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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAugust 31 2015 Minutes Minutes: Art in Public Places Board Meeting Monday, August 31, 2015, 8:30 a.m.,Town Council Chambers AIPP board members present: Cookie Flaum, Julie Hansen, Michael Kurz, Kathy Langenwalter, Bill Pierce Kara Woods, Amanda Zinn AIPP Board members absent: Others present: Molly Eppard AIPP Coordinator, Margaret Rogers – Town Council Rep 1. Approval of minutes from August 3 meeting. 2. No citizen input. 3. Proposals of Vail Village Welcome Center Art, finalists Michele Gutlove & Paul Vexler Michele Gutlove: Artist, Michele Gutlove, reviews some of her past work which she thinks might be relevant to this project. She explains the process of creating the microscopic prisms in her glass. She shows the reflective nature from natural light and indirect light. The shadows and reflections become larger than become larger than the glass itself. It reflects and transmits opposite colors. Kathy asks about distance from the wall where the glass might be suspended to obtain the reflection. Michele explains no more than 6 feet. She comments that natural light is more ideal than electrical lighting. There are 10 lights and 20 pieces of glass. Kathy asks Michele to explain the reflection in further detail. The shadow is the blue at the bottom and the reflection is the golden up at the top. Julie asks to see an example on a pitched ceiling which she does from a project in Kodiak, Alaska. Michael asks about the lights. Michele explains the lighting techniques she prefers and continues to show examples of her installations. She now shows the proposal for the Vail Village Welcome Center. She shows sketches of the mountain range and the magical nature of the alpenglow. She would like to capture the effect of the alpenglow in her installation. She feels her glass is suited to the magic of lighting. She shows an image holding the glass in the welcome center. The piece of glass is not as important as the shadows and reflections it creates. She then discusses the track lighting. She shows examples of the glass for the board to see. She shows the effect of the light first hand by using a flashlight. She said that the light will be diffused, so it will not distract those working at the desk beneath the installation. The board examines the glass samples. Julie asks why she did not propose glass to be installed over the desk. Michele explains she is looking at the formation of the mountain ranges against the wall. She explains that her studio is in Massachusetts and has 4 kilns. Michael asks how the glass is formed. She creates glass by kiln forming. Molly asks her recommendations for cleaning and maintenance. She explains she provides all of her clients with a very large feather duster. It will only need to be dusted once a year. She triangulates the cables, so the glass does not move. She said an air compressor would break the glass. She uses a stainless steel aircraft cable to affix it to the ceiling. Paul Vexler: Paul Vexler introduces himself to the board and thanks them for the opportunity to present his proposal for the Vail Village Welcome Center. The piece he is going to propose is a continuation of a series he began a few years ago. He shows the board images of his studio and his shop. He then shows the board images of works inspired by this series of ribbon-like wooden sculptures. He starts small and simple and then it gets more complicated and large as time goes on. He shows images from the Foster White Gallery where he has had a number of exhibitions. He shows an image of the “Big Yellow Knot” at Washington State University and the edge detail which gives the sculpture structure and stability. For the Welcome Center he started at looking at new shapes with the use of paper models. He then shows how it would be suspended above the desk in the Welcome Center. He distributes his proposal to the board. The picture of the model is photo shopped into the Welcome Center. Sometimes when he makes a variation of a shape of a sculpture it can come out better than the original. For the Welcome Center it would be a variation of the “Big Yellow Knot.” He starts with plywood and then creates the shape by pulling, pushing, and suspending the plywood until he gets the right shape. The wood is then supported and the edge detail is added. When both layers are put together with the edge detail complete it is a very stable structure. It will hang from at least two points. He then shows an installation at the Boise Art Museum exhibition. Kathy confirms that the shape will be the double with the edge detail. Julie asks about the color he is proposing. He selected it as a contrast to the ceiling, but he is open to other choices. He can present three different colors for the board to select should his proposal be selected. The lowest part is 10 feet from the floor and the highest is 14 feet. The width is 4 to 5 feet and the length is 17 feet. He had to consider the scale as far as accessibility to the building. Molly comments that Paul visited the site prior and met with John King the Town’s Facilities Director to inquire about access to the building for the larger sculptures. He shows his use of wood and plastic laminate which gives him a good substrate to glue the wood. It is nice and flexible and gives him smooth curves. He then shows the edge woodwork and groves. The width between the two layers of plywood is 4 inches. The wood is all Douglas Fir. It would have