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Home My WebLink About02-02-2005 Public Art Advisory Committee Agenda Public Art Advisory Committee **Wednesday, February 2, 2005** 3:30PM Lobby Conference Room A. Call to order B. Public discussion of any item not on the agenda C. Election of officers for 2005 D. Consideration of the minutes of the December 2, 2004 meeting E. Discussion of Benton Hill Park project with artist F. Discussion of Melrose Avenue Neighbhorhood Assn. public art letter of interest G. Committee time/Other business H. Adjournment **NOTE CHANGE OF TIME AND DAY MINUTES IOWA CITY PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE MONDAY, DECEMBER 2,2004,3:30 P.M. LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL PRELIMINARY Members Present: Barbara Camillo, Charles Felling, Rick Fosse, James Hemsley, Mark Seabold, Terry Trueblood, Emily Walsh Staff Present: Karin Franklin, Marcia Klingaman Visitors: David McGraw Call to Order Felling called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m. Public discussion of any item not on the aqenda No items were presented for discussion by the committee members. Consideration of the Minutes of November 1. 2004 Meetinq Walsh asked for clarification that the Benton Hill Park archway supports were not mass-manufactured; this was confirmed. Errors were noted on pp. 1 and 3; Hickory Hill Park was changed to Benton Hill Park on p. 1 and ih Street Bridge was changed to Summit Street Bridge on p. 3. Felling said the minutes were very thorough. MOTION: Fosse moved to accept the minutes as revised. Seabold seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously. Recommendation to Council Politically Purple, a sculpture by Jerry Cowger of Waterloo was recommended for the Iowa Sculptor's Showcase for display from June 2005 to June 2006 by a vote of 7-0. Review and selection of artist for 2005 Iowa Sculptor's Showcase Klingaman said there are four proposals for consideration for the Showcase and asked if the committee members would like to look over the proposals or view the slides first. The committee members agreed to view the slides first. Gene Anderson: "The Muse." Chris Burd did not submit a specific piece, but sent slides of several of his current works using coiled clay. His proposal involved a bronze coil piece similar to those displayed. Jerry Cowger: "Politically Purple." Dennis Swanson: "The Ruin of Artifice." Walsh asked if "Ruin of Artifice" indicated the angle from which it would be best viewed. Klingaman answered that the artist included a suggestion on where the "Iens" could be located near the planter on the Pedestrian Mall. Seabold said the piece is interesting and engaging. Franklin noted it is difficult to see what the lens is showing. Walsh agreed that a picture of the lens with a piece of paper behind it would be helpful. Camillo noted it is a very elaborate, realistic representation of the image of a ruin. Walsh asked if this might be seen as a political statement since the ruin is of Babylon (Baghdad). Franklin replied that one would have to have knowledge of the details surrounding the subject, though someone may know enough details in Iowa City. Felling noted the artist said the piece represented an "important and timely subject." Franklin said though it is provocative, she is not sure what it or the artist is saying. Walsh suggested that it has to do with the destruction and rebuilding of civilizations. Felling added that most pieces are political in some way. Seabold said the Cowger piece is interesting. Franklin said it could be political if it was blue on one side and red on the other, with purple edges. No view of the back of the piece is shown. Walsh said it looked Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes December 2,2004 Page 2 like the pieces could fit together if bent, like a puzzle. Klingaman remarked that Cowger is not a trained artist, though Franklin added he has taken classes. When viewing the Burd slides, Klingaman noted that the piece would be similar to the ones shown. Camillo said she liked the detail in the pieces. Walsh said the surface treatment of the pieces was unique. Franklin suggested it looked like the holes in the pieces opened into empty space. Seabold agreed, saying the pieces looked like they were made of coiled clay. Fosse asked for confirmation that the piece chosen at the meeting is for the yearly rotating sculpture. Felling replied that is correct. Felling asked when the piece would be installed. Franklin replied in June during Arts Festival. After reviewing the proposals, Felling asked for positive and negative comments on each one. Seabold said he likes Anderson's work, and noted he wants to keep things fresh and interesting in relation to what is already on display. He would like a piece with more impact. Walsh noted that Anderson's piece is inviting, something a person would like to touch and examine. Hemsley added that it is very plain, and