HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-12-19; Public Art Advisory Subcommittee; ; Barrio Traffic Circle Public Art Project Artist Presentations and SelectionMeeting Date:
Special Meeting
Dec. 19, 2024
To: Public Art Advisory Subcommittee – Barrio Traffic Circle
From: Craddock Stropes, Manager Cultural Arts Office
Staff Contact: Craddock Stropes, Manager Cultural Arts Office
Craddock.stropes@carlsbadca.gov, 442-339-2726
Subject: Barrio Traffic Circle Public Art Project Artist Presentations and Selection
District: 1
Recommended Action
Review artist presentations and select an artist or artist team for Barrio Traffic Circle permanent
public art project.
Executive Summary
As part of its commitment to promoting arts and culture in Carlsbad, the city designates money
for certain construction projects to incorporate public art.
A national Call for Artists Qualifications, released on Friday, April 26, 2024, resulted in nine
qualified applications. A Public Art Advisory Subcommittee was selected and convened on Nov.
13, 2024 where they were able to narrow down the field to three finalists, who have been
invited to make an in-person presentation to the subcommittee on Dec. 19, 2024. The
Subcommittee is expected to make a final artist selection, who will enter into an agreement to
develop site-integrated permanent public art for Barrio Traffic Circle.
Explanation & Analysis
Tied to the city’s Capital Improvement Program budget and plan, Carlsbad Municipal Code
2.18.110 (appropriations for arts) allocates 1% of the total cost of the construction project to
fund permanent public art. The overall construction budget for the Barrio Traffic Circle Project
No. 4015 allows for $110,000 to be allocated to develop site-integrated permanent public
artwork in the traffic circle located at the intersection of Pine Avenue and Harding Street.
The Call for Artists Qualifications was developed to elicit artists and artist teams from California
with public art experience to respond to the outlined criteria, which was informed by input
from the Barrio community. As a site-specific piece, the public art will honor the history and
culture of the Barrio community.
PUBLIC ART ADVISORY SUBCOMMITTEE
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 1 of 21
At a publicly noticed meeting on Nov. 13, 2024, the project’s Public Art Advisory Subcommittee
reviewed the nine qualified applications and narrowed the field to three finalists:
•Sijia Chen Studios
•Roberto Salas
•Mario Torero
Each artist or artist team will make a presentation to the Public Art Advisory Subcommittee and
will share information about themselves and about their past public art commissions. Each
artist/artist team is prepared to receive interview and discussion-style questions from the
Public Art Advisory Subcommittee. Two questions were provided to each artist/ artist team in
advance of the subcommittee meeting:
•Please review the public art input (included as Exhibit 1) the community has already
shared about this public art project. What did you learn, and what would you like to
explore further as you proceed with the project?
•Please explain your understanding of the concept of “liveable streets,” and how you
might consider balancing these principles with placemaking goals during your design
process.
Part of the Public Art Advisory Subcommittee’s role is to ensure the artist selected for the
project meets the criteria and guidelines for the artist/artist team as established by the city’s
Art in Public Places Program guidelines. The subcommittee will evaluate the artist’s/artist
team’s application submissions, and their presentations based on past work experience, artistic
merit and capability to complete site-specific projects within a specified timeline and budget.
The subcommittee will select an artist/artist team of the highest caliber and artistic quality who
fulfills the overall goals of the project.
Community Engagement
Once the artist or artist team selection has been finalized, community engagement will be
scheduled to ensure the artist/artist team hears from the community and incorporates their
feedback into their final design. Cultural Arts staff will first meet with the artist/artist team to
determine their preferred method of meeting with residents and engaging with the community.
Then, Cultural Arts will finalize details with the city’s Communications & Engagement staff to
determine an effective outreach strategy. Finally, the artists will engage with the community
and incorporate what they’ve heard.
Fiscal Analysis
A total budget of $110,000 has been identified to fund permanent public art for the Barrio
Traffic Circle Project No. 4015.
