HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-11-123 City Centre Public Art -. pdf1
KITCx~i~~R
Staff Re ort
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Camm unity Services Departm ent
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REPORT T0: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: September 12, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and
Services Ext
PREPARED BY: Cheryl York, Arts/Culture Co-ordinator Ext 3381
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 10
DATE OF REPORT: August 24, 2011
REPORT NO.: CSD-11-123
SUBJECT: City Centre Public Art
RECOMMENDATION:
That the commission and installation of art work at City Centre Courtyard, titled "Shaping
Residency", be approved; and,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorised to execute an agreement, satisfactory to the City
Solicitor, with Stephen Cruise outlining the obligations of the public art commission.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Kitchener's public art program installs site-specific works of art at newly constructed
facilities such as libraries, community centres, fire stations, parking garages, and other civic
buildings to which the public has access. These art works, to date, have been permanent
installations, in a wide variety of styles and materials with a preference for innovation,
responsiveness to the site and public engagement, as well as low-maintenance and durability.
The City Centre Courtyard project is eligible for public art through the City of Kitchener's public
art/percent for art program, guided by Public Art Policy I-816.
To service downtown Kitchener and the new City Centre condominium, Andrin developers with
its team (Quadrangle Architects and Terraplan Landscape Architects) have included abelow -
ground, three level parking facility. The City will own the top level of the parking facility. This
portion of the garage's construction budget has generated a contribution to public art at 1%
($80, 000) .
Andrin contracted Terraplan Landscape Architects to design a courtyard park area above the
parking structure at ground-level relative to Duke Street. Public access to this courtyard occurs
at three locations from King Street, Young Street and Duke Street. The area functions as a
green space for City Centre residents, however it is conceived mainly as a pedestrian pass-
through for the general public, and also provides access for utilities, maintenance and garbage
removal. Privacy features prevent residential properties from being compromised. The area is
planted with low-maintenance trees and shrubs. The enclosed exit stairwell from the parking
garage is a feature of the space.
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Staff Report
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REPORT:
Competition
A two-stage invitational competition was announced in February 2011. Several experienced
senior artists were invited to compete. The first stage jury meeting in March resulted in three
proposals being short-listed. The artists were then asked to prepare detailed proposals with
budgets. The jury met for the second time on May 18, 2011 to hear the artists' presentations.
Stephen Cruise's proposal titled "Shaping Residency" was selected. The jurors were: Anne
Marchildon, Andrin; Matthew Bernstein, Terraplan; Mark Garner, Downtown BIA; Councillor Dan
Glenn-Graham; Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development, John McBride,
Director Transportation Planning; Rick Haldenby, University of Waterloo School of Architecture;
Robert Achtemichuk, professional artist; Paul Roorda, professional artist and chair of the Public
Art Working Group. The selection was supported by the Public Art Working Group on June 13,
2011 and by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee on June 21, 2011.
Concept and Location
Artist Stephen Cruise was inspired by fraktur drawings and paintings in his private collection.
Fraktur was an art form practiced by the Pennsylvania Dutch in the 18t" and 19t" centuries.
Locally, Anna Weber is one of the best-known practitioners of this form. In 1824 Anna moved
with her family to Waterloo County where the family established a farmstead on the banks of the
Conestogo River. Over eighty of her pictures have been found in the homes of descendants
with whom she lived after her parents' death.
Mr. Cruise utilized the motif of two birds facing each other to design sculptures for the roof of the
stairwell exit. The painted fibreglass sculptures will be 12.5' long and 6' high. The artist will work
with the landscape architect to determine the best locations and positioning for the sculptures
and ensure they become an integrated feature. Using the nesting-pair-of-birds motif, the
concept makes a link with the nest-like ambience of the courtyard and the residential nature of
the development.
See the attached "Appendix A"for the detailed proposal.
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Installation
The Andrin development is planned to proceed in stages with the installation of public art
estimated to happen in 2015. It was important to have the public art requirements known at an
early date to accommodate any structural or design changes that could be required.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
• The public art program and its various projects contribute to Kitchener's "Quality of Life"
in making our public spaces stimulating and beautiful, showing pride in our community
and providing easy access to arts and culture.
