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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2008-05-210 o CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES May 21, 2008 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 Kim Snyder Barbara Stenning Maureen Thompson Also Present John Weston Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Mayor Jean Benson Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Twedt asked to add an item to the agenda. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Chairperson Bussing to add "Consideration to Replace Brad Rude's "Into the Calm" with "Trick Ride" in the current El Paseo Exhibition" Under New Business, Item D. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. Art in Public Places Minutes May 21, 2008 0 0 0 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meetings held on March 19, and April 16, 2008. It was noted by Commissioner Hough that on Page 2 of the Minutes of March 19, 2008, under Consent Calendar, it states in the Motion that Commissioner Hough made the Motion and seconded the Motion. Staff will refer to the notes taken and correct the Motion. Upon Motion by Commissioner Grochau and second by Commissioner Hough, the Minutes of March 19, and April 16, 2008, were approved as corrected. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION None VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE AN RFP FOR AN INTERNET BASED INTERACTIVE ART PROJECT USING PALM DESERT'S PUBLIC ART AND WEBSITE AS THE BASIS TO THE THEME Mr. Twedt reported that staff met with Commissioners Grochau and Weston about the Internet based interactive art project that the Commission considered at its April 16 meeting. Staff showed the two Commissioners websites that had interactive Internet art projects as examples of what is currently being produced. Commissioner Grochau stated that a computer programmer is able to perform different tasks and a programmer could take information from a website and send it through their program, and the screen will take the information and display it in a kinetic art form which forms a collage. Mr. Twedt would like to contact COD, Cal State, and UCR to inquire if they have these types of Art in Public Places Minutes 0 Mav 21, 2008 0 programs for students and thought the students could create an Internet at piece for us. In checking with artists about the cost Mr. Twedt was told it would be approximately zero ($0) to $200.00 for an initial proposal. The cost to create a full piece could be $7,000 to $12,000, which he thought was somewhat expensive. The idea of creating a high quality art video was discussed. Mr. Twedt stated that the goal is to market the art program to a larger audience and recognizing that Palm Desert's art program is expanding into new areas of public art. Ms. Schwartz had mentioned the idea of doing a Public Art Documentary Film Festival. A subcommittee of staff, Commissioners Grochau, Stenning, and Weston will meet, do more research, and give the Commission a more defined report. It was moved by Commissioner Thompson and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to form a subcommittee of staff, Commissioners Grochau, Stenning, and Weston to further explore the possibility of creating an Internet based interactive art project, and continue this item to the meeting of June 18, 2008. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. B. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE DESIGN PROPOSAL, "FENG SHUI II" BY JON SEEMAN FOR THE FORD PROPERTIES OFFICE BUILDING Mr. Twedt referred to the agenda packet that included the building elevation with an image of the proposed artwork. Mr. Twedt noted that the AIPP fee for the art component is $1,625.00 and the developer is commissioning Jon Seeman for $10,000 to do the artwork for the Ford Properties Office Building located at 73-141 Fred Waring Drive. Mr. Twedt noted that if the AIPP fee is less than $15,000, staff usually recommends the developer leave the money in the fund for future City art projects even though this piece is below that amount, it is of high enough quality and appropriate for the building so it was exempted from staffs usual recommendation. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to accept the design proposal "Feng Shui II" by Jon Seeman for the Ford Properties Office Building. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. Art in Public Places Minutes 0 May 21, 2008 o C. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Artwork by Fritzie Urquhart, Bill Vielehr, and Nina Tepper were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. This item was not voted on due to lack of time and will be voted on at the meeting of June 18, 2008. Artwork by Jeni Bate was reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Virtual Gallery. This item was not voted on due to lack of time and will be voted on at the meeting of June 18, 2008. D. CONSIDERATION TO REPLACE BRAD RUDE'S "INTO THE CALM" WITH "TRICK RIDE" IN THE CURRENT El PASEO EXHIBITION Mr. Twedt stated that Brad Rude's wife thought that the El Paseo Exhibition ended in May and therefore promised his artwork, "into the Calm°, that is in the current exhibition to a gallery before the conclusion of the show. The proposed replacement piece, "Trick Ride" is of a bronze dog that will be placed on stilts to give it some height. Mr. Rude will replace the artwork in June. It was moved by Chairperson Bussing and seconded by Commissioner Thompson to accept and replace `Into the Calm" by Brad Rude with "Trick Ride" for the balance of the 2007/2008 El Paseo Exhibition. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE 1X. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF THE MODEL PROPOSAL BY DEWAIN VALENTINE FOR THE "EMBRACING THE DESERT LIGHT" PROJECT Mr. Twedt stated that he made numerous attempts to contact Mr. Valentine regarding the dimensions of his Art in Public Places Minutes C Mav 21, 2008 o proposal for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project. Mr. Valentine told Mr. Twedt that the dimensions were in the proposal, but Mr. Twedt did not received them. Also, Mr. Twedt did not receive a verbal description of the proposal from Mr. Valentine. Mr. Twedt estimated that his piece is 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide and 2 to 3 feet deep. It looks to be made of glass with the foundation of polished granite. Mr. Twedt reiterated that this needs to be an outstanding project as it is an entrance and egress to El Paseo. Mr. Twedt stated that Mr. Hayden's proposal was the closest to the RFP requirements because it is a piece with sequential elements. He reminded the Commission that when the artists were originally selected, Helen Pashkin was number four and suggested she be invited to submit a proposal. Commissioner Hough has spoken to Ms. Pashkin and she only does interior artwork. Ms. Pashkin is going to talk to her fabricator about the possibility of her artwork being able to hold up outdoors. Commissioner Hough mentioned artist Dennis Oppenheim to possibly submit a proposal. Commissioner Grochau noted he has not seen anything yet that fits the RFP. Mr. Twedt talked to Mr. Hayden about the materials proposed and Mr. Hayden said it is UV plex and is a non yellowing material. In conversations with him, Mr. Twedt informed him there will not be power on the medians for about three years and his proposal includes LED lights that would need to be lit at night. Mr. Hayden said it could be solar powered if the City assisted with the expenses of the solar panels. Mr. Twedt spoke to Pat Colon, Director of Energy about Mr. Hayden's proposal and he was very receptive to potentially assisting with the solar aspect of the project. This could be the first solar LED project in Palm Desert. It was the consensus of the Commission to send an RFP to artists Dennis Oppenheim and Helen Pashkin (if she is able to create an outdoor piece). It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Chairperson Bussing to send an RFP to Dennis Oppenheim and Helen Pashkin asking for a proposal from them for the "Embracing the Desert Light" project. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Weston absent. CD Art in Public Places Minutes Mav 21, 2008 0 0 X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the upcoming show for Tony and Karen Barone and Bob Hoffman will be displayed in the Gallery beginning June 5 with the reception on June 9 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. B. Website No report. C. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that the last tour of the season is June 14 on El Paseo. She is working on next season's schedule and will circulate copies to the Commission next month. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz circulated a report of the feedback from the Desert Cities Public Art Forum. The report included comments from attendees, committee members, and staff. Overall the comments were positive. Mr. Twedt commended Ms. Schwartz for a great job of compiling the comments. Mr. Twedt added that it was a great event but he is not ready to plan another one quite yet. There were many positive outcomes from the two events. Mr. Twedt was approached by the Director of Public Art of Scottsdale to assist them in organizing a similar event. There were several communities that sent representatives to the Forum that complemented staff and brought information back to their cities that want to form a public art program. He also would like to develop an ad hoc committee of public art professionals or representatives from Coachella Valley cities called the Desert Cities Public Art Coalition and six out of nine cities are interested in being a part of it. A meeting is being planned for September. He would like to do a temporary joint project from Coachella to Desert Hot Springs similar to the "Embracing the Desert" project. 0 0 Art in Public Places Minutes May 21, 2008 0 Mr. Twedt reported that he was approached by Rich Oliphant who is a film maker and is creating a national documentary on public art. He met with Mr. Oliphant several times. Mr. Oliphant is interviewing local artists and galleries. Mr. Twedt publicly thanked staff member Debbie Thompson for an incredible job with the Student Art and Essay Contest. Mr. Twedt reported that he received a call from Councilmember Dick Kelly inquiring of the status of Samantha Emmett's idea of creating a sculpture of an angel on El Paseo. Mr. Twedt informed the Commission that El Paseo is going to be redesigned and will include benches in a niche that will be created. Ms. Emmett's sculpture could be revisited by the Commission in December. Commissioner Hough stated that Mayor Benson had asked her to ask for a list of projects to be considered to be prioritized. There was much discussion on the list of priorities of projects. Ms. Thompson reminded the Commission that she had created a list of past, current, and future projects several months ago and included them in an agenda packet. Mr. Twedt suggested to focus on "Embracing the Desert Light" and Painter's Path before proceeding with any additional projects at this time. Mr. Twedt informed the Commission that Dudley Buchanan who was one of the artists for "Embracing the Desert" has been notified to pick up his artwork that has been stored in the Park Department's storage area for more than a year. A certified letter was sent to him stating the artwork must be removed or it will be considered abandoned. If he does not claim it staff is suggesting to have it sandblasted in yellow or orange and placing it in the Butterfly Garden. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Hough reported that there is an opening at the Palm Springs Art Museum on Saturday, May 24 of DJ Hall's paintings. Commissioner Hough will be escorting a Museum art tour to Paris visiting private collections, museums, and galleries. COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS Art in Public Places Minutes 0 May 21, 2008 o o 0 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell Ms. Thompson reported on behalf of Sonia Campbell the following from the Planning Commission meeting of May 20, 2008. The Commission approved the two to three story boutique hotel on Larkspur and El Paseo. Also, the new Riverside County Sheriff Station on Gerald Ford that includes a rooftop helipad for emergency purposes was approved. XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Bussing adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, 4i BBIEE L. -O SON, REORDING SECRETARY