HomeMy WebLinkAbout06-03-2010 Public Art Advisory Committee
Public Art Advisory Committee
Thursday, June 3, 2010
3:30PM
Lobby Conference Room
City Hall
410 E. Washington
A. Call to order
B. Public discussion of any item not on the agenda
C. Consideration of the minutes of the May 6, 2010 meeting
D. Artsfest Activities - Kidz Tent, Poetry in Public readings and Poetry in
Public Art display.
E. Visit Art Small's Sculptures
We will leave from City Hall to visit Art Small's sculptures that are being offered for
donation to the Iowa City Public Art Program as well as some potential relocation sites.
F. Committee time/updates/other?
G. Adjournment
MINUTES
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THURSDAY, MAY 6,2010
LOBBY CONFERENCE ROOM - CITY HALL
PRELIMINARY
Members Present: Jan Finlayson, Ann Kahn, Rick Fosse, Patrick Carney, Terry
Robinson, Mark Seabold
Members Absent: DaLayne Williamson
Staff Present: Marcia Bollinger, Karl Burhop
Public Present: Art Small and Howard Horan, Sculpture Donators
RECOMMENDATIONS TO CITY COUNCIL
Recommend approval of Bounnak Thammavong's submission for installation on
the downtown Sculptor's Showcase contingent that Mr. Thammavong paints the
sculpture as indicated on the submission. Moved by Finlayson. Seconded by
Kahn. Motion passed 6:0.
CALL TO ORDER
Finlayson called the meeting to order at 3:35 PM.
PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY ITEM NOT ON THE AGENDA
None
CONSIDERATION OF THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 1. 2010 MEETING
MOTION: Fosse moved to approve the minutes; Robinson seconded. The motion
passed 6:0.
SCULPTURE DONATION-ART SMALL AND HOWARD HORAN
Local resident Art Small used PowerPoint and with the help of Howard Horan gave a
brief presentation to the Committee on several sculptures he and Howard Horan wish to
donate to the Iowa City Public Art Program. Small explained that an oak tree had fallen
down about 15 years ago on his property. He knew of a Russian wood carver "Valeree"
who offered to create wood sculptures out of the fallen tree. Small discussed the four
sculptures, explaining they were wood and had never been stained, only weathered for
the last 15 years or so. Small expressed his desire to donate the sculptures to the
Public Art Program. Small suggested that the sculptures should not be painted
[aggressively], but an oil stain/sealer of a neutral color might be worthwhile. There are a
total of four sculptures; two that are named "Chekov" and "Anna" that belonged to
Howard Horan's father and two larger sculptures that feature Art, and his wife Mary Jo
with their children. Small took questions.
Carney asked how tall the sculptures were and Small guessed the two of him and Mary
Jo were eight feet tall or perhaps a bit less. Small added that the sculptures do require
minimal help to move. Seabold asked if the sculptures are mounted, and Small
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Thursday, May 6, 2010
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responded that they are free standing, though it helps to have them on concrete. Horan
added that one was mounted in concrete but that wasn't necessary. Horan added that
his dad loved the poets "Chekov" and "Anna" and feels that other folks would enjoy the
sculptures as well.
The sculptures are currently located at 123 Ferson Avenue and 20 Rocky Shore ~r.
Small and Horan said that Committee members are free to examine, measure, inspect,
and take the sculptures whenever. Horan suggested Black Spring Park, Benton Hill
Park, and Willow Creek Park as excellent possible sites for sculpture relocation, though
Horan said it would be up to the Committee. Bollinger asked the Committee and Horan
and Small if they were all envisioning the sculpture being located to a woody area. The
response was unanimously yes.
Robinson asked about maintenance issues. Bollinger asked again if they were all oak.
Small wasn't for sure. Bollinger asked if some type of base would be needed. Fosse
indicated he has seen sculptures redone. Small added that it would be bad to paint the
sculptures garish colors, and Small and his friends thought it would be a good idea to
have some type of sculpture park.
Horan and Small thanked the Committee for their time; the Committee likewise thanked
Small and Horan for there time and donation. The Committee was in unanimous
agreement that the sculptures were excellent and would look great in a public location
where they could be enjoyed by all. Horan reminded the Committee they had at least 60
days to just "go and get them". Horan and Small exited the meeting.
Fosse said in light of budget constraints this donation was fantastic for the art program.
Robinson said that the sculptures would need a solid base. Seabold said that either a
concrete base would be needed or the current sculpture bases would have to be
repaired. Bollinger suggested the Committee plan a date to examine the sculptures.
Fosse and Robinson used a map on the wall and showed the Committee where Black
Springs Park is located. Fosse added that vandalism is always a concern, but Fosse felt
that vandalism was a smaller concern in Black Springs Park.
Bollinger asked the Committee how they wished to proceed, especially since there is no
plan to meet as a group during the busy month of June [Artsfest and other events limit
meeting availability]. Bollinger again suggested the Committee inspect the sculptures.
Seabold suggested the Committee say "yes" and "thank you" and figure out details as
needed. There was unanimous consent that the sculptures should be inspected.