an oil finish. Kathy asks about maintenance. Paul explains that the oil gives it a natural look with the absorption. He prefers a non-shiny finish. The natural oil allows the other surface be emphasized versus lacquer. He explains that we are not looking at wide door panels with the changing of wood expansion, so it should be fine in this arid environment. The plastic substrate is a stable structure which is continually curving gives it stability. Kathy asks about maintenance. Paul explains that wiping it down with a damp rag should be sufficient. He would recommend blowing the dust off annually. The approximate weight is 70 pounds, so it is very light and won’t put strain on the building. Discussion of proposals: Kathy asks the audience for any comments on the two proposals. Margaret comments that she does not envy the board as both proposals were very strong. Michael’s concern is the maintenance of cleaning the wooden work versus the glass. He thinks the glass will be more impactful for the visitor in the space. He thinks it is unique in its approach and commands attention. Cookie agrees with Michael regarding maintenance. Julie comments that after having examined the space, the glass would not have the impact as it would be too high. She thinks filling the volume of the atrium is more impactful. She does not think the maintenance will be a challenge. She is leaning towards the wood sculpture. Kara thinks it will be nice to have a variation in material versus having glass. She comments that his work is unique and creates a statement. Molly comments that she is not terribly concerned about the maintenance. She explains that Paul explained and addressed concerns with wood as a medium when he was on site in Vail. Kathy comments that she thinks the wood is special. She agrees with Kara in that the wood will be a nice form. It is the simplicity combined with the complexity that is attractive to her. Bobby Bank from the Welcome Center comments that the cleaning should not be an issue. There is high architectural detail that has to be cleaned regardless. Molly comments that she did check both artists’ references. Both had great references. Julie motions we accept the proposal from Paul Vexler. Paul Vexler’s art proposal passes 6 to 1. The board brings back the two artists and thanks them for their proposals. The board announces their selection of Paul Vexler’s proposal. The board comments that they were impressed and torn with both proposals. Margaret comments how great both proposals were for the Welcome Center. She comments that we will keep Michele’s file in consideration for future projects. She remarks that this project will be one more piece of creating Vail as an art destination. Margaret will update the Council on the selection of the artist. 4. Booth Creek Park update, Todd Oppenheimer Town of Vail Todd updates the board on the Booth Creek Park project located just west of Vail Mountain School. He shows the approved plan for the park and orients the board to the location of this 3 acre park site. There is a 3 acre stream tract which is just east of the park, but will not be a part of the redevelopment of the park. It will have a double tennis court, picnic shelter, restroom, turf area and playground. The goal is to keep the park as natural as possible. We are going to look for an artist to be involved in the playground project. As in the past we will also work the kids in the community for their interests and feedback. The area of the playground is about 3,000 square feet. The goal is to create a fun playground with natural materials and elements. 5. Summer Vail Workshop for Art and Critical Thinking, Randy Milhoan Randy introduces himself to the board. He is an artist who has been living in Eagle County for 47 years. He would like to tell the board about the Summer Vail Workshop which he was involved with from its inception and has kept many records of the workshop from 1971-1984. He wants to have these files and ephemera available for public research. He has distributed information about the records from 1971 which have been digitalized as well as the compiled list of artists who participated in the workshop. Michael asks the purpose for the presentation, so the board has a better understanding before it begins. Molly explains that the intent is for Randy to share a bit of the history of the workshop with AIPP in order to ask for direction in how to preserve the history and records he has thus far maintained and making it accessible for public research. There has been interest in preserving Vail history in general. He would like to think collaboratively, so we can start brainstorming on how to preserve the data. Ultimately, Randy explains they will have to request funding for this project of preservation. 