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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art in Public Places (AIPP) Commission 03/16/2005CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES March 16, 2005 I. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Bussing convened the meeting at 8:32 a.m. II. ROLL CALL Present: Absent: Norma Bussing, Chairman Kevin Grochau, Vice Chair Joe Dickinson Suzanne Greenberg Katherine Hough Barbara Stenning John Weston Also Present: Richard Twedt, Public Arts Manager Bob Kohn, Director of Special Programs Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Lauri Aylaian, Development Manager Frankie Riddle, Senior Management Analyst Richard Begola, Guest III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS None 11 In, M _ ILMt7ffil1 1 IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on February 16, 2005. Upon Motion by Commissioner Hough and second by Commissioner Dickinson, the Minutes of February 16, 2005, were approved unanimously. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION Mr. Twedt reported that City Council approved "Fat Happy", currently in the 2005/06 El Paseo Exhibition, to be placed at the bus shelter in front of the Verizon building on the north side of Highway III. Mr. Twedt reported that Ms. Riddle anticipates that the structure will be finished by the end of May. Mr. Twedt confirmed with the artist (Barrett DeBusk) that the two sculptures could be placed in whichever configuration is most appropriate for the bus shelter. The artwork is placed together in the El Paseo Exhibition to accommodate the size of the pad. To comply with the Visual Artist Rights Act, Mr. DeBusk approved of having the bus shelter fabricator superimposing a shadow image of "Fat Happy' onto part of the mesh structure. Mr. Twedt stated that Mr. DeBusk is fabricating a sculpture in blue similar to "Fat Happy" that will be proposed for the replacement piece for the El Paseo Exhibition. Mr. Twedt reported that Ms. Riddle is building another bus shelter and is inquiring about placing artwork at the new bus shelter. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF ARTISTS REQUESTING TO BE IN THE VIRTUAL GALLERY Works from the following artists were reviewed to be considered for the Virtual Gallery. Ronald H. Alden and Cash Baxter. ra 1 11 It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Hough to accept Ronald H. Alden and Cash Baxter for the Virtual Gallery. Motion carried unanimously. B. CONSIDERATION OF ARTSITS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CITY OF PALM DESERT'S ARTIST SLIDE REGISTRY Works from the following artists were reviewed to be considered for the City of Palm Desert's Artist Slide Registry. Dan Rider and B.J. Katz. It was moved by Commissioner Greenberg and seconded by Commissioner Hough to include Dan Rider and B.J. Katz 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 the current show in the North Wing Gallery, "The Art of Surviving Cancer", was in the Desert Sun in the Snap Shot Section the week following the show. 2. Website No report. 3. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz has received many calls for private tours of the public art collection. A group of 120 kindergartners will tour next week. 3 XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF • Agave Shade Structure for the Eric Johnson Gardens at Entrada del Paseo — Report by Lauri Aylaian Ms. Aylaian handed out an elevation of the proposed Agave Shade Structure for the Eric Johnson Gardens at Entrada del Paseo to the Commissioners. Ms. Aylaian stated that City Council requested that this project be presented to the AIPP Commission for its comments although AIPP funds would not be used. She explained that the Eric Johnson Gardens have been landscaped and the next phase will include two and a half acres of landscape. The Agave Shade Structure is proposed to be placed at the end of the canyon. The structure is composed of natural rusted steel lines, which replicate an Agave plant. The top portion of the structure will be canvas fabric in an Agave green tint. The base is a bench structure made of stone with a concrete lip to allow seating for several people. Mr. Twedt mentioned that there is a 22 member steering committee for the Entrada project. It was suggested that a joint meeting be held with the AIPP Commission and the Steering Committee to discuss the art for the project. Mr. Twedt will send out an RFQ for the art project in approximately one month. Mr. Twedt gave a recap of Reuel Young's concept of art for the Entrada project to the Commissioners. Mr. Young's concept was to have art at the Visitor Center that would lead one into the gardens and create a sequential experience leading one through the entire site and have it tie together as a unified theme. Mr. Twedt stated there are many things that an artist could respond to in the second phase of the Entrada project. It was suggested to have an informational meeting with the AIPP Commission and the Steering Committee on April 27, at 9:30 a.m. Commissioner Hough commented that Corten steel could be a high maintenance issue because it tends to rust and gets messy. Ms. Aylaian responded that some rusting .19 Minutes AM t"I I11 and corrosion is expected but she is not aware of any special treatment that can be applied to protect the canvas. She will talk to the designers. It was the consensus of the Commission that they were in favor of the Agave shade structure. Mr. Twedt reported that Council has designated a portion of Freedom Park to the Veterans' Memorial and the AIPP funds will be used toward that. Mr. Twedt noted that the same amount of funds have been reserved for the Wendy's project at the corner of Washington and Country Club and feels that since it will not be used in Freedom Park, that Tom Otterness's artwork would be appropriate for Wendy's. Commissioner Hough noted that once an artist is rejected over and over they will resist wanting to submit for our art projects. Commissioner Hough suggested not to consider Mr. Otterness for the Wendy's project, which may be an insult to him. One of the Commissioners suggested Mr. Otterness to propose art for the Entrada project. Mr. Twedt stated that "Chaftan" by Esther Wertheimer has been installed behind the small monument sign on El Paseo and Highway III (west end). Mr. Twedt is working with the City Traffic Engineer to relocate the Cahuilla Hills Trail sign that is blocking the artwork. Mr. Twedt gave an update on the Community Art Center. Mr. Twedt and Mr. Kohn composed a White Paper, which is a document that notifies Council that the department would like to work on this project as well as request funding. Also, in the White Paper he has included authorization to hire a research consultant to do a feasibility study for funding. Mr. Twedt reported that the RRP for "Embracing the Desert" was mailed and he has received some interest in that project. The dedication for the Baja Palapa is scheduled for May 6, in the afternoon. Mr. Twedt mentioned that he had to move Michael Todd's bench, "Lily Pad", from San Pablo and El Paseo to the southwest corner of El Paseo and Sage. The 5 Minutes original placement at San Pablo and El Paseo was blocking the handicap access. The contract for the restoration of the Rose Garden Community Walk is on the City Council agenda for approval on March 24. Conservation Sculpture Studio was the only bidder for that project. Mr. Twedt reported that Deborah Schwartz would be attending the Aspen Food and Wine Classic, as the City is proposing the event in the future. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS • COMMISSION REPORTS • LIAISON REPORTS 1. PLANNING COMMISSION — Sonia Campbell No report. XII. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairman Bussing adjourned the meeting at 9:58 a.m. Respectfully submitted, DEBBIE L. THOMPSON RECORDING SECRETARY C,