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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-05-06; Arts Commission; MinutesMINUTES Carlsbad Arts Commission May 6, 2004 Carlsbad Council Chambers Present: Commissioners Shaw, Hill, Francis, Iserloth, Juncal, Okamoto Absent: Commissioner Rutledge Chair Hill called the Meeting to Order at 9:00 am. Minutes For Approval On motion by Commissioner Shaw, the Minutes of March 4, 2004 were approved. New Business Donation of Artworks Peter Gordon reported on the acquisition/donation process of artwork to the City. Commissioner Shaw, Chair of the Acquisition Committee, explained the Committee's role in the process and listed current members. Ms. Shaw also provided the Commission the criteria for acquisitioning artwork. Donation #1 - Tree with Bird and Untitled - offered by the Italo Scanga Foundation Ms. Shaw reviewed with the Commission the Committee's recommendation to accept the donation offer of two artworks (attached). On motion by Commissioner Shaw, Tree with Bird and Untitled were unanimously approved for acquisition. Both pieces will be put on public display as soon as possible in the form of computer-generated prints to gather comments from the public before returning to the Arts Commission. Donation #2 - America - offered by Paul Weber Ms. Shaw reviewed the Committee's recommendation not to accept this donation offer. Chair Hill asked Staff to provide a brief history regarding this piece. Commissioner Shaw motioned the Commission to approve the Committee's recommendation not to accept America. Commissioner Juncal asked staff if feedback from the public was received when the artwork was on display in the Sculpture Garden. The public response on the piece was minimal and positive. Commissioner Okamoto asked if the motion made by Commissioner Shaw could be amended to place the piece on a different site. Ms. Shaw explained that the strength of the recommendation from the Acquisition Committee was based on the quality of the artwork and credentials of the artist and moving the piece to another site would not alter the Committee's decision. The Commission approved the Committee's recommendation not to accept the offer of "America" by Paul Weber. Commissioner Okamoto abstained. Mr. Gordon told the Commission he would notify the City Manager and Mr. Weber of the Commission's actions. Old Business Arts Commission Workshop Mr. Gordon asked Commissioners if they wanted to ad agenda items. He further informed the Commissioner that he feels a representative from the City Manager's Office should represent the City Council at the workshop and has asked Jim Boylan to facilitate. Public Comment None Information Item Commissioner Shaw spoke about the Commission's relationship with surrounding cities. She feels networking is important. Other Commissioners agreed. Discussion ensued among Commsisioners about how best to exchange information and ideas. Chair Hill requested staff place this item on a future Commission agenda. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 am. Carlsbad Arts Office: Acquisition Committee Meeting Notes March 23, 2004 Present: Arts Commissioner Felicia Shaw, Fritzi Urquhart, Kevin Kelso Excused: AnnL'Heureux Staff: Peter Gordon, Karen McGuire The Committee reviewed and discussed the City's general procedures and policies related to the acquisition of artwork for the City of Carlsbad, with special emphasis paid to donation offers and the Committee's role in that process. It was agreed that this Committee was chosen for their experience and expertise in the field of art and that their aesthetic judgments about donation offers would be very important information for the Arts Commission in its later review of the donation. Review of Donation Offers and Recommendations Donation #1 Donation of two pieces of artwork from the Italo Scanga Foundation — 'Tree with Bird" and "Untitled" Karen McGuire provided a brief background on how these pieces were selected for a previous Sculpture Garden exhibit and the Foundation's decision to offer them to the City. Review of the criteria: The Committee determined that the artwork was of the highest level of aesthetic quality, that the professional credentials of the artist were outstanding, and that the works would be suitable for public display. The Committee also reviewed the artworks for siting, which, on recommendation of the Arts Manager, would be on the front lawn of the Arts Office. The Acquisition Committee recommends the Arts Commission approve and accept the donation of "Tree with Bird" and "Untitled" for placement in front of the Carlsbad Arts Office. Donation #2 Donation of artwork entitled "AMERICA" by Paul Weber. Karen McGuire and Peter Gordon provided a brief background on this artwork, currently on display in the Sculpture