HomeMy WebLinkAboutDSD-19-042 - Artist-in-Residence CommissionREPORT TO:Community and InfrastructureServices Committee
DATE OF MEETING:March 18, 2019
SUBMITTED BY:Cory Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development,
519-741-2200 ext. 7065
PREPARED BY:Karoline Varin, Program Administrator, Arts & Creative Industries,
519-741-2200 ext. 7912
WARD (S) INVOLVED:All
DATE OF REPORT:January20, 2019
REPORT NO.:DSD-19-042
SUBJECT:Artist-in-Residence Commission
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
-in-
Residence, Julie Sperling be approved; and further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the Artist-in-Residence 2017
Commission Agreement with Julie Sperling ina form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.
BACKGROUND:
Since 1995, the Artist-in-Residence has customarily developed a proposal for a commissioned
Link: Learn more about the City of Kitchener's Artist in Residence program
These art works have been installed in the public areas of city hall and in various city-owned
facilities such as community centres. The works reflect the creative work done by the artist during
theirterm of appointment. The majority are two-dimensional works of painting, photography or
prints. There are a few sculptural works as well.
Julie Sperling was appointed by Council to be the 2017 Artist in Residence (CAO-17-006).Her
year-long residencywas titled Climate in Pieces: From Art to Action. As part of the annual
program, a commission proposal can be considered by the Public Art Working Group as
described in this report.
REPORT:
Julie Sperling is a mosaicist who sees herself as camped out at the intersection of art,
environment, science, and policy. She believes that artists hold important roles as advocates,
activists, and change-makers. Since 2014, she has beencreating an ongoing series of
mosaics with a focus on environmental sustainability.
mosaicist Artist-in-Residence and provided an opportunityfor the communityto learn about
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this art form. By exploring the environment through art, the artist created a forum for the
community to talk about local initiatives such as transit, local food and storm water.
Through a series of workshops, residents were invited to come and learn about these topics
and then to commit to taking one simple action in their daily lives to help combat climate
change. To symbolize this commitment, Julie taught the workshop participantsto make a small
mosaictileillustratingthe action they would take.There was a diverseselection of actions
presented, from hanging laundry to dry,toleaving the car at home once a week, eating more
local food, or making a rain garden.inal
project,:a large, triptych mosaic representingKitchener
llective commitment to reducing their environmental footprint. Many of the
materials used in the artworkwere donated, found or recycled. Juliehopes that thoseviewing
the artworkwill beinspirited by the diverse commitments Kitchener residents have made in an
effort to reduce their negative impact on the environment.The triptych was displayed during a
month-long exhibition in December 2017, at the Berlin Tower Artspace at City Hall. It has
th
subsequently been displayed on the 6floor of City Hall where visitors can appreciate its
connection to place and environment.The permanent location of Baselinewill be at the
Kitchener Market, a busy public spaceensuring maximum visibility. The Kitchener Market is
an ideal location for this work, as the residency project and this artwork explores the impact of
food choices on sustainability and importance of local food systems.
The Public Art Working Group (PAWG) supported the acquisition of this commissioned work at
its meeting held on April 9, 2018
Advisory Committee (ACAC) for further support which it receivedFebruary 19, 2019: as
follows: -in-
the delivery of core service.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The commission is funded through the existing Arts and Creative Industries budget. Specifically
the commission fee is $2000, funded by the Public Arts Trust Fund.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
INFORM
council / committee meeting.
COLLABORATE The Artist inResidence program requires the artist to offer a program with
meaningful opportunities for community engagement. Julie took part in city events across
Kitchener, held public mosaic making demonstrations and workshops, delivered a lecture and
led communitymembers on a bike tour to forage for materials to incorporate into the artwork.
Additionally, PAWG and ACAC provide oversight of the Artist in Residence program.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Justin Readman, General Manager,Development Services
Department
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