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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-07-200 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES July 20, 2005 1. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Bussing convened the meeting at 8:38 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Norma Bussing, Chairman Joe Dickinson - Suzanne Greenberg Kevin Grochau, Vice Chair Katherine Hough John Weston Also Present: Barbara Stenning Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Russell Jacques, Potential El Paseo Exhibition Curator Richard Begola, Guest III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Twedt introduced Russell Jacques who is one of the three curators being considered for the 2006/07 El Paseo Exhibition. Mr. Jacques introduced himself to the Commission and gave a brief description of his qualifications. He has a BFA from Boston University, and has an MFA. He was in secondary education for 16 years and has been supporting himself as a sculptor for many years. He noted that he has a working relationship with most of the gallery owners in Palm Desert. His gallery, Tre Contemporary, is Minutes `"'' July 20, 2005 0 V starting its fourth season. His thoughts for a theme for the Exhibition are to base the show as a professional golf competition such as the Bob Hope Classic. He thought of "The El Paseo Invitational" or "Outdoor Sculpture Classic". IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on June 15, 2005. Upon Motion by Commissioner Greenberg and second by Commissioner Grochau, the Minutes of June 15, 2005, were approved unanimously with the correction under Reports and Remarks, Item B., which should read as follows. "Commissioner Hough reported that there would be three exhibitions opening next Saturday at the Palm Springs Art Museum." V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Twedt reported that City Council approved Michael Watling's proposed artwork for the Country Club Marketplace development on Country Club Drive and Washington Street. He added that it was a 4-1 vote with Councilmember Spiegel voting NO. Councilmember Spiegel had commented that he thought that the proposed artwork looked too similar to the City's entry signs. Mr. Twedt relayed to Council Commissioner Grochau's comment that Mr. Watling's art did not yet have a presence in the northern section of Palm Desert and it would help tie the entrances of the City together. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF THE JOHN KENNEDY SCULPTURE TITLED: "FRIENDSHIP BENCH" AT THE FOUNTAINS AT CARLOTTA DEVELOPMENT Mr. Twedt reported that he has been working with the manager at the Fountains at Carlotta regarding their public art requirements for more than one year. The developer originally wanted artwork for the interior of the building. Mr. O July 20. 2005 Twedt reviewed the AIPP Guidelines with the manager and the committee and noted the section in the Guidelines that states it is unacceptable to use the art fee for artwork that would be placed inside a building. The committee found an artwork named "Friendship Bench" by artist John Kennedy at Coda Gallery they feel is appropriate for the development. Mr. Twedt expressed that it is an appropriate piece for the Fountains at Carlotta due to it being a retirement living environment where friendships develop. The piece will be placed on the left side of the main entrance elevated on a concrete base that will be lit at night. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Greenberg to accept "Friendship Bench" by John Kennedy for the Fountains at Carlotta Development. Motion carried unanimously. B. CONSIDERATION TO COMMISSION ELLIE RILEY'S "DESERT BLOOM" SCULPTURE FOR DESERT GATEWAY SELF STORAGE Mr. Twedt stated that Desert Gateway Self Storage is located east of Monterey on the north side of Dinah Shore. The artwork, "Desert Bloom" by artist Ellie Riley, is being proposed to be placed in front of the office area, which will face south. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to approve "Desert Bloom" by artist Ellie Riley for Desert Gateway Self Storage. Motion approved unanimously. C. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED 1N THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST SLIDE REGISTRY Works from the following artists were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Andrew Pitynski, Joseph Acquah, Joseph Morante, Joseph Menna, Bernie Oberoski, Thomas Neuhauser, Maria Caruso, Konstantin Dimopoulos, Kelsey Sterett-Gittings, Darlene Nguyen -Ely, and Cliff Garters. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to include Andrew Pitynski, Joseph Acquah, Konstantin Dimopoulos, Kelsey Sterett-Gittings, Minutes July 20, 2005 Darlene Nguyen -Ely, and Cliff Garten into the Artist Registry. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO SELECT A THEME FOR THE EXHIBITION IN THE CITY'S ART GALLERY FOR MAY 25 — J U LY 20, 2006 Ms. Schwartz reminded the Commission that they had asked her at last month's meeting to consider themes for the May 25 — July 20, 2006 exhibition in the Art Gallery. She suggested the following ideas. Mirroring the El Paseo Exhibition "Experience Color", "On the Road", "Desert Abstractions", or "Celebrate Summer". She added that once the Commission chooses a theme she would work with the Commission, community members, and galleries and curate the show. it was moved by Commissioner Weston and seconded by Commissioner Hough to select the theme "On the Road" for the Exhibition in the City's Art Gallery for May 25 through July 20, 2006. Motion carried unanimously. B. CONSIDERATION OF A DESIGN CONCEPT BY MARLO BARTELS FOR THE LOWE'S DEVELOPMENT Mr. Twedt stated that he informed Mr. Bartels the concerns of the Commission regarding the height of the columns. The columns will be eight feet tall placed on a three and a half foot stepped concrete base. Lowe's will provide lighting for the artwork. There will be rock treatment but it will not be fake rock. The rock treatment will surround the base, which will be integrated into the landscape. It was the concurrence of the Commission that the fake rock would not be appropriate for the setting of the artwork. It was noted that the river rock they are planning to use is overpowering