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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-01-12; Arts Commission; MinutesMINUTES Meeting of: Time of Meeting: Date of Meeting: Place of Meeting: ARTS COMMISSION 11:00 a.m. January 12, 1989 Council Chambers COMMISSIONERS CALL TO ORDER; Chairman Bear called the Meeting to order at 11:04 a.m. ROLL CALL; Present - Chairman Bear, Commissioners Brierley, Frye and Straub. Absent - Commissioners Bischoff, Meilach and Roston. Staff Members Present: Connie Beardsley, Manager, Arts Office Clifford Lange, Library Director Sue Spickard, Senior Coordinator OLD BUSINESS; APPROVAL OF MINUTES; Minutes of the November 9, 1988, meeting were approved as presented. Senior Center Artwork - for approval Chairman Bear announced there would be a presentation by the artist and then the members of the audience could speak. He stated this art piece was selected by the Selection Committee and he read the complete process from a report prepared for the audience and the Commission. Mr. Bear added that the Selection Committee unanimously selected Christine Oatman's "A Flight of Butterflies" for the Senior Center, and this was from 39 entries submitted for review. Chairman Bear said if the Arts Commission approved the recommendation of the Selection Committee, the artist's contract would go to the City Council for approval. Chairman Bear concluded his remarks, stating that the maquettes were on display for public comment for three weeks at both the Senior Center and the Library. Of the 178 responses, Oatman received the most votes (81) for her artwork. Christine Oatman, the Artist for "A Flight of Butterflies", presented a slide program showing different works she has completed. Ms. Oatman explained that working with many small pieces of sculpture gives more flexibility than working with one large immobile piece of sculpture. Ms. Oatman stated the gallery area (or hallway) of the Senior Center is a long and narrow area, and rises to a height of about 25 feet. Her intent was to use the entire space, rather than Just one spot against a wall. The butterflies start small and become larger as they progress down the hall. Bear Brierley Frye Straub MINUTES January 12, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page 2 COMMISSIONERS Senior Center Artwork (continued) Ms. Oatman referred to the triangular shapes in the architecture of the building, and stated she had repeated those shapes in her work. She also used the same colors as both the outside of the building and the interior. The butterflies would start with a wing span of about two feet and grow to five feet. They would be made of fiberglass screening, to be seen through from one direction, and be opaque from the other. She felt the butterflies were a relevant symbol and an uplifting concept. Ms. Oatman explained the two shades of grey to be used in triangles in the floor to reflect the shape of the butterflies above. Mary Casler, 3843 Highland, spoke in favor of the Oatman selection, stating it was beautiful and had a meaning-- representing the change from a child into a senior. This will lead eyes upward from one end of the building to another, and there will be movement. Mrs. Casler approved of leaving the walls of the gallery vacant to place future art exhibits there. Mrs. Casler concluded, stating this was an excellent job and that she hoped the Arts Commission approved the choice. Louise Kirtland, Associate professor of Art, Palomar College, complimented the Selection Committee and stated her support of the process developed by this Commission. She said Carlsbad has a well-defined set of guidelines for selecting art work and one that takes into consideration public opinion. She said it would be very sad if a small, vocal minority caused this project to not go through. This would jeopardize future public art projects. Quality artists may not submit for future projects if the process is not adhered to. Ms. Kirtland urged the Commission to keep the process and realize it is an important reason for the success of the public art program. Theresa Maggio, 2610 Unicornio, Senior Commissioner, spoke in opposition to the art selection, stating it would be a dust collector, and made her feel like a child in a crib. She said the seniors need to watch where they are stepping and not be looking up. Ms. Maggio said she felt the building should be completed first, and then the decision made for the art work for the gallery. David Castner, 1550 Sunrise Circle, stated he agreed with three members of the Senior Commission who had stated they did not like the butterflies. MINUTES January 12, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page 3 COMMISSIONERS Senior Center Artwork (continued) Mr. Castner said that over 500 people participate in the Nutrition Program and a large number felt this was inappropriate to decorate the Senior Center. Mr. Castner said the people who use the Center were not adequately represented on the Selection Committee, and no one was on the Committee from the Nutrition Program. Mr. Castner stated his objection to the use of butterflies, stating this building was not a nursery or a kindergarten. He suggested waiting until the building was built and let it tell you what should be put there. Linwood Van, Chairman of the Senior Commission, stated that Mr. Castner, Ms. Maggio and he were all involved in the design of the Senior Center. He expressed concern for any hurt feelings, as he has the highest regard for the members of the Selection Committee. Mr. Van stated that personally he felt this art work did not meet the objective or the criteria. He felt this would collect dust and deteriorate. Mr. Van stated the Senior Commission was divided in its comments on the selection and he did not like this concept. Pat Feille, Carlsbad/Oceanside Art League, stated she was on the Selection Committee and a great deal of thought and time went into the selection of the art work. This gallery area will be used by many people other than the seniors and people will be able to look down from the second floor and enjoy this art. Ms. Feille commented on the total involvement of this art work and added there will be a lot of space for art work to be displayed in that gallery area. Pat Hansen, 3514 Highland, stated she would be retiring next year and intended to use the new Senior Center often. She expressed her delight with the choice of the Selection Committee, and said she would like to see the walls of the gallery filled with exhibits of all sorts of paintings and other art work, to be changed monthly. Ms. Hansen stated her respect for the process this Commission worked a long time to put into place, and everything was considered in making this selection, including the design of the building. Doris Ritchie, 3379 Garibaldi Place, stated she is a Senior