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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006-04-05 STAFF REPORTS 2M ;OF?PAM SA4 ry c V 4n k 4 % CRRO PAS E4 E3E „ O,q</FORN�P CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT DATE: April 5, 2006 CONSENT SUBJECT: APPROVE THE PUBLIC ARTS COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION TO PURCHASE ARTWORK ENTITLED "LAWN CHAIR" BY ARTIST BLUE MCRIGHT FOR $8,000.00. FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager BY: Community & Economic Development SUMMARY The Public Arts Commission recommends approval of the purchase of artwork entitled "Lawn Chair' by artist Blue McRight for placement in the public sidewalk area at the southeast corner of North Palm Canyon Drive and Andreas Road. RECOMMENDATION: 1. Adopt Minute Order No. to Approve an Agreement for Purchase of Public Artwork between the City of Palm Springs and Blue McRight for $8,000.00, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney. 2. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents. STAFF ANALYSIS: On November 10, 2005 the Public Arts Commission voted 4/1 to approve a recommendation to purchase artwork, entitled "Lawn Chair", by artist Blue McRight. The artwork is a made out of 3/8" hot rolled plate steel armature with an equally sturdy support frame made of 1' x 3" x W tube steel. The plate steel reclining surface is permanently upholstered with artificial grass. The turf is attached to the steel with heavy duty construction adhesive. The highest point in the sculpture is five feet in height (5'); it is three feet six inches wide (3'6"); and seven feet six inches long (7'6"). The highest point of the seat is about three feet. The Public Arts Acquisition Subcommittee recommended placement of the sculpture in the public sidewalk area of the southeast corner of North Palm Canyon and Andreas Road. Based on the high profile downtown location, maintenance and public safety Item No. n . Anp . City Council Staff Report April 5, 2006--Page 2 Approve Purchase of Lawn Chair issues, staff recommended the site be reviewed by the Main Street Business Association, Parks and Recreation Commission and Planning Commission. The artwork and proposed location was reviewed by the Main Street Executive Board and General Membership at their January 5, 2006 meeting and received lukewarm support. One business owner closest to the site expressed concern about the height of the sculpture and that it would be unsafe if small children were to climb on it and fall on the cement. A suggestion was made that a rubber mat material could be installed around the site. The Main Street Board did not take formal action. No other Board or Commission has reviewed the artwork as it relates to the site. The Public Arts Commission would like to proceed with the purchase because the artist has an opportunity to sell the sculpture to another party. The Commission would look for other sites to place the sculpture if the downtown location is deemed unsuitable by Council. FISCAL IMPACT: Finance Director Review There is no impact to the General Fund. The costs for purchasing the artwork and site preparation will come from the Public Arts Fund Account #150-30-4408-50015. Jo n R ev ymon , Di ctor of Community Assista9 City Manager an conomic Dlopment Cathy Van/Horn, Economic Development and Public Art Administrator David H. Ready, Cify-Aftfiager Attachments: Minute Order Picture and description of Artwork MINUTE ORDER NO. APPROVE AN AGREEMENT FOR PURCHASE OF PUBLIC ARTWORK BETWEEN THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS AND BLUE MCRIGHT FOR $8,000.00, IN A FORM ACCEPTABLE TO THE CITY ATTORNEY I, James Thompson, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, hereby certify that this Minute Order approving an Agreement for Purchase of Public Artwork Between The City of Palm Springs and Blue McRight for $8,000,00, in a form acceptable to the City Attorney, was adopted by the City Council of the City of Palm Springs, California, in a meeting thereof held on the 5th day of April 2006. James Thompson, City Clerk ,r � •�Y i y� �(�..1 AIM UuYr A tr I � VO .... s a' TT I Blue Mcltight "Impossible Lawn Chair" 7'6"long by Thigh by 42"wide, steel upholstered with artificial grass LAWN CHAIR Blue McRight 2002 DESCRIPTION: "Lawn Chair" --a sculpture which is also a unique piece of outdoor "furniture" -- re-presents the familiar American lawn in an unexpected form and context. The work engages the senses and Imaginations of diverse viewers, both pedestrian and vehicular, creating a place that becomes an important visual and experiential focal point. Informed by nature