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HomeMy WebLinkAbout15 - Presentation of Phase VI Recommendations for Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center ParkQ �EwPpRT CITY OF O � z NEWPORT BEACH <,FORN'P City Council Staff Report February 9, 2021 Agenda Item No. 15 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director - 949-717-3801, thetherton@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director thetherton@newportbeachca.gov PHONE: 949-717-3810 Presentation of Phase VI Recommendations for Sculpture Exhibition TITLE: in Civic Center Park ABSTRACT: At its January 14, 2021 regular meeting, the City Arts Commission recommended 10 sculptures and three alternates for exhibition within the Civic Center Park for the City Council's consideration and approval. If approved, the 10 sculptures will be on display for a two-year period, with installation commencing in May 2021. RECOMMENDATION: a) Determine this action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) and 15060(c)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines because this action will not result in a physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly; and b) Approve the 10 sculptures, three alternates and the proposed locations within Civic Center Park as recommended by the City Arts Commission for the temporary sculpture exhibit. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: The adopted budget includes sufficient funding for this expenditure. It will be funded from the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park Phase VI account in the Cultural Arts Division of the Library Services Department, 01060603-811059. The State of California Department of Parks and Recreation will reimburse these funds to the City through Local Assistance Specified Grant Funding. The Fiscal Year 2019-2020 California State Budget (Budget Item 3790-101-0001(1)2(p)) appropriates this specified grant. 15-1 Presentation of Phase VI Recommendations for Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park February 9, 2021 Page 2 DISCUSSION: The Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park is an integral feature of the Newport Beach Civic Center. Civic Center Park, which turned nearly half a million square feet of undeveloped land into a new public park, was designed by the renowned landscape architectural firm Peter Walker and Partners (PWP). PWP developed a master plan for art in the park, and identified various spots where art, particularly sculpture, may be exhibited. The City Arts Commission (Commission) determined that a rotating exhibition was the optimal approach for bringing sculpture to the City in a cost-efficient manner. In August 2013, the Newport Beach City Council authorized the City Arts Commission to implement an inaugural rotational sculpture exhibit in Civic Center Park. The acquisition program that the Commission developed for the exhibition created a model in which pieces are loaned for a two-year period (or "phase"). Sculptors of works chosen for the exhibition are provided with a small honorarium to loan their work to the City of Newport Beach (City). The City is responsible for installing the art, while the sculptors are responsible for the maintenance and repair of their work. Admission is free and the exhibition continues to be enjoyed by residents and guests of all ages. In essence, the exhibition has become a "museum without walls" that offers the temporary display of public art in a unique, natural setting. Moreover, the City is able to exhibit a well-balanced representation of public art, with artistic merit, durability, practicality, and site responsiveness as criteria in the selection of work. The rotational nature of the exhibit ensures that residents and guests are exposed to a variety of work. Borrowing the pieces remains a cost-effective alternative to owning and maintaining permanent public art. In June 2019, the City was awarded $500,000 in Local Assistance Specified Grant Funding from