HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art In Public Places (AIPP) - 5/18/05VI S
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION
MINUTES
May 18, 2005
CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Bussing convened the meeting at 8:35 a.m.
II. ROLL CALL
Present:
Norma Bussing, Chairman
Suzanne Greenberg
Kevin Grochau, Vice Chair
Katherine Hough
Barbara Stenning
John Weston
Also Present:
Absent:
Joe Dickinson (excused)
Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager
Bob Kohn, Director of Special Programs
Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator
Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary
Tom Bassler, Public Works
Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission
Richard Begola, Guest
ORAL COMMUNICATIONS
Mr. Tom Bassler spoke to the Commission concerning a letter from
Eduardo Valadez that was included in the agenda packet that
requested a graffiti park. The park would be a designated place
where people could go and express themselves through graffiti art
rather than doing it throughout the city in undesignated areas. Mr.
Bassler stated that he has managed the City's graffiti program for
the past eleven years and have spent approximately $750,000
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May 18. 2005
eradicating graffiti within the city. These types of parks have been
proposed in the past in various cities throughout the United States
and generally are not successful. Mr. Bassler feels that most of the
graffiti that he has seen is not of artistic value and over the last
eleven years he has seen just about every graffiti incident that has
been in Palm Desert. Most graffiti is done by taggers and people
who want to see their name or symbols throughout the city.
Commissioner Bussing asked if it would help if it were in a
contained area. Mr. Bassler responded that he did not think so
because if a place was created for people to make graffiti it
becomes very transient. Those who create graffiti on a wall want it
to be permanent and not get covered up by someone else which
causes competition and graffiti is competitive amongst gangs.
IV. CONSENT CALENDAR
Minutes of the regular meeting held on April 27, 2005.
Upon Motion by Commissioner Greenberg and second by
Commissioner Weston, the Minutes of April 27, 2005, were approved
unanimously.
V. DISCUSSION ITEMS
A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION
Mr. Twedt reported that City Council approved the artwork
by Bill Ware as well as the return of the AIPP fee for the
Venezia Development on Portola Avenue.
Mr. Twedt reported that City Council approved the serving of
wine at the reception openings in the art gallery from June
2005 through May 2006.
VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER
None
VII. NEW BUSINESS
A. CONSIDERATION OF A GROUP EXHIBITION FOR THE
JANUARY 12 — MARCH 16, 2006 EXHIBITION IN THE
CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ART GALLERY
Ms. Schwartz reported that she had reviewed artists'
proposals for the upcoming season. There will be five
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shows instead of the usual six this season due to the move
of the gallery to the new Visitor Information Center. There is
one time slot that needs to be filled. She sent out an RFP to
24 artists to which she received approximately 13 proposals.
She chose three of the artists whose work she felt would
complement each other well. Ms. Schwartz presented Cathy
Allen (sculptor), David McMillan (photographer), and Cash
Baxter (oils) as a group show for January 12 — March 16,
2006.
Ms. Schwartz reviewed the upcoming shows. The Dyslexia
Foundation will show June 2, through August 11; Highlights
of the North Wing Gallery begins August 18; COD Faculty
Show, November through January; Natural Elements
(tentative title), January through March 2006; Student Art
and Essay, March through May; and a tentative show with
the COD student exhibition will be May through July.
it was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by
Commissioner Weston to accept the recommendation of the
January 12 -- March 16, 2006, group exhibition of Cathy Allen,
Cash Baxter, and David McMillan as presented. Motion carried
unanimously.
B. CONSIDERATION OF A DESIGN FEE TO ARTIST, LYNN
BASA, FOR THE FOUNTAIN FEATURE AT PALMA
VILLAGE NEIGHBORHOOD PARK
Mr. Twedt stated that there are two sections of the Palma
Village Neighborhood Park. One section includes a large
play area with a water feature in the form of a cactus that
kids can play in as well as playground equipment. The other
section, where Ms. Baza's proposed fountain feature would
be, has a European feel to it, is well landscaped, serene and
contemplative with benches in a circular area and a seven
foot dirt area where the two small bronze pieces that are
currently in the Council Chamber were going to be placed.
Staff felt that the bronze sculptures would be a potential for
vandalism and high maintenance due to the need for
cleaning calcium deposits due to the water hitting the bronze
pieces. It was suggested by Mr. Stendell to do a mosaic
basin with bubblers. Staff felt that due to the small
commission and the interest of Ms. Lynn Basa it wasn't
necessary to do a Call for Artists. Mr. Twedt informed Mr.
