HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-09-21 Public Art Commission Summary Minutes
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART COMMISSION
MEETING
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Community Meeting Room & Virtual
7:00 p.m.
Commissioners Participating: Hsinya Shen, Nia Taylor, Loren Gordon, Lisa Waltuch, Ben
Miyaji (joined the meeting at 7:00 pm and participated remotely
under “just cause”)
Commissioners Absent: None
Staff Present: Elise DeMarzo, Public Art Program Director
Nadya Chuprina, Public Art Program Coordinator
CALL TO ORDER – Chair Shen called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
AGENDA CHANGES, REQUESTS, DELETIONS – None.
PUBLIC COMMENT – None.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - PAC Regular Meeting July 20, 2023 Moved: Commissioner Taylor;
Second: Vice Chair Gordon. All in Favor.
STAFF COMMENTS – Staff updated the Commissioners on the Midtown Ice Cream Social event that
took place in Hoover Park on September 10. Staff also announced two upcoming creative community
engagements with King AIR artist Kirti Bassendine to take place at Rinconada Library on September 27th
to engage community members in conversations about housing, belonging, and equity in Palo Alto as part
of the artist’s residency project. Staff also updated the PAC on the Arnautoff frescoes protection project at
the Roth Building. Staff announced Commissioner and general public volunteer opportunities during
Code:ART on October 12, 13, and 14th. Staff announced upcoming CASP Open Studios event at
Cubberley Community Center on November 4th.
NON-ACTION:
1. Public Art in Private Development – Staff introduced the item and invited art consultant
Chandra Cerrito to make a presentation to the Commission as part of the PAC initial review of
Public Art in Private Development associated with the 660 University Ave. The art consultant
presented the development project, including digital renderings of the building, its location,
immediate surroundings, proposed materials and two locations considered for potential art
placement. Commissioners clarified with the consultant about their approach to artist selection
and inspiration for the art. The development team is looking into local, regional, and national
artists, possibly mosaic as the desired medium for artwork, and themes inspired by nature. The
PAC was generally supportive of the direction the applicant team was taking with their art plan.
ACTION:
2. Public Art in Private Development – As part of the final review and approval of the public art
in private development by artist Kyungmi Shin for the 3200 Park Boulevard development project,
staff introduced the item and recapped the timeline for the project to-date, including previous
input form the PAC for the public art. Project art consultant Jennifer Easton and artist Kyungmi
Shin provided a summary of the design development process, including community and
stakeholder outreach and research of the site and neighborhood’s cultural heritage, and presented
the proposed artwork for the building. The consultant also shared the information about the
identified fabricator and installation process. Commissioners provided positive feedback about
the artist’s approach to design development and presented concept and themes for the artwork,
appropriate placement and scale, as well as the team’s decision to fabricate the artwork in glass
mosaic. Commissioners asked questions regarding the maintenance and longevity of the mosaic
tiles, and expressed a desire for the historic panels not to cover the proposed artwork. There was
some discussion regarding interpretive information for the mosaic on site. Move: Chair Shen
moved to approve the Public Art in Private Development art plan associated with the 3200 Park
Boulevard development project. Second: Commissioner Waltuch. All in Favor.
3. Public Art in Private Development – Staff presented the project background and rationale for
the amendment to the final approval of artwork at 2600 El Camino Real to approve a replacement
artwork by artist Bruce Beasley. Staff recapped the development project scope and timeline,
including the need to identify a replacement artwork, due to the previously identified artist’s
inability to fabricate and deliver the originally approved artwork. Staff summarized the new artist
selection process and criteria, and presented the artwork, including its description and images, by
Bay Area artist Bruce Beasley selected by the property owner. The artwork is scheduled to be
installed onsite before the end of 2023. Move: Vice Chair Gordon moved to approve artwork by
artist Bruce Beasley for the private development project at 2600 El Camino Real. Second:
Commissioner Miyaji. All in Favor.
4. Public Art for Boulware Park – Staff presented the project background including the project
artists’ community engagement as part of their research and design development process. Then
the artist team of Russell Rock and Jeanine Centuori presented their conceptual design to the
PAC, showed digital renderings and proposed materials. There was some discussion about the
proposed artwork’s dynamic design, the upcoming community outreach to incorporate language,
maintenance considerations and expected lifespan, and safety if children try to climb the piece.
City staff to assess the proposed design for and safety concerns and recommend any refinements
as needed in detailed design phase. Move: Commissioner Taylor moved to approve the artwork
design concept by artists Jeanine Centuori and Russell Rock of UrbanRock Art & Design Studio
for Boulware Park. Second: Vice Chair Gordon. Moved 4-1 (Commissioner Miyaji “No”)
5. King Artist Residency – Staff recommended that the PAC form an ad hoc committee to discuss
next steps in the King Artist Residency program and work with public art staff to return to the
Commission in October with a recommendation for the next residency. Commissioners Gordon
and Miyaji volunteered to be part of the ad hoc committee. Move: Chair Shen moved to approve
staff recommendation to form ad hoc committee with Commissioners Gordon and Miyaji serving
on the committee to advise staff on the next steps in relation to the King Residency. Second:
Commissioner Waltuch. All in Favor.
PUBLIC LETTERS: Commissioners received and acknowledged a public letter.
COMMISSIONER REQUESTS: Commissioners inquired with the PAC Chair about the status of the
PAC letter submitted to City Council regarding reinstating the commission to seven members.
CALENDAR: Next PAC Regular Meeting – October 19, 7 pm at City Hall Community Meeting Room.
MEETING ADJOURNED: at 9:00 by Chair Shen.