Next Steps
Staff will work with the selected artist or artist team to enter into an agreement for the design
portion of the project. After the design agreement has been fully executed, project team
meetings and community engagement will commence. Public input will help shape the design
concept for the public art. Once the final design concept has been developed, the artist/artist
team will present to the city’s Arts Commission, and then to City Council. Once approved, the
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 2 of 21
artist will enter into a contract for the fabrication portion and contract(s) for installation will
commence.
Environmental Evaluation
This action does not require environmental review because it does not constitute a project
within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act under California Public
Resources Code Section 21065 in that it has no potential to cause either a direct physical
change or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Exhibits
1. Barrio Traffic Circle Public Art input report
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 3 of 21
Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
1
Barrio Traffic Circle Project Public Art
Phase 1 Community Input Summary
Carlsbad’s Barrio is the city’s first residential neighborhood, dating back to the early 1900s. Today it’s
home to families who have lived in the same home for generations along with newer residents of all
ages and a mix of original homes, remodeled properties, newly built condominiums, places of worship
and small businesses.
Given its flat terrain and proximity to the beach and the Village, the Barrio is a neighborhood with many
walkers and cyclists. That’s why the Village and Barrio Master Plan recommended changes to local
streets to slow down traffic and provide a better balance in the roadway for all modes of travel.
Since 2017, city staff have worked with the community to design new features to key streets in the
Barrio to accomplish this goal. The final project includes five new traffic circles, crosswalk improvements
and other traffic calming features.
Carlsbad Municipal Code 2.18.110 requires that a minimum of 1% of the cost of certain construction
projects be dedicated to public art. For this project, the public art will be located in a traffic circle at the
corner of Harding Street and Pine Avenue.
Community engagement approach
The city involved the community at the earliest stages of the project’s development to gather feedback
about how the new permanent public art could best reflect the Barrio’s neighborhood identity and
cultural and historic heritage. The community will be invited to provide input at future stages of the
process as well. Below are the phases of engagement:
Phase 1: Vision for artwork (This report)
•What does the guidance provided in the Village and Barrio Master Plan mean to the community
in the context of this public art project?
o How can this public art reflect or enhance the Barrio neighborhood identity?
o How can this public art honor the cultural and historic heritage of the Barrio?
•What makes you proud of this neighborhood?
•How do you want to feel when you see the public art?
Phase 2: Selection of artist
•Which of the artists seems like the best choice for this public art project?
Phase 3: Artist collaboration
•Questions for this phase will be developed in collaboration with the artist.
Phase 4: Feedback on the proposed artwork
•How well does this public art reflect the community’s input?
Exhibit 1
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 4 of 21
Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
2
The opportunities
Community members were provided with two opportunities to provide input that would be used to
inform the call for artists, the first step in the public art process.
Interviews with Spanish speaking
community members
Dec. 12 to Dec. 17, 2023
20 participants
Public worksop
Dec. 6, 2023
6 to 7:30 p.m.
Carlsbad Senior Center auditorium
11 participants
The public workshop was promoted
through the following:
•News release
•Post on NextDoor
•Social media
•City Manager’s Update – sent Nov. 16
and Nov. 30, 2023
•Emails to Village and Barrio stakeholders
–Sent Nov. 17 and Dec. 4
•Emails to arts stakeholders – sent Dec. 1
•Arts Commissioner outreach
•Banner at Chase Field, Senior Center and
Pine Park field
•Fliers at community centers and library
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 5 of 21
Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
3
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 6 of 21
Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
4
Key themes
Detailed notes are included in this report, including individual answers to each of the questions asked.
The summary below attempts to capture the most common themes, however the entirety of this report
should be considered when developing the call for artists.
Barrio pride
Pride was expressed about not just the history and heritage of the Barrio, but the strong sense of
community and diversity that exists today. A strong work ethic also came through as a source of pride,
from the early days of working as ranchers and farmers and continuing today.
