HomeMy WebLinkAboutArt Component - Coachella Valley Water District - 75515 Hovley LaneCITY OF PALM DESERT
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
STAFF REPORT
REQUEST: CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSAL FOR THE PUBLIC ART
COMPONENT FOR THE COACHELLA VALLEY WATER DISTRICT
APPLICANT: Heather Engle
Coachella Valley Water District
75-515 Hovley Lane East
Palm Desert, CA 92211
SUBMITTED BY: Deborah L. Schwartz, Public Art Coordinator
DATE: June 28, 2012
CONTENTS: 1. Developer Application Form A
2. Artwork Design Proposal
3. Artists' Resumes
4. Pertinent Sections of the Public Art Guidelines
Recommendation
By Minute Motion:
1) Consider proposed artwork by John Fleeman and Thomas McGovern as the
public art component for the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) located at
75-515 Hovley Lane, Palm Desert, California; and
2) Consider a waiver to the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Program Guidelines to
allow for the public art to be placed in an interior location.
Commission Recommendation
At its meeting of April 18, 2012, the Art in Public Places (AIPP) Commission unanimously
voted to accept the artwork proposal and grant a waiver for the public art component for the
CVWD building on Hovley Lane East. Although the Commission approved the proposal, it
requested that CVWD make slight changes to its original proposal. CVWD has
accommodated this request, and the changes are detailed in the Executive Summary.
Staff Report
Public Artwork for CVWD
June 28, 2012
Page 2 of 3
Executive Background
The proposed public art plan is comprised of an educational kiosk, a bench, a display case, a
historic timeline, and photographs. All but one piece of the artwork will be located within the
CVWD building's main lobby, which is located off of the reception area and behind a glass
door. Visitors would have to be allowed access by CVWD's personnel at the reception desk
electronically unlocking the door. According to the Palm Desert Public Art Guidelines all public
artworks "...must be located in an exterior area, which is accessible to the public at all times."
The mandate on placing artwork in an exterior location is stated multiple times throughout the
Guidelines. The applicant is asking to be granted a waiver from the Guidelines to do an
interior public art project.
Although the AIPP Commission unanimously approved the project at its meeting, it also
suggested to CVWD that it add an artistic element to the outer reception area, which is not
behind a locked door, which would indicate to visitors that there is more artwork behind the
locked entry door. CVWD is honoring this suggestion by proposing to place a photograph with
a text panel next to it at the reception area to help guide visitors to the artwork behind the door.
The proposal that was approved by the AIPP Commission included two display cases, but in
order to accommodate the budget for the additional piece in the reception area, CVWD has
removed one of the display cases from the proposal and replaced it with a less costly artist
designed bench for people to sit on while looking at the artwork.
The exhibit kiosk and display case will be used for temporary art exhibits or themes chosen by
CVWD. The elements of the temporary exhibits are not included as part of the public art
proposal. The kiosk, bench, and display case were designed by John Fleeman and act as
functional sculptures made from recycled wood and acrylic.
The Historic Timeline was designed by John Fleeman with text researched and written by
Thomas Long, Ph.D. of California State University, San Bernardino. The Timeline will be
between 14 and 20 feet long, permanently mounted onto the wall, and incorporate the use of
end -grain wood materials for the structure, echoing the aesthetics of the proposed display
cases and information kiosk. It will represent the history of the Coachella Valley from the
origins of the Cahuilla Indians to the present. The text will describe and highlight significant
local, national, and international water related events.
The last component of the art plan consists of photographs including the introductory
photograph in the reception area as well as multi -image photographic murals by Thomas
McGovern. The photographs address water ideas as they relate to both humans and nature in
the Coachella Valley. The murals will be placed on the exterior of the elevator shaft in the
main lobby and are intended to be visible from the entrance to the building next to the
reception area. The images will be Lightjet color photographs, printed from high resolution
digital files scanned from color negatives. The prints have a long lifespan and will be
permanently mounted onto the wall. According to the artist, the photographs "highlight the
realities of life in the Coachella Valley — great natural beauty, warm weather, abundant
Staff Report
Public Artwork for CVWD
June 28, 2012
Page 3 of 3
sunshine, and a natural water supply that is essential for our survival, but one that is
increasingly endangered."
