Title
Receive an Update on Recent and Upcoming Physical Public Art Projects in Alameda
Body
To: Honorable Chairperson Gillitt and Members of the Public Art Commission
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since 2018, the public art program has awarded 28 grants for public art in Alameda, including five grants for physical art, seven for cultural art, and 16 for public art small grants. In that time, the Public Art Commission (PAC) also approved four on-site physical public art projects. This staff report provides an update on the status of the approved on-site physical artworks and the physical art grants awarded by the program.
BACKGROUND
Alameda Municipal Code Section 30-98 Public Art in New Commercial, Industrial, Residential and Municipal Construction (Ordinance) requires that major development projects dedicate 1% of development costs to on-site public art. The Ordinance also allows an applicant to pay an equivalent amount in lieu of providing the art on-site. Any in-lieu fees collected are deposited in the dedicated public art fund (Fund). The Fund can then only be used by the City to provide or support public art.
Since 2018 the City of Alameda has awarded four grants for physical public art from the Fund, totaling $250,000. In addition, the City awarded a $150,000 physical public art grant funded by the Tidelands Fund. Finally, in 2020 and 2021 the PAC also approved four on-site physical public art projects. These projects are listed below.
Public Art Fund Grants
• Rockspinners, Zach Coffin
• Gateway Columns, Norman Moore
• Love Our Island Art Walk, Rhythmix Cultural Works
• Astro Mural, Dan Fontes
Tidelands Fund Grant
• Calimar, Rossella Scapini
On-site Public Art
• Diatom Sculpture Series, Adrien Segel
• Alameda Afore, Rodrigo Nava
• Beken, Dewitt Godfrey
• Tidal Arch, Adrien Segel
In spring of 2020, the PAC also awarded 16 public art small grants. Many of these grants were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and an extension was provided to complete these grants (see Exhibit 1: 2020 Public Art Small Grants Status). Another extension will be granted in June 30, 2022.
DISCUSSION
Over the past three years, staff has worked closely with the artists, the PAC, and other City departments to facilitate the fabrication and installation of these artworks. The Love Our Island Artwalk was a temporary, art-centric creative placemaking project completed in May 2019. Updates on the other eight grants are listed below.
Recently Installed
• Gateway to California, Norman Moore, Jean Sweeney Park: Gateway to California is comprised of two mosaic columns symbolizing the island of Alameda as the gateway for prospectors and the railroad heading east. Status: Installed in spring 2021.
• Diatom Sculpture Series, Adrien Segal, South Loop Center, Harbor Bay Business Park: The Diatom Sculpture Series consists of eight perforated corten steel sculptures that reflect the microscopic life forms in the marine environment that surrounds Bay Farm Island. Status: Installed in summer 2021.
Forthcoming Installations
• Calimar, Rossella Scapini, Alameda Point Shoreline: This large bronze squid sculpture features tentacles working as arches and columns, allowing people to walk between the inner and outer space they create. Status: Fabrication complete and installation planned for November 2021.
• Alameda Afore, Rodrigo Nava, median of Atlantic Avenue by Main Street. Alameda Afore consists of a series of three, 10 to 12 foot corten steel sculptures, evocative of the bow of a ship or the A in Alameda, and its material is a nod to the area’s industrial past. Status: In permitting; Installation planned for November 2021.
• Egret Mural, Dan Fontes, 1925 Everett Street: Located in a largely industrial area, the Egret mural reveals the natural ecosystem located just one block away at the Oakland Estuary, and the native wildlife which frequents the channel. Status: Formerly the “Astro” Mural, the PAC recommended and City Council approved a new location and design, after the owners of the location originally proposed for the mural chose not to move forward. Installation planned for fall 2021.
• Rockspinners, Zachary Coffin, Jean Sweeney Park. 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. Status: Fabrication delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic and northern California wildfires. Fabrication and installation planned for winter 2021/2022.
• Beken, Dewitt Godfrey, Seaplane Lagoon Waterfront Park: Beken is a 32-foot corten steel sculpture composed of cellular forms, which takes its cues from lighthouses, channel buoys and frontier guard towers. The artist’s goal is to create a form that is massive in scale, but visually light and airy, providing a destination from afar and a sense of place from within. Status: Permitting complete; Installation date to be determined.
• Tidal Arch, Adrien Segal, 1951 Harbor Bay: Taking inspiration from tide charts, this sculptural concrete arch is intended to give physical presence to the dynamic natural forces at play in the marine landscape, and encourage visitors to reconnect to the natural forces, phenomena, and harmonious patterns found in nature. Status: In permitting; Installation planned for winter/spring 2022.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept an update on recent and upcoming physical public art projects in Alameda.
Respectfully submitted,
Lois Butler, Economic Development Manager
By,
Amanda Gehrke, Development Manager
Exhibits
1) 2020 Public Art Small Grants Status