Stendell that he would need electrical, concrete work, and
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May 18, 2005
the substrata to accept the mosaic. Mr. Stendell is aware
that there will be maintenance issues related to the fountain.
It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and
seconded by Commissioner Stenning to accept the design fee
in the amount of $1,000.00 to Artist Lynn Basa to create three
designs for the Commission's review for the Palma Village
Neighborhood Park. Motion carried unanimously.
C. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL FOR PRELIMINARY
CONCEPTS FOR THE ENTRADA DEL PASEO ART
PROJECT
Chairman Bussing referred to the Request for Preliminary
Concepts for the Entrada del Paseo Project that was
circulated at last month's meeting. She asked for the
Commissioners' comments. Chairman Bussing commented
that the proposal was well prepared. She added that the
gardens have become less art and more horticultural from a
public art standpoint that would tend to be a negative unless
it is felt that it should be primarily a garden.
Mr. Twedt stated that the intent of the RFP for the art is to
have art that starts at the Visitor Information Center and will
be sequential leading people through all the gardens and be
somewhat of an educational experience. The RFP asks that
the artists address geology, geography of the site, history of
Palm Desert, plant life, animal life as well as being child
friendly in their proposals. Commissioner Hough stated that
the wording regarding the budget of $250,000 is for three
artists was unclear. It was clarified that one artist will be
chosen for the $250,000 project but three artists will be
presented to Council for review.
It was moved by Commissioner Hough and seconded by
Commissioner Greenberg to allow staff to proceed with the
preliminary concepts as presented for the Entrada del Paseo
art project with the exception of clarifying the wording that
each of the three finalists will receive a commission of $5,000
and one artist will receive the commission of $250,000. Motion
carried unanimously.
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D. 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.
Jessica Phrogus, Alonzo Davis, and Kohei Owatari.
it was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and
seconded by Commissioner Grochau to include Alonzo Davis
and Kohei Owatari into the Artist Registry. Motion carried
unanimously.
VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS
NONE
IX. OLD BUSINESS
NONE
X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS
1. North Wing Gallery
No report.
2. Website
No report.
3. Docent Program
The last second Saturday tour will be on June 11, in the
Civic Center Park at 10:00 a.m. The second Saturday tours
will begin again in September. Ms. Schwartz reported that
the attendance since the program started has been more
than 500 people with another 35 touring next week. She
mentioned she would like to increase the advertising for next
year.
Mr. Twedt mentioned that he received two emails from two
people who attended a tour and mentioned what a fantastic
job Ms. Schwartz and docent Nancy Anthony had done.
Congratulations again Deborah!
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XI.
Mav 18, 2005
REPORTS AND REMARKS
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STAFF
Mr. Twedt proposed to discuss the letter from Eduardo
Valadez regarding the graffiti art. Mr. Twedt reported that he
researched information on the Internet regarding graffiti
parks. Mr. Twedt said there are numerous communities that
have developed programming to deal with graffiti and that
some of them created a park. Mr. Twedt's asked why should
we give preference over one art form to another. Mr. Twedt
added that the walls would have to be painted over
periodically, need personnel to administer the program, and
materials. It was suggested by Mr. Kohn that Mr. Twedt
prepare a memo for the Mayor including the Commissioners'
comments. Commissioner Hough commented that we do
not want to focus on one type of art expression with the
limited funds that are available.
Mr. Twedt stated that the Commission needs to start thinking
about a new curator for the new El Paseo Exhibition. Mr.
Twedt suggested Commissioner Hough; however, she noted
that she would have a heavy workload for the upcoming
year. Commissioner Hough suggested Allan Hicks or David
Einstein.
Mr. Twedt stated that after requesting AIPP estimates from
the Assistant Finance Director the public art program would
no longer be receiving substantial funds in five years due to
a drop in development. Mr. Kohn added that the
Commission needs to look at the current art fund and be
selective on choosing art for any upcoming projects.
Mr. Twedt congratulated Ms. Thompson on the fabulous job
that was performed on the Student Art and Essay Contest
Award Ceremony.
COMMISSION MEMBERS
Commissioner Hough reported that the Palm Springs Desert
Museum changed its name to the Palm Springs Art Museum.
• COMMISSION REPORTS
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LIAISON REPORTS
1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell
Ms. Campbell reported that at its meeting of May 17,
the Planning Commission approved a building on the
north side of Dinah Shore.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Chairman Bussing adjourned the
meeting at 10:00 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
DIBBIE L. THO PS N
RECORDING SECRETARY
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