HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-01-2005 Public Art Advisory Committee
Agenda
Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, December 1, 2005
3:30PM
Lobby Conference Room
A. Call to order
B. Public discussion of any item not on the agenda
C. Consideration of the minutes of the November 3, 2005 meeting
D. Update on South Sycamore Greenway and Kickers Soccer
Park Art in the Parks proposals.
E. Discussion of Art in Non-Public Spaces Recognition Program
F. Committee time/Other business
G. Adjournment
MINUTES
IOWA CITY PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2005,3:30 P.M.
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL
PRELIMINARY
Mem bers Present:
Charles Felling, Rick Fosse, James Hemsley, Emily Martin, Mark Seabold,
Terry Trueblood, Emily Carter-Walsh
Staff Present:
Marcia Klingaman
Call to Order
Martin called the meeting to order at 3:35 p.m.
Public discussion of any item not on the aqenda
Felling asked if there were any further thoughts about creating a recognition program for people who put
art in their yards, similar to a program the Historic Preservation Commission has. He said it could be
coordinated through the Neighborhood Council, soliciting nominations from the various areas. He added
that he thinks visible art on private property is part of public art.
Klingaman asked if this would be an annual or ongoing event. Martin said information could be sent to the
Neighborhood Council, and set a deadline for each year's nominations. Klingaman said a general
solicitation could also be distributed through newspapers and other media. Felling said he would like to
keep the neighborhoods focused on art.
Martin said she could see no negative aspects of such a program. Klingaman noted it does not seem like
it would be complicated. Fosse said he thinks it is a good idea. Martin suggested having the deadline in
the spring, because people would be more likely to go out to view the nominees when the weather is
nicer during spring and summer. Klingaman asked if there was a motion.
MOTION: Felling moved to develop a procedure for recognition of art in private spaces that are intended
for public viewing. The purpose of the program would be to recognize contributions to the overall artistic
atmosphere. Carter-Walsh seconded. The motion passed on a vote of 6-0, with Seabold absent.
Fosse asked if the recognition program would include art in commercial areas as well. Felling said yes.
Trueblood asked how it recipients would be chosen. He added that publicly viewed art in private areas
would need to be defined. Carter-Walsh suggested art that is viewable from the curb. Felling suggested it
would be art that can be seen by passersby. Trueblood asked whether this would be a nomination
process. Felling said yes. Martin said the Historic Preservation program is a good model.
Hemsley asked if the program would be a competitive contest. Felling said no, any suitable nominee
would be recognized. Klingaman said criteria would need to be created, in part to justify if a nomination is
denied. Martin noted the Historic Preservation does not have specific numbers, but gives multiple awards
in various categories. She said the program could be fine-tuned over time, but should be vague at first.
Carter-Walsh asked for confirmation that as long as a nomination meets the criteria, it would be
recognized. Klingaman said yes.
Martin said the potential recipient should be consulted as well, to make sure they want the recognition.
Klingaman agreed, because the recognition would be public information and there would be publicity
about the art. Carter-Walsh asked whether the criteria would focus on the technical or artistic areas.
Klingaman said that needs to be determined, and that should be done soon if this will be in the spring.
Martin asked if there are established criteria for evaluating proposed art pieces. Felling said there are
criteria for evaluating donations. Martin asked Felling if he would develop a proposal, including ideas on
how to frame a call for nominations. Felling said yes. Klingaman said she would put it on the December
agenda.
Consideration of the Minutes of the October 6. 2005 Meetinq
Edits submitted to the minutes included addition of the words "interest in" to the last page and "of the
shelter" to page one.
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
November 3, 2005
Page 2
MOTION: Fosse moved to accept the minutes as amended. Trueblood seconded, and the motion passed
unanimously.
Review and evaluation of submittals for South Sycamore Greenwav and Kickers Soccer Park Art in the
Parks proposals
The committee members reviewed slides of the submitted proposals for the two parks. Klingaman said
there were three proposals for each park. She distributed information packets to the committee members.
Hemsley asked if budget information was included in the calls to the artists. Klingaman said yes. She said
that no bottom line price was included for Mitchell's proposal, so he would have to verify that the piece
could be made for $35K. Martin asked if any supplemental images were sent for Mitchell's proposal.
Klingaman said no.
Klingaman said Dana LaMair was not included in the call to artists, though her husband submitted a
proposal for the greenway park. The committee can take her proposal under consideration, or may
choose not to.
