Title
Evaluation of Physical Art Proposals. The Public Art Commission will hold a public hearing to review, evaluate, and recommend awardees to City Council in response to the City’s Request for Proposals to provide public art funds for physical art in Alameda. The proposed physical public art installations are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures
Body
To: Honorable Chair and
Members of the Public Art Commission
From: Lois Butler
Economic Development Manager
Date: June 18, 2018
RE: Evaluation of Physical Art Proposals. The Public Art Commission will hold a public hearing to review, evaluate, and recommend awardees to City Council in response to the City’s Request for Proposals to provide public art funds for physical art in Alameda. The proposed physical public art installations are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures.
BACKGROUND
In September of 2017, the City of Alameda released a Request for Proposals (“RFP”) for $262,500 in physical public art in Alameda. Tonight the top-ranked proposals are before the Public Art Commission (PAC) for review and ranking. These proposals are the result of a years-long effort undertaken by the PAC and the Alameda arts community to release Public Art Fund (“Fund”) monies and bring new physical art to the City of Alameda.
Alameda Municipal Code Section 30-98 Public Art in New Commercial, Industrial, Residential and Municipal Construction (the "Ordinance”) requires that major development projects include on-site public art. The Ordinance also permits an applicant to pay a fee in lieu of providing the art on-site. Any in-lieu fees collected are deposited in the dedicated Fund. The Fund can then only be used by the City to provide or support public art.
A separate RFP was also issued for cultural arts and arts programming at the same time; the first round of grants from this RFP were awarded on April 17, 2018.
The Physical Art RFP (Exhibit 1) included five different award levels:
• One $150,000 award
• One $50,000 award
• Two $25,000 awards
• One $12,500 award
A total of 48 proposals were received in response to the RFP. The evaluation process for these proposals, as described in the approved RFP, includes three steps:
1. Staff pre-screening: All applications were pre-screened by City staff to ensure that they met the minimum qualifications. Qualified proposals had to:
a. Include all of the elements listed in the “Proposal Requirements” section.
b. Demonstrate project durability through the selection of materials appropriate to the project location and lifespan.
c. Include a proposed location that is publically accessible and within the City of Alameda.
2. Selection Panel Review: The Physical Art Selection Panel (the “Panel”) reviewed applications meeting the minimum requirements, and ranked them according to the selection criteria established in the RFP.
3. PAC Review: The PAC will review the top three finalists in each award category, and make recommendations to City Council to accept the PAC awardee recommendations and to allocate funds in all award categories.
On July 19, 2017, the PAC established a Panel for the physical art evaluation process. On January 3, 2018, the PAC appointed the physical art selection panelists, which included two PAC members and three outside panel members. The outside members were selected through a public Call for Selection Panelists.
On January 25, 2018, staff conducted the pre-screening of proposals. Thirty-three proposals (Exhibit 2) were qualified to move on to the next round of evaluation and fifteen were disqualified because they did not meet the minimum proposal requirements. Reasons for disqualification included: not including a proposed location or a letter of support for the proposed location; the proposed artwork was not public art; the proposed artwork was considered advertising.
On February 27 and March 27, 2018, the Panel met to review and rank qualified proposals for physical art in Alameda, utilizing the evaluation criteria established in the RFP. Complete copies of these proposals can be reviewed in Exhibit 2. The Panel recommended three finalists in the $150,000 category, three finalists in the $50,000 category, one finalist in the $25,000 category, and two finalists in the $12,500 category. The Panel’s scores and comments are summarized in Table 1 and on page 4, with detailed scores in Exhibit 3.