Commissioner, in her second term, and was on the Committee for the building as well as the art work. She said it was critical for the art work to be put in at this time, as the floor and the lighting has to be done with the construction. Ms. Ritchie said this is a dynamic piece of art and when you walk into the Senior Center this would be a living art environment. For those who can't look up, there will be art on the floor. MINUTES anuary 12, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page COMMISSIONERS Senior Center Artwork (continued) Ms. Ritchie concluded, asking everyone to not sell the seniors short—that they can understand more than a sandbox or a blue wave. The butterfly form is considered one of God's greatest creations, and Ms. Ritchie asked the Commission to select this for the Senior Center. Chairman Bear summarized, stating the Arts Commission action was to accept or reject the recommendation of the Selection Committee. Commissioner Brierley stated he was on the Selection Committee and he did have a concern about keeping the butterflies clean. He felt this was uniquely different and agreed this art work would flow throughout the building. He added that all pieces submitted were reviewed and discussed thoroughly before a decision was made, and said that art is a very personal thing. Connie Beardsley stated that maintenance was discussed by the Selection Committee, and the artist used the screening because it can be air-hosed and cleaned very easily. Commissioner Frye made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Selection Committee. He stated he thought it was vital to do this in advance to incorporate it into the building. Commissioner Straub seconded the motion. Commissioner Straub stated that the maintenance concerns had been answered; the concerns about being in a hurry to select the art had been addressed, and she wanted to expand on that. Ms. Straub stated that one of the things this Commission had been trying to encourage was to have artists come in from the beginning and give their input. The Architects appreciate that and she said she was delighted to see that San Diego had incorporated this in their park In the canyon. She said that addressed the question of "Why now?" Ms. Straub said that some people had said butterflies were not appropriate—and she asked—why not? Some people like one concept of art and others like another. Another concern expressed was that the users were not adequately represented—she felt that was the crux of the issue. Some people will like the art work and some will not—and through the years Ms. Straub said that people have been known to change their minds—in both directions—with regard to art pieces. Ms. Straub stated that the selection process was arrived at with thought, but if anyone had suggestions on how to get into the heart of the population and come up with a greater consensus, those suggestions would be happily received. The Selection Committee did have an appointed representative from the Senior Commission and the Senior Center Committee. She felt the process had taken all groups into consideration and the Committee worked very hard on the selection. The choice has to be now, if it is to be part of the building. MINUTES January 12, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page 5 COMMISSIONERS Senior Center Artwork (continued) Commissioner Straub stated she supported the process and felt it needed to be honored. Chairman Bear stated the Arts Commission had worked to come up with a process for selection which was responsive and took into consideration the citizenry of Carlsbad. He said it was not perfect, but they had gotten better citizen input. The maquettes and exhibits were in the Library and the Senior Center and the public did agree with the selection. Mr. Bear asked for ideas from the public as this Commission goes forward with future pieces in public art, in order to get more representative viewpoints from the community. Commissioner Frye stated he was puzzled by the statement that the majority of the seniors did not like it. When the models were In the Library, a larger number favored the proposal. Linwood Van stated that the ages of those commenting on the art work was not known, as far as the comments from the Library. Doris Ritchie said that the statement that the majority of the seniors were not in favor was inaccurate, as that was only the seniors on the Nutrition Program at noon. She said there are many seniors in programs there throughout the day, and she said they were in favor of the selection. There is a diverse clientele using the Senior Center, and every status is represented—with the nutrition not the only ones being served there. Ms. Ritchie said this art work would attract more seniors who are not coming to programs at this time and would create an exciting environment. Commissioner Brierley said there were comments about the building being inappropriate just as there are about the art selection, and time will tell whether the design is proper and whether the art fits. Arts Commission accepted the Selection Committee recommendation for "A Flight of Butterflies" by Christine Oatman, for the gallery area of the Senior Center. Chairman Bear suggested the Arts Commission try to get on the agenda of the Senior Commission to present to them the process this Commission has gone through and work together to perfect that. Commissioner Frye suggested that concentration not be centered exclusively on the current seniors, but on future seniors as well. Bear Brierley Frye Straub MINUTES January 12, 1989 ARTS COMMISSION Page 6 COMMISSIONERS Grants - for approval The Arts Commission made the following determinations for grants: Patrons of the Arts Foundation Boys and Girls Club of Carlsbad Carlsbad/Oceanside Art League San Diego International Children's Carlsbad Youth Theatre North County Concert Association Carlsbad High School PATH Carlsbad Community Band Hope Elementary School 3's Company & Dancers Festival $4,000 delete 500 delete 1,500 2,000 1,000 2,000 3,000 delete delete Commissioner Frye suggested having a Selection Committee to study the grant requests and bring recommendations to the Commission so that more time could be devoted to each proposal. He suggested the item come back before the Commission in August to consider formation of such a Committee. The Commission, by consensus, tabled the Temporary Sculpture Exhibit report and the Guidelines for Public Art to the February meeting. This meeting will be continued on Monday, January 23, 1989, at 11:00 a.m., for a discussion on Goals and Objectives and the budget. ADJOURNMENT; By proper motion, the Meeting of January 12, 1989, was adjourned at 1:05 p.m., to Monday, January 23, 1989, at 11:00 a.m. Respectfully submitted, CONNIE BEARDSLEY Manager, Arts Program Harriett Babbitt Minutes Clerk