Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - Art In Public Places Commission - April 18, 2012CITY OF PALM DESERT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES COMMISSION MINUTES April 18, 2012 CALL TO ORDER Chairperson Snyder convened the meeting at 9:02 a.m. at the Coachella Valley Water District, 75-515 Hovley Lane, Palm Desert, California 92260 II. ROLL CALL Present Absent Maureen Boren CITY COUNCIL ACTION Norma Bussing APPROVED -- DENIF,D Donna Jean Darby IZECEIVED e^ OTHER Katherine Hough MEETING DATE Lesley Miller AYES: Kim Snyder, Chairperson NOES: �%�nr Maureen Thompson ABSENT: Moor - ABSTAIN: o Also Present VERIFIED BY. - Original on File with City Cler Office Bill Kroonen, Mayor Pro Tern Deborah Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator Debbie Thompson, Recording Secretary Sherry Barkas, reporter, The Desert Sun Sonia Campbell, Planning Commission John Vuksic, Architectural Review Commission Arlene Amick, Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert Jim Barrett, Assistant General Manager, CVWD Heather Engel, Director Communication and Legislation, CVWD John Fleeman, Artist for CVWD artwork Dr. Tom Long, Artist for CVWD artwork (researched text of historic timeline) Thomas McGovern, Artist for CVWD artwork (photographer) Art in Public Places Minutes April 18 2012 III. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS NONE IV. CONSENT CALENDAR Minutes of the regular meeting held on March 21, 2012. Upon Motion by Commissioner Bussing and second by Commissioner Hough, the Minutes of March 21, 2012 were approved unanimously. V. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ORAL REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION — Mayor Pro Tern Bill Kroonen Mayor Pro Tern Kroonen thanked the Coachella Valley Water District for hosting the Art in Public Places Commission meeting at its facility for today's meeting. Mayor Pro Tern Kroonen reported that at its meeting of April 12, 2012, City Council approved the proposed artworks and alternates for the 2013/2014 El Paseo Invitational Exhibition. B. PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT — Sonia Campbell No report. C. ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMISSION REPORT — John Vuksic Mr. Vuksic reported that the Architectural Review Commission (ARC) reviewed Villa Portofino which is a restricted age active adult community. The Commission reviewed several two story buildings that included roof decks. The ARC gave the applicant suggestions who will bring back a more completed submittal for approval. ARC approved the request of a fagade enhancement and remodel to the vacant building on El Paseo near San Pablo. 2 Art in Public Places Minutes April 18 2012 D. PALM SPRINGS MUSEUM IN PALM DESERT REPORT — Arlene Amick Ms. Amick, General Manager of the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert invited the Commissioners to visit the new Palm Desert facility. The current show is the Inaugural Exhibition Rodin to Now. Modern Sculpture. The sculpture garden in the Eric Johnson Memorial Gardens will include nine sculptures that will be installed throughout the summer. The Museum will have several summer programs that are geared for children. There are weekly Meet and Greets on Wednesday mornings guided by a curator. VI. CONSENT ITEMS HELD OVER None VII. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS FOR THE PUBLIC ART COMPONENT FOR THE COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT Ms. Schwartz recommended that the Art in Public Places Commission meeting be held at the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) to give the Commission Members a better sense of the public art project that is being proposed by CVWD. Ms. Schwartz reported that staff has been working with CVWD for approximately eight months regarding the public art component for its new building. She explained that a portion of CVWD's proposal does not meet the criteria of the Public Art Guidelines as CVWD is proposing artwork for the interior of the building. If a visitor wants to see the artwork, he/she would have to be granted access by the receptionist to be able to view it. The Guidelines state that the artwork must be located in an exterior area and accessible to the public at all times. The applicant is requesting to be granted a waiver from the Guidelines in order to do the project. The proposal includes a historical timeline of water related events, a kiosk to contain temporary artworks, and photographic murals that would be printed and placed on the wall of the elevator shaft in the main lobby. The three artists for the project are John Fleeman, Tom McGovern (photographer), and Dr. Tom Long. Dr. Long is Professor of 3 Art in Public Places Minutes April 18 2012 History and Museum in Archival Studies at Cal State University San Bernardino. He is creating the historical timeline of the Water District as well as the Coachella Valley. Mr. McGovern is a professor at Cal State University San Bernardino. His photography is represented in many museum collections throughout the United States and is author of four publications of his photography. He created photos specifically for this project. Jim Barrett, Assistant General Manager of CVWD stated that he is aware that there are concerns of the public having to be granted access by a receptionist to view the art component. Mr. Barrett stated that he was not aware of the importance of the artwork being accessible to the public until just recently. He noted that Steve Robbins has been working with City staff on this project for approximately eighteen months. Upon question by Commissioner Boren, Mr. Barrett responded that the facility contains administration offices for the CVWD staff and conference rooms. The facility holds training and water awareness workshops that are available to the public. Upon question by Commissioner Boren, Mr. Barrett responded that the option of including art in the Board Meeting room has not been discussed but could be considered. Meeting was recessed at 9:18 a.m. to tour the facility. Mr. Fleeman gave the Commissioners a tour of the facility. A visitor wanting to see the artwork would have to be granted access by the receptionist to enter the area where the artwork is placed. The concept of the artwork is to tell a story using segmented pieces. Artwork will be placed on the wall that connects to the upstairs area (elevator shaft) as well as free standing exhibit cases. Commissioner Miller stated her concern of having lighting on the artwork but Mr. Fleeman stated that lighting has not yet been discussed. It was suggested by Mayor Pro Tem Kroonen to have some type of artwork outside of the building