|
Table 1: Summary of Proposals Recommended for Funding |
|
Award Category |
Artwork |
Artist |
Selection Panel Average Score |
|
$150,000 |
Rockspinners |
Zachary Coffin |
83 |
|
|
Dragon Dance |
Dmitrii Volkov |
61 |
|
|
Bronze Squid |
Rossella Scapini & Luke Heimbigner |
56 |
|
$50,000 |
Gateway Columns |
Norman Moore |
82 |
|
|
Seat Wall Mosaic |
Denise Hart |
71 |
|
$25,000 |
Love our Island Art Walk |
Tina Blaine/Rhythmix |
99 |
|
$12,500 |
Astro Mural |
Dan Fontes |
64 |
Finalists in the $150,000 and $50,000 categories were then given 10 weeks to put together a more detailed proposal, including the following components:
• A scale model for three dimensional proposals and/or visual materials representative of two dimensional proposals
• A site plan identifying the exact location of the proposed art in relation to existing objects, buildings, landscaping and property lines
• Detailed information, including technical and safety data sheets, about materials. This should include: metals, plastics, stone, adhesives, fasteners, mortars, concrete, coatings, etc.
• A more detailed budget, including permit costs, engineering fees, and all fees necessary for the installation of the artwork
• A high-level installation plan
• A high level maintenance plan
• A schedule for completion of the work.
All artists were provided an honorarium to complete the detailed proposal and scale model.
The detailed proposals submitted by the finalists at the $150,000 and $50,000 levels are included in Exhibit 4. These proposals, along with scale models of the proposed works of art, were put on display in the Alameda Main Library from May 21, 2018 through June 4, 2018, and featured (with finalist proposals at the $25,000 and $12,500 levels) on a public webpage. An active campaign was launched to solicit community feedback, including a press release, newsletter, survey and social media advertisements. The survey closed on June 7, 2018, and all survey and email responses are included in Exhibit 5.
In order to ensure that the selected artwork is durable and will be properly maintained, the City of Alameda retained a professional art conservator, Katherine Untch of Conservation Strategies, to review all finalist proposals and consult during the fabrication and installation process. Ms. Untch’s comments and recommendations for the finalist proposals are included in Exhibit 6.
The finalist proposals are described below and summarized in Table 1.
$150,000 Award Category
Rockspinners
Artist: Zachary Coffin
A Rockspinner is a multi-ton boulder, which can be spun easily and silently with a single push, compelling viewers to interact and explore while creating a sense of place and an opportunity for fun.
Location: The artist submitted two proposals for Rockspinners in Alameda. Each proposal includes two Rockspinners:
• Alternative #1: One Rockspinner on each side of the Bay Farm Bridge
• Alternative #2: Two Rockspinners at the natural playground at Jean Sweeney Park
Selection Panel Average Score: 83
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: This was the highest-scoring proposal in the $150,000 award category. The Panel chose to score only one of the two Rockspinner proposals, in order to avoid having one artwork concept occupy two out of three finalist positions.
The Panel preferred the Bay Farm Bridge locations because they represent a way to unite Alameda’s two “islands,” and to draw attention to these unique shoreline locations. If this artwork is selected, the Public Art Commission can choose either location for the artwork.
Based on the original proposal, the Panel asked the artist to address the following questions:
1. Is there a design to the boulder?
2. If located in the Bay Farm location, how will the marine environment affect the sculpture?
Dragon Dance
Artist: Dmitrii Volkov
Dragon Dance represents two dragons as if dancing and playing with each other. From afar, the dragons will be appear to be hovering over the water against the backdrop of the horizon.
Note that the original proposal intended for the dragon to be 33 feet high. Based on updated quotes from fabricators, the budget in the detailed proposal includes two options: a 24-foot version of Dragon Dance for $149,996, or a 33-foot version for $214,698. Because the award amount of $150,000 is firm, the 24-foot version of the sculpture would be installed if this artwork is selected,
Location: Dragon Dance was originally proposed for the western side of Seaplane Lagoon, in the future DePave Park. However, further review of environmental restrictions revealed that a sculpture of this size is not allowed in the intended location. City staff therefore worked with the artist to identify a new location at Alameda Point: adjacent to the Main Street Ferry Terminal. In this location, the sculpture would greet ferry passengers as they arrive in Alameda, and directly face the Oakland cranes across the estuary at the Port of Oakland.
Selection Panel Average Score: 61
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: Based on the original proposal, the Panel asked the artist to address the following questions:
1. The travel budget is high - where is the artist travelling from?
2. Where is the piece being fabricated?
Bronze Squid
Artist: Rossella Scapini and Luke Heimbigner
Tall and sleek, this 12-foot tall bronze squid sculpture is envisioned as a design object rather than a realistic animal, with the tentacles working as arches and columns, allowing people to walk between the inner and outer space they create.