People helping people
Taking care of one another is something that came up often. People feel a sense of security and
connectedness because of strong family and community ties and culture of looking out for one another.
Authentic, unique beauty
Many people described the Barrio as peaceful, beautiful and clean, with pride of ownership
demonstrated through how people maintain their properties, retaining the unique charm of original
homes and cottages. It stands out as a unique part of Carlsbad.
Hope and promise, rooted in history
The Barrio is a safe, secure place that provides a solid foundation upon which people can pursue their
dreams of a bright future. Seeing local landmarks as they were in the past helps keep the community
connected to their history and creates a sense of nostalgia, while serving as a reminder of the
opportunities available to all people.
Concerns
When asked what community members would like to avoid in a new public art, some of the themes
included:
• Don’t create something generic, with no noticeable relationship to the people and history of the
Barrio.
• Connection to the beach come up often and something people like about the Barrio, but that
did not translate as something people would like to see referenced in the artwork. This could be
related to the previous bullet. There is a strong desire for something unique to the Barrio.
• Some said they did not want a public art that stood out from the surroundings and existing
nearby art, not something too abstract or modern.
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Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
5
Summary of input
What three words would you use to describe the Barrio?
Workshop participants
Spanish speaking community members
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Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
6
Combined input
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Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
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What makes the Barrio special?
Workshop flip chart notes
• Walkable
• Charming
• Generations of family
• Clean
• Fresh
• Pride
• Relaxing
• Close knit
• Unique
• Authenticity
• Walking
• Decorations
• Pride
• Grown up in Barrio
• Community
• Sense of support
• Safety
• Local talent
• Chase Field
• Holiday Park
Workshop participants
• Grown up here since 1963, worked with muralist at 4 stage DT, restored it
• The community
• Raised here, the community, takes care of each other
• Resident since '99 - like to see local talent used in art
(orange backstop is a good example)
• Keep art in the community
• Grew up here; the community, mix of people living here and businesses; walkable, history
• Family of original homeowners, history, much of first residents were laborers and should be
recognized; community has each other's backs in Barrio; community, history and hard work
• Scale, walkable charm
• 27-year resident
• Deep roots, family generations
• 1976 original families
• Gentrification
• Longtime residents enjoy the culture and history
• Well-kept houses, older style homes
• Heritage and feel of the village
• Walkability
• Gardens and cottages
• Individuality in decoration, pride in upkeep
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Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
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• Diversity in architecture, character
• The Barrio’s history is what makes The Barrio special. Here is where Pine school started,
followed by the Carlsbad School District and Jefferson School where learning was key.
Important institutions that helped build Carlsbad. The people of the Barrio are some of the first
and oldest residents of Carlsbad. The Carlsbad Boys Club and Chase Field where fair play and
sportsmanship were practiced. Carlsbad Community Church and St. Patrick’s Church where the
community was developed spiritually. The 7up Market in the heart of the Barrio, the Big Bear
Market Shopping center and Mayfair Shopping center helped grow the Carlsbad economy. All
these organizations and establishments helped build Carlsbad. They also keep the Carlsbad spirit
alive. Many past residents on social media share memories of all these places when they speak
of their memories of Carlsbad.
Spanish speaking community members
• It's near and accessible to everything. Friendly, family oriented, people know each other.
• Parks, it is pretty, very nice place, sports-oriented. Accessible to everything.
• Lots of diversity, people love it here, beach, near everything
• Beaches, lagoon, beauty, tranquility, used to be cheap to live here
• Pacific, near work, walkable, the climate, near everything
• Beach, tranquility
• Nice park, Pollos Maria, I have all these memories from walking from school the park, Lite
program, walking the dog
• Safety, clean, pretty, being modernized, safe, low density, peaceful
• Beach, trees, birds, pretty
• Community, beach, village
• Safe, its people, the schools, peaceful
• Magnificent, its people, the services, the community, beautiful
• Peaceful, clean, near the beach
• The community, its people, the children
• Its people, the Raza, the historic Barrio still can be seen
• Its parks, the library, the schools, the Village
• Peaceful, safety, used to be lots of gangs on the streets, but not now
• Peaceful, it's always clean, safety
• The history of the Barrio is celebrated, its Mexican roots with the events in the parks
• The connectedness. The Mexican roots. How different it is from the rest of Carlsbad.
