Allison Koo of Sand Hill Properties gave more detail regarding the
surrounding site and considerations. Staff advised the Commission that Sand Hill Properties intends
to hire the Public Art Program staff to project manage the commissioning process. Commissioners
reviewed the details of the project and provided suggestions for possible art placement sites, types,
media and themes of public art. Commissioners suggested that the developer considers the
appropriate scale and sensitivity to surrounding residential communities next to the development. The
primary focus was on the Hanover side of the property for maximum visibility. Commissioners
suggested artwork that might play off of the distinctive architecture, may be playful in nature, or may
appear in series.
3. 2600 El Camino Real – Initial Review for public art in private development project by SHPDM,
LLC. Staff presented a background of the development project and demonstrated about key
architectural design elements of the new site. Public Art Program staff was hired by SHPDM, LLC. to
project manage the commissioning project. Commissioners reviewed the details of the project and
provided suggestions for possible art placement sites, types, media and themes of public art.
Commissioners suggested that the developer considers the limited space surrounding the development
and utilizing the planter in front of the property, or vertical elements on the northern side of the
building. Commissioners suggested incorporating functional art or utilizing natural materials. The
commission also discussed artwork that may flow through the site, or break the geometry of the
building.
4. E. Charleston - Arastradero Transportation Corridor – Public Works staff provided an overview
of the project development along the E. Charleston – Arastradero transit corridor in order to gain the
PAC’s initial input for public art opportunities along the 2.3 mile corridor serving 11 schools, several
parks, shopping centers, commercial uses, a library, day care centers, non-profit organizations, and
two community centers. Commissioners reviewed the presented materials and provided initial ideas
for various types of functional art to enhance the usability and safety of the transit corridor for
pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The commission expressed support for the initiation of the art
selection.
5. University Ave Creative Seating Pilot Project - Staff notified the Commission about the arranged
temporary loan of creative benches by Walnut Creek artist Colin Selig for placement in downtown
Palo Alto. The pilot project will include 5 sculptural seating elements installed at three locations
along University Avenue. Staff notified the Commission that the artist has offered to loan the pieces
outright, but staff queried whether the Commission might consider agendizing the item to approve the
artist’s costs associated with the loan. Commissioners recommended that staff agendize the approval
of funds for the temporary placement of art benches at the next meeting.
ANNOUNCEMENTS – none.
FOR YOUR CALENDAR:
Next Meeting: April 21, 2016 – Regular Public Art Commission Meeting
Meeting adjourned 9:31 PM by Chair Migdal.