Garden. Review of the criteria: The Committee talked about the aesthetic quality of the artwork in a wide-ranging discussion. All felt that the artwork did not have a solid conceptual underpinning, that is, there was no real artistic idea or content behind the work. The Committee felt that it might be viewed as signage, which, like the Hollywood sign, can be just "signage," or in the case of Robert Indiana's "Love" sculptures, can become universally acclaimed works of art. The Committee discussed the professional credentials of the artist and determined they were not very strong. The artist has no gallery representation or consistent record of exhibitions. The Committee reviewed the suitability of the piece. It is concerned about vandalism and maintenance issues. In addition, adverse affects about its reflections are still a concern. The Committee also had difficulty determining the value of the work. Placement of the artwork was also reviewed. The Committee discussed the restrictions made by the artist on the placement of this piece. (He would like it "placed along the West side of Carlsbad Boulevard, somewhere between the Encina Power Plant and the Harbor Fish Cafe.") The Committee determined the City does not accept artwork with these types of restrictions. However, the Committee also stated that even if the artist withdrew his restrictions on placement, they would come to the same decision. The Committee recommends the Arts Commission not approve and not accept the donation of "AMERICA." Donation Offer #2 Dr. Paul Weber, a retired veterinarian and now practicing sculptor based in Oceanside, has offered his work "AMERICA" to the City of Carlsbad. In his offering letter, Dr. Weber wrote: "I would like to see it [the work] placed along the West side of Carlsbad Boulevard, somewhere between the Encina Power Plant and the Harbor Fish Cafe." In a subsequent phone conversation with Dr. Weber, he added that "if the work goes up for a year [where he has requested] and there's any 'hassle,1 then the City can move the work wherever we want." The work is currently on display in the Sculpture Garden behind the Arts Office. Enclosed in this packet is information about the work and the artist that was developed for the Sculpture Garden exhibition. Peter Gordon - Americabrochure.doc Page 1 City of Carlsbad Sculpture Garden AMERICA A work by Dr. Paul Weber Retired veterinarian and current North County sculptor, Paul Weber is the featured artist in the newest sculpture garden exhibition at Carlsbad's Cultural Arts Office. Devoted entirely to one work of art, this exhibition features a sculpture that spells out the word "AMERICA." Made of mirror-polished stainless steel, each of the seven letters stands nearly seven and a half feet tall and weighs between 100 and 250 pounds. The eye- catching surfaces reflect the sky and foliage surrounding them as well as provide a backdrop for the words incised into the surfaces, where Weber integrates text within text. Each sculpture is engraved with quotes from famous Americans including Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. John F. Kennedy, and Theodore Roosevelt, among others. "A" I Pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. Francis Bellamy- 1892 Liberty is always unfinished business. American Civil Liberties Union - 1955 "M" That Government of the People, by the People, for the People, shall not perish from the earth. Abraham Lincoln Where the Press is Free, and every man is able to read, all is Safe. Thomas Jefferson - 1816 "E" We hold these Truths to be self-evident; that all men are created Equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights; that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. Thomas Jefferson The America which Washington founded does not mean we shall have everything done for us, but that we shall have every opportunity to do everything for ourselves. Calvin Coolidge "R" The promise of America is a simple promise. Every person shall share in the blessings of this Land. And they shall share on the basis of their merits. As a person they shall not be judged by their color or by their beliefs, or by their religion or by where they were born or the neighborhood in which they live. Lyndon Johnson - 1965 : Peter Gordon - America brochure.doc ^ ___ Page 2 Anytime we deny any Citizen the full exercise of his Constitutional Rights, we are weakening our own claim to them. Dwight Eisenhower- 1963 "I" Injustice anywhere is a threat to Justice everywhere. Martin Luther King, Jr. - 1963 The object of Government is the welfare of the People. Theodore Roosevelt - 1907 "C" Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your Country. My Fellow Citizens of the World, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the Freedom of Man. John F. Kennedy- 1961 I believe