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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-09-044 - Parking Garage Charles and Benton Public ArtREPORT REPORT TO: Community Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: August 10, 2009 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs & Services PREPARED BY: Cheryl York, Arts and Culture Coordinator, ext. 3381 WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 6 DATE OF REPORT: July 20, 2009 REPORT NO.: CSD-09-044 SUBJECT: PARKING GARAGE CHARLES AND BENTON PUBLIC ART RECOMMENDATION: That approval be given for the commission and installation of artwork titled “Pedestrian” by Ted Fullerton at the Charles and Benton Parking Garage; and, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorised to sign an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with Ted Fullerton regarding the obligations of the parking garage Charles and Benton commission. BACKGROUND: Under the City’s Public Art Policy (I-816), the new parking garage at Charles and Benton is eligible for a public art project. The inclusion of public art at the corner of Charles and Benton will enhance the street scaping improvements already underway at King and Frederick where, at Speaker’s Corner, public art will be installed this September. New urban design elements, the parking facility, landscaping and public art support the goal of promoting “pedestrian first” values downtown.The public art project will add yet another cultural element to the downtown experience, one that draws both residents and visitors to enjoy activities in the core. A two-stage competition was advertised in early spring, 2009. The deadline for the stage one expression of interest submissions was April 22, 2009. Nineteen expressions of interest were received. ïï ó ï REPORT: Selection Members of the jury were: Christina Weylie, Ward 6 Councillor John McBride, Director, Transportation Planning Donna Dolan, Project architect, Diamond + Schmitt Architects Inc. Patty Lynes, Landscape Architect/Urban Designer, Public Art Working Group member Paul Eichhorn, Artist Cathy Farwell, Artist Bernie Nimer, Downtown Advisory Committee member representative Elizabeth Amoneit Howie, General Manager, Walper Terrace Hotel, and Kitchener Business Improvement Area representative The jury met on April 30, 2009 to review the stage one submissions. Five 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 June 10, 2009 to hear the artists’ presentations and conduct interviews. A unanimous decision was made to recommend Ted Fullerton’s proposal “Pedestrian”. 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, 2009 to endorse the jury’s selection: “The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) endorse the jury’s selection of Ted Fullerton’s proposal, “Pedestrian” for the Charles Benton Parking Garage Public Art Competition.” Subsequently, staff worked with the artist, project manager and project architect to assess the feasibility of the design in more detail, covering issues such as materials, installation techniques and engineering specifications. With Council’s approval, the public art project will be treated in an encroachment agreement with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo (DTS Report 09-112) as two of the figures extend beyond the City property line. Concept Mr. Fullerton’s proposed site-specific sculpture installation ”Pedestrian”, is intended to respond directly, both visually and conceptually, to the goal of promoting pedestrian first values. The artist’s objectives with “Pedestrian” are to: Create an inspiring personal experience for the viewer Inspire awe in young and old alike Inspire optimism, aspiration and possibilities Signify place and identify the purpose of the garage in a downtown shopping and services environment Symbolize the importance of independent individual purpose through the position and expression of the figures in mid-stride ïï ó î The proposed artwork will consist of seven “people” walking in stride. The figures will be slightly larger than life-size. Six of them will be mounted on the building’s exterior from second storey to fourth storey levels. The seventh figure will be installed at street level near the Benton Street entrance. Lighting to illuminate the figures positioned on the building at night will enhance the installation and act as a building identifier. The wall-mounted figures will be dramatically lit from below. The figures on the roof of the retail space will be illuminated from a 30-degree horizontal angle from behind the figures emphasizing and suggesting a “progression” of movement. The bronze figure at ground level will be lit from the ledge area above. All figures will have a dark brown/oxidized green patination coated with a foundry wax that will act as a visual compliment to the red/brown brick façade. The figures that will be mounted on the building will be cold cast in polyester resin and reinforced fibreglass. The street-level figure will be cast bronze. (See illustration of maquette – “Appendix A”) Timeframe The installation of the artwork will occur towards the end of the building’s construction period with completion in the spring of 2010. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Consistent with the City’s Public Art Policy (I-816), the public art project budget is $90,000. $85,000 is provided for the commissioned art work and $5,000 allocated for signage and administrative costs. COMMUNICATIONS: The project is guided by public art principles that 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, Ted Fullerton. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, General Manager Community Services ïï ó í APPENDIX “A” – Photograph of “Pedestrian” maquette ïï ó ì