Martin asked if Ellison's proposal is kinetic. Fosse said no, though it gives that impression. He asked if
Bigger's proposals are currently manufactured and available. Klingaman said yes.
Carter-Walsh asked if the committee would be accepting art for one or both parks. Klingaman said there
is funding for both. She added that the initial call went out only to the artists the committee selected by
viewing slides in a previous meeting. The call could also be widened.
Trueblood asked if Mark LaMair's piece included all seven birds. Klingaman said yes. Fosse asked if the
birds are kinetic. Klingaman said yes, they rotate in the wind.
Martin asked if the committee members had anything to say about the proposals. Trueblood said he liked
Mitchell's piece best for the soccer park. Fosse agreed. Carter-Walsh said she liked Ellison's. Trueblood
added that the least climbable proposed piece for Kickers would be LaMair's. Klingaman passed around
additional slides of Mitchell's work. Martin said she did not think the LaMair proposal was very interesting.
Carter-Walsh agreed it did not have a strong visual impact, especially considering the size of the park.
Carter-Walsh said she likes the gesture in Ellison's piece, and that it seems less flat than Mitchell's.
Martin said she likes the kinetic aspect of Mitchell's piece. Hemsley said Mitchell's piece is tall and bright
enough to be noticeable. Fosse said there is a greater artsy component to Mitchell's proposal, whereas
Ellison's seemed more like a sign. Martin said she thought Mitchell's is more engaging.
Fosse said Mitchell's piece did not seem as solid as some of the other pieces the artist has done,
especially because of the base. Martin said the tall base puts the moving parts out of reach. Klingaman
said it might be a budgetary issue as well. Carter-Walsh agreed Mitchell's piece did not seem very
substantial. Martin said seeing the piece move would likely create greater dimension than the picture
conveys. Fosse suggested asking the artist to propose a different and more interesting base.
Hemsley said Ellison's piece could quickly become an icon that is easily associated with the park.
Trueblood said of all the pieces, Ellison's looks like the easiest to climb. He added that he did not like it
very much, that it seemed very flat. Felling asked if Trueblood is looking for more dimension. Trueblood
said yes, the ball and the base do give it some dimension, but the base also gives steps to climb, as well
as something hard to land on if a child fell while climbing it.
Fosse asked whether there was a location specified for the soccer piece. Klingaman said no, she
included pictures in the call, and noted one potential location was near the concession stands. However,
the final location has not been decided. Fosse said he would like to request a second iteration of
Mitchell's proposal with a base that has more mass and color. Carter-Walsh agreed. Martin said she likes
the current base, and it is in line with the dimension of the figures at the top.
Felling said he would like more information about the dimensions of the different parts of the piece, such
as how long the arms are. Fosse said the red part of the base would be as tall as the conference room, or
a little taller.
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
November 3, 2005
Page 3
Seabold arrived at this point.
Seabold said he preferred Mitchell's proposal over Ellison's, as it is more kinetic. Ellison's is very flat.
Martin said there is an element of playfulness in Mitchell's that she likes. Seabold asked if a site had been
specified. Klingaman said no, though one possibility is by the concession stands.
MOTION: Trueblood moved to select "Just for Kicks" as proposed by Mitchell for the soccer park art
piece. He added that elaboration is needed in regards to the piece's dimensions and total cost of the
proposed piece. Felling seconded, and the motion passed on a vote of 7-0.
Trueblood said he preferred Mark LaMair's "Birds in Flight" for the greenway park. It would be the only
piece that fits the surroundings. Fosse said he liked the piece, but was concerned with its delicacy.
Trueblood agreed that people would try to shake them. Hemsley asked whether making the poles thicker
would detract from the piece. Fosse asked whether it is an existing piece. Martin said it appears so.
Martin said the committee could express reservations about its fragility and see if the artist has any
suggestions. Hemsley suggested having one thicker pole with a branching pole holding the birds. Martin
said that would change the look of the piece. She said she would also like more pictures from different
angles, including the bases.
Fosse asked whether an inquiry could be made with one of the artists who was solicited but did not send
a proposal. Klingaman said she could check with the artist. Martin said she would like Mark LaMair's
feedback about the piece's durability, as well as additional photos. Hemsley suggested installing the
piece in water, to reduce access and vandalism. Fosse said the greenway area is not always wet, so a
pool would need to be put in.