it is my duty to my Country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its Laws, to respect its Flag, and to defend it against all Enemies. William Page "A" Four score and seven years ago our Fathers brought forth on this Continent a new Nation conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the Proposition that all Men are created Equal. Abraham Lincoln - 1858 The purpose of Government is to Serve, never to Dominate. Dwight Eisenhower ABOUT THE ARTIST Paul Weber has approached his vocational, avocational and recreational pursuits with equal professionalism and passion. Born in Cleveland Ohio in 1935, he earned a degree in veterinary medicine from Ohio State University in 1961 and thereafter spent almost three decades in private practice. He established Pacific Animal Hospital in Oceanside in 1968. Upon his retirement as a vet in 1988, he immediately dove into a second career as a sculptor. After taking art and welding classes and applying himself with dedication and a healthy dose of whimsy, he became proficient in metal art design, specializing in stainless steel, iron and bronze. Among his awards are First Place and Special Award ribbons for two bronze sculptures entered at the 1996 Del Mar Fair, and a 1990 "Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge" award for the stainless steel "AMERICA" sculpture exhibited here. In addition to a yard- and house-full of sculptures, ranging from his "lucky lizard chair" and a friendly vegetarian dinosaur to ornately crafted candleholders given to his wife of 40 years on their anniversary, Weber pieces are on display at Pacific Animal Hospital, Rancho Del Oro park in Oceanside, Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad and other locales. He PeterGordon-Americabrochure.doc Page 3 has donated many sculptures to civic organizations. Weber also is a dedicated marathoner who began running in 1978. His list of marathons completed is close to 200 and spans the globe, from Boston and New York to Venice and Shanghai as well as here in San Diego County. Paul Weber is as cordial and approachable as his artwork. Saying, "I still have to convince myself that I'm an artist," he points out his favorite sculpture affixed to the wall outside his garage workshop. Emanating as the rays of a sun are these words: "Hope, Love, Peace, Family, Health, Friends, Happiness, Prosperity, Kindness. Interview with Marilyn Campbell - March 2003 Section 2.18.100 of Ordinance 1279 The Carlsbad Arts Commission shall have the power to: 1. Encourage individuals and organizations that provide an educational experience in the arts for the citizens. 2. Provide direction and support for continued development and presentation of a variety of arts in the City. 3. Generate a wide range of programs that develop the skills of the participants at all levels of creative expression. 4. Provide, through an Advisory Arts Commission, a forum for arts concerns and recommendations to the elected officials and their staff concerning arts issues. 5. Develop the concept of contracting for cultural services with local arts organizations and individual artists. 6. Encourage citizens to take advantage of the arts programming offered by agencies and institutions in the community. 7. Provide financial assistance, whenever feasible, to groups or individuals who provide public arts programming to the citizens. 8. Help promote school and community cooperation in the programming of artistic and cultural events and opportunities. 9. Recognize and assist those who have specialized knowledge and skills in the arts. 10. Develop cooperative arrangements between the City and other agencies, local, state and federal, to provide needed arts facilities for the City. 11. Encourage the planning and development of new or augmented arts facilities as may be needed. 12. Provide for the selection, installation and maintenance of works of art within public facilities. 13. Encourage private businesses to display works of art in their public places. 14. Seek private funding in all areas of the arts. 15. Promote cooperative arrangements between the City and other agencies, local, state and federal, to provide works of fine art for display in public places. 16. Facilitate the utilization of free public exhibition spaces. 17. Review and make recommendations upon all works of art to be acquired by the City, either by purchase, gift or otherwise, and their proposed locations. 18. Review and make recommendations with reference to any existing works of art in the possession of the City in connection with the removal, relocation or alteration thereof. 19. Determine a method or methods of recommending the selection and commissioning of artists with respect to the design, execution and placement of works of arts for which appropriations have been made; and pursuant to such method or methods, recommend to the City Council selection of artists by contract for such purposes. 