HomeMy WebLinkAbout12/03/2002, C5 - PURCHASE OF SANDRA KAY JOHNSON'S HEY, DIDDLE-DIDDLE SCULPTURE FOR THE CITY'S PUBLIC ART COLLECTIO councit Mafi.,°� a
j acEnba Report
CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Wendy George,ACAO
Prepared By: Betsy Kiser DeJarnette, Assistant to the CAO
SUBJECT: PURCHASE OF SANDRA KAY JOHNSON'S "HEY, DIDDLE-
DIDDLE" SCULPTURE FOR THE CITY'S PUBLIC ART
COLLECTION
CAO RECOMMENDATION
As recommended by the Public Art Jury and the Architectural Review Commission (ARC),
authorize the purchase of Sandra Kay Johnson's "Hey, Diddle-Diddle" bronze sculpture for the
City's Public Art collection and allocate $8,250 from the Public Art In-Lieu funds to cover
expenses associated with the purchase, installation and dedication of the piece.
DISCUSSION
"Hey, Diddle-Diddle"
Sandra Kay Johnson's bronze sculpture "Hey, Diddle-Diddle" has been a part of the City's
Revolving Sculpture program since the program's inception in March 2000. The whimsical
piece, featuring a cat, a violin and the moon arranged in a precarious balancing act, is currently
located on the northeast corner of Marsh and Chorro Streets. (See Attachment 1) On October
19, 2000, the piece received notoriety when it was stolen from its pedestal and never recovered.
The piece was subsequently replaced with a new "Hey, Diddle-Diddle", and has delighted
children, tourists and the community ever since.
The Downtown Association Request to Purchase Piece
The intent of the Revolving Sculpture Program has been to beautify and enhance the cultural
amenities of Downtown, showcase local artists and their work for a year at a time, and provide
revenue for the Downtown Association (DA) through commissions on sold pieces. To date, only
two pieces have been placed in the program and although both have been well received by the
public, neither has sold. Because 1) it is time to change-out "Hey, Diddle-Diddle"; 2) no new
pieces are available to replace it; and 3) it is popular with the public, the DA approached the City
with a request to consider the purchase of "Hey, Diddle-Diddle" as a permanent piece for our
Visual Arts in Public Places Program. As an incentive for the City to acquire the piece, the artist
reduced her asking price by $1000 and the DA agreed to waive their $1500 commission. (See
Attachment 2)
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Council Agenda Report—Purchase of"Hey Diddle-Diddle"
Page 2
Jury Participation
Per City Policy, potential public art requires a formal jury review, followed by approval of the
ARC, and final acceptance by the City Council. Although this project differs from most public
art projects that are actually commissioned by the City in tandem with capital improvement
projects, the process remains the same. Therefore, in keeping with Public Art Policy, staff
assembled a jury consisting of Deborah Spatafore, Ginny Griffin and Allan Root (two jurors
were absent). On August 7, 2002, the jury reviewed "Hey, Diddle-Diddle" using the Public Art
Selection Criteria and recommended that it be forwarded to the ARC with the following
considerations:
1. Relocation. Relocate the piece so that the site better reflects the quality and nature of
the art. The current location is poorly lit and has limited access for public interaction.
The jury recommends that it be relocated from the northeast to the southwest comer
of the same intersection (Washington Mutual corner) until such time that it can be
placed in a more permanent location such as Garden Street. (Attachment 3) Better
natural lighting and fewer poles, trees and obstacles exist in the proposed corner. In
addition, the proposed site is one of twenty-one sites previously approved by the City
Council for the Revolving Sculpture Program and therefore lends itself well to the
relocation.
2. New base. The existing pedestal under "Hey, Diddle-Diddle" is a generic base,
purchased by a sponsor, and designed for any size or shape of artwork participating in
the Revolving Sculpture Program. In this case, the base is too large for the sculpture,
and the jury recommends a based designed specifically for the piece. Staff has been
in contact with Dr. Matthew Kim, the sponsor of the base, who has requested that his
sponsorship plaque be placed on the new base until such time that the City reuses the
existing base for another piece of art in the Downtown.
