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Consideration of New Physical Public Art. The Public Art Commission will hold a public meeting to consider the installation of new public art located in the City of Alameda Tidelands. 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.
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To: Honorable Chair and
Members of the Public Art Commission
From: Lois Butler
Economic Development Manager
Date: August 16, 2018
RE: Consideration of New Physical Public Art. The Public Art Commission will hold a public meeting to consider the installation of new public art located in the City of Alameda Tidelands. 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 June of 2018, the Public Art Commission (“PAC”) reviewed the top-ranked proposals, and recommended finalists in four funding categories to City Council for approval. This item is scheduled to come before Council on September 18, 2018.
The proposals received in response to the RFP represent the result of a years-long effort undertaken by the PAC and the Alameda arts community to bring new physical art to the City of Alameda. Of the three recommended finalists in the $150,000 category, the Public Art Fund has sufficient resources to bring only one piece to Alameda. The Public Art Commission recommended the top-ranked proposal - Zachary Coffin’s Rockspinners - to City Council for approval.
DISCUSSION
At the June 2018 meeting, the PAC expressed a desire to fund all of the recommended artwork identified through the RFP process. In response to this request, and in an effort to increase the presence of public art in Alameda, City staff has identified alternate funding sources for the other two recommended finalists at the $150,000 level: Dmitrii Volkov’s Dragon Dance, and Rossella Scapini and Luke Heimbigner’s Bronze Squid. Staff proposes to fund these works out of the Tidelands fund, which is dedicated to the improvement and restoration of the City’s tidelands. These artworks are eligible for this funding because they will be located in Tideland properties along Alameda’s shoreline.
The original and final proposals for these works are included in Exhibit 1, and summarized below.
Dragon Dance
Artist: Dmitrii Volkov
Dragon Dance represents two dragons 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.
The original proposal intended for the dragon to be 33 feet high. Based on updated quotes from fabricators, the budget has been revised to include options: a 24-foot version of Dragon Dance for $149,996, or a 33-foot version for $214,698. The City proposes to install the 24-foot version of this sculpture.
Location: Dragon Dance was originally proposed for the western side of Seaplane Lagoon, in the future De-Pave 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.
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.
The PAC is asked to review and provide feedback on the staff proposal to fund and install Dragon Dance and the Bronze Squid.
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.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommend to City Council the installation and funding of new public art located in the City of Alameda Tidelands.
Respectfully Submitted,
Amanda Gehrke
Management Analyst
Exhibit:
1. Dragon Dance and Bronze Squid Proposals