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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2002-09-18 CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2002 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dickinson convened the meeting at 8:30 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Joe Dickinson, Chairman Janet Brody Ilene Broder Jana Koroczynsky Suzanne Greenberg Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Denise Roberge Also Present: Bob Kohn, Contract Administrator Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Catherine Walker, Project Coordinator Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Liaison Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary John Nagus, El Paseo Currator Bill Ware, Artist Bill Carver, Developer Sean So, Orr Studios Lauri Aylaian, Redevelopment Agency George Sicre, HAS Design Group III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None Minutes September 18, 2002 2 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on July 17, 2002 and the Special Meeting of August 14, 2002 Upon Motion by Commissioner Broder and second by Commissioner Greenberg, the Minutes of July 17, 2002 and the special meeting of August 14, 2002 were approved by unanimous vote with Commissioners Brody and Koroczynsky absent. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION * Council accepted Letter of Resignation from Tim Bartlett Chairman for Art in Public Places Commission (Council meeting of August 22, 2002) * Council approved the request for authorization to disburse Art In Public Places Funds for artwork located at 73-710, 73- 712, and 73-726 Alessandro Drive, Palm Desert (Carl Voce, Applicant) (Council meeting of August 22, 2002) * Request for approval artist commission of the Hampton Inn Located at 74-900 Gerald Ford Drive (Dutt Hospitatlity Group, Inc. Applicant) (Council meeting of August 22, 2002) * Request for Approval of the Visiting Artists Lecture Series Entitled “Artists Who Make Films” in Conjunction with the Palm Springs Desert Museum for the 2002/2003 Season (Council meeting of August 22, 2002) * Request for approval of the 2003 El Paseo Exhibition (Council meeting of August 22, 2002) * City Council will review the AIPP Commission, its structure, direction, goals, and objectives. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER NONE Minutes September 18, 2002 3 VII. NEW BUSINESS A. DISCUSSION OF NEW PROJECTS AND HOW THOSE ITEMS ARE PLACED ON THE LIST No discussion. B. PRESENTATION OF ART PROJECT AT HAMPTON INN & SUITES LOCATED AT 74-900 GERALD FORD DRIVE – PRESENTATION BY BILL WARE Mr. Ware presented artwork for the Hampton Inn & Suites that were paintings of tropical designs for the front lobby. Commissioner Roberge stated that the art program should not allow for interior decorating. Mr. Ware explained that the developer was told that public art was to be open and accessible to the public. The developer verified the policy and because the Hampton Inn & Suites were open 24 hours it was not a question that the paintings could be public art. It was noted that the Marriott Desert Springs has a sculpture inside the building and Desert Willow has paintings inside the building that were approved by the Commission. Mr. Ware presented three paintings that work together. The center painting is 8’ x 9’ with the two outer being 7’ x 9’ and will be placed in a recessed area. Commissioner Roberge stressed that this is misuse of the purpose of AIPP funds. Other comments made by the Commission were that art should be displayed outside and not inside. It is an interior decoration design. If artwork is done for something that will be placed inside and if one does not go inside the hotel it is not visible by driving by and visibility of the art is what public art is about. By having a painting one would have to go inside the building to view it. If one does not know that that particular art is there then one would not be exposed to it. Local residents would not have a reason to go into the hotel. There was discussion regarding the ordinance. Ms. Walker stated that as the Ordinance currently stands the definition of public space is dictated by the hours and accessibility to the public. It was noted that the Commission has a right to consider each project on its own merit. Comments were made that the proposed artwork should be reviewed on its own merit. Comments were made that the artwork is very decorative; however, it is of tropical design and what does it have to do with the desert, its environment, Minutes September 18, 2002 4 direction, or type of fine art that Palm Desert prefers? It is the not the quality the Commission is looking for. Is it the type of art Palm Desert wants in its program? It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Roberge not to accept the art presented due to it not fitting in the direction of the AIPP program and the client may review what had previously been approved at the meeting of July 17, 2002. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Brody and Koroczynsky absent. C. PRESENTATION OF SUBMISSION OF PROPOSED ARTWORK FOR THE FRED WARING CORRIDOR PROJECT – PRESENTATION BY RICHARD TWEDT Mr. Twedt introduced Lauri Aylaian and George Sicre. Nine artists were chosen from the submissions that were received for the Fred Waring Corridor project to which the Commission needs to select three. There is approximately $100,000.00 for the project. The artwork will be placed on the north side of Fred Waring between San Pablo and Deep Canyon. Mr. Twedt presented slides from the following artists. Robert Lobe, Michael Clapper Studios, Ilan Averbuch, Roger Berry, Alber De Matteis, Gordon Huether, Jon Barlow Hudson, Steve Jensen, and Hans Van de Bovenkamp. After reviewing the slides, it was the consensus of the Commission to invite Artists Ilan Averbuch, Gordon Huether, and Steve Jensen to present a maquette to the Commission. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Greenberg to accept Artists Ilan Averbuch, Gordon Huether, and Steve Jensen inviting them to make a maquette and present it to the Commission. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Brody and Koroczynsky absent. D. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED DESIGN FOR SIGNAGE AT THE CORNER OF WASHINGTON AND FRED WARING The City of Palm Desert recently purchased the easement on the northwest corner of Washington and Fred Waring. City Council has requested that signage be considered at that corner as one of the entrances to the City. Commissioner Roberge stated it would be nice to see that all the City’s signage consists of a water feature so that it is Minutes September 18, 2002 5 consistent and possibly replace some of the City’s current signage. Artist Sean So referred to the design packet that was given to the Commissioners. Mr. So explained that the proposed design was a simplified idea of the project on Monterey and Dinah Shore. Mr. So explained that he added a planter at the bottom of the sign with plants around it. Upon comment by Commissioner Roberge, Ms. Walker stated that the shape of the sign was actually dictated by the site itself. He explained that that corner is geared more for signage rather than a sculpture and due to its smaller location the letters are raised off the ground more. Mr. Twedt stated that there are several signal boxes adjacent to the property and it would cost over $50,000 to relocate them. It may be possible to disguise them with landscape. The height of the sign is eight feet. A comment was made that the proposed sign for this site was not as good as the sign proposed for the Dinah Shore/Monterey site. Ms. Walker explained that there are different restrictions at that location because it is a commercial area (zoning and height restrictions). Commissioner Roberge stated that that does not affect the design concept. Mr. Twedt stated that cost is the other restriction for the design. Commissioner Roberge stated that it was a shame to install something permanent and not add the extra money that it takes to make it one of a kind. Mr. So explained that the difference between having the raised platform pool with the pumping system opposed to having something that is recessed would probably be an additional $20,000. Commissioner Roberge stated that additional funds should be put into the project. Ms. Walker intervened and stated that Mr. So worked with the financial restrictions that were given to him, which is how that design came about. Commissioner Roberge suggested spending a little more money for this project. Mr. Twedt stated that additional funds could be added to accommodate the cost but funds will be taken away from another project. She feels it is really short sighted to spend less money on this project and not get the ultimate. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Grochau that the Commissioners approve the concept with the improvement that it does not look like it is growing out of a planter box but an elegant pedestal. It was with the understanding of the Commissioners it may cost additional funds which may be taken from a different project. Minutes September 18, 2002 6 Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Brody and Koroczynsky absent. Mr. So stated that he would return to the Commission with two design concepts. The two design concepts will entail one with a revised planter design and the other design will be without the planter. E. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF SITE VISITATION INVITATION OF DENNIS ADAMS Mr. Twedt presented slides of Mr. Adams’ work of bus shelters he has created. It was the consensus of the Commission that Mr. Adams’ designs were more appropriate for urban areas rather than the desert area. F. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED ARTWORK FOR THE ARCO STATION LOCATED AT 74-950 GERALD FORD DRIVE – PRESENTATION BY CRAIG YAMASAKI Mr. Twedt stated that Mr. Jon Seeman is the proposed artist that has been selected by the developer for the project located at Cook Street and Gerald Ford. Due to two of the Commission members leaving prior to the adjournment of the meeting, this item did not have enough voting members for a quorum. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS A. PRESENTATION OF ADDITIONAL ARTWORK FOR THE 2003 EL PASEO EXHIBITION – PRESENTATION BY JOHN NAGUS Mr. Nagus presented a piece of artwork for Site #13 by Artist Olja Dobrovich sponsored by Learsi Gallery. It was the consensus of the Commission that Mr. Nagus try to locate a different piece of art for Site #13. The reception for the 2003 El Paseo Exhibition has been scheduled for January 24, 2003. Minutes September 18, 2002 7 It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Hough to continue research of additional artwork for the 2003 El Paseo Exhibition to the meeting of November 20, 2002. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Brody and Koroczynsky absent. B. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED ARTWORK FOR THE DESERT GATEWAY PROJECT – PRESENTATION BY ORR STUDIOS Mr. Bill Carver introduced Artist Sean So who presented signage for the Gateway project located on the corner of Monterey and Dinah Shore. Mr. So stated that the sign includes two walls and one overlaps the other with water running down the walls. The wall is made of copper with “Palm Desert” in a brighter copper. The water will fall behind the lettering. The sign is 40 feet by 8 feet. It may include a light from the bottom to cast a shadow on the wall behind it. A comment was made that when copper is first installed it looks great but there was concern of how it may look in the future due to wind and pitting from the sand. When it is new the lettering will show but if it dulls out the lettering will not show. Mr. So explained that there are different methods to protect it. One includes a thick coating of epoxy or it can be covered with a type of glass. There was concern about accumulation of sand at the base of the wall in about two to three months. Mr. So stated that there are no specific landscape plans as of yet. He does not want landscape in front of it but possibly something on the sides or behind it. It was the consensus of the Commission that it was a great design. There was a comment on the height of the sign to which it might be too small. Is there a possibility of making the wall and lettering larger? Mr. So explained that it depended on the budget. Commissioner Roberge felt the height should have another two feet added (keeping the same proportion with the wall and the lettering). There will be a light between the two walls to differentiate that two walls exist. Commissioner Hough added that this is very elegant/horizontal, which matches our landscape, and if it gets too large and monstrous it will lose its elegance. Viewing it from the back side it will be bare and if it gets too large it might be imposing looking. It was suggested to have additional funds go toward having water on both sides rather than making the wall bigger and bare. Minutes September 18, 2002 8 It was moved by Commissioner Roberge and seconded by Commissioner Greenberg to accept the proposed design as signage in Art In Public Places for the project with the recommendation of possibly making the sign larger. Motion carried unanimously with Commissioners Brody and Koroczynsky absent. X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 1. Westfield Shoppingtown Palm Desert Westfield is working with an art consultant. 2. Website In the process of redesigning the front page of the website to display more of the collection instead of displaying only two images as it is currently. Would like to have an animation sequence that includes three cells at the top that series through 18 pieces of the collection then will be alternated to another 18 pieces. There will only be one animation sequence for El Paseo operating at one time. If one clicks on that the collection animation will stop and the El Paseo animation sequence will cycle through all the pieces on El Paseo. . 3. North Wing Gallery A schedule has been set for the balance of the year. Mr. Twedt will ask for proposals for artists that live in the Coachella Valley for evaluation who are not connected with galleries. There will be a closing reception for Mark Stephenson’s show on October 17 from 5 – 7. The Coachella Valley Arts Alliance will be hung immediately following with an opening on October 31. 4. Brochure/map mockup The brochure is in process. 5. Maintenance of Palm Desert’s Art Collection Council approved a contract with Sculpture Conservation Studio to review Palm Desert’s art collection and conduct a maintenance assessment. From that assessment a maintenance plan and budget will be created. Minutes September 18, 2002 9 6. Visiting Artists Lecture Series One artist is available and working to get two others. He has approached Julian Schnobble and David Salley. UPDATE FOR MASTER PLAN PRIORITY SITES (The following items are for information only. No action is being sought nor will it be taken as a result of these reports.) Northwest corner of Fred Waring and Washington Entrada Del Paseo Northeast corner of Fred Waring and San Pablo (Civic Center Entry) Northeast corner of Monterey and Fred Waring (COD/McCallum) Monterey and I-10 Cook and I-10 Washington and I-10 XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt circulated the ad that will be placed in ARTNews Magazine’s 100th Anniversary issue in November. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS • COMMISSION REQUEST FOR ACTION None • COMMISSION REPORTS None • LIAISON REPORTS 1. CIVIC ARTS COMMITTEE – Sloane Halloran-Lewis No report. 2. PLANNING COMMISSION – Sonia Campbell No report. Minutes September 18, 2002 10 XII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:05 a.m. Debbie L. Thompson Recording Secretary