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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-10-170 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES October 17, 2007 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Bussing convened the meeting at 9:00 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Norma Bussing Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Barbara Stenning Kim Snyder Maureen Thompson John Weston Also Present Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Mayor Pro Tem Jean Benson Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Commissioner Snyder thanked City Council and staff for the Committee/Commission lunch and gift. 0 Art in Public Places Minutes 0 October 17, 2007 O IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on September 19, 2007. Upon Motion by Commissioner Weston and second by Commissioner Grochau, the Minutes of September 19, 2007, were approved unanimously. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION At its meeting of October 11, 2007, City Council approved the following items. Mark Stephenson as the curator for the 2009/10 El Paseo Exhibition; Heath Satow's "Desert Gateway Tumbling Weed" at the Desert Gateway Development on Monterey and Dinah Shore as its public art component. Mr. Twedt reported that one of the Councilmembers mentioned the possibility of adding an art piece near Kohl's in the Desert Gateway center. The developer has paid the art fee but may choose not to place additional art and leave the fee in the fund. He added that he might be directed to negotiate with the developer to do a piece on private property which is typically not the process. Chairperson Bussing commented that it might be that too many pieces of art get placed in that center. Mr. Twedt reminded the Commission of the 700-foot median on Monterey from Dinah Shore to 1-10 that will include artwork. Once "Tumbling Weed" and the piece in the median are placed, it may suit the Councilmember's request. Mayor Pro Tem Benson mentioned another proposed development near Lowe's, that may include a Super Target. Chairperson Bussing stated that with the upcoming artworks in that center the Commission may want to create a master plan or the art could end up unrelated. Mr. Twedt stated that he is not interested in having a City project in that area. There are several projects currently in process and would like to see how those develop before creating a new project. Mr. Twedt stated that several years ago the Commission developed a master plan of priority sites. One of the priority sites was completed by the developer who placed the entrance sign at Art in Public Places Minutes 0 October 17, 2007 0 0 Desert Gateway. Mr. Twedt briefed the Commission on the master plan. The Commission focused on large-scale art at the major entrances of 1-10 and Washington and I-10 and Monterey. He reminded the Commission of Jon Seeman's piece at ARCO on Cook Street and Phillip Smith's piece at University Village. The developer of Wendy's at Country Club and Washington was going to give the City an easement to do a major piece; however, Mr. Twedt noted that it is a congested intersection and the artwork would probably not be noticed. Secondary sites were also prioritized. Such sites included the corner at Highway 111 and Highway 74 (Wachovia Bank), which is where he is proposing Jean-Louis Corby's "Danseur" to be installed. There was discussion of keeping a precedent by approving quality art only. Mr. Twedt said that if the Commission approves a piece of artwork and six months later the Commission is not satisfied with the decision, it needs to be discussed and the guidelines should be reviewed. Chairperson Bussing asked if the Commission could get a tract map of north Palm Desert. Commissioner Weston reminded the Commission that a motion was passed last month to compile a list of projects currently in process and what has been approved for future developments. Chairperson Bussing asked if staff could provide the Commission with a list of projects that have been recently completed, are in process, and approved for completion. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF A TITLE FOR THE 2008 STUDENT ART AND ESSAY CONTEST Mayor Pro Tem Benson stated that one of the teachers approached her at last year's award ceremony about asking the teachers for theme suggestions. Ms. Thompson responded that one of the forms that are sent to the schools does ask for theme suggestions. 0 0 Art in Public Places Minutes October 17, 2007 0 After some discussion the 2008 Student Art and Essay Contest title will be "What Art or Technology Can I Create using Solar Energy?" It was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to approve the title of "What Art or Technology Can 1 Create Using Solar Energy?" for the 2008 Student Art and Essay Contest. Motion carried unanimously. B. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Artwork by Cassandria Blackmore and Dan Zinno were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. It was moved by Commissioner Weston and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to include Cassandria Blackmore and Dan Zinno in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Motion approved unanimously. Vlll. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO SELECT TIM PRENTICE AS THE REPLACEMENT FOR NED KAHN FOR THE "EMBRACING THE DESERT LIGHT" PROJECT Mr. Twedt reported that he contacted the artists who had been selected for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project to see if they were interested in submitting a proposal. The three artists who were approved by the Commission were Ned Kahn, Peter Erkstein, and DeWain Valentine. Ned Kahn chose not to participate. Mr. Twedt contacted Michael Hayden in error instead of DeWain Valentine. Upon realizing his error he contacted Mr. Valentine who was interested. Since Ned Kahn does not want to participate Mr. Twedt suggested Tim Prentice as a replacement as he works in a similar rein to Ned Kahn. Commissioner Hough stated that Michael Hayden is a famous and well-known artist. It was the concurrence of the Commission to invite Art in Public Places Minutes O October 17, 2007 o 0 Peter Erskine, DeWain Valentine, Michael Hayden, and Tim Prentice to submit a proposal for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project. Commissioner Stenning stated her concern about the strong winds in the desert and if the durability of kinetic artwork being placed outside could withstand the desert winds and environment. it was moved by Commissioner Stenning and seconded by Commissioner Hough to approve an additional $2,000 honorarium to include Tim Prentice to submit a proposal for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project. Motion carried unanimously. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that "Between Two Worlds" has been placed in the Gallery. She thanked Commissioners Hough and Snyder for attending the opening on Monday, October 15 as were Mayor Dick Kelly and Mayor Pro Tem Jean Benson. She added that she appreciates the attendance of the Commissioners and Councilmembers. She noted that both artists from the show brought in people from the Palm Springs area. The next exhibition will be the COD Student Exhibition consisting of photography, print making, and ceramics. B. Website Mr. Twedt mentioned he has spent several months teaching himself how to create and upload video including sound onto the website. The public art website now has video of the City's public art collection. He created a video of Maria Hunt painting one of the traffic signal boxes on El Paseo which has been placed on the website. The installation of "For Our Freedom" by Romo Studio at Freedom Park has also been uploaded to the public art website. Art in Public Places Minutes ° October 17, 2007 o 0 C. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that one of the docents resigned, which is only the second docent that resigned since the program started. She noted that the El Paseo tour still proves to be the most popular tour. The second Saturday November tour is at the Library on November 10 at 10:00 a.m. She will not be training another group of docents this year but will train another group next year. She is doing as much outreach as she can and will send letters to all the hotel concierges reminding them of the program. She met with Commissioner Thompson about bringing the program into the schools. Commissioner Weston asked for a schedule of the docent tours. D. Desert Cities Public Art Forum Mr. Twedt distributed a flyer of the Desert Cities Public Art Forum taking place April 4 and 19, 2008 to the Commissioners. He and Ms. Schwartz are finishing up loose ends and will send out the minutes from the meeting of September 19. We are still in need of more participants for the sessions. He noted that Jessica Cusick would speak at the Arts Administration day instead of Julie Silliman. Commissioner Hough said that Peter Carlson is 90 percent confirmed as a speaker. Mr. Twedt reported that the November issue of Art Forum has a 30-page focus on The Art Production, which includes artists collaborating with fabricators. This topic is one of the sessions at the Forum. Peter Carlson is highlighted in the article. Cliff Garten is a keynote speaker and will discuss where the art world has been, where is it going, and what are the current challenges. Ms. Schwartz mentioned that she met with the representatives of Americans for the Arts who work for the Public Art Network at the Public Art Coalition of Southern California. It was mentioned from the group that they want to see more of these types of forums. Art in Public Places Minutes October 17. 2007 0 XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt reported that jd Hansen's piece, "Yesterday" from the El Paseo Invitational Exhibition, has been removed and will be placed in the Grey Stone Mansion in Beverly Hills. Due to "Yesterday" needing to be installed in Beverly Hills tomorrow, Mr. Twedt authorized the replacement piece of "Requiem". Mr. Twedt noted that "Yesterday" was Ms. Hansen's first large scale piece, she had not been represented by a gallery, Modern Masters Fine Art Gallery picked her up, and sold over 40 bronzes through the Gallery. Mr. Twedt noted that when the art on El Paseo the changes during the exhibition, it could become costly to change the ads. It was mentioned to add the wording "Artwork subject to change" so that the ads will not have to be redone. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Hough stated that she led a group on an art tour through Italy, Torino, Venice, and Milan. COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell Ms. Campbell reported that the Planning Commission approved a 15,000 square foot building for retail and a restaurant on the corner of El Paseo and Lupine. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Bussing adjourned the meeting at 10:25 a.m. Respectfully submitted, CaLgVAMiii DEBBIPSOa, RECORDING SECRETARY