ARC Review
On November 4, 2002, the ARC reviewed "Hey, Diddle-Diddle" using the Guidelines for Public
Art (Attachment 4). After discussion, the ARC approved the project, finding that the public art
within the Marsh Street right-of-way meets the criteria for public art. (Attachment 5)
Pedestal and Installation of Piece
In response to the jury's request for a more appropriate pedestal for "Hey Diddle-Diddle", the
artist Sandra Kay Johnson submitted a design that would showcase the art without compromising
security or aesthetics. (Attachment 6) Per the Financial Management.Purchasing Guidelines for
purchases under $5,000, bids were solicited from three metalworks companies for fabrication of
the pedestal. Although not the least expensive, Ferromobius was selected for the following
reasons:
1. They fabricated the original pedestals used in the Downtown Revolving Art
Program and therefore provide design consistency.
GAProjects&Programs\Public Art\Current Projects\Cat&Fiddle\CAR-Hey Diddle Diddle purchase 120302.doc
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Council Agenda Report—Purchase of"Hey Diddle-Diddle"
Page 3
2. They have an excellent reputation and a great deal of experience with public art,
having recently installed Iron Road Pioneers.
3. They are willing and able to install the piece and carry appropriate liability
insurance as required by the City.
FISCAL IMPACT
Appropriate funds exist in the Public Art In-lieu Fund to purchase "Hey Diddle-Diddle",
fabricate the pedestal, install the artwork and plaque, and hold a dedication ceremony.
Cost of Artwork $5,000
Fabrication of Pedestal & Installation (not to $3,050
exceed)
Plaque and Dedication $ 200
TOTAL COST $8,250
Public Art In-Lieu Fund $56,176
Less Project Costs < 8,250>
FUNDS REMAINING $47,926
CONCURRANCES
The Public Art Jury and the ARC both reviewed "Hey Diddle-Diddle" and recommend that the
piece be included in the City's Visual Art in Public Places Program. Public Works reviewed the
proposed installation site and finds the site to be appropriate in terms of space and safety
requirements.
ALTERNATIVES
Council could choose not to purchase"Hey Diddle-Diddle"in which case the artist could remove
the piece per the Revolving Art Program guidelines. Staff does not recommend this action due to
the popularity of the piece.
ATTACHMENTS
1. "Hey Diddle-Diddle"
2. Downtown Association letter of request
3. Proposed location of artwork
4. Guidelines for Public Art
5. Results from the ARC November 4, 2002 meeting (Minutes not available when
agenda report written)
6. Pedestal design
GAProjects&Programs\Public Art\Current Projects\Cat&Fiddle\CAR-Hey Diddle Diddle purchase 120302.doc
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' ATTACHMENT 1
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SANDRA KAY JOHNSON, M.F.A. ATTACHMENT 1
V I S U A L A R T S D E S I G N S T U D I O
HEY, DIDDLE-DIDDLE
A recurring theme in my studio work is one of musical connections. Because I
have found that from time to time I will see or experience something that triggers
a musical response in me; an image that will suddenly bring back a line from an
old song and leave me humming. I began trying to create those connections in
my visual imagery. I enjoy the kind of nonsense and nostalgia that is often
connected with old lyrics and melodies. I want my art to challenge the
imagination and elicit an emotional response; lift the spirits.
My original bird sculpture that became the prototype for the airport project was a
prancing, preening bird that I called "1 Fee/Dada". The title is a combination of
the old song "I Feel Pretty"from My Fair Lady, and the Dada movement in art; a
period when a group of artists decided that the art community was taking itself
way too seriously. I have seen people look at the "I Feel Dada"sculpture, then
look at the title and sing bit out loud. So I guess it does work.
"He Promised To Buy Me a Bunch of Blue Ribbons"is another old tune that has
become a part of several of my paintings and sculptures.
And that is the idea behind "Hey, Diddle-Diddle'; Beginning with a childhood
tune that everyone knows and playing with the visual elements. I wanted to
create a certain amount of tension by arranging the cat, the violin and the moon
in a precarious balancing act. I made the cat's coat rough and textured to give
him character and to contrast the very smooth violin. I am delighted to
continually hear positive responses from the public who seem to enjoy "Hey,
Diddle-Diddle."
