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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art In Public Places (AIPP) Commission 09/15/2004CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES September 15, 2004 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Dickinson convened the meeting at 8:35 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Norma Bussing Joe Dickinson Suzanne Greenberg Kevin Grochau Katherine Hough Also Present: Councilmember Jean Benson Bob Kohn, Director of Special Programs Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Jeff Winklepleck, Planning Department Susan Evans, Artist Kim Snyder, Guest Richard Begola, Guest Harvey Kessler, Guest John Westin, Guest III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None Minutes September 15, 2004 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on July 21, 2004. Upon Motion by Commissioner Hough and second by Commissioner Bussing, the Minutes of July 21, 2004, were approved with Commissioner Grochau abstaining. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Councilmember Benson reported that Jon Seeman's "Captured Motion" was approved for the 2005/06 El Paseo Exhibition. This piece replaced another one by the same artist that was previously approved by Council. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION TO PURCHASE ONE OF THE SCULPTURES FROM THE CURRENT EL PASEO EXHIBITION Mr. Twedt reported that Mayor Spiegel would like the Commission to consider purchasing one or two sculptures from the current El Paseo Exhibition for the Civic Center Park. Mayor Spiegel mentioned "Minotaur with Hare" by Sophie Ryder and "Female Elephant" by Fredrick Prescott as possible acquisitions. Mr. Twedt stated that due to the construction and materials used he did not think either piece would be appropriate for the Park. Mr. Twedt added that there has been much vandalism to the Mother and Child Sculpture recently. Mr. Twedt would like the Commission to entertain purchasing a piece from the current or upcoming El Paseo Exhibition. Tre Contemporary has offered Russell Jacques' "Tre" at a reduced price of $75,000.00. Mr. Twedt would not recommend that piece for the park due to its being made of stainless steel, which would be difficult to maintain. Mr. Twedt reminded the Commission of "Cow" by David Gerstein and "Fat Happy" by Barrett DeBusk, both pieces 2 Minutes September 15, 2004 will be included in the 2005/06 Exhibition, which may be appropriate for the park. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Greenberg to consider purchasing an artwork from the 2003/04 or 2005/06 El Paseo Exhibition. Motion carried unanimously. B. CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE JAMES SURLS SCULPTURE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE 2005/06 EL PASEO EXHIBITION Commissioner Hough commented that James Surls is an important artist whose art would make a great addition to the Exhibition. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Bussing to approve the James Surls sculpture being included in the 2005/06 El Paseo Exhibition. Motion carried unanimously. C. CONSIDERATION TO PRIORITIZE THE TWO MURAL PROPOSALS FOR THE PUBLIC LIBRARY Ms. Evans presented her mural proposal for the Palm Desert Public Library. She stated that although it was suggested to her that the mural not depict any specific individuals who are related to the library she felt that Librarian Beth Ziegler was a very important part of the community and therefore, with Ms. Ziegler's permission, has included her (as viewed from the back) in the proposal. She also attained permission from Millie Bird, who is involved with the Friends of the Library, to include her in the mural. Ms. Evans would like to have the children from the community be involved in designing the letters for the words "Community Room". Mr. Twedt presented Jeff Whipple's design for the mural. Mr. Whipple has incorporated the desert flora and fauna into his proposal. Mr. Twedt reported that the third finalist, Wei Luan, withdrew from the competition. Mr. Twedt asked that the Commission prioritize the two proposals. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Bussing to prioritize Susan Evans' proposal as choice number one and Jeff Whipple's 3 Minutes September 15, 2004 design as choice number two for the Palm Desert Public Library Mural. Motion carried unanimously. D. CONSIDERATION TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL THEMES AND LOCATION OF ARTWORK FOR FREEDOM PARK Mr. Twedt introduced Jeff Winklepleck of the Planning Department who presented an update on Freedom Park. Mr. Winklepleck stated that Mr. Twedt has identified an area at the park's main entrance and in the playground area for potential art placement. Mr. Twedt added that approximately $85,000.00 in AIPP funds are available for the project. There was much discussion of working with Tom Otterness to acquire a work of art for the park. Mr. Otterness's sculptures are very playful and child friendly. In order to acquire a work by Mr. Otterness the Commission would have to commit an additional $40,000.00 to the project. Mr. Twedt commented that other than Dale Chihuly's chandelier at Desert Willow, the City's collection does not include work by many artists who are nationally or internationally recognized. Mr. Twedt presented some of Mr. Otterness's work to the Commission. Commissioner Bussing commented that the collection should continually be upgraded. Commissioner Grochau stated that we need to ensure that the site where art will be placed is designed to reflect some level of importance. Mr. Winklepleck stated he would work with Mr. Twedt to assure the site to accommodates the art. It was moved by Commissioner Grochau and seconded by Commissioner Hough to direct staff to continue communication with Artist Tom Otterness and staff member Jeff Winklepleck in incorporating a Tom Otterness sculpture into Freedom Park and to give an . update report at next month's meeting. Motion