HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary_6_2014_Minutes Minutes: Art in Public Places Board Meeting
Monday, January 6, 2014, 8:30 a.m.,Town Council Chambers
AIPP Board Members Present: Doe Browning, Cookie Flaum, Kathy Langenwalter, Dana Patterson, Bill
Pierce, Wendy St. Charles, Dan Telleen, Margaret Rogers – Council Rep
AIPP Members absent: Kaili Chipman, Jen Mason
Others Present: Molly Eppard AIPP Coordinator
1. Approval of minutes from December 2 meeting
2. No citizen input
Molly introduces Anne Panteri who is a new gallery owner of Tiger Pop Culture in Lionshead. She is present to
observe the AIPP meeting and learn more about the program. The Board welcomes Anne.
3. Booth Creek Park update – Todd Oppenheimer - Town of Vail
Todd informs the Board about another park redevelopment project at Booth Creek Park which is just west of
VMS. Todd describes the present poor condition of the park and tennis courts. It is likely it will be a phased
project, but in the end will be an entire park redevelopment. He will go before Town Council tomorrow to
discuss the process with them. Soon thereafter neighborhood meetings seeking feedback will be scheduled.
Todd is present before the Board today to get their input on how art might be incorporated into the project. He
would like to learn about their preferences. He reviews the past park projects that were created in
collaboration with artists and AIPP. It has been done in two ways: designing the playground structures as the
art and then incorporating art elements within and around the playground areas. As this project is starting from
scratch, he would like to open the discussion with the AIPP Board. He asks if there are any messages that he
should convey to Council. Bill asks about incorporating the stream into the park. Todd explains the zoning and
property lines of the park area. Wendy asks about the budget considerations for the project. The budget for the
art comes out of the playground budget. At this point the project is appropriately funded. Kathy remarks that
Vail has started a wonderful trend in creating artistically inspired playgrounds. It is unique to Vail and she
suggests continuing with the program as we have created a statement with our playgrounds. Margaret asks if it
is a potential location for the skate park. Todd remarks that it might be, but there is interest in having the tennis
courts replaced and perhaps pickle ball. Molly remarks that it is more than a playground and similar to the
design of Donovan Park. Todd confirms that it will be a full park re-development with a playground on the site.
Doe agrees with Kathy and that the Town has created such a wonderful collection with our artistic playgrounds
that she thinks the playground as an artist design element is a home run regardless if a skate park or other
park amenities are incorporated. Molly asks Todd to explain how a smooth operation between the artist and
Town of Vail Design Team works effectively. Todd explains the process of working with an artist’s concept,
hiring a structural engineer, and applying the professional knowledge from the TOV design team in building
safe playgrounds. It was done a bit differently with Tres Birds because they are an architectural firm and
wanted to be responsible for all drawings. However, being an exceptional architect does not mean that one is
qualified or experienced in building playgrounds. Many things were worked out in the field where it usually
could have been worked out in the office. He explains that they would go back to the model of working with the
concept from the artist and working with them through the process. Dan asks if the artists are paid for the
concepts. Todd confirms that they are. The artist is released of responsibility and the TOV tries to maintain the
artistic integrity while making it a safe playground. Wendy asks how to approach selecting artists. Todd
explains that the Board sometimes gives recommendations and learns from two to three people. Molly remarks
that we did a local RFP for Lionshead. Margaret asks if our calls are distributed nationally or only locally. She
suggests that we might want to go broader with our call. Wendy compliments the parks and thinks it would be a
great opportunity. She asks if it makes sense to invest in tennis courts in such close proximity to Ford Park.
Todd explains that would be a Vail Rec decision. Doe comments that it would be worth asking the
neighborhood. It takes a year to design a playground, so we are really at the very early stages. It will be a
phased project. He will come back to the Board with information after the Council meeting. He thanks the
Board for their collaboration that has resulted in some terrific playgrounds. The Board thanks Todd. Later in the
meeting Kathy mentions having a more widespread call to artists. Margaret comments on a park being
designed in Chicago that includes a climbing wall and ice skating ribbon. Dan comments that Steve Tobin
might be interested in submitting a proposal. Molly will make sure he gets the RFP/Public Art Call when it is
created for the project.