and culture, the work conflates notions of streetscape, garden, stage set, landscape design, and home decor. Using plant material as subject and medium,the artwork expresses ideas of art and function, garden and street, public and private. Rather than typical "street furniture" such as a bench, and not at all like a typical armchair one might have as "real" lawn furniture,the form of"Lawn Chair" is a chaise lounge, referencing the design sophistication of Southern California and the outdoor lifestyle. The artwork creates a special place to be while addressing the scale and function of its location: a place where the j viewer can be participant, observer, or both. The artwork conceptually, visually, and physically activates its site for pedestrian and vehicular viewers Larger than life,the scale of the work embodies a subtle exaggeration that enhances it's reading in the public realm. "Lawn Chair" is 7'6" long x 5' 0" high (at the highest point)x 3'6" wide. Engineered to accommodate groups of people using it, the sculpture consists of an extremely sturdy 3/8" hot rolled plate steel armature with an equally sturdy supporting frame made of 1" x 3" x 1/4"tube steel. "Lawn Chair's" plate steel reclining surface is permanently upholstered with artificial grass (approx. V nap), and includes a pillow also made of artificial grass(approx. 2" nap). The artificial grass provides a wonderfully textured surface that is very durable. This type of turf is commonly used in outdoor applications for sports surfaces, especially golf. Bolted to four threaded rods cast into a simple in-ground concrete footing, the artwork will not wander. INSTALLATION (2 days): The first day will be to dig holes and pour a footing, using a template to cast the bolts into the footing. The second day will be to install the artwork. There should be time between the days for the footing to set up completely. "Lawn Chair" can be transported in a box truck with a hydraulic lift and crew of four to move it. It weighs approximately 800 pounds. Upon arrival at the location, the sculpture will simply be bolted to the footing and gravel or other surface material will be placed around its base. j MAINTENANCE: There is no maintenance that is absolutely required. The artificial grass can be hosed down or brushed as necessary for cleaning. All the steel has a natural finish that can be allowed to rust naturally, or be periodically coated, if desired (once every two years or so) by spraying or brushing on a coat of linseed oil or applying a paste of linseed oil and wax. Should rough areas develop, they can easily be removed with a wire brush prior to surface treatment. Rust will not affect the structural integrity of the "Lawn Chair" for many years, especially in a dry climate. Lawn Chair By Blue McRight Venice, Califonia Artist's Statement Maintenance "Lawn Chair" — a sculpture which is also Minimal maintenance. the artificial grass can a unique piece of outdoor "furniture" — be hosed down or brushed as necessary. All re-presents the familiar American lawn in an the steel has a natural finish that has been unexpected form and context. The work allowed to rust naturally. the rust will not engages the senses and imaginations of affect the structural integrity for many years, diverse viewers, both pedestrian and especially in dry climate. If desired, the steel vehicular, creating a place that becomes an structure could also be periodically coated important visual and experiental focal point. with linseed oil or a paste of linseed and Larger than life, the scale of the work wax. embodies a subtle exaggeration that enhances it's reading in the public realm. Production Time Material Available now for purchase. 3/8" hot rolled plate steel armature with an Price equally sturdy supporting frame made of $8,000.00 plus tax 1' x 3" x 1/4" tube steel. the plate steel reclining surface is permanently upholstered Delivery & Installation with artificial grass (approx. 2" nap). The turf About $2,000.00 for installation template, is attached to the steel with heavy duty footings and placement. Artist will come to construction adhesive. All the turf edges are Palm Springs to supervise placement and wrapped over the edges of the steel installation of sculpture. armature onto the underside of the Chair. On the underside the edges are covered with steel trim strips that are bolted through ���` the turf into the steel armature. Sizeety� ram. Height — 5 feet :,; ;, Width — 3 feet 6 inches Length — 7 feet 6 inches Footprint Approx. 4 x 6 fleet Pad Size 4 footings, each 12" x12" x18" deep; each with cast-in threaded 1" rod 1", approx 2' long Edition � Unique ,.