HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-12-016 - Kitchener Pinhole Solargraphy ProjectKITC~HENEI~
Staff Rep~ri~
CAOs dice
www.kitchenerca
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: April 16, 2012
SUBMITTED BY: Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development
519 741-2506
PREPARED BY: Hilary Abel, Downtown Marketing & Program Coordinator,
Economic Development 519 741-3400 Ext 3445
WARD(S) INVOLVED: 9-10
DATE OF REPORT: April 4, 2012
REPORT NO.: CAO-12-016
SUBJECT: Kitchener Pinhole Solargraphy Project by Nik Harron
RECOMMENDATION:
The staff support Mr. Nik Harron's proposed Pinhole Solargraphy Project,
capturing 20 images of Downtown Kitchener landmarks;
• and, that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with Nik
Harron, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, such agreement encompassing the terms
set out in report CAO-12-016.
BACKGROUND:
Kitchener Pinhole Solargraphy Project
Solargraphy is a genre of pinhole camera photography that captures the seasonally changing
path of the sun in the sky using exposures lasting months to years. Due to the long exposure
times, only stationary objects (ex. buildings) are captured. Local artist Nik Harron is planning to
document key landmarks in the City of Kitchener Downtown area over the course of 6 months,
as follows:
• Lightweight and durable pinhole cameras constructed from modified paint cans will be
securely mounted to light standards or City facilities within downtown Kitchener. They
will be positioned to capture the path of the sun, while including instantly recognizable
buildings and structures which provide contemporary and historical context;
• Upon completion of the image capture (6 months), an extremely wide angle negative
image is produced in colour, on the surface of the photographic paper.
• The artist will provide the City with digital versions of the produced images, licensed for
the City's use.
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REPORT:
The Kitchener Pinhole Solargraphy Project is an opportunity to document major landmarks
during the 100t" anniversary year. This collection of images could be used in a Sky Gallery
exhibit on the CUBE in 2013, and could be considered for a future Berlin Tower ARTSPACE
exhibit. The final images could also be used by The City of Kitchener for marketing & promotion
of the Downtown, Victoria Park, etc.
Staff have reviewed Mr. Harron's proposal and are supportive of the project, provided he enters
into aCity-Artist agreement that identifies the following:
- Mr. Harron must apply for 2 work permits (initial camera installation -June 21 /camera take
down -Dec 21, 2012);
- Mr. Harron must supply documentation that he has insurance for up to $2 Million in
personal liability;
- Mr. Harron will work directly with Economic Development and Transportation Planning to
identify up to 20 suitable poles for camera mounting (Ex. City-owned poles on City right-of-
ways), see attached appendix;
- Mr. Harron must repaint any scratches to the poles, upon completion of the project;
- Mr. Harron agrees not to publish, share or distribute any images that clearly identify any
person;
- Mr. Harron agrees to provide the City with digital versions of all images; and,
- Economic Development will work with Mr. Harron to address any signage needs, relating to
this project, which may be mounted at various locations.
Staff support this project and will work directly with the artist through the planning and
implementation process.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Support of Nik Harron's Kitchener Pinhole Solargraphy Project demonstrates the City of
Kitchener's commitment to arts and culture as a factor critical to the health of the community, as
outlined in the Strategic Plan and Culture Plan II.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
City of Kitchener will cover costs associated with project signage, through existing budgets.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Social media and The City of Kitchener website will be used to tell the story of the project, as
well as answer any community questions about the Kitchener Pinhole Solargraphy Project.
Appropriate signage may be placed at camera locations, which provide both the artist's contact
information and a City staff contact.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development
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Kitchener Pinhole Solagraphy Project-Phase Two Locations
Each camera will be approximately 8-9 feet from the ground, with laminated signage taped at eye-level below each camera.
On standards that have banner mounting poles, the camera will be mounted above the banner hardware.
~f' Queen St, between Duke & Weber Jubilee Dr. Victoria Park
Black light standard facing Capturing the lake
_ = St. Peter's Lutheran
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Duke St. between Ontario & Young ,: ~ , Jubilee Dr. Victoria Park
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Capturing TD building Capturing bridge and trees
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,, ~~ Duke St. behind City Hall Ontario St. at King
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` ~' Capturing cube and TD building "`,~ Capturing TD building
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t~~~ Duke St. behind City Hall Victoria Park
~~
!~'~ Capturing Berlin Tower and Rotunda ~~ Capturing Clock Tower
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Victoria at Charles ~ Victoria Park
~ ~, Capturing the Tannery ~ t Capturing Clock Tower
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~~: Joeseph at Francis F King St. between Queen and
~ ~ Benton
Capturing smokestack behind the ~-
~L\~ ` Tanne ~ Capturing Market Square
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10th Floor Observation Deck Berlin Tower (not pictured)
Please note, all photographs show locations and include the
structures in the foreground to which the cameras will be mounted.
www.nikharron.com ~ @nikharron ~ nik@nikharron.com ~ 519.636.7612 ~ 24-A Eby St. N., Kitchener, ON N2H2V7
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