Bollinger and Robinson reminded the Committee that any concrete base expense would
be rather minimal. Carney also added that a plaque commemorating the piece would be
needed. Robinson discussed technical maintenance aspects for a few minutes, but
there wouldn't be any large problems. Bollinger said she would set up a tentative
inspection time for Thursday, June 3rd and have a City van available to shuttle
Committee members to the sculpture locations and possible relocation spots.
DOWNTOWN SHOWCASE SUBMISSIONS
Bollinger informed the Committee there had been five total submissions from four
different artists for the downtown showcase pad. Using a PowerPoint presentation and
distributing a packet, Bollinger went through each submission.
John Anderson-Bricker: Two submissions, Hairball and Rolled Steel Scraper
Hairball: steel, concrete, and ceramic tile, 2007. 11.5'x3.5'x3.5', 1,100 Ibs.
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Thursday, May 6,2010
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Essentially a four-piece stand with three spheres hanging in the middle.
Rolled Steel Scraper. welded mild steel, 2007. 117" high x 20.125" wide x 20.25" deep,
199 Ibs. valued at $3,000.00.
Bouunak Thammavong: Seed, painted steel 8' x 3' x 2'
Proposed final color to be completed for the showcase. Inspired by sprouting maple
seeds, this form references the hidden beauty in unexpected places; sometimes all you
need is to add a little water. It's a fitting symbol as Iowa City recovers from the flood
waters. Looks as if it requires a basic stand.
Mike Sneller: Egg Leafs, no dimensions or weight listed. Appears to be small, only a
few feet tall, and the piece looks like a split open egg or seed and has three protruding
sections.
Stephanie Sailer: Prelude, Stainless Steel, 4 W x 2 W x 2 W
Essentially this piece looks like the top of an ice cream cone with various layers of ice
cream draped over each other.
The Committee examined PowerPoint pictures of the submissions. Kahn signaled that
her favorite was Hairball, with Seed second. The Committee expressed worry about the
last piece, Prelude, concerns that the piece could be slandered or labeled incorrectly.
The Committee discussed each piece and the type of vandalism or labeling it would
draw. Robinson and Kahn expressed concern with Hairball and the potential for damage
and vandalism. Seabold asked if the sculpture would be ready in time. Bollinger
responded yes. There was unanimous consent that the Committee liked the
balls/spheres on Hairball but didn't like the frame. Kahn and Finlayson agreed that
Hairball was a wonderful piece but doesn't quite fit a downtown showcase pad, it more
fits a water park or something similar. The Committee discussed Seed and thought the
piece was beautiful, had nearly perfect dimensions, and would fit downtown very well.
Finlayson motioned to recommend Seed for the downtown showcase pad. Kahn
seconded. Motion passed 6:0.
Bollinger said the piece may need a mounting plate. Robinson said they would need
mounting instructions. Seabold explained his selection criteria that sculptures need to
be large, nice color, and really stand out. Robinson discussed possible maintenance
issues and vandalism damages possibilities pertaining Seed. Bollinger said she would
contact Bounnak and get the ball rolling.
KIDZ TENT AND ARTS FEST UPDATE
Bollinger reminded the Committee that volunteers would be needed during Arts Fest to
collect donations for Kidz Tent, as well as to man Kidz Tent. Kahn said she would
volunteer again. Fosse, Finlayson, and Seabold also suggested they may be able to
volunteer as well.
UPDATE ON POETRY IN PUBLIC/ART PROGRAM
Burhop and Bollinger updated the Committee on Poetry in Public/Art Program progress.
Burhop said that poems were put up in buses and in recreation centers. Burhop
explained that responses to the new recital opportunity during Arts Fest had been high;
around 30 people had voiced interest in reading their poems to a live audience.
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Thursday, May 6,2010
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Burhop distributed a sample of artwork submissions based on selected poetry for the
Poetry in Public Art Program. The Committee was impressed and pleased with the
quantity and quality of the submissions. Burhop stated there had been 81 total artwork
submissions, considerably up from last year. Bollinger reminded the Committee the art
aspect was still new and evolving and suggested changes to next year's version. One
such change may be the addition of a review committee for artwork submission. Kahn
volunteered to help with turning artwork submissions into electronic versions. Kahn also
asked how poets might solicit artwork in the future. Bollinger and Burhop said changes
might be made but no final decision had been made yet. The Committee was pleased
with the overall program.
COMMITTEE TIME/UPDATES
Bollinger will tentatively schedule an inspection trip for the Committee to take on
Thursday, June 3 to examine the wooden sculpture donations from Art Small and
Howard Horan.
The Committee asked for an update on the parking meters. Fosse said there would
likely be 11 parking meters; most concentrated downtown at key panhandling locations.
Fosse reminded the Committee that Denver had sponsors for their panhandling meters,
perhaps sponsors could be found for Iowa City's panhandling parking meters and an
honorarium then offered to artists. The panhandling ordinance hadn't been adopted yet,
but it seems to pass the necessary readings.
Bollinger said that June was a busy month and the Committee will next meet in July on
Thursday, July 1 st, not counting the inspection in June.
ADJOURNMENT
Finlayson motioned to adjourn; Kahn seconded. Meeting adjourned at 4:35 pm. Next
meeting scheduled for Thursday, June 3rd to be an inspection trip.
Minutes submitted by Karl Burhop.
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