Location: The Bronze Squid is proposed for the Alameda Point Shoreline, west of the Hornet Soccer field. The sculpture will be facing the water, oriented towards the Bay Trail.
Selection Panel Average Score: 56
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: Based on the original proposal, the Panel noted that the budget seemed too low, and suggested the artists re-examine their budget. If possible within budget, the Panel suggested they consider increasing the scale of the sculpture. Note the final proposal includes a revised budget of $150,040. The size of the proposed sculpture has not changed.
The Panel asked the artist to address the following question:
1. How would the marine environment affect the patina?
$50,000 Category
Although the Panel initially identified three finalists in this category, one of the finalists withdrew his proposal after notification.
Gateway Columns
Artist: Norman Moore
Two mosaic columns form a gateway symbolizing the island of Alameda as the gateway for prospectors and the railroad heading east. The sculpture would celebrate Alameda as a biological gateway as well as an historic one.
Location: Western medallion plaza at Jean Sweeney Park.
Selection Panel Average Score: 82
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: The Panel noted that it would be helpful to see the columns situated in the environment, and that the scale of the columns within the environment would be critical to the success of the artwork. The Panel noted that the closer the columns are together, the more intimate they will feel.
Mosaic Seat Wall Insets
Artist: Denise Hart
Custom glass mosaic insets with themes corresponding to flowers, compass, rails, and the ocean.
Location: Four medallion seat walls located in plazas throughout Jean Sweeney Park.
Selection Panel Average Score: 71
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: The Panel suggested that the artist explore more organic shapes, taking up more space on the benches and, if possible, breaking the line of the inset to create a more organic shape.
Note that the artist did explore this option, but unfortunately the seat walls have already been cast with a 4” linear inset. The artist noted that, while it is possible to add line work that extends out of the existing inset, it would not flow easily or naturally due to the difference in the depth of the inset (which is 1.25 inches deep) and the line work (which would lie on the surface of the wall).
The Panel also noted that close coordination with the Alameda Recreation and Parks Department would be critical, and asked for clarification on the following question:
1. In the budget, what is the cost of setting the mosaic? Is this the artist fee?
$25,000 Category
Although there are two awards available in this category, the Panel recommended only one of the nine qualified proposals as a finalist. The second and third highest-ranked proposals, although not recommended for funding, are also summarized below. The Panel asked that the feedback be included for these proposals, in order to strengthen their applications should they seek to re-apply for funding in the future.
Any funds not awarded will be returned to the Fund, to be re-released for physical public art at a future date.
Love Our Island Art Walk
Artist: Rhythmix Cultural Works
The "Love Our Island Art Walk," an art-centric creative placemaking project. Central to the project are physical public art installations designed to activate the City's historic downtown district. This two-year project will create 24 visual art installations in empty storefront windows.
Note that this proposal is eligible for a physical public art grant because the store front installations qualify as temporary physical public art. As defined in the RFP, temporary physical public art has a minimum installation period of one week. Funds from this grant, therefore, can only be used for physical art installation, which must remain visible to the public for at least one week.
Location: The locations will vary based on availability of vacant storefronts. The proposal does include letters of support from several property owners expressing an interest in hosting an installation on their property.
Selection Panel Average Score: 99
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: The Panel thought this proposal was very strong.
Alameda Typeface
Artist: Delve Withrington
The Alameda typeface will embody the spirit and embrace the culture of this city. It will be an enduring, distinctive work of art created for the enjoyment of everyone, however it will be geographically restricted to the City of Alameda. The Alameda typeface will be freely available for use by residents of Alameda, the City of Alameda government, civic organizations, and those businesses based in Alameda.
Location: The Alameda typeface will be distributed as digital files downloaded from a publicly accessible web page server provided and maintained by the artist. Other suggested possible websites as distribution points are: City of Alameda and Alameda Free Public Library.
