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AGENDA BILL Agenda Item No. 4(B) Date: October 1, 2013 To: El Cerrito City Council From: Suzanne Iarla, Community Outreach Specialist Liaison, Arts and Culture Commission Subject: San Pablo Avenue Streetscape Public Art Project ACTION REQUESTED Receive a presentation on the completion of “12 Wind Sculptures,” the public art commissioned by the City as part of the San Pablo Avenue Streetscape Project. BACKGROUND On March 22, 2012, the City’s Arts and Culture Commission approved the final design proposal for “12 Wind Sculptures,” the San Pablo Avenue Streetscape Public Art Project by commissioned artists Jonathan Russell and Saori Ide. In their proposal, the artists said, “We have designed 12 abstract wind sculptures that will mount on 12 designated light poles along San Pablo Avenue. The shapes and the composition of each form are uniquely designed and placed in the center of an open circle. Our idea is to create playful and eye-catching sculptures that both pedestrians and drivers alike can enjoy. These wind sculptures will provide the City of El Cerrito with a cohesive and vibrant artwork that will create a pedestrian friendly environment and visually tie together the long stretch of San Pablo Avenue, from the North end to the South. These sculptures will be mounted on streetlights 20’ above the ground facing the sidewalk (opposite from the lights) to ensure visibility from a distance as well to insure that safety and vandalism concerns are met.” The artists also said their intention for “12 Wind Sculptures” was to be El Cerrito’s “identifying signature public art piece” to enhance and enliven San Pablo Ave and its surroundings. This past summer, the artists installed the twelve art pieces. Attachment 1 includes renderings of all twelve sculptures. The sculptures are located in pairs or trios along the length of San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito as follows: • Two sculptures near the Carlson Blvd. intersection (east & west sides) • Three sculptures near City Hall - Manila/Bay View intersection (2 east side, 1 west side) • Two sculptures at the Potrero Ave. intersection (east & west sides) • Three sculptures near the Hill Street intersection (1 east side, 2 west side) • Two sculptures near the Conlon Ave. intersection (east & west sides) As part of Arts Month this October, the Arts and Culture Commission is encouraging community members to take a self-guided tour along San Pablo Avenue to see the new public art. A guide ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 4(8) can be downloaded from the City's website at www.el-cerrito.org/windsculptures or mailed to residents upon request. San Pablo Streetscape Art Project HistoryThe El Cerrito City Council created the Art in Public Places Program in 2005 (ECMC Chapter 13.50). The program requires private and municipal developments with development costs $250K or more to devote 1% for acquisition and installation of public art. The City's San Pablo Avenue Streetscape Project was subject to the Art in Public Places Program and budgeted $100,000 to commission a project that would be elemental in nature. In 2009, City staff and the A1is and Culture Commission developed a Call to Artists/Request for Proposal seeking an artist(s) to develop and install artworks along the Avenue. In total, 17 proposals were received from around the country with wide variety of artwork proposed. The Arts and Culture Commission selected miists Jonathan Russell and Saori Ide and in early 2010, the City entered into a contract with the miists. For the next year, the Artists & Commission met, solicited public comment and discussed aspects of the artwork, which were a series of colorful metal "icons" reflective ofEl Cenito to be installed on light poles along San Pablo A venue. In mid-20 11, the Commission rejected the Aliist's proposal and re-directed the miists to design abstract sculptures. The A1iists & Commission met multiple times over the next few months to refine the Artist's alternate design concept for a series of 12 abstract kinetic sculptures on light poles. On March 22, 20 12, the A1is and Culture Commission approved the final design proposal for "12 Wind Sculptures." The artists spend the next 18 months fabricating the sculptures and installed them (a few at a time) in the spring and summer of 2013. Per the contract with the artists, once the installation has been finalized, the City will take over ownership of the mi works, including maintenance and liability responsibilities. Reviewed by: Scott Hanin City Manager Attachments: 1. Renderings Page 2 ---PAGE BREAK--- Agenda Item No. 4(B) Attachment 1