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10-28-2009 (Public Arts Advisory) Minutes Public Art — Founder's Park Art Selection Panel CITY OF WYLIE Minutes Special Called Panel Meeting October 28, 2009 — 6:30 p.m. Wylie Municipal Complex City Council Chambers/Council Conference Room 2000 Highway 78 North CALL TO ORDER Announce the presence of a Quorum. The meeting was called to order at 6:40 p.m. Staff liaison Ehrlich reported that board member Terry LeGrand had not responded to the e-mails and letters regarding the meeting timeline. Founder's Park panel members present were: Bill Nelson, Charles Flesch, Anne Hiney, Suzanne McCord, and Ashley Burt. Pam Wells and Mike Rutan were absent. Francois De Kock, Principal Architect for Founder's Park was present as an advisory member. Board liaison Ehrlich reported that Terry LeGrand had requested to be taken off of the panel due to other commitments. Special guests included Councilman Carter Porter, Councilwoman (PAAB Board member) Kathy Spillyards, PAAB Chair, Stewart Matthews, PAAB member Erin Dougherty, Sharon Leeber, Founder's Park Art Project Consultant and artists Ellwood Risk and Josh Garber. Staff present included Carole Ehrlich, Art Liaison and City Secretary. PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION ITEMS ❑ Presentation and Review of the Semi-Finalists for the Public Art CIP Project for Founder's Park. (C. Ehrlich, Board Liaison and Art Consultant, Sharon Leeber) Staff Comments Carole Ehrlich, PAAB Liaison addressed the selection panel and guests and welcomed them to the second meeting of the Founder's Park Selection Panel. She reported that on October 12, 2009 the panel met to review the artist submissions for the Call for Artists for Founder's Park CIP Art Project. The selection panel narrowed the artists, by unanimous vote, to three semi-finalists. These included Bosmat Niron, Ellwood Risk and Josh Garber. These three artists were asked to provide additional presentations for the panel at their next meeting on October 28th to allow the panel to rank the artists by first choice, second choice and third choice. All artists were invited to attend the meeting and present in person or submit by mail their additional presentations. Ehrlich reported that two of the artists were present for the meeting to present their maquettes. She noted that each had been informed that the meeting was public and they had the option to stay both through the presentation programs and the overall discussion and action taken by the panel. Both artists were going to remain for the presentations but opted to leave during the discussion and selections by the panel. Josh Garber Presentation Sharon Leeber introduced Josh Garber stating that he was born in London, ON and attended Camberwell School of Art, London, EN in 1985. He earned his B.F.A. from New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University Banff Centre of fine Arts, Banff, AB in 1986 and attended Banff Centre of Fine Arts, Banff, AB, Alfred NY in 1986- 87. Mr. Garber presented his maquette stating that he had been commissioned for public art projects in many cities including the cities of Chicago, Seattle, Cincinnati, Lincolnwood, and Phoenix. He also has commissioned work at the University of Wisconsin and the Chicago Transit authority. He explained that the process used for his art is abstract yet accessible to the public. It is a combination of powder brushed paint materials that will stand the exterior elements. The only maintenance needed would be periodic spray cleaning with soap and water. He stated that his designs will stand the test of time with each person having a different impression of what is presented within the work. Mr. Garber answered questions from the panel regarding the stability and flexibility of the art both visually and structurally. The panel thanked Mr. Garber for taking the time to create the maquette and coming from Chicago to present his work in person. Bosmat Niron Presentation Ms. Leeber introduced visual proposals of Bosmat Niron's work for the Founder's Park Project. She explained that after direction from the October 12, 2009 panel meeting Ms. Niron had changed the bicyclists to be one male and one female to include all participants at the park. Panel member voiced positive comments regarding the work and the relation to the work to children. The panel asked questions regarding the availability of the artist with regard to travel from her home country of Israel. Ms. Leeber reported that the artist had confirmed that she would be present through collaboration and fabrication with her structural engineer. Panel members voiced concerns regarding permits and other items that would be