Fiscal Analysis
The proposed cost of the public art for CVWD is $119,855.00. CVWD has paid $90,000.00
into the Art in Public Places Fund. Upon approvals and completion of the public art project,
CVWD will be allowed to be reimbursed up to the amount paid into the Public Art Fund. No
General Fund money will be expended.
Submitted by: CITYCOUNCTLA�ON
APPROVED DENIED
RECEIVED OTHER
MEETI G DATF -sue" -=AY
-1 L
Deborah L. Schwartz, Publ ci Art —Coordinator NOE
S:
Department Head: ABSENT: 1
ABSTAIN:
VERIFIED BY:
j Original on File with City rk's Office
Lauri Aylaian, Director of Community Development
Approval:
iul Gibson, Director of Finance
M. Wohlmuth, City Manager
City of Palm Desert, California
Art In Public Places Program
Form A: Developer Application
Date
1. PROJECT INFORMATION
Project Name
Project Address
Project Owner
Owner Address
Telephone
Fax
Architect
Architect Address
Telephone
CVWD Public Art Project
Same as below
CVWD
4/11/12
75-515 Hovely Lane East
City Palm Desert State CA Zip 92211
(_) 760-398-2651
(_) 760-398-3711
Fax (_)
Dev. Project Completion
(Estimated)
AIPP Fee Amount $ 90, 000 . 00
Total Artwork Cost $ 119,855.00
II. ARTWORK INFORMATION See attached documents
Program Option
(Developer Option 1, 2, or 3 as per AIPP Guidelines)
Artwork Title
Artwork Site
Artwork Material
Artwork Dimension
Artist Name
Address
City State Zip
Telephone (_)
Fax (_)
Artwork Completion 8 -10 weeks after approval
(Estimated)
City of Palm D&'' ert - Art in Public Places
III. ARTWORK PROPOSAL AND SPECIFICATIONS
Describe the artwork, its location, materials, installation requirements, and
maintenance needs as completely as possible. You may use additional paper to
complete this section of the application.
Artwork Description See attached documents
2. Siting :
3. Materials with Specifications
4. Fabrication and Installation Procedures
5. Yearly Maintenance and Conservation
Updated 07111
City of Palm desert — Art in Public Places
See attached documents
Budget
Total AIPP Fee $
90,000.00
This worksheet is intended as a budgetary guideline to assist in developing
accurate artwork cost projections. Once completed, this form should reflect all
expenses associated with designing, fabricating, and installing the proposed
artwork and should equal the public art fee. Differences in total expenses, which
are less than the fee, will not be refunded at project completion.
Travel Transportation
Airfare 0 (Materials or finished artwork)
Car Rental e
Per Diem@
$ per day
Insurance
Installation Costs
Labor to be contracted by CVWD
Office/Studio
Equipment Rental
(Phone, fax, postage, etc.)
Security
Permits
Other Estimated costs for
Professional Fees
installation: $8, 500.00
Architect
Landscape Architect
Engineer
Other Costs (List)
Fabrication Costs
Materials
Contingency
Labor
Subtotal
Site Preparation
Landscaping
Electrical
Plumbing
Foundation
Other
Taxes
Artist Fee
Grand Total $ 119, 855.00
Updated 07111
City of Palm bcsert — Art in Public Places
6. Work Plan/Artwork Production Schedule (suggested)
Phase I Design Development
Date:
a. Conceptual design approval by Art in Public Places
Commission and City Council
b. Start up meeting with client
C. Design Development
Phase II Design Completion and Commencement of Fabrication & Site Work
Date:
a. Structural approval (client)
b. Order materials
C. Begin fabrication
Phase III Studio Fabrication Completion
Date:
a. Break out fabrication points
Phase IV Installation Completion
Date:
a. Acquisition of all appropriate certificates and permits
b. Site preparation
C. Installation of artwork on site
d. Site clean up
Phase V Final Acceptance
Date:
a. Notification of Completion received by City staff
b. Final approval from Art in Public Places Commission and
City Council (submit letter requesting approval)
C. Application of Certificate of Occupancy
d. Submittal of Project Completion Notification and request for
return of funds
7. Required Attachments
a. One overall concept drawing showing the work in plan, and;
b. One rendered presentation drawing (plan and elevation), and;
C. A site plan with building and grade elevation showing the
placement of the proposed artwork, and;
d. An artist's concept statement, and;
e. An artist's resume or CV, and;
f. Examples of artist's previous work, and;
g. Evidence of the value of the proposed artwork (contract draft
showing contract value and payment schedule will be sufficient).