and massive and is taking away from the artwork. Mr. Twedt stated he would suggest to Mr. Bartels to use boulders. Commissioner Grochau would like to see the artwork integrated into the landscaping and work with the landscape architect. He feels that the piece would work better without 4 Minutes July 20, 2005 0 the rocks. As the plan stands currently, the artist has piled the boulders up to the base. The boulders need to be brought down and integrated into the landscape. Commissioner Grochau stated that the landscape should reflect the columns, and the base should complement the artwork. Commissioner Hough read the minutes from last month's meeting regarding the rocks. It read, "Mr. Twedt commented that the developer has been instructed by members of Council to echo the artificial rock configuration at Shadow Ridge." Mr. Twedt stated that was correct but it could be echoed with real rock; it doesn't have to be fake rocks but it was Council who asked to echo the rocks at Shadow Ridge. Mr. Twedt stated that if there were three groupings of two or three rocks with some desert landscaping it would better anchor the base into the landscape and the base would not be visible, therefore, not hindering the seven columns, which are to be the dominant items of interest. Chairman Bussing asked that Mr. Twedt emphasize that the Commission feels that the columns are important and want the columns to be dominant whereas the base should be kept simplistic. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Weston that staff suggests to Mr. Bartels that he ask Lowe's landscape contractors to integrate real granite boulders In a simplified theme with desert landscaping around the base of the sculpture. Motion carried unanimously. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 1. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz referred to the schedule of next year's Palm Desert Community Gallery line up. Ms. Schwartz noted that the move to the new Visitor Information Center has been postponed by approximately two weeks. The installation of the first show will be approximately three weeks. 2. Website Ms. Schwartz reported that she has made a series of minor changes to the website that helps her manage the website better. She updated the tour section for the docent program. Minutes July 20, 2005 3. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that the regularly scheduled second Saturday tours are on hold for July and August. There is one tour scheduled for this month and one for next month as well. She stated that she is still setting the dates for the next group of docents and whether or not she is ready to train a new group. She added that once we are moved into the new building she would do a mailing to the concierges and other mailing lists regarding the docent program and tours of the City's public art collection. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt reported that the grand opening for the new Visitor Center is scheduled for Friday, September 23. All Commissioners will receive an invitation. Mr. Twedt circulated a book of poetry that was put together by Ruth Nolan's (instructor at College of the Desert) students' poetry. Mr. Twedt proposed an idea to do a poetry/art/photography show for the Virtual Gallery. Ms. Nolan suggested having poetry on the SunLine buses. It could become a competition to select various poems and have calligraphers handwrite the poems, which would be on the interior of the buses. Ms. Schwartz stated that she and Ms. Noland talked about the idea of integrating poetry into the Gallery Exhibition. Mr. Twedt circulated proposals of the artists who wish to participate in the "Embracing the Desert" program. Mr. Twedt would like the Commission to select six artists with three alternates at the meeting of September 21. He will then present the selected artists to City Council at its meeting of October 13, 2005. He would like to have the artwork installed by March 2006. Mr. Twedt stated he would like to have a couple pieces installed at the new Visitor Center, which would make it an art destination place. Commissioner Hough clarified the commissioners' 0 July 0, 2005 assignment was to review the proposals and prioritize them for the September meeting which will have additional proposals to be reviewed during that meeting. It was suggested by Chairman Bussing to have bus docent tours of the art collection due to more projects extending throughout the City. Mr. Twedt mentioned that "Fat Happy" has been installed at the new bus shelter on the north side of Highway III and San Luis Rey "Happy Boy" has replaced "Fat Happy" on El Paseo. Mr. Twedt reported that plaques have been placed at "Fat Happy", "Lily Pad", "Agave", and the "Baja Palapa". Mr. Twedt reported that he conducted a survey asking artists and galleries if they would be interested in loaning the City a piece of sculpture. He would advertise in the same manner as the El Paseo Exhibition. The City would insure it, do signage, and it could be sold but would remain on the pad for six months and replaced by a comparable piece. He has received a 45/55 percent response. The Commission would need to identify areas where the City has control. Mr. Twedt stated he spoke to Mr. Gregory (landscape architect for the site at Highway 74 and Highway 111) about having temporary pieces at the corner of Highway 74 and Highway 111 as opposed to a permanent piece. If the City gets an easement from the developer it could use that site. Mr. Twedt also spoke to Dan Lanager of PFF Bank who wants an artwork in front of the bank. AIPP funds cannot be used to install a pad there but if the bank installed a pad with lighting a piece could be installed. Mr. Twedt also mentioned San Pablo and Fred Waring and Civic Center Park as possible placement for art. Mr. Twedt stated that Portola would be widened from De Anza to Fred Waring, which is another opportunity to place pads (like Baja Park). B. COMMISSION MEMBERS • COMMISSION REPORTS None • LIAISON REPORTS Minutes Judy 20.2005 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell No report. XII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Bussing adjourned the meeting at 10:12 a.m. Respectfully submitted, (-1-4A) °Vf- AOlti EBBIE L. THOMPSON RECORDING SECRETARY 8