does not stand out. Camillo said she is very taken with Cowger's piece. It has a real presence and it is attention catching. Klingaman said that piece has humor. Walsh agreed, noting that it is more light-hearted than the current piece. Seabold also agreed, saying that piece switches gears from the current display. Hemsley said he likes the Swanson piece, that it is very creative. Walsh noted that it is an interactive piece, which makes sense in the Pedestrian Mall. Seabold said he thinks it would get lost in the surroundings. He liked it, but it lacks presence and prominence, and the scale seems too small. Walsh suggested putting the piece somewhere the landscape is less busy, which would help with viewing through the lens as well. Franklin suggested not planting flowers around it. Walsh agreed it might not be the right piece for this setting. '-- Felling asked for feedback on the Burd piece. Walsh said it is similar to Anderson's in the sense that it is figurative, but in a very different way. Anderson's is very simple, while Burd's is ornamented. Felling added that it has personality. Walsh said that changing materials from ceramic to bronze might not work as well for the piece. Fosse said he likes the fact that the piece can be appreciated on different levels, both from a distance and up close. Walsh suggested that children would like the piece because of the open spaces and the detailing. Hemsley said that the Burd piece makes sense for the setting. Hemsley asked for confirmation that the expense for this project is paid by the artist. Franklin replied that the expense for this consists of a $500 honorarium, and a place to display the piece. Klingaman added that there is also a plaque with the artist's name, and offering the piece for sale as appropriate. Walsh asked how big "Angel" is. Klingaman said she guesses the piece is approximately eight feet tall. Camillo added that the figure itself is not tall, but with the base it stands higher. Franklin asked if the group would like to rank the pieces in order of preference. The committee members agreed. Three ranked Burd as their first preference, while four ranked Cowger as first. Seabold said that Burd was his second choice, and said he liked the contrast between the current piece and the Cowger. Fosse said Cowger was his second choice, but suggested the setting might be better for the Burd piece. The Cowger piece may be better by the Library, while the Burd piece may be suited to a more earthy setting. Camillo said that conversely that the Cowger piece would be very dramatic, and it makes a visual statement. Felling agreed that the piece might look better next to a tall building, given its height. Seabold asked if the location is permanent. Franklin replied yes. Fosse said the pad would be upgraded this spring anyway; now it would not hold such a large piece. '- Seabold suggested children would like the Burd piece more. Franklin said it would be interactive, because of the holes. Trueblood noted that the holes in the piece might attract bees. Walsh suggested that mesh could be put behind the holes to discourage bees. Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes December 2,2004 Page 3 Trueblood said he likes the Cowger piece, and that it is the most different from what is currently downtown. It would indicate that the same type of thing wouldn't be going into that space all the time. He also noted that we could all use some whimsy. Felling suggested switching "Ties That Bind" with the piece, putting the Cowger piece around the corner next to the larger buildings. Klingaman replied that "Ties That Bind" is not right for the Sculptor's Showcase arrangement since it is a permanent acquisition. '- Seabold said he is not tied to a particular artist and would switch his vote. Walsh said she would vote for Burd if he had a sample of his work in bronze but was concerned about how it would work in bronze. Felling noted that Burd worked on the Weber statue located in the Pedestrian Mall, which is bronze. Seabold noted that there is a lot of bronze art downtown already. Seabold suggested that "Ruin of Artifice" would be a good piece by the river. Walsh agreed that piece needs the right location. Camillo added that she liked the concept, but did not find the actual piece as interesting as the others. It did not have the feel of a ruin. Felling said he would like to see the actual piece. MOTION: Camillo moved to recommend the piece "Politically Purple" for the Artist Showcase in 2005. Trueblood seconded and the motion was passed unanimously. The committee submitted the recommendation to the City Council that "Politically Purple" by Jerry Cowger be adopted for the Sculptor's Showcase for 2005. Discussion of use of public art funds for FY05 for park proiects Trueblood reported that he met with two staff, including the Parks Superintendent and the Program Supervisor in charge of Cultural Arts to discuss the best locations for public art in City