Selection Panel Average Score: 53
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: Not recommended for funding. The Panel would have liked to see a deeper explanation of how the proposed typeface relates to Alameda, and how it would be adopted across the City. The Panel would also have liked to see the typeface accommodate a broader variety of foreign scripts related to the most common non-English languages spoken in Alameda.
Painted Crosswalk
Artist: West Alameda Business Association (WABA)
Painted crosswalks are large-scale statement pieces that have been used in multiple urban environments, including Oakland's Chinatown, Downtown San Jose, Los Angeles' Arts District, to help establish a creative atmosphere. The piece will be designed in-house and will formally brand the West End as the Arts & Entertainment District, home to creatives, venues, musicians, and makers.
Note that, after this proposal was submitted, it was determined that any new crosswalk at this location must meet Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) design guidelines. If selected for funding, City staff will work with WABA and the Public Art Commission to refine the design to meet those guidelines.
Location: Southern crosswalk of Haight at Webster.
Selection Panel Average Score: 43
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: Not recommended for funding. The Panel liked the idea of a painted crosswalk as creative placemaking, but wanted to see more artistic merit to the design, with an identified artist. They also thought the budget was too high, and would have liked to see more than one crosswalk installed for this budget. The Panel does encourage WABA to re-apply in the future, with a more artistic design and a designated artist.
$12,500 Category
Although the Panel initially identified two recommended finalists in this category, one of the recommended finalists withdrew their proposal after notification. Therefore, only one recommended finalist is included below. The third highest-ranked proposal, although not recommended for funding, is also summarized. The Panel asked that this feedback be included in order to strengthen her application should she seek to re-apply for funding in the future.
Astro Mural
Artist: Dan Fontes
The Astro Mural is a faithful version of the 1971 Gottlieb game entitled "Astro" which will be the artist’s slightly enhanced version of the pinball industries beautiful silk screened art. The mural would be painted on a 12’x12’ large crezon wood panel, and mounted to the long brick wall facing the parking lot. It would depict a vibrant large scale pinball back glass.
Location: The mural would be positioned on the back of 1512 Webster Street, facing the Webster street public parking lot.
Selection Panel Average Score: 64
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: The Panel would have rated this higher if there was a more universal Alameda reference in the work.
Big Ears
Artist: Patricia Vader
Big Ears is a metal sculpture of an oversized bright yellow dog with huge ears. At 5' tall this dog has a commanding personality and presence that will catch the attention of visitors and add a humorous and colorful focal point to the location.
Location: Parking lot adjacent to the Alameda dog park at Washington Park.
Selection Panel Average Score: 41
Selection Panel Comments and Questions: Not recommended for funding. The Panel felt this submission was too universal and not specific to Alameda.
DISCUSSION
The PAC is asked to review the proposals and the Panel’s scores and comments, and decide, for each award category, if it would like to:
1) Recommend the Panel’s top-ranked proposals go to the City Council for appropriation of funds - or -
2) Evaluate the proposals during this PAC meeting, and send the PAC’s top-ranked proposals to the City Council for appropriation of funds.
The PAC can also choose to withhold award funding in any category if it feels that none of the proposals are a good use of public funds. In this case, the funding would return to the Fund for redistribution for physical public art at a future date.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed public art installations are Categorically Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the CEQA Guidelines Section 15303, New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures.
PUBLIC NOTICE AND COMMENTS
The meeting was advertised in the newspaper and posted on the City website. Property owners and residents within 300 feet of the proposed projects’ boundaries were notified of the public hearing and given the opportunity to review and comment on the proposals
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the PAC review the Selection Panel’s scores and comments, and decide, for each award category, if it would like to:
1) Recommend the Panel’s top-ranked proposals go to the City Council for appropriation of funds - or -
2) Evaluate the proposals during this PAC meeting, and send the PAC’s top-ranked proposals to the City Council for appropriation of funds.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amanda Gehrke
Management Analyst
Exhibits:
1. Physical Art Request for Proposals
2. Qualified Physical Art Proposals
3. Physical Art Selection Panel Scores
4. Physical Art Finalist Proposals
5. Physical Public Art Survey and Email Responses
6. Conservation Review