2016 marks the 45th anniversary of the Summer Vail Workshop and 2017 marks the 50th anniversary of Colorado Mountain College. A number of people have lately reached out to Randy asking what can be done for future art programs in Vail. The workshop was originally held in Anholtz Rand in Ford Park in 1971/72. In 1973 it went to the A-Frame where the Vail Public Library is now located. In 1978 it went to Minturn. Amanda asks about cost estimate for electronically preserving the data. Randy explains that the 1971 records were scanned by a woman who worked for Karats named Rebecca. It was 50 cents a copy. He is not sure of how many hours and of the labor costs. He explains that Copy Copy is $3 a page. She asks if he can itemize the costs and how many records should actually be scanned. Kathy comments that she was present during the workshop and it was very important and continues to be to Vail. It is worth preserving. She asks Suzanne Silverthorn if there is a movement and interest to preserve other historical data within the Town? Suzanne comments that she became the repository for 50th Anniversary information which is also waiting for preservation. She remarks that many years ago the public library did not want to be a place for historical archival information about Vail. She understands that philosophy has changed with the new librarian and there is interest in doing such. She also explains that the CO Ski and Snowboard Museum has widened their mission in now wanting to also preserve the history of Vail. There needs to be a conversation between both trying to figure out which information is pertinent to preserving by which institution. Julie asks if CMC might be interested in preserving. Randy thinks they might. He also comments that he agrees with Suzanne that it is important so that they are not lost. He has talked preliminarily with Ron Braden from the Town’s IT department. He comments that he needs to do quite a bit of legwork. Julie remarks that there are places to digitalize the records versus going to Copy Copy. She suggests reaching to CMC. Amanda remarks that we need to get more information before moving forward with making any decisions. Molly comments that it is a bigger project for which we need to get our head’s wrapped around to offer Randy any suggestions. We do indeed want to keep this knowledge of these materials within our scope so we do not lose the materials. Molly suggests that perhaps there should be an end goal with either an exhibition or something along those lines. He would like to come back in October with the information beforehand for the board to review. Kathy comments that would be beneficial to reach out to CMC and also Rocky Mountain Reprographics. Margaret remarks that she thinks the library and ski museum are the best places. She is not sure that this board is where the monies should be drawn. Michael comments that the CSE is accepting proposals for education and enrichment programs. This might be a place where Randy can get some funding if he has a specific project. It may be more appropriat e for 2017. Kathy comments education is also a part of AIPP. 6. I-70 Underpass update Molly informs the board that the RFQ is now ready to be published with board approval. Kathy has a few comments she will share with Molly. Molly informs the board about the links where the artists can access the full RFQ online. 7. Coordinator updates  Sculpture cleaning by Deb Bakal August 26. She reported that the bronze sculptures are in good condition.  A professional photo shoot of some sculptures took place on August 28.  The remaining Wall Street Riddles will be re-painted at the end of Sept. by Amy Dose.  Request to relocate Time Trial Wheel by Fred Hibberd owner of Vail Village Center. He proposes moving it to the open space south of One Willow Bridge. He feels the space is too confined where it is presently located. It also blocks a new work of art in the arch way. Molly shows the board the proposed space on TOV property would technically work. She has walked it with Todd O. It could work but would need some landscaping. Hibberd is very willing to work with the town in the relocation and has offered to create better signage for the sculpture. The space does have evergreens behind it which would be nice having something other than a structure behind the sculpture and we would not have to worry about blocking views. Molly shows the board a map of the p roposed location. Michael comments that it presently is in a location where it does get lost due to pedestrian traffic flow. Molly comments that it was placed in that location for camera views during the USA Pro -Challenge. Molly suggests that board members go walk the space.  Michael Grab – Gravity Glue – He did reach out to Molly again about having a demonstration this fall. Molly asks the board if they are interested or would they rather wait until the summer. Molly comments that we got a window of when it is acceptable to utilize the creek. Margaret thinks we should stay out of the creek. Bill disagrees since the area is highly used and it would not be affected. Kathy comments that the area has not been regulated with the usage from kayaks to duck races. Molly reviews the criteria from the Wildlife Division for the creek usage. The board thinks we should look at it for next year. Amanda comments that she likes the temporary projects for summer events. Molly comments on the events created by BreckCreate which have been very successful which we should discuss at our next meeting.  Ford Park Portals Contract – timeline; October - Preliminary Concept; November - Concept Refinement; December - Final Design  Skatepark – Spring 2016 installation. We had a very good meeting on site with Valerie Theberge.  Group Exhibition is September 15 – October 14, 8 – participants thus far. This may be a good time to revisit it.  Winterfest/Logan Ice Theater. Kent Logan is interested in reintroducing the ice theater. The board agree s.  Paper Lanterns – tree lighting Dec. 20 with lantern walk following. Julie suggests more lanterns.  Vail ART Pass – BFAG review & possible September event at Cathie Bennett’s home – DAM – Super Indian Fritz Scholder Oct 4 – Jan 17; Wyeth Nov 8 – Feb 7; Botanic Gardens Butterfield through Oct. 18 Meeting adjourned.