Updated 07111
I
CVWD Public Art Project Proposa
`a
Pn
Site -Specific Art Installation
The public artwork is to be mounted on the exterior of the elevator shaft in the main lobby and a smaller
image with an introduction panel in the reception area containing an artist statement and artist biography.
These multi -image photographs will address water ideas as it relates to both human and nature in the
Coachella valley and ultimately creating a contemplative space. See attached artist proposals.
The images are Lightjet color photographs, printed from high resolution digital files scanned from color
negatives. These prints have a very long life under most conditions. They are mounted on Dibond, an
aluminum and composite material that is extremely durable, lightweight and warp resistant, and coated with a
matte UV laminate that protects the image from fading and damage. The laminate can be cleaned of dirt and
dust with a soft cloth when needed. The mounted photographs have a wooden liner attached to the back for
hanging which is attached to the wall with cleats, provided by the fabricator. Each 60 x 60 panel weighs
approximately 150 pounds. Once mounted, the photographs will appear to float about 1.5" off the wall for a
professional presentation.
Proposed Artwork for Coachella Valley Water District Building
Photographs by Thomas McGovern
The Proposal:
This proposal contains three variations. Figures 1 & 2 show the public artwork mounted
on the East wall elevator shaft of the Coachella Valley Water District building. Figure 3
is a proposed artwork for the West wall of the elevator shaft. Figures 1 & 2 are created
with four separate color photographs mounted separately. Figure 3 is made up of 3
separate images that are printed as a single photograph.
The Physical Characteristics of the Artwork:
The images are Lightjet color photographs, printed from high resolution digital files
scanned from color negatives. These prints have a very long life under most conditions.
They are mounted on Dibond, an aluminum and composite material that is extremely
durable, lightweight and warp resistant, and coated with a matte UV laminate that
protects the image from fading and damage. The laminate can be cleaned of dirt and dust
with a soft cloth when needed. The mounted photographs have a wooden liner attached to
the back for hanging which is attached to the wall with cleats, provided by the fabricator.
Once mounted, the photographs will appear to float about 1.5" off the wall for a very
handsome and professional presentation.
Figure 3 is a single Lightjet color photograph (created from three separate images)
mounted on aluminum for extra strength and has an aluminum liner attached to the back
for hanging with a cleat mount. It also has an UV laminate for protection.
Wood liner attached to sample artwork and how it hangs on cleat is shown in figures 4 —
6. Note:
About the Images:
These photographs highlight the realities of life in the Coachella Valley— Great natural
beauty, warm weather, abundant sunshine, and a natural water supply that is essential for
our survival, but one that is increasingly endangered. We rely on the Water District to
keep the water flowing from natural sources as well as managing reclamation, keeping
our water clean, and managing our usage. As more people move to the area and as more
and land is developed, our water usage increases, and so do the challenges for the
CVWD.
Due to the work of the CVWD, most of us don't have to think a lot about our water
beyond the need of it to come out of the faucet. By showing our beautiful natural
environment and the rushing water, photographs instill confidence that the CVWD is up
to the job while subtly suggesting that while flowing, our supply is scare and in need of
the constant vigilance of both the Water District and citizens of the Coachella Valley.