parks. They agreed that almost all parks are good settings for art, depending on the individual piece. The top five parks selected were Upper City Park, Hunter's Run Park, Iowa City Kickers Soccer Park, South Sycamore Greenway, and Willow Creek Park. Trueblood indicated the locations of all the suggested parks for the committee members on the City map on the wall of the conference room. Trueblood noted that Upper City Park was chosen because Lower City Park already has art and other activity with the ball fields, tennis courts, and amusement rides. Upper City Park has the pool and a much more wooded environment. Franklin asked what criteria were used to select the parks. Trueblood replied they are parks that provide good settings for art, have high traffic so many people will see the pieces, and also geographically selected so as not to concentrate all the art into one part of the city. Chauncey Swan and College Green parks are examples of high traffic parks that were not selected because they are near downtown, which already has a high concentration of art. Felling asked what is currently in the Soccer Park. Trueblood replied it is 110+ acres with 17 soccer fields, a restroom building, and a couple shelters. There are plans for gradual development, especially in the north end, which has been set aside for parkland and may have a large shelter installed in the future. Soccer Park has a lot of activity in the spring, summer, and fall, and may be a good place to put a piece like "Ties That Bind," or a similarly interactive piece. South Sycamore Greenway is a trail system alongside South Sycamore Street, about 1.5 miles long. It's a wide greenway and drainage system that may be a good setting for a series of sculptures. The trail goes all the way to the Soccer Park, and there are plans to extend it through and beyond the park. Seabold asked where Creekside Park is located. Trueblood indicated its location on the map. Trueblood added that most parks could handle some sort of art piece, though some locations-would have a higher concern about vandalism than others. Felling asked if Creèkside has an interest in art. Klingaman replied that she expects that neighborhood to submit a proposal soon. Trueblood indicated Ryerson's Woods, south of the county fairgrounds. Seabold asked if there are paths through that area. Trueblood replied yes, basically all the area consists of is nature trails, though there is a shelter at the bottom of the trails. That would be a nice setting for the surprise aspect of coming upon Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes December 2, 2004 Page 4 an unexpected piece. His concern is the number of people who would see it, since it does not get as much traffic as other parks. Trueblood continued by saying that Parks and Rec. is receptive to any kind of art, though it would be good to consider ways to incorporate it into the park aspect, such as on the shelters, park benches, or signage. Another idea is to put art all along the river corridor trail, though there is a concern about putting all the pieces where only the trail users would see them. Felling suggested that art along the trails might encourage more trail use. Hemsley agreed, saying it could be a draw. Trueblood asked if there were any questions about parks that were not listed. Franklin asked which parks were identified for new or replacement shelters in the Capital Improvements Program. Trueblood replied he doesn't know exactly, though it is likely most are replacement shelters planned for City Park. Felling suggested that unique sign projects like the one for Benton Hill Park could be done for all the parks. Trueblood replied that all the parks currently have signage, but his department has considered doing unique signs for each park. Trueblood also noted that the Peninsula Park was not included in the list because there are projects already underway for it, such as the rotating sculpture. Hemsley asked what kind of art should be considered for the park shelters. Trueblood replied the shelters are mostly open-air with a roof. He suggested incorporating artwork into the columns, such as metal, stone, or carved wood. Other possibilities include doing a floor project such as a mosaic, or a facade for the shelter with artwork on it. Fosse noted that stained concrete is gaining in popularity, and is durable. Trueblood said there was some concern about defacing any artwork on the shelters. If the beams are wooden carvings, other people could carve into it as well. Felling asked if the committee would like to keep this item as an ongoing agenda item. Franklin said the Committee needs to reach a point of focus on a specific project at some point soon. Felling suggested the committee look at the locations and generate some ideas. Trueblood added that a field trip might be in order as the process gets closer to a decision. '- Hemsley asked what the committee should be bringing to the next meeting, whether