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What makes you proud of this neighborhood?
Workshop participants
• History and coming together of community
• Coming together for Posadas (expected every Sunday)
• People interwoven, everyone knows each other
• Before Pine Park it was Chase or Holiday Park
• Feeling safe, everyone looks out for each other
• Like the sculpture flowers public art; beautiful and tie into the history
• Historic, long time families, original
• Long family ties before development
• Well kept
• History, reflect history
• Deep roots
• No change; small homes, keep heritage, feel
• walks, decorative cottages
• Individuality
• Sense of pride
• No vandalizing mosaics, flowers
• Respect history of Barrio
• Enjoys city is spread out, easy going vibe
• The neighborhood has character and is well kept
• Proud of the history, "deep roots" of the neighborhood
• I have lived in the Barrio all my life. My family has a long history in the Barrio way before I came
along. The neighborhood holds many memories for me and stories of a time when family who
are no longer with us lived here and made a significant impact on the Barrio community. There
are other families and friends who made an impact on the neighborhood and the city as well.
Our Mexican Heritage, although there were many other cultures and backgrounds in the Barrio.
It was a neighborhood where everyone knew everybody and we all supported each other.
Spanish-speaking community members
• I've lived here since I was a kid, I can't imagine living anywhere else. It’s a safe home.
• Peaceful, safety, protected (by police)
• Close, walkable to the beach
• Peaceful, walkable, safe, near parks, and near libraries
• Safety, cleanliness
• Everything is close. Sense of community, we help each other
• The Latino community
• Living peacefully, safety
• Peaceful, beautiful, mild weather, beach
• Its people, the community is united
• Lots of good people, we help each other, sense of community
• Safety, the beach
• Its people, they are loving, we help each other, sense of community
• The beaches, the stores in the Village
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Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
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• Peaceful, the sense of unity with one another, our police force. People are very hardworking,
they respect each other, is beautiful, its family.
• It's super peaceful, everything is close, everything is accessible
• Schools, education, kind people
• It's a beautiful city, with spaces for the children to play
• I've been here and its always peaceful, without noise
• The place and the people are wonderful
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Barrio Traffic Circle
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What would you like to see in the new artwork?
Flip chart notes from workshop
• Proud of art
• Vibrant colors
• Sense of pride
• Brings back memories/history of Barrio
• Unique to this community
• More for this community, not tourists
• Tied to Luciano Indians
• Craftmanship
• Solid materials
• Color - vivid
• Natural beauty
• Uplifting
• Cohesive/Different
Workshop comments
• Pride: colors (vibrant oranges, yellows, etc.)