CVWD Project: Custom Display Case
TOP
koned giass or aaylic deck lit from below
6' 24'
36"
MATERIALS:
Recycled Plywood Material
(exposed end grain)
1/4-3/8'thick acrylic vitrines
Frosted Acrylic deck
Bottom lit with led lights
SIDE
1 /4'-3/8"acrylic vitr-
Acrylic deck
3/4' plywood (end grain)
Exposed end grain at joint
CVWD Project: bench modification to display case design
MATERIALS:
TOP
Recycled Plywood Material
(exposed end grain)
18.75' - ---
-- 's
FRONT SIDE
Date: 6/13/12 �, a:��"'1 A ,v
Client: Coachella Valley Water District
Project: Public Art Exhibit
1. Design Development of 3 Concepts (Artist fees) —1 Two -Sided kiosk/ 1 exhibit case, & Bench $6,000.00
Kiosk: 46" w x 84" h x 15" d
- Display case: 36" x 72" x 36" h
Bench:
2. Production Budget of 3 Concepts —1 Information Kiosk, 1 Exhibit case & Bench
- 46" w x 84" h x 15" d
- Present and Future
- Plate metal base powder coated with elevated base to accommodate floor power
- Lumi Sheet LED back lighted panels front and back graphics
- Built in three -sided vitrine display on one edge of panel
3. Design/Development (Artist fees and curatorial research) for 14-20' long time line wall
20'w x 72" h x 12"
- Concept and overall exhibit design
- Curatorial research and development of exhibit content
4. Production Budget of the final Selected Concept - Time line Wall
Approx. 20' w x 72" h x 12"
Back -lit led panels for photos and didactic
- Five (5) rear applied vinyl headers
5. Design/Development of photographs installed on elevator shaft & reception intro panel
-Artist fees
6. Production Budget of photographs installed on 2 elevator shaft & reception intro panel
- Fabrication and hardware.
7. Delivery
- Deliver and load to CVWD
9. Total budget (sales tax not included)
Terms: 50 % Pre -Paid, 50% upon completion
$28,431.00
$12,180.00
$29,544.00
$20,000.00
$20,450.00
$3,250.00
$119,855.00
Pricing based on complete scope of work. If scope of work changes, individual item prices may vary. This estimate is based on a production schedule.
Variance with this schedule will result in rush or overtime charges.
As an Artist and Designer, I have been creating art for display or creating displays for art for more than fifteen
years. After receiving my B.A. from Western Michigan University with a concentration in Painting, I exhibited
my work in group shows at the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and was represented by Emery Fine Arts in
Kalamazoo, Michigan. With my knowledge of art history, artistic abilities, and construction background, I was a
good fit for the position of Exhibit Preparator at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. As Preparator, I worked with
the Exhibition Designer on several projects and after being a very small part of the creative collaboration
between the artists, designers, and curators, I was very excited to be more involved and decided to pursue a
career in Exhibition Design. I continued to paint and work for the GRAM for two years before moving to
southern California and accepting a Preparator position at the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena.
I joined the staff of the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art in 1997 as Exhibition Designer and have
designed, fabricated, and coordinated the installation of more than 150 exhibits ranging in focus from
contemporary Video Art installations to Ancient Egyptian Art such as; Excavating Egypt: Great Discoveries,
featuring more than 250 objects from the Petrie Museum in London, and Hellenistic Art: from the J. Paul Getty
Museum. I have also designed and co-curated many exhibits at RAFFMA and other venues including; Color and
Clarity: Selections from the Permanent Collection, Sam Maloof: Essence of the Handmade, The Amusing Muse
of Andy Warhol, and Tribal Craft: A Collector's Seduction.
Working with so many artists over the years, has provided me with an opportunity to design and fabricate
many original concepts and collaborate with other artists on several installation projects. I started Fleeman Art
Services seven years ago and have been providing curatorial services, custom design and fabrication of
everything from museum reception desks to suspended ice sculptures for artists, galleries, and collectors. My
clients include many well known artists and institutions such as; Kathy Gray, Phillip Maberry, The Sam and
Alfreda Maloof Foundation, The Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art, and Fringe Exhibitions. Although I still
paint occasionally, these projects have become my art and have changed my artistic direction to something
closer to a hybrid form of furniture design and sculpture.