directing people to view the public art inside of the building. Mr. Fleeman responded that they have not discussed or considered any artwork for the exterior of the building. Upon question by a Commission Member, Heather Engel stated that eight workshops and four or five tours are held each year at that facility. Ms. Engel added that there are educational displays for school tours. Commissioner Boren reiterated that she would like to see artwork in the Board Meeting room. Mr. Fleeman said it is possible to put art along the wall heading toward the meeting room. 2 Art in Public Places Minutes April 18 2012 Chairperson Snyder reconvened the meeting at 9:50 a.m. Chairperson Snyder noted that there are a lot of photographs as the public art component and asked if there would be any sculpture/paintings to represent the art component. Commissioner Hough responded that the proposed photographs are the artwork. Mr. Fleeman stated that he has shown his work in many museum collections and galleries. The kiosks and display cases are of original design that will house information of what is occurring at the Water District. Commissioner Boren restated her comment about extending the artwork from the lobby area into the Board Meeting room. Commissioner Miller stated she would like to reiterate her concerns about the placement on the rectangular surfaces particularly considering that the conference room does not have a parallel angle with the column and also her concern about the lighting. Chairperson Snyder questioned the space in the reception area and the Board Meeting room; he can understand the photographs being art but wondered if they would be a better fit at the Historical Society than being displayed as artwork at CVWD. Commissioner Thompson concurred with Mayor Pro Tern Kroonen's suggestion of having some type of plaque outside the building to direct the public inside to view the artwork. Upon question by Ms. Schwartz, Mr. Barrett responded that CVWD's business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. it was moved by Commissioner Darby and seconded by Commissioner Bussing to accept the artwork by John Fleeman and Thomas McGovern as the public art component for the Coachella Valley Water District and grant a waiver to the Art in Public Places Program Guidelines to allow for the public art to be placed in an interior location. Motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Thompson complimented the artists and the CVWD staff on the project, but she does have some reservations of the public art being inside the building. She added that it is the goal of the Art in Public Places Commission to strongly suggest to the developer that its public art component be in public view, such as the El Paseo Invitational Exhibition. She does not believe it was the vision of the Commission to accept an interior artwork project 5 Art in Public Places Minutes April 18 2012 and would consider this the exception to the rule. She voted in favor of the project, but would encourage the City and the Public Art Department staff that for all future projects to consider the fact that the art needs to be in public view at all times. She concurred with Chairperson Snyder's question regarding the photographs being public art or something historical. It is the Commission's responsibility to promote public art and this specific project being placed behind a set of locked doors is not a precedence she would like to set. Commissioner Hough commented that she loved the idea of including fine art photography into the project because photography is great works of art which would be a wonderful asset to the City's collection. She would hope that CVWD publicizes that this facility is open for public view and includes educational tours and classes. Chairperson Snyder added that he also agreed it is a great project but had a few reservations about the project being more historic than it being artwork. VIII. CONTINUED BUSINESS NONE IX. OLD BUSINESS NONE X. PROJECT STATUS REPORTS A. Palm Desert Community Gallery Ms. Schwartz reported that the Student Art and Essay Contest will close tomorrow. Maria Hunt's show, Farming in the Desert — Up Close & Personal which is part of Desertscapes, will open on April 26. The opening reception for Maria Hunt's show is Monday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. Ms. Schwartz reported that she has started meeting with the artists who will show during the next gallery season. B. Docent Program Ms. Schwartz reported that the docent program is slowing down for the season. The City honored the volunteers at a recognition event last week. Staff has calculated that 625 people took tours in 2011. She noted that the last tour for the season is June at the Library but due to the Library renovation there will not be a tour in June. She is Art in Public Places Minutes April 18 2012 considering permanently discontinuing Second Saturday tours in June due to the warmer weather. C. Public Art Film Series Ms. Schwartz reported that April 19 is the last night of the Film Series and will include short films of Jim Dine, Cappy Thompson, and Donald Judd. Dr. Steven Nash, Executive Director of the Palm Springs Art Museum will speak after the films. D. Desertscapes Ms. Schwartz reported that Desertscapes is celebrating its third season with a great line up of events. Maria Hunt's gallery exhibition, Farming in the Desert — Up Close & Personal will be the closing event for Desertscapes. XI. REPORTS AND REMARKS A. STAFF Ms. Schwartz reported that she gave a presentation of the 2013/2014 El Paseo Invitational Exhibition to the Rotary club this morning and got positive feedback. She has spoken to some of the artists who will be in the show and are excited. Two of the artists are from Canada and one is from Israel. Staff will begin working on the contracts for all eighteen artists. Deinstallation will begin the end of October with installation taking place the beginning of November. B. COMMISSION MEMBERS Commissioner Hough stated that the Western Museum Association is having their annual conference in the Coachella Valley in October and wants to tour the El Paseo Invitation Exhibition. Commissioner Bussing asked staff for a copy of the power point presentation of the 2013/2014 El Paseo Invitational Exhibition. Chairperson Snyder thanked the Palm Springs Art Museum in Palm Desert for the great job at the openings. He also thanked CVWD for hosting today's Art in Public Places Commission meeting. 7 Art in Public Places Minutes April 18 2012 XI. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Chairperson Snyder adjourned the meeting at 10:20 a.m. tf�l7,, b / itted, {2 Q k.L EBBIE L. THOMPSON, RECORDING SECRETARY