• Memory it may bring in moment - as it ties to Barrio
• Takes me/others back to positive associations/experiences
• Speaks to the history of Barrio
• Unique; couldn't be anywhere else; not generic (not waves/ocean)
• Real landmark that speaks to Barrio
• Ungentrified, ties into roots and history
• Audience should be for community, not tourists
• Speak for those who were here first and come back; in the Barrio people refer to houses
by the name of those who built them
• Luiseño Indians, farmworkers, laborers recognized (similar to mural)
• Something with hands - see as vision (could represent the farmworkers, sense of
community, laborers) not sure what exactly it would look like
• Something like what Carlsbad was like before more development (dirt roads)
• Bean field, oranges/avocado trees
• Like art near Pizza Port (like the artist); like Victor Ochoa artist in SD
• Want to have something proud of to look back on
• Speaks to original history (Harding to Roosevelt original streets
• Wording of Barrio Carlsbad also incorporated
• Like vibrant colors (oranges, yellows) sculpture at State and Coast Hwy is nice but not
appropriate for here/this location
• Crafted, beautiful craftsmanship
• Solid/materials/stone
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Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
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• Nature/colors/vivid in heritage
• Other motion not work lane
• Meld Village and Barrio together (gateway)
• Not abstract/ Has to be colorful
• Colorful idea
• Uplifting
• Natural beauty
• Desire to feel uplifted – “Tickles the cortex”
• Too simple not good
• Distracting, too complex
• Tradition here; history; beauty of surroundings
• Quality and consistency
• Not controversial
• Casinos promote indigenous; highlight ancestors; baskets vibrant/colors/lively/happy
• Beautifully crafted - materials, longevity, sense of awe
• Expert craftsmanship
• Colorful, vivid, rich
• Combined with ties to cultural roots
• Something that is related to plants, colors present in Carlsbad
• Desire to feel uplifted, "Tickles the cortex"
• A reflection of The Barrio’s beginnings and how it has grown and changed and a promise
for a bright future for all people. Something that would take a person back to the old
days in Carlsbad. Agriculture, community activities, memories at landmarks, how pieces
of history affected the Barrio.
• Not a safety hazard
Spanish speaking community members
• Friendly, family, welcoming
• Includes the beach, something unique, surprising
• Family
• Colorful, attractive
• Historic, the art reflects the story and the people who have lived here for generations,
reflects what's interesting about the area, its personality, it's not brutalist, corporate
brutalist.
• Fountain, water feature, the sea
• Flowers, greenery, statues with history, fountains, trees
• Beach, nature, flowers
• Trees, animals, its people
• Beach
• Colorful, flowers, beach, its people, nature
• Fountain (water feature) plans, poinsettias
• Colorful, catchy
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Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
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• Includes the pride in the Hispanic history of this community, its residents, it touches the
heart of people who live here, beautiful.
• Inspire kids to be safe and continue studying, something that inspires future
generations.
• Saint Patrick, the Lola signage
• A piece that won't let people forget that this was the affordable area of Carlsbad, for the
working class, farmers, ranchers, the Spanish-speaking Mexican community members.
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 16 of 21
Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
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What would make you not like the artwork?
Flip chart notes from workshop
• Generic
• Beach colors
• Dolphins/Waves
• Lighting important
• No relation to art
• No story
• Too simple
• Pretentious
• Not angular
• Distracting
• Poorly made
• Sticks out
Workshop participants
• Generic
• Appeals more to tourists
• Take it and put in somewhere else
• Avoid generic beachy colors (dolphins/waves)
• Lighting is important both for mobility, safety and public art visibility
• Luminescent point for public art if possible so light bounces off if possible
• Don't want to feel we have no reaction to the art; must tell story, makes you know it's
the Barrio
• Needs to speak to families that started Carlsbad
• If it didn't represent the community
• Too simple not good
• Distracting, too complex
• One color
• Not flashy
• It would be abstract
• It would be simple and modern
• It would stick out from the rest of the art around
• Something synthetic, flashy
• Something poorly made
• Not something controversial
• Not interactive
• It does not capture the history of the Barrio. A piece that is not reflective of what the
Barrio is. History, people, organizations. Archives of the Carlsbad Journal show a small
town that reaches out to many residents and organizations of the community.
Demonstrates the pride and achievements of the people of the neighborhood. Many
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 17 of 21
Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
15
people were instrumental in the development and success of Carlsbad. Teachers, Police,
storekeepers, community leaders who lived normal lives but contributed to Carlsbad’s
early beginnings. These people should be celebrated and recognized as Carlsbad’s
pioneers.
