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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-12-20 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes MINUTES PUBLIC ART COMMISSION MEETING Thursday, December 20, 2018 Palo Alto City Hall Community Meeting Room 7:00 p.m. Commissioners Present: Ben Miyaji, Nia Taylor, Ian Klaus, Jim Migdal, Loren Gordon Commissioners Absent: Amanda Ross, Hsinya Shen Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator Monique leConge Ziesenhenne, Director of Library & Community Services CALL TO ORDER: Chair Migdal called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – None. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS – None APPROVAL OF MINUTES: November 15, 2018 PAC Meeting Minutes Moved: Vice Chair Miyaji; Second: Commissioner Klaus. All in favor. Jim Migdal abstained. STAFF COMMENTS: Staff announced upcoming installations of artworks for Fire Station 3 and Avenidas scheduled for early January 2019. Staff also announced an upcoming Bioblitz event at Byxbee Park on January 13 at 11 am followed by a public presentation by Watershed Sculpture artists at the Grassroots Ecology event at 2 pm. Staff extended an invitation to the Cubberley Artists’ reception taking place on January 24 featuring most recent gifts of artworks to the City’s public art collection at the Palo Alto Art Center. Staff also announced an upcoming artist talk featuring Jim Campbell and Barbara Goldstein at Montalvo Arts Center on February 20. ACTION: 1. Public Presentation and Approval of Public Artworks for the Public Safety Building – Staff provided an overview of the PSB project including the project goals and timeline, artist selection process, stakeholders and community input, research by selected artist Peter Wegner, and community takeaways that helped to inform the design development for public artworks. Pending PAC approval, the artist will move forward to the detailed design phase and enter into a fabrication and installation contract for the proposed artworks. Artist Peter Wegner then presented concepts for a suite of four artworks. Two artworks proposed for the lobby that are closely influenced by the artist’s time with the staff of the departments at the PSB and the work they do, one artwork on the exterior façade of the PSB that links the work performed inside the building with the community, and a large exterior LED piece on the recessed corner of the upcoming parking structure across Birch street from the PSB that reflects the Cal Ave community and relates to the other works. The works at the PSB site are in the color palette identified with the emergency responders, the artwork at the garage will incorporate that palette and more colors reflecting the broader Cal Ave community. Artist’s presentation was interrupted by fire alarm at 8:05. Meeting was resumed at 8:16. Community member Shannon Rose McEntee addressed the Commissioners to express her concerns regarding the proposed concept for the LED piece, including its overall scale and costs associated with its maintenance, power draw and light pollution. Public Art staff addressed questions regarding the materials to be used for the artworks and clarified that a detailed maintenance plan will be part of the artist agreement. Staff clarified that funds for that maintenance of all four artworks will be set aside as part of the commissioning process out of the 1% for public art budget. Commissioners commended the proposed concepts discussed the need for interpretive onsite signage for future artworks. Commissioners also requested that staff provides more detailed information on the lifespan and maintenance costs associate with eth LED piece as the artist makes further progress with his design development. Staff recommended the approval of concepts for the suite of four artworks. Moved: Commissioner Migdal moved to approve concepts for four public artworks by artist Peter Wegner. Second: Vice Chair Miyaji. All in Favor. 2. Reallocation of Funds – Chair Midgal led the discussion about the PAC’s consideration to reallocate funds from the University Avenue Project. Chair Migdal provided summary of the University Ave Tunnel project and moved to approve reallocation of earmarked funds. Moved: Chair Migdal. Second: Vice Chair Miyaji. All in Favor. 3. Allocation of Funds for Cubberley Stock by Lexa Walsh – Staff provided an overview of artist Lexa Walsh’s Cubberley Stock proposal. A micro-granting dinner event, Cubberley stock will support local artists’ project to animate Cubberley. Diners pay a small dinner fee, enjoy their meals and listen to artists’ proposals that need funding. The diners vote on their favorite project to support and the winning artist takes the money to use for their work. PAP had not succeeded in securing the grant from the NEA to fund this temporary public art project and others envisioned to animate Cubberley. Staff recommended that PAC allocate funding in the amount of $2,500 to support Lexa Walsh’s project. Moved: Vice Chair Miyaji; Second: Chair Migdal. All in Favor. ANNOUNCEMENTS – None. CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – January 17, 2019 at 7 pm. MEETING ADJOURNED at 8:53 PM by Chair Migdal.