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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/12/2015 - City Arts Commission - 07 Staff Report Replacement of Sphere 112 SculptureABSTRACT: Sphere 112 is one of the works featured in Phase 1 of the Inaugural Newport Beach Civic Center Park Sculpture Exhibition. Because of issues with oxidization resulting from Newport Beach’s coastal environment, the City Arts Commission authorized artist Ivan McLean to fabricate a replacement piece from a more durable marine grade stainless steel. Staff proposes that the City Arts Commission authorize the use of the Lenahan Estate fund to pay for the installation of the replacement piece, rather than funds set aside for the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Arts Commission authorize the use of the Lenahan Estate funds for the installation of a replacement piece for Sphere 112. FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Installation costs are estimated at $1,000.00, and will be expensed from Account No. 0106053-841015, “Lenahan Estate Fund”. DISCUSSION: Sphere 112, by Ivan McLean (see ATTACHMENT A), is one of the works featured in Phase 1 of the Inaugural Newport Beach Civic Center Park Sculpture Exhibition. The piece was named for the size of its diameter, 112 inches. Mr. McLean assembled the piece from stainless steel rods of various shapes and sizes selected randomly and welded together. Currently installed adjacent to Avocado Avenue just north of the intersection with San Miguel Drive, Sphere 112 was voted as the People’s Choice for best sculpture at the Grand Opening of the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park on September 13, 2014. Mr. McLean has many examples of public and private art on display throughout the country. Of concern, however, is the durability of the piece in Newport Beach’s coastal environment. Cursory inspection reveals that the piece has oxidization present where the stainless steel rods are welded together as well as some oxidation on the rods themselves (see ATTACHMENT B). Discussions with the sculptor, Ivan McLean, indicate that Sphere 112 was fabricated from 304 grade stainless steel which is durable in most situations but does not fare well in a corrosive marine environment. Mr. McLean also TO: Newport Beach City Arts Commission FROM: Library Services Department Tim Hetherton, Library Services Director 949-717-3810, thetherton@newportbeachca.gov PREPARED BY: Tim Hetherton TITLE: Replacement of Sphere 112 Sculpture thinks that the oxidization at the weld joints is a result of contamination in the finishing process. In response to this concern, the City Arts Commission in March 2015 agreed to authorize Mr. McLean to create a replacement piece for Sphere 112 with a similar piece fabricated from the more durable marine-grade 316 stainless steel. Dave Aeppli of display, who installed the Phase 1 sculptures in the Civic Center Park, estimates installation costs at $1,000.00. Staff initially recommended that the funds required to ship and install the replacement piece be drawn from Account No. 4002-8080, “Professional Services”. However, staff considers the use of funds from the Lenahan Estate to be more appropriate in this situation. The Lenahan Estate stipulates that the fund may be utilized by the City, after recommendation from the City Arts Commission, for arts related matters for or relating to the City but not for regular operational costs of the City Arts Commission or the City. The “Professional Services” funds are primarily designated for the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park project, but these funds are targeted for project management, artist honorariums, and installation. Staff recommends careful management of this budget in order to retain suitable funds to handle the operational costs of the project. The Lenahan Estate fund is an important source of funds for special contingencies as the Cultural Arts Division has no budget set aside for maintenance or repair of art. The Newport Beach Arts Foundation, upon City Arts Commission approval, has expressed interest in purchasing Sphere 112 and donating it to the City. Installing a replacement piece constructed from site appropriate marine grade stainless steel will provide an opportunity for the Arts Foundation to see how the sculpture fares in our coastal environment before making a final purchase. NOTICING: This agenda item has been noticed according to the Brown Act (72 hours in advance of the meeting at which the City Arts Commission considers the item).