• The process for public art projects includes fair, public processes that ensure
accountability - "Efficient and Effective Government".
• The public art program is designed to offer opportunities for public participation on many
levels including artists' competitions, juries, committee support, and installations in
accessible public places - "Leadership and Engagement".
• The City also acknowledges arts and culture as a factor critical to the health of the
community through support for the goals and objectives of Culture Plan II.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The one percent allocation for public art at City Centre is $80,000. The art work commission is
$75,000 with $5,000 reserved for lighting and installation. Installation and lighting costs may be
mitigated by having the art work installed during the construction of the park rather than after it
has been completed.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The processes of the City's public art program include:
• Advertised, public call for proposals;
• Local citizens and visual arts professionals on jury;
• Public Art Working Group monitors the public art program and its various projects;
• Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and Public Art Working Group endorse the jury
selection.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services Department
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City of Kitchener
City Centre Park
Public Art
Project
shaping Residency
(a working title)
2011
Stephen
Cruise
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P~u~~fic ~lrt Project
+City Centre Park
K~~cher~~r
~r~tar~ia
shaping Residency
2oli
Stephen Cruise
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A) Proposal Summary
B) Proposal Description
- notes on shaping Residency: a working title...
C) Project Schedule
D) Maintenance\Conservation
E) Budget
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Public Art project
City Centre Park
Kitchener
Ontario
~ -shaping Residency: x~ working titlE° zoii
The proposed work is a direct response to the
physical setting of the City Centre Park -the position
of the adjacent buildings and the desire to establish
an engaged r~l~ti~nship that ~~rv~~ both public and
residing communities.
Twin BIRDS are positioned atop the central Par~C
structure (entry\exit to the underground parking),
aligned to both display acknowledgement of the
other as well as exhibit an enduring presence and
interaction with the viewing public. Their scale and
installation ensure immediate recognition and
engagement from all perspectives.
The nature(s) of the elements apt to animate the
surrounding environment and establish a prominent
signature for the City Centre Park, the City Centre
development and the citizenry of Kitchener.
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shaping Residency: ~ working titlE zo~~
The formulation of an integrated site-work for the City C~~nt~e Perk
has at its genesis a homage to the local folk tradition of fr~~t~r~
From this begin, the direction has been to maintain the significance of
asite-sensitive work that reveals, through a continuing ,presence, a
personal engagement with its diverse residents and observers,
The specific nature of the site offers repeated gatherings to explored
share aspects of history and setting through an artwork with notions of
transformation and interconnectivity with the environment. The
ab,~ective has been to develop a work that continually engages this
setting Urith sculptural components that enhance the Park perimeters,
the intended pedestrian flow through the space and those who viii
reside here - a work that envelopes the locale and creates dialogue
within the viewer=
The selection of the bird models have evolved from a begin of two
finches symbols of happiness good luck} to a study of the avian
populations of the l~itchener area. They are a prominent feature within
the ~ral~ta~r drawing tradition that was present within the founding
communities of the Waterloo region in the ~8gg's.
The artwork has specifically selected the central Parr structure in order
for the work to exhibit and maintain a resonating ex~~perience over
time... a signature work that will continue to address both residing and
passing public... the creation of a living artwork that informs and
transforms its habitat...
l~pon arrival to the City C~~t~e Perk, the respensibilities of the art
elements is not to provide a static display but rather be a sustained
experience that embraces each visit~each encounter. The witness is
captivated in an exchange that manifests itself immediately and
remains connected to continuing voices of an historical echo and a
contemporary embrace of our natural habitat,
Look forward to this specific opportunity of working with the
design team and landscape architect to fully integrate the work within
the site, to create a meeting place that embodies an ever-present
commitment to our nature... an infused site... an unfolding location of
presence, welcoming and attend' dance.
respectfully,
,r
`~ t
~~~.
Stephen guise
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pl.~.~} ~~8 email t ste hencrui~e s m atico.ca
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B - Description of Elements
1) a) East and West Birds
each: I.: 3.81m (12.5 ft.)
w: 1.52m (5 ft.)
ht.: 1.82m (6 ft.)
wt.: 800 to 1000 Ibs.