Biography:
Thomas McGovern has been making photographs for over thirty years. His artwork has
been shown in more than 20 solo exhibitions and over 35 group exhibition around the
United State and Europe. His images are in many museum collections including the
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; The Brooklyn Museum of Art; The Baltimore Museum
of Art; The Los Angeles Public Library; The Riverside Art Museum; The Museum of the
City of New York and the Museum fur Photographie in Braunschweig, Germany, among
others. He is the author of `Bearing Witness (to AIDS)", "Amazing Grace", and "Hard
Boys + Bad Girls", as well as the photography textbook "Alpha Teach Yourself Black
and White Photography in 24 Hours". From 1988 to 1995 he was an editorial
photographer for the Village Voice Newspaper, The New York Times, The New York
Daily News and New York Newsday among other publications, and had an active roster
of commercial clients. Since 2000 he has been a photography professor at California
State University, San Bernardino. His next publication, "Vital Signs", is being published
by Heyday Books and will be released in 2013.
City of Palm Desert
Art In Public Places Program Guidelines
B. Developer Options
Several options are available to the private developer to meet the
City's art requirement. They are:
1. Artwork On Site
Upon assessment of the public art fee, the Developer may
elect to site a permanent public artwork as part of the
development project. Using this option, the Developer may
• Utilize the City's artist slide registry to find artists;
• Select the artist directly;
• Hire a professional consultant to select artists to
commission site -specific, architecturally integrated
artworks;
• Purchase artworks for permanent installation.
Artworks may be
• Singular, discrete objects (sculpture);
• Artist designed amenities (streetscapes, paving
treatments, lighting standards and treatments, benches,
wayfinders, architecturally integrated water features,
artist designed landscape treatments or other artist
designed amenities or aesthetic treatments).
• Artworks must be located outside in publicly accessible
locations.
• If artwork is part of a limited edition series, the series
must be no larger than 20.
Upon completion and installation of the work on site, a
Certificate of Occupancy will be issued and the art fee will be
returned to the Developer.
The Artwork On Site approach allows the Developer to:
• Maximize and return the outlay of art fees by bringing a
signature artwork to the development as an identifying
and prestige feature;
• Increase the scope of work of a particular project or
feature within the development by using art allocations to
supplement and enhance the budget (for example,
bringing an artist in to design an already budgeted water
or entry feature);
Revised 7/11 3
City of Palm Desert
Art In Public Places Program Guidelines
• Keep the artwork on site.
2. Art Donated to the City of Palm Desert
Upon assessment of the public art fee, the Developer may
elect to purchase an existing artwork or commission an
original artwork for donation as a gift to the City of Palm
Desert's public art collection. Donations to the City are
reviewed by the Art In Public Places Commission and City
Council to determine the aesthetic quality of the donation,
the work's maintenance requirements and the
appropriateness of the donation to the overall goals of the
Art In Public Places Commission.
This approach allows the Developer to:
• By-pass the commission or purchase and subsequent
installation of the artwork on the property.
• Increase public awareness of the Developer and
development as civic benefactors.
3. Fees In Lieu of Artwork On Site
Upon assessment of the public art fee, the Developer may
elect to pay the fee to the Art In Public Places Fund with no
intention of placing artwork on site or donating a work of art
to the City. Funds are subsequently used by the City of
Palm Desert and Art In Public Places Commission on
publicly sited projects of their choosing.
This approach allows the Developer to:
• By-pass completely the public art process.
IV. SITE CRITERIA FOR DEVELOPERS
A. Eligible Public Art Location
• Such facilities include commercial or residential buildings and adjoining
plazas, parks, sidewalks, traffic islands, public buildings, power stations, etc.
?• Spaces may only be exterior.
Revised 7111 4
City of Palm Desert
Art In Public Places Program Guidelines
requirement is not met, the Certificate of Occupancy may be
revoked.
VIII. SITE SELECTION
General criteria for the selection of an art site include:
A. Location, Installation and Identification
• Artworks for public and private projects must be located in an
exterior area, which is accessible to the public at all times.
• Installation of the artwork should be planned to complement the
work and allow for unrestrained viewing from a variety of
vantage points.
• Potential obstruction of growing trees, shrubbery, or future
construction should be taken into account.
• The artwork shall be a permanent, fixed asset to the property.
Each artwork shall be identified by a plaque stating the artist's
name, artwork title, and date the artwork was dedicated. The
plaque will be placed in an appropriate location near the artwork
that can be easily accessed by pedestrians.