20. Prior to payment for works of arts, review such works to report on the conformity of the finished work with the approved plans or other documents describing the work of art to be carried out. General Process for Consideration of Public Artwork Project identified in CIP Selection Committee selects artist v Artist presents design concept to Arts Commission if rejected -- -?> back to artist for revision if accepted V Out to Community for review and comments Arts Commission review and then recommendation to City Council Process for Consideration of a Donation Offer Donor notifies Arts Office of intention i Acquisitions Committee Arts Commission recommendation to Arts Commission "\ if declined - - ^ return to donor V if accepted V Out to Community for review and comments City Council Donation Offers: May 2004 Donation Offer #1, from the Italo Scanga Foundation Donation Offer #2, from Dr. Paul Weber Donation Offer #1 In 2001 - 2002, the Arts Office organized an exhibition entitled "Moonlight Sonata: A Tribute to Italo Scanga." The exhibition included seven works by Scanga, who had just recently passed away. At the end of the exhibition run, the Italo Scanga Foundation, a non-profit charitable trust set up to oversee the artist's estate, offered to donate two of the works that had been in the exhibition to the City of Carlsbad. Those works are: Untitled, painted steel, 1997,121 x 32 x 32", valued at $6,000 Tree with bird, painted steel, chain, 124 x 65 x 32", valued at $10,000 Brief explanatory write-ups about the offered works by Karen McGuire (the Cannon Art Gallery Coordinator), images of the works, and biographical information about the artist can be found in the enclosed brochure produced for the "Moonlight Sonata" exhibition. Alga Norte Community Park List of Public Art Elements Artist - Paul Hobson Aquatics Complex Dive Technique and Swim Stroke Gates Six entry and exit gates are planned for the Aquatics Complex entrance. Designed to support the established aquatics theme for the complex Cortin steel doors will feature cutout depictions of proper dive and swim stroke technique in time laps. Using art to enhance selected infrastructure in the park maximizes the art budget. Tile Towel Inlays Responding to the vast scale of the aquatics complex huge colorful towel designs will be inlayed into deck and grass areas adjacent to the lazy river feature. These whimsical 15' x 8' ceramic tile towels expand on an unwritten tradition considered good pool etiquette: one towel to one sunbather. The tile towels will be suitable for whole families or groups to bask on and will be. a colorful visual enhancement to the aquatics complex. Skateboard Area Half-Pipe Wall Half-pipes are traditional skateboard structures based on two curved ramps facing each other. The repeated movement down one side and up the other is a result of the principles of potential and kinetic energy that apply to skateboarding in a half-pipe. A 7'-6" high x 30' long wall incorporated into the perimeter fence of the skateboard area will exemplify these principles. It will be composed of a series of 14" wide x 7" high x 3" deep concrete half-pipes that are arranged and stacked in staggered rows. Cast concrete wheel-shapes will be positioned inside the half-pipe openings in a manner that illustrates the principles of potential and kinetic energy. A rhythmic pattern is realized when the wall is viewed in its entirety. Softball Fields and Basketball Areas Sports Pipe Sculptures Bent 1" galvanized steel pipe will trace the outlines of a basketball player about to make a dunk shot and a Softball outfielder straining to catch a fly-ball. The pipe sculptures will float 6" from the surface of exterior walls of buildings that face the softball fields and basketball area. Designs For Ongoing Donor Programs Bronzed Donors Athletic Shoe Installation Contributors to the realization and ongoing requirements of the park will be honored in an installation that provides them with a unique presents in the park. I addition to fiscal support donors will supply a pair of their old athletic shoes to be bronzed and inscribed with their name and preferred sport. The bronzed shoes will be arranged to look as if they are actually walking or running on a raised continuous concrete pedestal that parallels the proposed 10' wide perimeter path that circles the park. Dog Paws Walk of Fame Another opportunity to make donations to the park is a program that echoes the Hollywood Walk of Stars called The Dog Paws Walk of Fame. Donors will be invited to press their dogs' forepaws into a cement dog bone shape that will then be fired and arranged with other dog bones in an area within the planned dog run.