needed in regard to an engineer that was certified to perform work in the U. S. Ms. Leeber replied that she would be required to hire an engineer that could work with them to insure proper procedures were followed. Ellwood Risk Presentation Ms. Leeber introduced Ellwood Risk. She reported that Mr. Risk's studio was in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Risk presented a maquette that stacked peddle cars on a base that would stand approximately 12 feet high. He reported that the colors for each car would be different giving interest from all sides and heights. He explained that a 4 inch Square Steel Post running the 12 foot height from the center of the concrete pad would securely hold the finished art in place. The post would actually be 15 feet in actual height with a 3 feet anchored through the center of the pad and into the ground below for additional strength. Mr. Risk explained that the post would then serve as a loading arm for the cars which would be stacked, one on top of the other over the post which would run through the center of each car. When completed, you would not see the post at all as it would run through the center of the entire structure. The cars would be arranged in various orientations as they are lowered over the post. Each one, once properly situated, would be welded in place to the post. This will secure each car in place nicely. Mr. Risk stated that "for me, the idea of a sight specific installation makes the most sense". He explained that working the piece on site will directly influence the assemblage of the cars and in the end serve as a nice reflection of how the surrounding area informed the overall approach to the sculpture itself. Panel members asked Mr. Risk what the conditions of the cars would be in five years time. Would the paint withstand the exterior weather? Mr. Risk replied that over time the paints would deteriorate and the cars would become rusted without paint and sealant replacement. He suggested leaving the cars naturally weathered with the colors changing; then at some point when optimum oxidation and preferable color was met to seal the cars. He noted that unlike powder coat painting, the paint materials used on the peddle cars would oxidize over time. October 28,2009 Wylie Founder's Park Selection Panel Page 2 of 3 0.,016 BUSINESS ITEMS 1. Consider and act upon 2-3 semi-finalists to prepare presentations for the panel for ranking and recommendation to the Public Arts Advisory Board for Founder's Park CIP Art Project. (C. Ehrlich, PAAB staff liaison, Sharon Leeber, Art Consultant) Board liaison Ehrlich addressed the selection panel stating that the board has seen and reviewed all artists submitting for the Founder's Park Project and heard comments from Art Consultant Sharon Leeber and members of the panel. The panel is asked to pare the submissions to 2-3 semi-finalists These semi-finalists will make presentations to the selection panel on October 21, 2009 to assist the panel in ranking the semi-finalists for presentation to the Public Arts Advisory Board on October 29, 2009. Once the PAAB members have approved the first ranked finalist, the artist will be asked to collaborate with parks staff for the "final art design". The final design will be presented to the arts board for recommendation to the Wylie City Council along with a contract commissioning the art sometime in December 09/January 2010 Panel members asked questions concerning each artist and reviewed again some of their previous work. Art consultant Leeber then introduced general proposals that some of the artists had submitted with their call; she noted these proposals would not be the final design but only an idea of the art and scope of art they could create. Once the panel members had reviewed the proposals, each gave their opinions of the artist's previous work and commented on their art in relation to the art site. The members then narrowed the artists to six finalists who included: Josh Barber, Terrance Karpowicz, Cecilia Leuza, Bosmat Niron, Michelle O'Michael, and Ellwood Risk. .�-- The six artists above were discussed and a second narrowing of artists was made. Panel Action A motion was made by panel member Anne Hiney, seconded by panel member Pam Wells to select the three finalists in no order of ranking: Ellwood Risk, Josh Garber, and Bosmat Niron. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. ADJOURNMENT Panel Action A motion was made by panel member Bill Nelson, seconded by Anne Hiney to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 p.m. A vote was taken and the motion passed unanimously. Carole Ehrlich, taff Liaison/Secretary October 12,2009 Wylie Founder's Park Selection Panel Page 2 of 2