Carter-Walsh asked if there were any thoughts about Bigger's proposals. Seabold said they are nice, but
very generic. Fosse said the pieces look like they need a large area around them. Trueblood said they all
would be easily climbed. Felling said he likes the idea of the bird piece rising out of the prairie or a pool.
Fosse said the greenway is unmowed tallgrass prairie that is occasionally burned, so the piece would
need to be able to withstand that. He added that the thin poles would not obstruct water flow, but any
longstanding water would be shallow.
Carter-Walsh confirmed that the committee would like more information about LaMair's bird piece, and to
inquire with the other artist. Klingaman said she would get more information from LaMair and ask the
other artist for a submission for the next meeting.
Discussion of Annual Report and plans for FY 06-07
Trueblood said he had no comments or concerns about the Annual Report or accompanying documents.
Trueblood left at this point.
Martin asked whether the committee already discussed the Annual Report. Klingaman said no, though it
was included in the packets for the October meeting. She suggested adding the proposal for a recognition
program to the Plans for Fiscal Year 2006 section. Felling suggested calling it Art in Public Spaces
Recognition. Martin said it went along with Art by the Yard. No other additions were suggested.
Klingaman said the report would be given to the city council for their information.
Martin asked if there were any additional plans to be added. Felling said there would likely be carryover.
Seabold suggested adding the planned collaboration with students. Klingaman said the pad for the
rotating art in the peninsula area would likely be installed next spring. She noted that the collaboration
with students is covered in a statement on the second page, though it does not specify students. The
committee will have to decide whether proposals for that area would be solicited exclusively from
students, or otherwise.
Fosse said he would like to consider something for a bridge on a new walking trail on First Avenue north
of Hy-Vee. The trail will parallel Ralston Creek and cross First Avenue, and there are currently some very
boring railings over the bridge that he would like to replace with something more decorative. Martin
suggested adding that as a potential project to consider.
Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee Minutes
November 3, 2005
Page 4
Fosse said he would also like to consider a collaborative project with the University. A new traffic circle is
planned for the intersection by the Field House, which would give a focal point with a lot of potential for
art.
Committee time/Other business
Klingaman said the dedication for the new transportation center is scheduled for November 4 at 3:30 p.m.
Adjournment
There being no further business to come before the committee, Carter-Walsh moved to adjourn and the
meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
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First Draft-November 15, 2005
C Felling
Program for Recognition of Art in Non-Public Spaces
Introduction
Iowa City's publicly accessible art treasures consist of works created as part of the City's
public art program and of privately developed works located in residential yards and in
businesses. Both art sources reflect the spirit, character and values of our city and of the
individuals who have the artworks on their property. These works may serve as
enhancements to our cultural heritage, history, pride and sense of community.
The Program for Recognition of Art in Non-Public Spaces is to acknowledge
contributions to the visual art environment by citizens of Iowa City. The purpose is to
encourage private participation in art as a vital component of our community character
and values and to promote Iowa City's art heritage.
The art works to be recognized may exhibit any of all of the following
characteristics:
reflects and enhances community spirit and values;
may be challenging and not always easily understood;
whimsy, intelligence and humor;
reflect the individuality of the owner, the neighborhood or business;
two-dimensional or three dimensional art;
traditional or non-traditional materials;
Examples are sculpture, murals, topiary, water art, garden art with flowers and plants.
Procedures
Any person can nominate works which they consider to reflect the beauty, sense of
community and heritage of their neighborhood or of Iowa City in general.
The person making the nomination will provide a digital photo of the artwork, the
location, what they perceive as the strengths of the art, the name of the owner of the
artwork with written notice permitting the nomination and the name of the artist.
The application will be submitted to the Iowa City Public Art Advisory
Committee by March 1 of each year for review. The Public Art Advisory Committee will
apply the following criteria in examining the nomination:
1. Visually examining the art piece and evaluating the creative merits;
2. The artwork must be visually available to passersby;
3. The criteria noted above for characteristics.
The Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee will pass the nomination to the
Iowa City City Councel with the Committee's recommendation.
The City Council reviews the documentation and approves or denies the
nomination
If the Council affirms the nomination the recognition will be presented at a
meeting of the City Council. The recognition will include a printed certificate signed by
the mayor ofIowa City.