the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation for the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park. Later that year, the City Council approved a proposal to use the grant funding for Phases V and VI of the Sculpture Exhibition and for associated infrastructure improvements in Civic Center Park. The State has already reimbursed the City for $90,000 of expenses for Phase V, with additional reimbursement payments forthcoming. In July 2020, City Council approved a contract with Arts Orange County for project management of Phase VI of the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park for a total amount not to exceed $91,436. The project team includes Mr. Richard Stein, President and CEO of Arts OC, Professor Joe S. Lewis, former Dean of the University of California, Irvine's Claire Trevor School of the Arts, and Mr. Nicholas Thurkettle, Program Assistant for Arts OC. A call for entry was opened in September 2020 and posted through several artist networks. The call was also publicized through the Library and Cultural Arts email lists and websites, and through press releases to the local media. Of the submissions received, 59 were forwarded to the Commission for consideration. 15-2 Presentation of Phase VI Recommendations for Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park February 9, 2021 Page 3 The Commission conducted an online survey that invited members of the public to select their favorite individual works. The survey commenced on December 10, 2020 and concluded on January 10, 2021. 453 participants submitted 1,091 votes on 59 pieces. The results of the public survey were considered by the judging panel, with the results being advisory in nature and non-binding. Some pieces favored by the public could not be included due to various issues. Some pieces were not original, unique works, while others were submitted as renderings. Others lacked the durability required for exhibition in Newport Beach's coastal environment. The Commission also remained cognizant of the need to protect habitat, to preserve the public view plane, to maintain clear public access to the entire park's walkways, and to maintain the aesthetics of the park. The January 14, 2021 regular City Arts Commission meeting included a curatorial selection panel meeting where members of the public were able to express their preferences. In addition to the City Arts Commissioners, the panel included guest curators Jennifer Frias, Director/Curator, Begovich Gallery, California State University, Fullerton, and Maria Mingalone, Director of the Oceanside Museum of Art. The curatorial panel assessment included the following: • All top -scoring artworks in the online public survey were considered and discussed. Additional information provided in the application, such as a statement of interest and resume, was used to help narrow down submissions. • Works were considered in light of the following criteria: o Artistic Merit: • Artwork is of high quality and demonstrative of originality and artistic excellence. • Artist has strong professional qualifications. o Durability: • The artwork is made of high-quality materials, which can withstand the natural outdoor elements of coastal Southern California. • Artwork requires minimal to no maintenance. o Practicality: • Artwork is of appropriate subject matter for audiences of all ages. • Artwork is safe and shall not exhibit unsafe conditions or factors that may bear on public liability. 