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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-12-17 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES December 17, 2003 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dickinson convened the meeting at 8:35 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Janet Brody Norma Bussing Joe Dickinson Suzanne Greenberg Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Jana Koroczynsky Also Present: Councilmember Jean Benson Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison Robert Menifee, El Paseo Curator Sean So, Orr Studio Diane Morgan, Visitor III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE Mr. Twedt introduced Robert Menifee who will be the Guest Curator for the 2004/2005 El Paseo Exhibition. Mr. Menifee stated that he owns small art galleries in Palm Springs and San Diego and is a Minutes December 17, 2003 2 part time writer. Mr. Menifee stated he would begin visiting the galleries on El Paseo in early January to get acquainted with them. Commissioner Brody introduced Diane Morgan who was interested in becoming an Art In Public Places Commission member. Mr. Twedt stated he would like to add an item to the agenda under New Business regarding placement of art by Michael Todd on the vacant Pad (#10) in the El Paseo Exhibition. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Brody to add the item to consider approval of Michael Todd’s sculpture, “Garabedian’s Knot” to the 2003/2004 El Paseo Exhibition. Motion carried unanimously. IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on October 15, 2003. Upon Motion by Commissioner Greenberg and second by Commissioner Bussing, the Minutes of October 15, 2003, were approved by 06-00-01 vote with Commissioner Grochau abstaining. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION None VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO REIMBURSE WHITECO RESIDENTIAL COMPANY $49,327.63 FOR THE PUBLIC ARTWORK LOCATED AT CANTERRA HOMES, 74-401 HOVLEY LANE EAST, PALM DESERT, CALIFORNIA 92260 – APPLICANT, WHITECO RESIDENTIAL, 350 N. LA SALLE STREET, SUITE 1100, CHICAGO, IL 60610 It was moved by Commissioner Koroczynsky and seconded by Commissioner Bussing to reimburse Whiteco Residential Company $49,327.63 for the public artwork located Minutes December 17, 2003 3 at Canterra Homes, 74-401 Hovley Lane East. Motion carried unanimously. B. CONSIDER ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT’S ARTIST REGISTRY The following artists were reviewed to be accepted or rejected from the Artist Registry. David Hayes, Carol Adams, Faducci, Jonathan Bonner, Don Dickson, Joy Wulke, Richard Taylor, Andrew Crawford, Heath Satow, and James Russell. It was moved by Commissioner Brody and seconded by Commissioner Greenberg to accept artists David Hayes, Carol Adams, Faducci, Don Dickson, Joy Wulke, Richard Taylor, Andrew Crawford, Heath Satow, and James Russell into the Artist Slide Registry. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioner Koroczynsky abstaining from voting on Carol Adams and James Russell. C. CONSIDER APPROVAL OF MICHAEL TODD’S SCULPTURE, “GARABEDIAN’S KNOT” FOR THE 2003/2004 EL PASEO EXHIBITION Mr. Twedt informed the Commission that since the “Marriage Tree” (formerly located on Pad #10) was sold, BuschlenMowatt has not put a replacement piece of art on that pad. Mr. Twedt stated that he contacted the gallery several times regarding the replacement of “Marriage Tree” to which they did not respond. The Art at El Paseo Square Gallery offered artwork by sculptor Michael Todd to fill Pad #10 to which the Commission concurred. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Hough to have staff decide and move forward with the selection of a sculpture by Michael Todd for Pad #10. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO COMMISSION ARTWORK FOR THE ENTRADA DEL PASEO PROJECT (Continued from the meeting of October 15, 2003) No action was taken on this item. Minutes December 17, 2003 4 B. CONSIDERATION OF COMMISSIONING ORR STUDIOS TO CREATE SCULPTURE/FOUNTAIN LANDMARK SIGNS ON EL PASEO AND HIGHWAY III AND PORTOLA (Continued from the meeting of September 17, and October 15, 2003) Mr. So presented the concept for the creation of sculpture/fountain landmark signs on the median of El Paseo at the west and east ends of the avenue. He presented the sign, which has two copper panels that are curved and intersect in the middle. The letters “El Paseo” are mounted and protrude out in front of the water, which flows behind “El Paseo”. The lettering will be made of bright copper and will be six to eight inches in height. The background surface will be patinated copper and will change over time and become somewhat green. Mr. Twedt