HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmbracing the Desert - A Program of Temporary Public Art ProjectsCITY OF PALM DESERT
COMMUNITY SERVICES
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE "EMBRACING THE
DESERT": A PROGRAM OF TEMPORARY PUBLIC ART
PROJECTS, PROGRAM
SUBMITTED BY: PUBLIC ART PROGRAM
DATE: January 13, 2005
CONTENTS: Presentation of the "Embracing the Desert": A Program of
Temporary Public Art Projects
Recommendation:
By Minute Motion:
1). Concur with the Art in Public Places Commission to approve "Embracing the
Desert": A Program of Temporary Public Art Projects. 2) Approve funding in the
amount of $39,000 from AIPP budget account #436-4650- 454-40-01.
Executive Summary:
The Art in Public Places Commission unanimously approved the "Embracing the
Desert": A Program of Temporary Public Art Projects program at its meeting of
October 20. This program would be designed for emerging artists who have not
created a public artwork or have very little experience in developing public artworks.
Six artists would be selected by the Art in Public Places Commission to design and
create six temporary public artworks, which would be installed for a maximum of six
months in Palm Desert. Each artist would receive a $1,500 design fee for the
artwork and once approved by the Commission and City Council be awarded a
$5,000 commission to create the artwork.
Discussion:
The program would provide emerging artists the opportunity to create a public
artwork and experience the various aspects of a public art project; such as,
working with City building codes, permits and licensing requirements, public
safety issues, integrity and durability of materials, site selection, location and
appropriateness of the artwork proposal, and consideration of pedestrian traffic
and accessibility. It would provide a platform for emerging artists to explore
community issues. For example, recycling, creating citizen dialogue with an
artist, defining city borders, landscape and geography, climatic conditions of the
desert, and historical interpretations of the region.
Several potential sites have been identified, but the artworks would not be limited
to just these locations.
a. Empty storefronts on El Paseo and other businesses that would be
conducive to displaying artwork and requiring security for the installation.
b. The College of the Desert, particularly the grounds around the Marks
Center for Art.
c. The campus of the California State University, San Bernardino Palm
Desert.
d. The empty median at Cook Street and Frank Sinatra Drive.
e. Westfield Shoppingtown.
f. Civic Center Park and the corner of City Hall at Fred Waring Drive and
San Pablo Avenue.
g. The Corporate Art District.
Several other cities have similar projects that offer emerging artists the real
experience of creating public art projects and the community benefits from the
educational aspects of the projects with an increased awareness of recycling, the
physical attributes of the area and a better understanding of public art and how it
can interact with the community. Their cities and public art programs also
experience additional media attention locally, regionally, and nationally from the
temporary artworks.
Submi ted by:
ar zw'ePu•licArts Mw
Sheila Gilligan, As ant City Mgr.
Community Servi
Approval:
Carlos Orteg
Robert Kohn, Director of Special Programs
, City Manager Paul Gibson, Director of Finance