it should be an idea, a suggested artist, or something else. What is the next step? Trueblood replied that the project should be fit into the committee's agenda for continued discussion. Franklin added that after taking current projects into consideration, the committee still has $50K to spend, which was the reason for this discussion. Other projects, such as the Benton Hill Park and Peninsula Park projects are underway and don't need any further input from the committee at this time. Camillo asked for an update on the alley project. Franklin replied that the committee had decided to let the cleanup go forward before pursuing the project. Fosse added that the committee had also decided to move away from downtown and concentrate on other areas of the City. Felling asked the committee if they would like to go forward with the parks project. The committee members expressed general agreement. Felling asked if a motion is needed. Franklin replied a motion is not required until a specific project is being recommended. Franklin suggested the committee members go to the parks to get a sense of the setting, what is there now, and think about ways to incorporate art. Trueblood suggested a group field trip. Franklin agreed that a group trip may be more productive, and suggested scheduling that for the January meeting. Fosse said he is interested in the art having a practical purpose, such as with the shelter or drinking fountains. Hemsley noted that the committee shouldn't limit its options to practical aspects. Trueblood said that an interactive piece similar to playground equipment is also an option. Franklin confirmed that the committee members would be visiting the parks as a group at the January meeting. Felling added that if the weather is poor, the meeting will be held at City Hall. The committee should meet at City Hall and travel from there, and in the meantime think about ideas. '~ Hemsley asked what the timeline is for the project. Franklin explained the process, saying that the committee would make a recommendation to pursue this as a project and put out a call for proposals. The Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes December 2, 2004 Page 5 Council approves the concept of having something in a particular park, as well as the ideas framed in the request for proposals. The committee should have a clear idea of how the funds will be spent by July 1, and she would like to have the RFP out in March, if possible. Trueblood noted that there will be a second art piece in the Benton Hill Park, which the Park Superintendent ordered to be made. It possibly could be put on the Public Art inventory. Seabold asked when it would be installed. Trueblood replied installation will be in the spring, but will not interfere with the archway. Discussion of public input ideas Seabold expressed continued interest in organizing an event to be held during Arts Festival in the summer. He would like to do something inexpensive and temporary in the alleys to raise awareness of public art. Felling asked if Seabold should contact and make arrangements with City personnel for this project. Franklin replied yes, as the project evolves, in order to resolve questions of the utilization of public space, access of emergency services, etc. Klingaman distributed copies of the new Public Art brochure for Iowa City. Felling noted it is strikingly similar to the one from Ames. Felling passed materials to the committee that were gathered while at the Imagine Iowa event in Des Moines in November, including an agenda, the Imagine Iowa goals and vision statement, Waterloo and Ames public art brochures and public relations pieces, and stories from the Des Moines Register. Felling invited the committee members to take the materials with them if they want to study them. Committee time/Public discussion Felling extended thanks to Camillo for her tenure on the committee, and noted that Walsh has applied to continue on for another term. He asked if Camillo will still be available for consultation, and she replied she would be. Franklin noted that Camillo can now submit pieces for consideration. --- Trueblood asked when the new committee member will be known. Franklin replied next week. Seabold asked how the appointee is decided, and Franklin replied it is a City Council decision. Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Committee, Hemsley moved to adjourn and Seabold seconded. The meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. s:/pcd/minutes/PublicArt/2004/art12-02-04,doc ~- ~ ~ - - ..... s s-= Q 8 u Cj ~~ Q~~ ~ ..Q ..... - Q -6~N <"g t:~ <- Cj< ..... - .c = ~ N 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - N .... .... ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - .... 0 .... I' ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - - 0 0 0 .... N 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - c:7\ 0 If') ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 0 - Q() 0 c:7\ N ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - I' 0 .... ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - I' 0 0 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ - - \C 0 0 0 0 0 ð ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ If') 0 0 \C ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - If') 0 0 0 .... 0 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ ~ - ~ 0 If') ~ ~ ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ ~ N 0 Q() 0 0 ~ ~ 0 ~ ~ 0 - .... 0 en Ir) 1.0 1.0 I' Ir) ã ~ 0 0 0 0 0 - - - - - '8 ..-< ..-< ..-< ..-< ..-< Q) ;.< 0 0 0 0 0 - --- --- --- --- t-<~ ..-< ..-< ..-< ..-< ..-< 0 0 0 0 0 -= ~ - Q "'0 = - ~ t Q ~ - 'ë "'0 Q .... - - - .. = - ~ Q .c QJ - 5 ~ QJ .... U QJ QJ ::I .. ~ ~ QJ = = ~ = QJ .. U ~ Q ~ .. QJ ~ rJ1 ~ Q) = - ~ ~ Ë -e .. ~ QJ ~ = 5 .. 'ë -= CJ = = æ = ~ QJ Z = U ~ ~ ~ -- o¡:; I-< ~ Q) ;:: OJ).g u ~ ¡;;¡ ;.< '.;::J Q) 15i:Jg;~:::E Q) Q) 5 :::E C\j ~enenoõ ~«zz II II II II II ~~oð~ : -~ Melrose Neighborhood Association 335 Lucon Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246 319/337-5201 Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Chuck Felling, Chairperson 410 E. Washington Street Iowa City, IA 52240 January 26, 2005 Dear Committee Members, I am the Representative of the Melrose Neighborhood Association. We have an Executive Committee of 13 persons (including myself). This Committee is very interested in the Neighborhood Public Art Project that you oversee and, if possible, would like our Neighborhood to participate in it. We have just received notice that a large portion of our Neighborhood has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District. We are also aware of the -- elegant signs of the Goosetown and Northside Neighborhoods and the interesting Historic Markers of the Longfellow Neighborhood, that have been implemented through the Neighborhood Public Art Project. We would very much like to do a similar project in our Neighborhood, to delineate the Neighborhood and celebrate its unique identity and history. (At this point in time, the final form of the artwork is yet to be decided, after we solicit input from the entire Neighborhood.) We would solicit input for this project from the entire Neighborhood both by email and by mail (as we have done for input during the process of nomination to the NRHP). In addition, we are about to launch our first Neighborhood Newsletter, which will be mailed out through the Office of Neighborhood Services and that medium would be used during solicitation for this project. In addition, we plan to have a Neighborhood meeting in the next couple of weeks/months where we would also present the information to the entire Neighborhood for discussion. Our estimated schedule of the process is outlined below. (Time estimates are approximate.) · We already have some information about the Goosetown, Northside and Longfellow projects and we will inform the entire Neighborhood of the proposed project as outlined above. (Within the next couple of weeks.) · We will contact the Chief Contacts for those Neighborhoods and also Iowa City's Neighborhood Services Coordinator, Marcia Klingaman, for more details and discuss with the Neighborhood the type of art that we would all like to have. (Within the next couple of weeks. ) · We will research the art (particularly if we do Historic Markers) and make our final choice with input from the entire Neighborhood. (Within six months.) · We will consider experienced artists who would be likely to implement the artwork successfully in a manner to realize its concept, discuss it with them, and request bids. Note: We are aware of artists who have already worked in similar projects in Iowa City. (Within nine months.) · We will choose the artist. (Within ten months.) · The art project proposal will be reviewed by the Public Art Advisory Committee and the Iowa City City Council. (Within the year.) · The artist will manufacture the artwork. (This will depend on the schedule of the artist, which would be revealed at the time that bids are solicited.) · We will solicit help from the entire Neighborhood to help install the artwork if appropriate. (This solicitation will be done once final plans for the artwork are complete, Le., before the artwork is manufactured.) · We will solicit media coverage when the project is complete. The Chief Neighborhood Contact Person will be Jean M. Walker, Melrose Neighborhood Association Representative (address and phone number is in the letterhead). The method of selecting the artist is outlined above. We cannot be sure of the role that the artist will play in working with the Neighborhood until the artwork is chosen but we would communicate and work closely with the artist to realize the project and would value their opinion and input in the planning stages. Thank you for your consideration of this letter of interest. Sincerely, Jean M. Walker Melrose Neighborhood Association Representative walkersic@yahoo.com