Spanish-speaking community members
• Too impersonal, awkward
• Ugly. Nothing attractive about it
• Something that has nothing to do with Barrio. With a color palette that doesn't match
the place
• It has nothing to do with the Barrio
• It just has to be nice
• Minimalist, too modern for the historic area, no color
• Something too modern, it needs to include the history, too simple
• Actions that are violent, like people hurting other people, animals
• Scary stuff, like snakes
• Too boring
• Something that is a negative influence for the kids
• Too abstract to capture anything concrete about the community
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 18 of 21
Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
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Other feedback
Flip charts from workshop
• Harrah's Casino promotions of Indigenous people
• Highlight our ancestors
• Focus on the Barrio and its people
• Beautiful baskets, beautiful colors
• Lighting very important
Workshop participants
• Mentioned Harrah's Casino art as an example of a good job
• Consider Luiseño people's baskets, colors of their work
• Lighting of the art is important
• Landmarks, events and past celebrations. Santa Claus at the first fire station, the
Carlsbad Parade, Pine School, UPS at the end of Walnut Street and many more
memories that I cannot remember or wasn’t around yet to see or experience. Fresh
fruits and vegetables from the fields in Carlsbad.
Spanish-speaking community members
• I'm glad we are being asked our opinion with these interviews.
• The art needs to be attractive, descriptive
• Use innovative materials, new, all elements have cohesion, use a mix of media
• Honor the Hispanic history, like Lola's
• Peaceful
• Before it was Hispanic, it was Luiseño, Chumash, it would be valuable to honor the true
roots of this place.
• Friendly, familiar
• Something that attracts visitors, something new and beautiful
• Plants
• To use materials that are sustainable and good for the environment
• I hope it is beautiful
• It has the potential to include many elements
• Honor the Barrio, as what was the Barrio before gentrification changed things
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 19 of 21
Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
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Appendices
What three words would you use to describe the Barrio?
Workshop particpants
Family 5
Community 4
Character 3
History 3
Relaxing 3
Authenticity 2
Close-knit 2
Fresh 2
Heart 2
Pride 2
Realness 2
Unique 2
Clean 1
Clear 1
Colorful 1
Hardworking 1
Heritage 1
Home 1
Lasting 1
Modest 1
Original 1
Quaint 1
Spread-out 1
Walkable 1
Flip chart notes from workshop
Community
History
Hard work
Built to last
Quaint
Sense of community
Interwoven
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 20 of 21
Barrio Traffic Circle
Phase 1 Public Art Community Input
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Spanish-speaking community members
Beautiful 12
Peaceful 8
Safe 4
Community 3
Accessible 2
Beach 2
Diverse 2
Family 2
Walkable 2
Big 1
Clean 1
Comfortable 1
Connected 1
Everything 1
Extraordinary 1
Friendly 1
Hardworking 1
Home 1
Incredible 1
Marvelous 1
Ocean 1
Parks 1
Popular 1
Pride 1
Relaxed 1
Respect 1
Schools 1
Spectacular 1
Sports 1
Stable 1
Sunset 1
Touristic 1
Weather 1
Dec. 19, 2024 Item #1 Page 21 of 21
Roberto Salas, Artist
Presentation to Public Art Advisory Subcommittee
for the City of Carlsbad’s Barrio Traffic Circle Project
December 19, 2024
“Rigors of Flight”
Commissioned by the Port of San Diego,
Sweetwater Park, Chula Vista, San Diego, 2024
Materials: Corten steel, height 25 feet.
This piece draws attention to a critical aspect of a bird's
skeletal structure: the furcula, more commonly known
as the wishbone, which enables birds to withstand the
rigors of flight.
“Esférico Milagroso”
Commissioned by the City of El Paso, Texas, Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, 2008
“Plaza Piedra”
Commissioned by City of San Diego, California
“Las Americas Del Lejos /
The Americas From Afar”
Glass tile mural,
Logan Heights Library,
Commissioned by the City of
San Diego Arts Commission.
