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Home My WebLink About11/18/1997, C-8 - PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE PUBLIC ART PROJECT CAcouncil Novi. 18 1997 acEnaa Rep= 1�Nub- CITY OF SAN LUIS O B I S P O I FROM: Paul LeSage, Director of Parks and Recreation epared by: Kathy Mills, Recreation Manager SUBJECT: Parks and Recreation Department Administrative Office Public Art Project CAO RECOMMENDATION: Approve selected Public Art Project, "Flames Of Knowledge," and authorize its installation. DISCUSSION: On May 20, 1997, City Council authorized staff to begin the process of selecting a work of public art for the Parks and Recreation Department's Administrative Office building. Council also allocated an amount not to exceed $8,000 for the project. In accordance with the goals identified in the Visual Arts In Public Places Program, a Request For Proposal was distributed to interested artists. The proposal was prepared to reflect the criteria identified in the category for major City capital projects. A total of six art projects were reviewed by a committee consisting of representatives from the Parks and Recreation Department, Parks and Recreation Commission, and two representatives from the Arts Council. The selected project, "Flames of Knowledge" by artist Jim Jacobsen, was selected for the Parks and Recreation Department Administrative Office. Reviewing the history of the Emerson site, the artist attempted to depict the three schools previously located at the site and create a link between education and recreation. A copy of the artist's proposal is included as Attachment A. The full proposal, and a model of the project, is available for review at the Parks and Recreation Department Administrative Office. "Flames of Knowledge," the selected sculpture, is about 20 feet tall, consisting of a 12-foot high tower-like base with a mobile of golden "flames" and flags, and a counter-balancing chrome ball. The structure is to be entirely of metal, with a rotating central shaft that can be tamed by hand when there is no wind. Colors are maroon at the base, gray-black at the center tower and yellow, red, blue, and green mobile parts with golden flames and chrome ball. The sculpture would be installed in the concrete plaza in front of the Parks and Recreation Office building. FISCAL IMPACT The artist's fee of$7,492 is within the approved allocation of$8,000. C-$-/ Council Agenda Report—Parks and Recreation Department Admin. Office Public Art Project Page 2 CONCURRENCES • The proposed project was reviewed and approved by the Parks and Recreation Commission on September 1, 1997. • The Architectural Review Commission determined that the project meets the definition of public art and recommended its construction to the City Council on September 15, 1997 (ARC 115-97). • The City's Risk Manager has reviewed and approved the project. • The City Engineer has approved the structural design of the project. ATTACHMENT A. Artist's Proposal G:%CA0MTMA0A0?.DOC Proposal to the City for a public art piece at the plaza of Parks & Recreation Department July 10, 1997 History of proposed site: In 1869 Dona Ramona Carrillo Pacheco de Wilson and her son Romualdo Pacheco (first Hispanic Governor of California in 1875) "sold" the block now known as Emerson Park to the school trustees for 250 gold dollars (attachment A). Since then, according to historical records, three schools have been build on that site; bearing the names Mission, Nipomo Street as well as the latest, Emerson (after Ralph Waldo Emerson). All schools have been for primary grades, usually K-6. The original school was a large two story building (attachment B) with the classic steeple for which schools were noted for in those days. The bell from that steeple is now on display at the edge of the parking.lot facing Nipomo Street and contains a time capsule from the 1950's. This bell was also displayed during the second and third school structures as a historical artifact from the first school. Some of the children from the early 1900's school (Emerson) also remember with great delight the traveling circus that would set up in front of the school and Nipomo Street. This school was set back a good distance from Nipomo Street and allowed the community to have functions on the front section. Schools, especially rural ones, served as a community meeting place for dances, festivals, etc. in early years. Artist's Approach: For over 100 years the primary purpose of this site has been devoted to the education and recreation of children. This site continues to serve children as the Parks and Recreation Department, through their organized activities, playing fields and playgrounds. I believe that a sculpture for this site should relate to the interest of our youth, be interactive with the youth, whimsical in color and design, wind sensitive and relate to some aspects of the site's history. What I propose is a sculpture with a base relating to the architectural characteristics of the first school's bell steeple, with a mobile incorporating the circus tent flag and arms with top elements mimicking "flames of knowledge" from the Greeks days of Diogenes to interact with the wind. Mobiles are always presenting a changing design for the viewer. The base, reaching approximately 12 feet into the air will mimic the architecture steeples of the 1800's school buildings in our county. One leg of the base will have the date of the transfer deed of 1869 cut out of the metal. A rotating vertical rod from the center of the mobile to the base will provide the opportunity for the public (all ages) to grasp a handle (four provided at different levels of height) to feel the wind movement of the mobile and/or on a quiet day provide a means for giving movement to the mobile. I have seen through some 20 ATTACH ENT A C- #-3 years of designing mobiles that people enjoy the touching and making a mobile move (why not, that's what they are there for- movement!). Mobiles are an art form not restricted to a pedestal or wall, but free to move with the air currents, changing form as the winds dictate. Children especially enjoy connecting with an interactive object and being able to move a large object, if only slowly. Due to the mass of the mobile, only slow movements will be possible. Keeping in mind children's responsiveness, colors on the mobile will be in primary colors; red, yellow, blue, and also green. I propose that a submerged light be placed directly under the sculpture which would illuminate and give the sculpture a stunning presence at night, this would also deter vandalism. The light has been incorporated into the proposed budget. Construction: All parts will be metal. Connecting parts for the mobile will be high strength stainless steel, so wear and o)adization will be minimized. Coloring of the metal will be done first by dip rust proofing and then powder coating at over 400F degrees. The center rotating shaft will rest on a bearing base enclose against the weather and with a lubricating point. The metal base will be bolted to the cement plaza on all four legs. Colors: The base (first.2 feet) of the sculpture will be maroon to tie in with the Parks and Recreation building's window frames. The mid-section of the sculpture will be a gray/black wrinkled finish to reflect the historical Bishop's Peak rock wall in front of the Parks and Recreation building. The large Hag- like section of the mobile will be yellow, while the other parts will be red, blue, and green. The three "flames" will be gold. The round ball coming out of the flag section will be chrome plated. DurabilityNandal Resistant: This sculpture will provide limited flat surfaces for graffiti and will be strong enough to resist "manhandling." A much lighter mobile has been hanging in San Luis Obispo in an open public situation for over 10 years without vandal problems. The construction will also be in sections, allowing re-coloring or repairs if need be over time. believe that a submerged light will provide a degree of protection against nighttime vandalism. Dedication: I suggest that this project include a dedication plaque with a description such as: " Dedicated to the youth who have passed through the primary schools located on this site from 1869 to 1983 and to the youth of today who are participating in recreation activities of the Parks and Recreation Department. A Percent for the Arts in Public Places project. Artist:Jim Jacobson, December, 1997" C ' $' ,._ ,. t:_ - - - - - _:, .. .:: .; � . .�.- - . "_ .. . �- ... •.'� _ ... . :. - .• ..:- . �.. �. _ _ - Y' � _ --_ _ � , � __ _ �..' ..Y... ... - _ _ _ v.. _ i _ .. .. a v ,..-... • r .�y 1LL- .. .- .. - .i- .:�.i�.. � .. _a '. �. _ _ .. ..' - �' � rr ,�r� _ . . _ ... " �. _ _ ... +. ,�.- � _ -.. ...� :. � •.- •'. .. _ __ r� . _ _ -_�,. .y. _ _ - .. _. _ r .—c. � � , W �� TOR VIEW. Of `FLAW AND BA5,C jJJ MII I •Y V 11 D T i i i .i` 3 2 t - C 8-�r