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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art In Public Places (AIPP) Commission 06/15/2005CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES June 15, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chairman Grochau convened the meeting at 8:35 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Suzanne Greenberg Norma Bussing, Chairman Kevin Grochau, Vice Chair Joe Dickinson (excused) Katherine Hough John Weston Barbara Stenning Also Present: Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Bob Kohn, Director of Special Programs Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission Michael Watling, Artist Allen Hicks, Potential El Paseo Exhibition Curator Richard Begola, Guest III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS Mr. Twedt introduced Mr. Allen Hicks who is one of the three curators being considered for the 2006/07 El Paseo Exhibition. Mr. Hicks gave a packet of information of his background to each Commissioner. He stated that he joined the Advisory Council for the Desert Foundation for the Arts. He has a background in advertising and graphic design. He was an art director for Grey Advertising in San Francisco. He completed his Masters Degree in Gallery and Museum Studies, which he obtained from Sonoma State University. He worked as an intern in Napa at the di Rosa Minutes IVA NUA Preserve. During graduate school he worked as an arts representative where he did independent curatorship. He mentioned a possible theme for the El Paseo Exhibition that highlights artwork from both southern California and the Bay Area artists. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on May 18, 2005. Upon Motion by Commissioner Greenberg and second by Commissioner Hough, the Minutes of May 18, 2005, were approved unanimously. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Twedt reported that the City Council approved the RFP for the Entrada Del Paseo artwork. Mr. Twedt reported that City Council approved the design fee of $1,000 for Lynn Basa to propose three designs for the mosaic art at the Palma Village Neighborhood Park. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF WATLING FOR THE DEVELOPMENT DESIGN CONCEPT BY MICHAEL COUNTRY CLUB MARKETPLACE Mr. Watling stated that Earl Morley, developer for the Country Club Marketplace development, had asked him to design a sign for the front of the development. Mr. Watling suggested to Mr. Morley that an art piece would work much better. Mr. Watling presented a maquette of a proposed artwork for the development entitled "Stone Sails". The artwork will act as a sign for the four large buildings. Mr. Twedt asked Mr. Watling about whether or not he is usually required to have an engineer review his installation process and make drawings and if he has to go through the la Minutes June 15. 2005 permitting process. Mr. Watling responded that he does on some projects and does not on others. For "Stone Sails" he plans to drill holes through the bottom of each of the rocks, install a steel rod, tie them together with rebar, and pour a fiber concrete foundation at the bases of all the stones. Vice Chairman Grochau stated that there are pieces of Mr. Watling's stone artwork at various entries to the City of Palm Desert and likes the continuity of including an additional piece towards Country Club, which will help tie the entrances to the City together. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Hough to accept the design concept as presented by artist Michael Watling for the Country Club Marketplace development. Motion carried unanimously. Vice Chairman Grochau asked Mr. Watling that as the artwork evolves to please show the Commission the treatment of (inaudible) and the lighting for the piece. Mr. Waiting responded that he would speak with the developer regarding the lighting. B. CONSIDERATION OF A DESIGN CONCEPT BY MARLO BARTELS FOR THE LOWE'S DEVELOPMENT Mr. Twedt referred to the sketch of the proposed design concept that was included in the agenda packet for the artwork in front of Lowe's, which will be located on the southeast corner of Gerald Ford and Monterey. The artwork will include three sided columns that as one moves around the piece the view would change three times depending on which side is being viewed. Mr. Twedt noted that there is a similar work at the Children's Discovery Museum in Rancho Mirage. Mr. Twedt commented that the developer has been instructed by members of Council to echo the artificial rock configuration at Shadow Ridge. Commissioner Hough asked how the developer of Lowe's chose artist Mario Bartels. Mr. Twedt responded that the developer asked him for artists who do mosaic work and he sent him all the artists listed under "mosaic work" in the Artist Registry. The developer contacted four of the artists that Mr. Twedt provided to them and they chose Mr. Bartels. 3 Minutes June 15, 2005 Commissioner Hough asked if the usual lighting plan would occur. Vice Chairman Grochau stated he would like to see the landscape plan, height of the artwork, and lighting. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to accept the concept - by Mario Bartels for the Lowe's Development on Gerald Ford Drive and Monterey Avenue taking into consideration that lighting, height, and that the landscaping be integrated with the artwork. Motion approved unanimously. C. CONSIDERATION OF AN EXHIBITION OF ARTWORK FROM PAST RECIPIENTS OF THE COLLEGE OF THE DESERT'S DUMONT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OR SUGGEST A THEMED EXHIBITION FOR THE MAY 25 - JULY 20, 2006 EXHIBITION IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ART GALLERY Ms. Schwartz reported that the College of the Desert faculty preferred to keep the Dumont Scholarship show at the Mark's Center. It was suggested by the director of the Mark's Center to do an exhibition of past Dumont Scholarship winners. Vice Chairman Grochau suggested a potential theme that parallels the El Paseo Exhibition. Staff also suggested the possibility of doing a curated theme exhibition in that time period. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Hough to direct staff to consider a theme for the exhibition for May 25 through July 20, 2006 at the City of Palm Desert's Art Gallery and bring it back to the Art in Public Places Commission meeting of July 20, 2005. Motion carried unanimously. D. CONSIDERATION OF THE OFFER TO DONATE ORIGINAL ARTWROK BY GARY BURKE TO THE PALM DESERT PUBLIC LIBRARY Vice Chairman Grochau referred to the information and photos that were included in the agenda packet of the proposed art for the Library. Mr. Twedt stated that the proposed art was presented to and approved by the Library Committee, and now needs to be approved by the AIPP Commission due to the fact that this piece would become part of the City's permanent collection. Commissioner Hough stated that it does not meet the standards or the n W Minutes olo quality that the City is striving for. It was noted that the piece looked like it should be placed outside. It was suggested that it be donated to the Bighorn Institute. It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by Commissioner Stenning not to accept the artwork by Gary Burke as it is unknown how it would integrate into the building whether it is interior or exterior and would not be a showcase piece in the City's permanent collection. Motion carried unanimously. E. CONSIDERATION OF A REPLACEMENT SCULPTURE BY BARRETT DEBUSK FOR THE "FAT HAPPY" SCULPTURE Vice Chairman Grochau referred to the picture of the proposed sculpture by Barrett DeBusk that was included in the agenda packet that will replace "Fat Happy", formerly in the El Paseo Exhibition and is now at the new bus shelter located at Highway 111 and San Luis Rey. Mr. Twedt stated that the proposed piece is a smaller version of "Fat Happy" but will be taller due to its base. "Fat Happy" should be placed at the new bus shelter the first part of July and the proposed sculpture can be placed immediately thereafter. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Hough to accept the replacement sculpture by Barrett DeBusk for the remainder of the 2005106 El Paseo Exhibition. Motion carried unanimously. F. CONSIDERATION OF ARTSITS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST REGISTRY Works from the following artists were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Registry. Randy Olson and Dover Abrams. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Stenning to include Randy Olson into the Artist Registry. Motion carried unanimously. VI11. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE 5 Minutes June 15. 2005 IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS 1. North Wing Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the opening reception of "Shining a Light' went well. The exhibition has received good press and will run through August 11. 2. Website Ms. Schwartz reported that she is near completion of entering the North Wing Gallery show onto the site. Mr. Twedt added that staff is investigating the cost of having an audio tour of the City's collection where it could be downloaded onto an MP3 of CD and one could do a self guided tour. Staff is investigating with Sitewire regarding costs. 3. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that the last second Saturday tour was held June 11, and thirteen people toured the Park. Ms. Schwartz stated that she had been working with a representative of the Girl Scouts who is interested in tours for several troops. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Mr. Twedt reported that he contacted other potential curators for the upcoming El Paseo Exhibition. David Einstein is interested as well as artist Russell Jacques. Mr. Twedt stated that each person that he spoke to has a different idea of what the theme for the upcoming exhibition. They all expressed that the El Paseo Exhibition should be more than a local show of galleries and would like to see fresh, new look. 9 Minutes c June 15,2005 Mr. Twedt reported that Landscape Architect Ron Gregory met with him on behalf of the developer that is doing Desert Crossroads located on the southwest corner of Monterey/Highway 74 and Highway 111. His firm has been hired to refresh the entire complex and the developer has a desire to integrate art with the site. He reminded the Commission that the sites at Highway 111 and Highway 74 as well as the corner at Highway 74 and El Paseo have been designated as potential sites for art. He stated that the fees are only approximately $5,000.00. Mr. Twedt suggested to Mr. Gregory to install pads and lighting at both locations and do temporary pieces. Mr. Twedt commented that this could be the start of a temporary art program for the City to have temporary art pieces on exhibit for a couple of years similar to the El Paseo Exhibition. Mr. Twedt stated that he did not think it should be part of the El Paseo Exhibition. Mr. Twedt thought that he could talk to the developer and ask him to leave the fees in the fund and those fees could be used those fees for honorariums. Mr. Twedt reported that Howard Kalish's artwork for entry sign at the east end of El Paseo and Highway III will be installed the end of July. Ms. Schwartz reported that she attended an Americans for the Arts conference in Austin last week. She received a lot of positive feedback about the Palm Desert's art program. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Hough reported that there would be three exhibitions opening next Saturday at the Palm Springs Art Museum. One exhibition of work is from the di Rosa Collection, which focuses on Bay Area artists since the 1950s. There is also an exhibition from the Museum's collection of Bay Area art that will enhance the di Rosa show. The third show is called "In Other Words" and is an exhibition drawn from the Museum's collection of paintings, sculptures, and prints in which members of the community were invited to interpret the art and write an exhibition label. Members of the public are also invited to comment on the artwork as it hangs in the gallery. • COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 7 June 15, 2005 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell Ms. Campbell reported that the Planning Commission approved a tentative parcel map to divide 4.27 acres into seven parcels located on the northeast side of Portola at the Cornerstone building. The Planning Commission also approved two industrial warehouse buildings totaling 19,000 square feet on Spyder Circle near Dinah Shore. The empty parcel on the northeast corner of Monterey and Country Club was approved for 33 single family lots in a neighborhood commercial center on eight acres. XI1. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Vice Chairman Grochau adjourned the meeting at 10:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, D€-Bi IE L. THOMPSON RECORDING SECRETARY 8