2010
Mud paintings; Teaching Demo, ‘What is Public Art?’, Mexico
Ceramics
of the
Americas
Sahumadores
Sahumadores
“Somos hijos de Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin; Los manteles de mi Abuela”
City of Carlsbad, Barrio Traffic Circle
The collective consciousness of the word
“barrio” called and spoke to me.
Inspired by the voices of my ancestors and
the community in Carlsbad, there are
common threads that weave throughout our
communities and/or extended barrios.
These influences come directly from
Culture, Family, History, and Tradition.
The Mexican kitchen, above all, is a
unifying bond for every family’s household.
The molcajete is the most symbolic icon in
our kitchens. It’s an essential cooking tool
with culinary origins from MesoAmerica.
Also known as a mortar and pestle, the
molcajete is used for grinding food and
spices and usually made from hand-carved
basalt rock.
This tool is a symbol of family gatherings
and cultural events.
Family & Tradition
Carlsbad’s Barrio Traffic Circle
The vision for the Barrio Traffic Circle is a large-scale Molcajete.
The Molcajete’s form will be shaped using a fabricated steel cage, which will be filled
with volcanic rock, the same stone byproduct used to craft molcajetes.
The concept of gabions will be the principal methodology used to create the cage structure.
A gabion is a cage, cylinder or box filled with rocks, concrete, or sometimes sand and soil. The gabion is
commonly used in civil engineering, road building, and landscaping.
The volcanic rock will fill the gabion exoskeleton and form the image of the Molcajete.
Methodology: Gabion Cage
The volcanic rock, which will fill the gabion, will be recycled material, leftover
rock from the craftsman who make molcajetes. The material will be
repurposed for creating the sculpture and in effect, minimize its impact on the
environment.
Materials : Volcanic Rock
Shape & Traffic Flow
Circumnavigation of the artwork will be consistent from every perspective, allowing viewers to decipher the
object in a split second and connect with the sculpture’s contour. The image will be constant and stable at
multiple views irrespective of speed.
Circumnavigation
The continuous round shape of the
molcajete will fit the dynamics and traffic
fluidity of the site.
As the form follows the circular contour of
the site, drivers and passengers in the traffic
circle will see a familiar symbol through
several glances, evoking strong memories,
without visual distraction.
This notion will send a message of both
arrival and departure. The artwork will serve
as a unifying symbol easily recognizable to
all who live in and built the community.
Contour and Sight Lines
Carlsbad Community Participation
To engage the community in creating the sculpture,
we will distribute small volcanic rocks and invite
people to write the names of their grandmothers, or
other ancestors, on the rocks.
A gesture of honor, the rocks will strengthen family
bonds and connections with the sculpture.
These rocks will be added to the gabion and remain
as pieces of the final sculpture.
The concept will be similar to a time capsule,
objects that offer connections from past to present.
- End -
SIJIA CHEN STUDIO
4
Paper Cut Artworks from different cultures and countries
6
CREATIVE PRINCIPLES
•A Landmark of Distinction
•A Representation of Community
•An Enhancer of the Public Space
Image by Jay Arbelo
Cloud Field
Wichita, KS
Case Study
INSPIRATION
Dimensions (Individual Cloud): 5-10’ length, 3-6’ height, 4-8’ depth
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS
Part One: Town Hall Meetings, Talks and Site Visits
Gather community responses to curated questions, then translate
insights into visual cutout designs.
Part Two: Papercut Workshops
Public can create and submit their own cutout and artistic designs
for potential inclusion in the final artwork.