15-3 Presentation of Phase VI Recommendations for Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park February 9, 2021 Page 4 o Site appropriateness: • Artwork is suitable in scale to be seen in the environment. • Artwork is suitable for viewing from all angles. After discussion with the curatorial panel, the Commission recommended forwarding the following 10 pieces and three alternates for approval by City Council: TITLE Talking Heads ARTIST Oleg Lobykin PANEL 1 Scorpion Colin Selig 2 (x)ofmanychildren Roberto Visani 2 The Migration of My Dreams Marisabel Bazan 2 Windows Chris O'Rourke 2 Birdman Steven L. Rieman 6 Finish Line Ron Whitacre 9 Suncrest Eino Romppanen 9 Woodpeckers Michael McLaughlin 9 Celestial Carousel Leaf Spiral Adrian Susnea Litman ALTERNATES Ken McCall 12 12 Tranquil Lounger C.J. Rench 14 Anna Ilya Idelchik 36 "Rankings receiving the same number are the result of a tie. On Thursday, January 21, 2021, Commission Chair Little and Vice Chair Greer, the consulting team from Arts OC, and Library staff reviewed the suitability of proposed locations for each piece based upon site sensitivities, scale, and impact of work. Staff also submitted the selections and locations for review by City Risk Management, Public Works, and Recreation staff to identify potential public safety concerns, impacts upon the use of the park, and impacts on residents. Based on artwork value and the preliminary budgets provided by artists, the committee assigned honorarium amounts to each artwork. The consultants will present the selected works for City Council review (see Attachment A, "Recommended Works and Proposed Locations for Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park Phase VI"). Should the Council approve the recommendations, the City will contract with the sculptors of the selected works and installation of Phase VI will occur in May 2021. Phase IV will be deinstalled at that same time. 15-4 Presentation of Phase VI Recommendations for Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park February 9, 2021 Page 5 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Staff recommends the City Council find this action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section 15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly. NOTICING: The agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Council considers the item). ATTACHMENT: ATTACHMENT A — Recommended Works and Proposed Locations for Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park Phase VI 15-5 r s e'917gpRfir O R A N G E COUNT Y r s e'917gpRfir O R A N G E COUNT Y Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park Phase V - continuing through June 2022 Phase VI - June 2021 through June 2023 9 10 PHASE V1 o MACARTHUR BLVD 3 AVOCADO AVENUE CIVIC GREEN 10 15-8 SELECTION CRITERIA: Artistic Merit: • Artwork is of high-quality and demonstrative of originality and artistic excellence • Artist has strong professional qualifications Durability: • The artwork is be made of high-quality materials which can withstand the natural outdoor elements of coastal Southern California • Artwork requires minimal to no maintenance Practicality: • Artwork is of appropriate subject matter for audiences of all ages • Artwork is safe and shall not exhibit unsafe conditions or factors that may bear on public liability Site appropriateness: • Artwork is suitable in scale to be seen in environment • Artwork is suitable for viewing from all angles rr 15-9 PUBLIC POLL SUMMARY: • 1,091 votes from 453 voters (Participants could vote for up to three favorite works.) • Poll was conducted online and was open from December 10, 2020 through January 10, 2021. • Poll was described to all users as non-binding, advisory input • All eligible and provisionally -eligible works were included — 59 in total • Poll was widely promoted by City and Arts Orange County via e-mail and social media. r s e'917gpRfir O R A N G E COUNT Y Talking Heads Oleg Lobykin (East Palo Alto, CA) Size: 18' x T-6" x T-6" Weight: 2,000 lbs. Medium: Stainless Steel Honorarium: $6,000 Jury Ranking: 1 Public Poll Ranking: 8 (tie) f4� Lobykin, Oleg. Talking Heads. Slide 2 of 2. 14 i NIL Fdy,S _ The Migration of My Dreams Marisabel Bazan (West Hollywood, CA) Size: 5 sculptures range in diameter from 3.5' - 6' Weight: 40 to 60 lbs. each Medium: Mixed Media on Metal Honorarium: $6,000 Jury Ranking: 2 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 1 (tie) ."M544 Nom' kW 4' { •aC •jam. ,. dFr ``♦�, / �• ; . „t1 � �...t, yt • � •.