HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-08-073 - King St Master Plan Public Art1
R
Community Services
REPORT
Report To: Community Services Committee
Date of Meeting: October 20, 2008
Submitted By: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and
Services
Prepared By: Cheryl York, Arts & Culture Coordinator (ext. 3381)
Wards) Involved: Ward 6
Date of Report: October 8, 2008
Report No.: CSD - 08 - 073
Subject: KING STREET MASTER PLAN PUBLIC ART
RECOMMENDATION:
That approval be given for the commission and installation of artwork titled "Relocation
& Transformation of Memory" by Allan MacKay at Speaker's Corner; and further,
That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to sign an agreement, satisfactory to the
City Solicitor, with Allan MacKay regarding the obligations of the Speaker's Corner
commission.
BACKGROUND:
A goal of the Downtown King Street (Frederick to Francis Streets) Master Plan project was to
reconstruct King Street as a lively and attractive destination and neighbourhood through high
quality urban design. One objective of the "Pedestrian First" design standard was to include
public art in the project. The preferred site for public art, Speaker's Corner, was identified by the
steering committee due to its gateway position at the intersection of King and Frederick Streets.
The site also provided enough space for the installation of a major artwork.
A two-stage competition was advertised in early spring, 2008. The deadline for stage one
expression of interest submissions was March 7, 2008. Twenty-three expressions of interest
were received.
REPORT:
Selection
Members of the public art jury included the following stakeholders:
• Fine arts professional
• Public Art Working Group member
Report No. CSD-08-073 Page 2
• Downtown Advisory Committee member
• Kitchener Downtown Business Association member
• IBI Group
• City landscape architect
• Ward Councillor
The jury met on March 19, 2008 to review the stage one submissions. Four artist/artist teams
were short-listed to proceed to the second stage of the competition. They were required to
prepare detailed concept proposals and models (maquettes). Honouraria ($700) were provided
to assist the artists in covering the costs associated with these preparations. The jury met again
on May 29, 2008 to hear the artists' presentations and conduct interviews. The jury postponed
making a decision pending a second interview with one of the semi-finalists, Allan MacKay. In
preparation for this second interview, the jury compiled a list of questions for Mr. MacKay which
were sent to him ahead of time.
On July 9, 2008 the jury reconvened. After an extensive second interview and examination of
the artist's proposal, a unanimous decision was made to recommend his proposal "Relocation
and Transformation of Memory". The jury's recommendation is fully supported by the Public Art
Working Group and Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, who made the following motion on
July 22, 2008 to endorse the jury's selection:
"The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee supports the selection of Allan MacKay's
public art concept "Relocation and Transformation of Memory" for the redeveloped
Speaker's Corner. "
Subsequently, staff worked with the artist and IBI Group to assess the feasibility of the design
in more detail, covering issues such as materials, techniques and engineering specifications.
Conce t
Mr. MacKay's "Relocation and Transformation of Memory" is a three-part installation to be sited
at Speaker's Corner. The artwork uses two images based on photographs of the site as it
appeared in May 2008. The key sculptural component combines these images and
mathematical principles to produce a work of perspective called anamorphic art. First
popularized in the 16th and 17th centuries, anamorphic art creates visual illusions to entertain
and delight viewers.
Components of the sculpture area 13' diameter paved circle (ceramic tile) and a central 8' pillar
of highly polished stainless steel. The photographic images are fired into the tiles for
permanence. While the images appear distorted at ground level, when viewed at an angle in the
reflecting cylinder, they become recognizable.
In addition, the granite-clad walls at either end of the park will be engraved with text and design
motifs that echo the central sculpture element.
The installation will provide our new "Pedestrian First" downtown with an intriguing, interactive
and unique public artwork at Speaker's Corner.
Report No. CSD-08-073 Page 3
Additional Potential Public Art on Kinq Street
The steering committee also identified the significance of the Queen/King intersection as a
potential site for public art given the history of the "Royal Crossroads" in Kitchener's past. The
King/Queen intersection as a second public art location was noted on the drawings although no
further action has been taken on the initiative to date.
Following a future report to Council regarding the King Street re-construction budget, the project
steering committee will explore additional public art opportunities based on any additional
resources that may be available through that approved budget.
Timeframe
The installation of the artwork will occur towards the end of the park reconstruction period with
completion in the fall of 2009.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Consistent with the City's Percent for Art Policy (I-650), $100,000 has been allocated to capital
account 636063 from the Downtown King Street construction budget. The inclusive artist's fee is
$80,000 with the remaining funds to be used for administration, installation and contingency
purposes.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The Downtown King Street public art project is guided by the principles detailed in the City's
public art policies. These principles guarantee a fair and public process. An open call for
expressions of interest was advertised in print and electronic media. Ongoing co-operation of
staff from various departments and the participation of many people from our community on the
jury and advisory committees contribute to the communication standards of the City's public art
projects. A media release will announce Council's approval of the selected winning artist, Allan
MacKay.
Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services