4. TAP for Library placement – On view January 13 –April 14, 2014
Molly presents a power point for the next round of art selection for above the fireplace at the Library. She asks
the Board if anyone has been to the library to see the work. Wendy compliments the Hanging Lake which was
the first selected work for this TAP. There are four applications. Molly reviews the previously selected work, so
that the Board can be reminded of the scale of the art in relation to the wall and fireplace. Molly reviews the
four applications with images, title, medium, and size. Molly goes to each Board member to get their selection
anonymously. Molly asks artists to resubmit each selection period. Artists are welcome to re-submit their works
for the selections. Molly has reached out to the library about hosting a community exhibition as a result of the
great applications in each of these reviews. The Board votes. The Board selects Hazel Murray’s Stream in
Mailot Park, Minturn, CO. Molly reviews each of the applications and the artists works. Steve Chinn, Elaine
Kuntz, Hazel Murray and Philip Frank are the talented local artists who submitted for this application selection.
5. Bird of Paradise Relocation
Molly presents the Board images of the redesign for the Lionshead parking structure entry. Zehren has been
awarded this project and she has been working with them to place Bird of Paradise in the design. Molly
describes the orientation of the redesign and location of Bird of Paradise to be placed. It will be flush to the
ground versus how the image illustrates it with a white block stand. Kathy confirms the visibility of the work in
the plan. The work is 22 feet tall. Dan asks how we acquired the work. It was a part of Town of Vail with
Lionshead Merchant fund. Molly explains its previous location in Lionshead and our directive to keep it within
Lionshead. Bill comments that it is not necessarily a pedestrian friendly spot. He asks if there is enough room
with the trees. Molly comments that the trees might be relocated within the landscape plan. Bill asks about the
pull off to make it pedestrian friendly. Kathy comments that perhaps a seating arrangement can be
incorporated into the design. Margaret comments that it is actually in close proximity to the transportation
center, so quite visible. Doe comments that we may to consider how seating arrangements become smoking
areas. Molly comments that a number of our sculpture placements are in driving locations and with its height it
won’t be missed. Doe thinks this is a more visible location than the previous location. Molly comments that it
will now be visible in the round where it was previously flushed against the stairs of the welcome center.
5. Review of the Seventh Annual Triumph Winterfest /Paper Lantern Workshops/Logan Luminescence
Molly presents the Board with a power point installation of the paper lantern workshops and tree lighting. There
were approximately 140 people that came through the two workshops. Molly comments that out of the 100+
people perhaps 30% came with their lanterns to the tree lighting. While she wanted more participants from the
workshops to participate in the tree lighting. Nonetheless, it demonstrates the great number of people who
were interested in creating a craft in an artistic workshop. The demographic was 50/50 with locals and guests.
Molly shows photos that were taken by Jack Affleck at the tree lighting. Many Red Sandstone Girl Scouts and
Brownies were present with the lanterns that they made. Doe comments that it was extremely well attended
and met some people who could not find the light distribution. Molly mentions that the lights were given at the
workshops to those who participated, but others had to pick them up. Molly passed out the lights to kids up
front. Going forward we would likely want to have a formal parade because there was miscommunication.
Some children also expected to see Santa at the tree lighting. Perhaps an organized parade with Santa
leading the parade from the library might be the solution going forward. Wendy compliments Molly on the
program. She thought the participation was a great cross-group and the participants were very interactive with
one another. Molly comments that it was easy for someone to join the workshop alone. Dan comments that the
Meadow Drive association might be interested in participating in a parade by contributing to a Santa. Molly
mentions that she has received recommendations on great Santas. The Board would like to continue with the
momentum of the paper lantern project for next holiday season.
Molly discusses Thomas’ installation. He installed more light in after the initial weekend of the installation. The
feedback has been good thus far. She has observed a lot of people having photos etc. in front of the
installation. Thus far the installation has been free of incident. The barricades were removed one afternoon, but
a child knocked over part of the installation. It was not broken, but children had been walking on the wall. So
going forward we need to move the ice sculptures further back from the wall. She has not observed any
footprints in the snow. It is a great and very visible location. Unfortunately the chandelier part of the installation
didn’t function as planned which was recognized by the artist. The plan is to keep the trees up after the ice
melts. They provide some nice texture to the fountain. Dana comments that she has heard good comments
about the installation. The install has lasted 17 days and the ice is still quite strong which is very good.
7. Update of the Seventh Annual Triumph Winterfest/Arches
Paul Wertin will begin his installation this week. Party will be at Sweet Basil on January 17 from 4 – 5:00 p.m.
Limit of 50 people. Invites extended to Triumph guests, AIPP Board, Council, Artists. Doe thinks we should
welcome the guests, acknowledge artists, sponsors and say something when the lights are switched outside
around 5:15. Arches is already included in the CPR art blog for the Vail Valley.
8. Condition review of collection
Molly recommends that AIPP hire a conservator to assess the condition of the collection. The Board agrees
that it would be worthwhile. Molly asks the Board to start thinking about summer programs. The Board asks
Molly to find out about the construction timeline for Ford Park.