Material:
Fibreglass
~tc~l ar~atur~ (ruse pr~tee~e~)
MAP paints (Matthews Acrylic Polyurethane)
!~!l clear ~retective ~vercoati^g~ (3 layer)
Colour: poly-chromed
Fini~h~ sm~Qth
Birds:
- models of the Bird elements are made by the artist and
supplied to the fabricator:
Great Lakes Scenic Studios, Burlingtion ON
-the models are enlarged to full size, molds are formed,
layered with fiberglass.
- based on a structural engineer's recommendation, asteel
armature is embedded along with all anchoring hardware.
-both BIRDS are scenically painted with Matthews Acrylic
Pofyur~t~i~r~~ p~ihts end then ~ i~y~r~ or Uri r~~is~~nt pr~t~~~iv~
clear coats are applied (matte finish) (for both paints please see
tech. skits.).
- birds will have glass eyes -they provide a heightened
`live' presence to both ~~~~ ~irc! ~~d west ~6rd.
- all aspects of the fabrication would be conducted under
the s~pervisi~.n. ~f the artist,
- once complete and upon inspection by the artist, they will
be crated and transported to the site.
Installation will occur with the approval of the Project Manager
and under the supervision of the artist.
2) Anchoring of the Birds:
The anchoring required for both elements would follow the
recommendations of the structural engineer taking into account
the nature of their fabrication and weight. each BIRD would be
secured to the roof of the Parking Entrance\Exit Structure.
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~) ~~3r~~~~g:
It is imagined that available lighting on site would be
suffici~n~ to provide fcr general i!lur~inat;on. ,any l;ght~ that could
be directed to the Bird elements would further enhance their
impact. The lighting ~r~ulc! serve to transform the ~1ay imRressiQn
of the artwork into a play of light and shadow at night.
C -Project Schedule
Fabrication of the artwork would commence once all
artist design drawings of the elements and stamped engineer
drawings were approved.
Ynstallation o~ the artwork would be co-ordinated with
the construction schedule on site.
Ali aspects of the rabrication\ installation of the artwork are
under the supervision of the artist.
D - Maintenance\Conservation
Imagined maintenance of the artwork would be minimal in
that the materials of choice were selected specifically for their
proven ability to withstand the conditions encountered in an
outdoor setting. The base coats and multiple outer clear coatings
are UV resistance.
The ~9rd ~l~~~n~~ may need ~I~ani~g if aver time there i~
any accumulated dust etc. that might distract\cloud the surfaces.
From past Axperience, annual rainfall\sn~v~~ sArves for the most
part in keeping the surface clean. The use of a water hose and its
~pr~y would ke~~ the ~urfac~ free from de~ri~,
After a period of 4 to 5 years it is recommended to re-apply
the outer clear coat.
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~~Ty CE~lT~E ~~~~
Public Art. Project
Kitchener, 4nterio, ~C~nada
BU~GfT
5~1~p1r~~ R~'Sid~n~y 2011
2 BIRDS
Iater~al F fibreglass
Colour: poly-chrome
Finish: smooth
2 BIRDS:
Each i.. 3.81 m ~~l ~.~ ft.~ w..1.5~m ~~ ft.~ ht.: ~ .8~r~ ~~ ft.l
Approximate weight of each BIRD; boo -1000 Ibs.
includes anchoring hardware and delivery to site} 4~,~00,
Fabricator: Great fakes Scenic Studios
105 Northside ~d., Burlington oN
Enlargernentof models tofull size, fiberglass with steel
armature and all necessary hardware, scenically painted
~wlMatthews Acrylic Roiyurethane paints, U11 clear-coated
see tech. shts.}and custom blown-glass eyes.
engineer fee ~,~~~.
Contingency ~30~0,
artist fee
fall relevant drawings pertaining to the artwork,
creation of models, delivery of models to fabricator.
Supervision of fabrication and install} ~ ~i,U~O,
Maintenance manual
with photo documentation of project 1,000,
Sub~Total ~~,3~6~.
Tax (HST) ~,63~,
Total: ~~,OOO.
As stated in the RFC, the installation of the artworl~ will be impiernented and paid
for by the City. The estimated install of the ~ Birds quoted from the fabricator} is
between ~,ooo and ~,ooo.
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