�. fit_ } `� , ~ ^a q t rTti �� �• •a , •� �� t' may. l �r 15-17 Bazan, Marisabel. The Migration of my dreams. Slide 2 of 2. Windows Chris O'Rourke (Las Vegas, NV) Size: 20'H x 10'W x 4'D Weight: 1,700 lbs. Medium: Stainless Metal Honorarium: $6,000 Jury Ranking: 2 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 14 AV OPP, .� O'Rourke, Chris. Windows. Slide 2 of 2. r r # S' 5 � til- 1 ��•-� , I I F � X5.1 r .__ L i I I I �_I•� I I• +l r F r Y •i!J' ~ ' t ��+ �,Y '•�' y + •ray - F ,�•-• ,/,�} . - � •�� }r 1f _ - %. _rte Y: _Y �S. _ -L *n, _ *4 i 4�_ �; , 4 v. , 1 5-r �FvR#, yy 'y M1�. I '+,I. }, �• 4 ' O'Rourke, Chris. Windows. Slide 2 of 2. Scorpion Colin Selig (Walnut Creek, CA) Size: 7' x 4' x 6' tall Weight: 650 lbs. Medium: Repurposed steel propane tanks Honorarium: $4,550 Jury Ranking: 2 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 29 (tie) A z Selig, Colin. Scorpion. Slide 2 of 2. Selig, Colin. Scorpion. Sli Visanil Roberto. (x)Ofm On/Ch1 dr£n. Slide I Of 2. « ~ .7 ~ 2 ®� ��4�•y 2 ���, Ab d« »< v < . \� - Visanil Roberto. (x)Ofm On/Ch1 dr£n. Slide I Of 2. - 9 - I `� — is ��..,:— J � • . '�%. .. A �y 7 JT ! r :.�. r � 4 � ter,: � _ �� • .. '� j '- _ - �,� . r.. , .�¢, � ,•. � - .mow iw 1.4 _To mv• �. �'I 1 P - �"� -'fir r �i ^„� tr, ij°°ix 5-2 Visani, Roberto. (x)ofmanychildren. Slide 2 of 2. 4rj P� 1 pry! -*.a aie�,� ..r Si � 4 L ry•lljll. _'S. _ +�• til .!+ til } .l •�, __ ' r• I• +F ''r• •�� YA .4 ` V, tc 1 i I# ■.. • v ` RMO A,pr NOF .x -t 44. Visani, Roberto. (x)ofmanychildren. Slide 2 of 2. Birdman Steven L. Rieman (Yucca Va I I ey, CA) Size: Maximum height is 17', maximum width is 13' Weight: 650 lbs. Medium: stainless steel, weathered steel, stone Honorarium: $3,350 Jury Ranking: 6 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 22 (tie) Rieman, Steven L. Birdman. Slide 2 of 2. -timet.. v„• _ -su •iia � ri Finish Line Ron Whitacre (Laguna Beach, CA) Size: 110 inches tall Weight: 125 lbs. Medium: Welded steel rod Honorarium: $5,500 Jury Ranking: 9 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 3 i2. Whitacre, Ron. Finish Line. Slide 2 of 2. Woodpeckers Michael McLaughlin (Torrington, CT) Size: 7' Tall Weight: 700 lbs. Medium: Bronze w/ Stone Base Honorarium: $6,000 Jury Ranking: 9 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 5 Y �i Mclaughlin, Michael. Woodpeckers. Slide 2 of 2. Rst R M; 10, A_ .. '- .tea•' � Y �i Mclaughlin, Michael. Woodpeckers. Slide 2 of 2. Mclaughlin, Michael. Woodpeckers. Slide 2 of 2. Suncrest Eino Romppanen (Pahrump, NV) Size: 11'w x 7'h x 2'd Weight: 10,000 lbs. Medium: Stone - Carrara marble Honorarium: $5,990 Jury Ranking: 9 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 24 iRARY ow 7maAiz k r•'ftl1?��4'•• •~ I Romppanen, Eino. Suncrest. Slide 2 of 2. L� - � . 1. � 'F _ �+• dOLt�yyaa W 40Y . , r f..i V Romppanen, Eino. Suncrest. Slide 2 of 2. Celestial Carousel Adrian Susnea Litman (Santa Rosa, CA) Size: 10' to 15' high (adjustable as required) x 8' wide x 8' deep Weight: 250 lbs. Medium: Stainless Steel Honorarium: $6,000 Jury Ranking: 12 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 13 AA 15-40 Susnea Litman, Adrian. Celestial Carousel. Slide 2 of 2. Susnea Litman, Adrian. Celestial Carousel. Slide 2 of 2. r s e'917gpRfir O R A N G E COUNT Y Leaf Spiral Ken McCall (Boise, ID) Size: 6" x 2' x 2' Weight: 75 lbs. Medium: Steel and Stainless Steel Honorarium: $5,500 Jury Ranking: 12 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 7 McCall, Ken. Leaf Spiral. Slide 2 of 2. Tranquil Lounger C. J. Rench (Hood River, OR) Size: 7.5 feet tall, 2 feet thick, 9 feet long Weight: n/a Medium: Mild steel and IPE wood seating area Honorarium: $5,000 Jury Ranking: 14 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 12 MI. M-bpp- f & ji Rench, C.J.. Tranquil Lounger. Slide 2 of 2. Anna Ilya Idelchik (San Diego, CA) Size: 36in. bottom diameter, 7ft 5 in. height Weight: 150 lbs. Medium: Metal structure, Metal mesh, copper tubes, sculpture resin, paint finish Honorarium: $6,000 Jury Ranking: 36 (tie) Public Poll Ranking: 42 (tie) i a- nwil rv.. rm Idelchik, Ilya. Anna. Slide 2 of 2.