carried unanimously. E. CONSIDERATION FOR STAFF TO DEVELOP AN ONLINE ARTIST GALLERY FOR ARTISTS IN PALM DESERT, THE COACHELLA VALLEY, AND SURROUNDING AREAS Mr. Twedt stated that one of his goals was to expand the art program into other realms in order to keep the public art program and the Commission in a leadership role of public art in the Valley. He discovered a San Diego website of an 4 Minutes September 15, 2004 online artist gallery of San Diego artists. He thought it was a great service to the artists in San Diego and thought it could easily be done here. Because there are so many artists who want to show their work and not enough venues, he thought an online gallery would be a great idea. Mr. Twedt stated that the Commission would select the art and artist. The virtual gallery would also be promoted in the BrightSide. Ms. Schwartz added if that would give an opportunity to show three dimensional works, which is something that cannot be done in the North Wing Gallery, and Mr. Twedt agreed. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Hough to accept the exploration in developing an on line artist gallery. Motion carried unanimously. F. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST SLIDE REGISTRY The following artists were reviewed to be considered in the City of Palm Desert's Artist Slide Registry. John Himmelfarb, Konstantin Dimopoulos, Bernard Hosey, and Michele Loughery. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Grochau to include John Himmelfarb, Bernard Hosey, and Michele Loughery Into the Artist Slide Registry. Motion carried unanimously. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS None IX. OLD BUSINESS None X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 1. North Wing Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that a closing reception will be held Tuesday, September 21, for Gary Rosenblum's show. The Coachella Valley Arts Alliance — Snapshot III show will follow with an opening reception on October 12. 5 Minutes September 15,2004 2. Website A new feature called "other artist opportunities" has been added to the website. This feature enables Ms. Schwartz to list commission opportunity from other communities on the website. 3. Docent Program The new season was kicked off last Saturday with the El Paseo tour to which 14 people attended. Ms. Schwartz met with the docents to get feedback on the program and make plans for next year's tours. The "Call for Docents" article was published in BrightSide's September issue. Applications are due on October 18. She has expanded the training from eight weeks to ten weeks, which will run December through February. Training will probably be on Tuesdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Commissioner Bussing commented that Ms. Schwartz has done a wonderful job in heading up the docent program. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt stated that staff has had some difficulty working with Esther Wertheimer, the artist who was selected to create a piece for the east El Paseo Monument Sign. In order to process her first payment. Ms. Wertheimer is required to complete a W-9 Form, including a tax i.d. number or social security number, which she has refused to do. She states she does not have to pay sales tax due to her business being in Canada, although she has a Florida address. The City is required by the IRS to retain 30% of the contract amount if a social security number or tax id number is not provided on the W-9 Form. It was recommended by the City attorney to give Ms. Wertheimer a deadline to comply with the IRS. If she does not comply with the request, her contract will be rendered void. Mr. Twedt stated that he retrieved the Commission's third and fourth choices for the El Paseo Monument sign. It is Staff's recommendation that if the contract with Ms. Wertheimer is terminated the Commission select the fourth choice to replace Ms. Wertheimer's piece. Mr. Twedt stated that the work by Sally Rogers, the fourth choice, is more unique and 6 Minutes September 15, 2004 would work better with the monument sign than the work by Martin Rubenstein, the third choice. Mr. Twedt reported that the "The Roadrunner" entry sign by Allen Root at Washington Street and Fred Waring Drive has been installed. We have received much positive feedback about the entrance sign. A dedication will be scheduled the week of October 18, while Mr. Root is in town. Mr. Twedt reported that Water Studio (formerly Orr Studio) has installed the water basins for the signs on El Paseo. The balance of the sculptures will be installed in mid October with a dedication in November. Mr. Twedt will be deinstalling the current El Paseo Exhibition November 31 through December 2. The new show will be installed the second week of December. Mr. Twedt made note of several magazines that will include Palm Desert's public art's collection. Ms. Schwartz stated that Donna Billick and Arthur Gonzalez are planning to install the "Baja Palapa" mid to late October. We received some images of the column that incorporated the work from the community's involvement during the workshop. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS • COMMISSION REPORTS Ms. Hough invited the Commission members to the reopening of the Palm Springs Desert Museum on Saturday, October 2, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Museum has renovated the Natural Science Wing to be appropriate for the display of art. Several shows will open October 2, which include "Clement Greenberg — A Critic's Collection", and an architectural show called `Trespassing: Houses x Artists". • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell Ms. Campbell reported that the Planning Commission approved a couple of warehouses on 42nd Avenue. 7 Minutes XII. ADJOURNMENT eutemb r 15, 2004 There being no further business, Chair Dickinson adjourned the meeting at 10:17 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Cl.(4-, /1C2Aug--.-- DEBBIE L. TH P ON RECORDING SECRETARY 8