Part Three: Interactive Website
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WEBSITE
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•About Page – Introduce and distribute project information to the public
•Connect Page – Solicit responses, ideas, and papercut designs to potentially be included in
artworks’ final designs
•Q&A
•Image upload
•Gallery Page – Feature all visual submissions
•News Page – Document and publicize every step of the project
Supplement in-person meetings and workshops
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FINAL DESIGN
Cloud 1-1
Theme: Wheat Field
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Cloud 3-2
Theme: Migratory Birds
FINAL DESIGN
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Cloud 4-2
Theme: Sun rising from Arkansas River
FINAL DESIGN
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Cloud 4-1
Theme: Botanica Wichita
FINAL DESIGN
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STRUCTURAL DESIGN AND STRESS ANALYSIS
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MATERIALS AND FABRICATION
•In-house fabrication
•Stainless steel structural members and panels
•Automotive grade paint application
•Anti-graffiti coating
•Anchor bolts secure the artwork to concrete foundations
• Lift crane and operating team
INSTALLATION
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THANK YOU
SIJIA CHEN STUDIOwww.sijiachen.com
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BARRIO TRAFFIC CIRCLE
PUBLIC ART PROJECT
Mario Torero, Lead Artist
Sarah Bella Mondragon, Community Liaison
Roger Hill, Architect
Annette Ridenour, Project Management
OUR TEAM
Lead Artist
Mario Torero Sarah
Mondragon Roger Hill Annette
Ridenour
Community
Liais on
Architect Budget/
Contracts
Mario Torero, Artivist, Educator,
Community Artist
•Public Artist
•Chicano Park and Centro Founder
•over 40 years of experience creating murals, sculpture
and working in communities telling their stories
through art.
•Mario has produced public art pieces in clay, wood,
mosaic, concrete and metal.
•As a fine artist his work is internationally collected and
in the collection of the Smithsonian and the Library of
Congress
Sarah Bella Mondragon
Sarah Mondragon: Experienced in fostering meaningful
community relationships and ensuring inclusion by
fascilitating workshops with all members of the community.
Roger Hill, Senior Architect, Aesthetics Inc.
Architect with expertise in integrating large -scale sculptures into public
spaces safely and effectively
Annette Ridenour, President, Aesthetics Inc.
Aesthetics Inc., is a national award winning arts consulting firm. Annette will assist with
project management and budget coordination.
W HAT W E LEARNED FROM THE COMMUNITY
[A sculpture] should honor the work, legacy and
contributions of the pioneering individuals and
families, who through their perseverance,
generosity, service and devotion to community
built the Barrio with their hands, from dirt roads
and farmlands to a thriving neighborhood where
generations of families achieved the American
Dream... together.
•Honor individuals and families that built and sustained the
Barrio
•Barrio Pride/
•Service/Veterans
•Helping Neighbors
•Festivals
•Sports/Baseball
•Education (Elementary Schools)
•Agricultural Legacy
•Hard work
•Beauty of gardens and Parks
•Mexican cultural traditions
BARRIO PRIDE
SERVICE
EDUCATION
BEAUTY OF PLACE
TEAM S P IR IT
PAST WORK AND A R T IS T IC M E R IT
Known as a muralist, I and my team have created
many three dimensional public art projects, in metal,
concrete, mosaic...
VOLADORES
S A N D IE G O A IR P O R T
UCSD LEGACY MURAL
LA VIRGEN
CHICANO PARK
LA TIERRA M IA
LA TIERRA MIA
CHICANO PARK
THE ARROW
CHICANO PARK
MIRASOL
SCRIPPSCHULA VISTA
TORTILLERIA SANTA CRUZ
SANY S ID R O
HEALTH C LIN IC
TRIBUTE TO CESAR
CHAVEZ
PROJ ECT
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
•Artist of Chicano background, experienced in telling the stories of the community through art, while including stakeholders in some hands -on aspect of creating the art.
•Track record of working with communities through the design and fabrication process.:•Proven expertise in managing budgets and contracts to deliver projects on time and within budget.
•Experienced Architect to coordinate all technical aspects of the art project and provide appropriate technical drawings.
WHAT SETS US APART?
When the community loves the art, the art transforms the community.
THANKYOU.
Mario Torero
Sarah Bella Mondragon
Roger Hill
Annette Ridenour
to The City of Carlsbad for this opportunity.