2 3 5 APPLEGATE WAY ARROYO GRANDE CA 9 3 4 2 0 8 0 5 4 8 9 4 3 8.C
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ATTACHMENT 2
22 July 2002
To: Cecelia Paredes
From Deborah Holley
Re: Hey Diddle Diddle,background
Hey Diddle Diddle is the name of the cat and fiddle over a globe bronze sculpture on
display by artist Sandra Kay Johnson in Downtown SLO. The sculpture was one of two
pieces that were placed as part of the Downtown Association's Revolving Sculpture
Program initiated in 2000 and discontinued in 2001.* There is quite a bit of information
as to how the program came about and why it didn't perform as expected; one of the
reasons being that outdoor public art suitable for the program was difficult to obtain for
purposes of display and sale.
We were fortunate to obtain Hey Diddle Diddle in late summer of 2001 and display it at
the comer of Chorro and Marsh streets, an approved City site for public art. The base
was purchased by Dr. Matthew Kim, who was also instrumental in convincing his friend
Sandra Kay Johnson to install her sculpture there. At the time, art in the program was
slated to be on display for one year, during which time it would be available for sale, then
"changed out" with a new piece with the former sculpture going to either its new owner
or back to the artist.
Within two months, the sculpture was vandalized with the cat and fiddle being separated
from the ball and stolen. (See attached).
However; Sandra Kay was able to replace the sculpture and the new piece has been on
display for nearly a year without incident. Its time for being "changed out" is at hand,
however, there are no new pieces available with which to replace the sculpture. -
Therefore, the Downtown Association requested that the City purchase Hey Diddle
Diddle as a permanent piece to retain this very popular piece of art for the community.
Hey Diddle Diddle is a source of delight for all ages. People.walking by are,surprised to
come upon the whimsical piece that.inspires comment, touch and smiles. Sandra Kay
Johnson has priced the item at$7,500 however, with the Downtown Association waiving
the commission ($1,500) and a further reduction by Johnson, her asking price from the
City is $5,000—a real bargain we believe.
P.O.Box 1402•San Luis Obispo•CA•93406
805/541-0286 • FAX 805/781-2647 • email da@downtownslo.com
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ATTACHMENT 3
CURRENT AND PROPOSED LOCATION FOR
"HEY, DIDDLE-DIDDLE"
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2 Current Location <
New Location .
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ATTACHMENT 4
GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC ART
1. Public artwork shall be original and of high artistic quality.
2. Public art shall be located within the public right-of-way, or shall otherwise be
easily visible or accessible from a public right-of-way
3. Interior locations for public art shall be freely open and accessible to the public.
4. Public art shall be compatible with the immediate site and neighborhood in terms of
historic, social and cultural characteristics, architectural scale, materials, land use,
and geographical and environmental context.
5. Public art proposed for areas of high historical sensitivity, such as Mission Plaza
and its creek, should be given the closest scrutiny, including input from the
Historical Society, before approval by the jury.
6. Public art shall be integrated with the site, and include landscaping, lighting,
interpretive information and other amenities where appropriate.
7. Consideration shall be given to potential conflicts with present or future vegetation
or construction..
8. The design and placement of public art shall not impede pedestrian or vehicle
traffic, or conflict with public or private easements.
9. Consideration shall be given to any public safety or public health concerns created
by the artwork.
10. Permanent public art shall be constructed of durable, high-quality materials and
require minimal or no maintenance. Temporary public art shall be constructed of
materials appropriate to its duration of public display.
11. Public art shall be securely installed.
12. A wide variety of artistic expression is encouraged. However, expressions of
profanity, vulgarity or obvious poor taste are inappropriate.
1
ATTACHMENT
Cl-t;y PO of SAn UIS OBISnepartment of Community i]euElonmwt
"' T" "1"" Planning Division
4
City of SLO-Administration
November 5, 2002 Betsy DeJamette
TO: File ARC PA 170-02: 1235 Chorro Street
Betsy DeJarnette, Assistant to the CAO
FROM: Ronald Whisenand, Deputy Community Development Director
SUBJECT: Review of a proposal to place public art within the Marsh Street right-of-
way adjacent to the Washington Mutual parking lot
The Architectural Review Commission, at its meeting of November 4, 2002, approved the
above project, finding that the public art within the Marsh Street right-of-way meets the
criteria for public art.
The decision of the Commission is final unless appealed to the City Council within 10
days of the action.
cc: County of SLO Assessor's Office
Great Western Bank
c/o Washington Mutual
P.O. Box 7788
Newport Beach, CA 92658
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