noted that the desert has hard water and calcium deposits and asked how the patina would be affected by cleaning the calcium deposit off the surface. Mr. So responded that due to copper being so pure it is far more resistant to mineral buildup as compared to bronze or other materials. Mr. So suggested that Mr. Twedt talk to the City’s engineer about adding a small filter at the base of the signs and have it built into the water line. It was moved by Commissioner Brody and seconded by Commissioner Hough to accept the proposed design by Orr Studio for the landmark entrance signs on the east and west ends of El Paseo. Motion carried unanimously. Mr. So stated that Orr Studio would provide maintenance recommendations or train someone to keep the maintenance current. Mr. Twedt stated that he met with Landscape Manager Spencer Knight who was completely resistant to the project because an Olive tree at the east end of El Paseo would have to be removed. The design was shown to Mr. Knight who loved it and became very supportive of it. He will remove the tree and level the mound. Mr. So has suggested installing desert plantings around the sculptures. Mr. Twedt added that Mayor Pro Tem Crites is very supportive of any type of desert landscaping on the median as opposed to high maintenance landscape. IX. OLD BUSINESS None Minutes December 17, 2003 5 X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 1. North Wing Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the current show (Peggy Vermeer) is going well. The next show includes three photographers (Chris Kocek, Bijan Masoumpanah, and Gerald Trostler), and will open January 22 with the reception on January 27. 2. Website Ms. Schwartz stated that she has added the most recent new pieces of artwork (Canterra, Agave, Trout Stream, and Droog) to the Artist Section of the Website. Councilmember Benson stated that she spoke to Mr. Twedt regarding solar lighting from the ground up to light up the Agave so it can been seen at night. 3. RFQs Mr. Twedt stated that the information for the El Paseo benches have been on the website for approximately three weeks. He has received over 80 inquiries from artists from all over the country. He has not received any inquires for the El Paseo Exhibition. He stated that the Commission might want to consider raising the honorarium from $1,000.00 to $1,500.00 or $2,000.00, to bring a better response from artists. Mr. Twedt circulated the poster of the RFQ for the El Paseo benches, monument sign sculptures, and the El Paseo Exhibition. A mailing to artists, galleries, and art organizations will be sent out. A separate RFQ was sent out for the Library mural. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz updated the Commission members on the docent program. There are currently four docents being trained, and they are in the third week of training. The Minutes December 17, 2003 6 training segments have consisted of an introduction to the Art In Public Places program, Sydney Williams of the Palm Springs Desert Museum educating them on how to give tours and manage groups, and a tour of the Civic Center Park which included a presentation from Joe Brandt at the Holocaust Memorial. A press release has gone out announcing that tours will be available on the second Saturday of every month. Tours will rotate between the Park, El Paseo, and the Library. The tour information will be posted on the website, in the BrightSide, and via press release. Mr. Twedt circulated copies of the Gallery Guide that included the City’s collection. Mr. Twedt stated that he researched prices for lighting of Jon Seeman’s sculpture at the ARCO station on Cook Street and Gerald Ford. Mr. Twedt received a bid from Bradley Electric who quoted between $300.00 to $500.00 for lighting. Mr. Twedt stated that there have been complaints regarding the lack of signage directing visitors to the City’s park to find the artwork. Mr. Twedt suggested reproducing the Civic Center map in bronze and have it installed in several locations. Commissioner Brody mentioned that several years ago a proposal from Artefact for signage in the park was presented but had been denied by Council. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS • COMMISSION REPORTS Commissioner Brody stated that the holiday party was the finest the City has produced. LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION – Sonia Campbell Ms. Campbell reported that the Planning Commission completed the General Plan, which will now go to Council for approval. Minutes December 17, 2003 7 XII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Dickinson adjourned the meeting at 9:35 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Debbie L. Thompson DEBBIE L. THOMPSON RECORDING SECRETARY