B. Public Placement
• Artwork sites for public projects are selected for its aesthetic
possibilities as recommended by the AIPP Commission or City
Council.
• Sites may include urban gateways, vistas, public spaces and
plazas or other exterior, publicly accessible places.
• Particular attention will be given to providing artwork at major
intersections, corridors and entrances to the City of Palm
Desert.
• Artwork sites for City Capital Improvement Projects including
RDA or private donations may include public facilities such as
the Civic Center, Senior Center, schools, parks and recreation
buildings or other sites as appropriate.
Revised 7111 8
City of Palm Desert
Art In Public Places Program Guidelines
C. Private Placement
• On -Site: The artwork shall be displayed in one or more of the
following locations on the site of the commercial structure:
o Architecturally integrated into the structure or hardscape.
o Placed as a discrete object in any exterior location open
and available to the general public, in a manner, which
complements the artwork and site.
• Off -Site: At the request of the applicant for a Certificate of
Occupancy, the artwork may be located on a site other than that
of the development provided, however, that the site is selected
by the Art In Public Places Commission and approved by the
City Council.
IX. ARTWORK SELECTION
A. Selection Criteria for Artists
General criteria for the Art In Public Places Commission or
developer to consider in selecting artists for public or private
projects should include:
1. The aesthetic and technical quality and originality of the
artist's previous work as evidenced by slides and other
supporting materials;
2. The artist's previous experience with public art projects of a
similar scale and scope;
3. The artist's demonstrated ability to execute and complete a
project in a timely and professional manner;
4. The artist's ability to communicate ideas verbally and
visually, and work effectively in a team environment;
5. The appropriateness of the artist's proposal to the particular
project and its probability of successful completion;
6. A wide variety of nationally known artists as well as local
artists.
Revised 7111 9
Proposed Information Kiosk
Fee -standing Kiosk (Present, future) approx. 48" 1 x 24"w x 84"' h.
Front
Text panels, photos, etc.
with led back light
Recycled plywood with exl
end grain - -
Side
2 variations of four, 60" x 60" archival color photographs mounted on Dibond hung on
the east wall of the elevator shaft (figure 1-2).
fig
60" x 150" Lightjet archival color photograph (made from 3 separate images) for
west wall elevator shaft.
fig 3
fig 2
Historic Timeline
The proposed location of the Historical Timeline is the wall facing the palm trees. This would allow for a 14'-
20' Historical Timeline to be constructed and permanently mounted on the wall. The Timeline would represent
the history of the Coachella Valley, from the origins of the Cahuilla Indians to the present. Beginning with the
Ancient Lake Cahuilla and Cahuilla Well, the historic timeline will incorporate the following themes
chronologically: First Inhabitants, Canals and Water Systems, Floods, Salton Sea, Local Culture, CVWD,
Conservation and Storage, and Water Supply. Brief text descriptions and bullet points highlighting significant
local, US and World historical events will be added for contextual purposes. The design of the timeline will
incorporate the use of the same end -grain recycled wood material for the structure echoing the aesthetics of
proposed display cases and information kiosk.
attached images
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Kiosk, Display Case & Bench
One exhibit Kiosk, display case, and artist designed bench will be located semi -centrally and off -set over
existing electrical outlets in the floor that have been installed for this purpose. Designed by artist John
Fleeman, these functional sculptures will add a contemporary aesthetic to the main lobby and will incorporate
the use of recycled wood material as well as low voltage led lights.
The Kiosk content can be temporary and changed out at will to highlight the latest technology or
developments. Art/Artifacts or products can be installed in the optional cut-out shelf on the side of each kiosk
along with images and brief descriptions of chosen theme.
The bench design mirrors the same layered and stacked plywood aesthetic used in the display case and kiosk
and will be positioned in front of the large scale images mounted on the elevator shaft to provide seating for
the public.
The exhibit case can be used for temporary art exhibits or themes chosen by the CVWD. The case will have
two acrylic vitrines to protect objects and a small door on one side to access electrical/data boxes located
below display deck.
See attached drawing of kiosk, bench, and sample images of display case