HomeMy WebLinkAboutJuly 6, 2015 Minutes Minutes: Art in Public Places Board Meeting
Monday, July 6, 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: None
Others present: Molly Eppard AIPP Coordinator, Margaret Rogers – Town Council Rep
1. Approval of minutes from June 1 meeting.
2. No citizen input.
3. Library TAP rotating art review
The board approves Summer Wildflowers by Nancy Rondeau to be on view at the library above the fireplace
from July 13 through August 24 and Elaine Kuntz’s Autumn #2 to be on view from August 24 through October
12.
4. Vail ART Pass
Molly updates the board on the number of Vail ART Pass members is 32. Michael compliments the PR on the
program. Kathy compliments the ad on celebrating the life of Jesus Moroles. Molly comments that the tour of
the Logan collection was well received. She reviews the Carbondale tour logistics for July 23 of the Powers Art
Center and studio of James Surls. Molly asks the board for feedback on transportation. Kathy thinks most
people will want to drive their own vehicles, but to have an option for ride with others. Margaret asks about the
town’s van. Molly will ask about it. Molly has a tour penciled in for August with the BFAG Education Center
coordinated with the VVF Dance Festival to meet the artist in residence Andrea Selby. Molly will then discuss
the Moroles installation. Margaret suggests also discussing the Ford Family Tribute by Andy Dufford. The
BFAG Education Center should be operating by end of July. Molly informs the board about the new
BreckCreate International Art Festival in August. It will encompass visual arts, dancers (pole swayers), and
music. Julie has seen the dancers and said it is beautiful. The new website for BreckCreate is all
encompassing by having all cultural events under one site. Michael mentions that he has been asked why the
Vail ART Pass is taking people outside of Vail. Molly comments that the Pass was organized to inspire creative
energy amongst the members by going on the field trips. For example, a facility like Anderson Ranch is a world
class visual arts center in Snowmass and there is nothing like it in Eagle County. Kathy comments that our
mission is also to educate the public and this program enables that education in the visual arts. Cookie
comments that our weekly art walks educate the public throughout the year about Vail’s collection. Molly
mentions that is why she specifically created the Ford Park event in August to highlight Vail’s amenities.
5. Ladies Fancy Work Society
Molly has talked with them about a summer program. They would be interested in collaborating next summer
so that a yarn installation could be enjoyed throughout the summer. They need approximately six weeks for an
installation.
6. Skatepark
The skatepark presentation will be July 7 at Town Council. Margaret asks if the four finalists will be a part of
the presentation. Molly remarks that since we do not have the proposals at hand it was decided to focus solely
on the construction and design of the skatepark. The public art will be addressed, but there will not be any
visuals. The board discusses that the budget of $50,000 is very minimal for the space. The board agrees it
would be worthwhile to have this addressed as the budget should be double. Kara comments that a number of
her friends took their kids to skate in Edwards after the parade because the temporary skatepark is in poor
condition. Chris Fennell pulled out from proposing, as he believes his work is too climbable. We will now have
four artists proposing July 20, 8:00 a.m. for review. Molly comments that the mosaic artist Valerie Theberge
flew out last week to examine the space. She remarks that it is always a good sig n when the artists familiarize
themselves with the physical space prior to a proposal. Molly has been asked whether the board would like the
artists to present in person. The board agrees that if the artist would like to come in person they are welcome.
We can always have phone conferencing available. Molly will look into Skype as an option.
7. Coordinator updates
I-70 Underpass RFQ. Molly will have the board work on the review the plans for the project at the
August meeting to determine locations and allocation for the public art.
Wall Street Riddles for the most part have been installed. We will install the upper level and have Amy
Dose complete painting in the fall.
Ford Park Portals Contract – timeline with Andy Dufford of Chevos Studios.
September - Preliminary Concept
November - Concept Refinement
December - Final Design
GoPro – Zio Zeigler mural. RSES will revisit the mural placement later in the summer. It is presently in
storage at public works.
Group Exhibition at the library – September 16 – October 15
The board remarks on the new Art in Vail summer brochure.
8. Vail Village Welcome Center
We had 42 proposals for the suspended art at the VVWC. The proposals were culled down based on the AIPP
criteria:
Artwork Criteria:
Quality and Innovation: The consideration of highest priority is the inherent artistic excellence and
innovation of the artwork.
Timelessness: Each artwork should be viewed as a long-term acquisition that should have relevance
aesthetically to the community in future years. Due to the high visibility of public art by residents and
guests who frequent public places, artworks should be selected that reflect enduring artistic quality.
Compatibility with Site: Works of art should be compatible in style, scale, material, form and content
with their surroundings, and should from an overall relationship with the site.
Permanence: Works of art shall have structural and surface soundness, and be resistant to theft,
vandalism, and weathering. Artworks shall not require excessive maintenance of repair costs. Artworks
that require continual maintenance are discouraged.
Public Safety: Artwork shall not create inordinate safety problems or liability problems for the general
public or Town of Vail.
The top 25% of the proposals will be reviewed today for which the board received packets last week. All artists
were sent to the board for record and review. We should select a top three and then Molly will check
references. Molly reviews the RFP again with the board showing the images of the VVWC. Molly comments
that the center truss is not centered to the desk. We should be considerate of this in reviewing the proposals. It
was explained in the RFP that the desk is not centered. The board looks at the two models submitted by local
artists Karl Krueger and Helen Hiebert. Molly comments that many of the proposals were solely inspired by
recreation and seasons. Molly shares some observations after more thoroughly reviewing the materials
submitted and websites of the artists. She also asks the board to share any comments after reviewing the
packets. Kathy comments that we are looking today at a variety of mediums and styles of work. We want to
have a good variety. Molly asks the board to truly think of the space and how the artwork will encompass the
space. The board reviews the proposals by: Cindy Debold, Paul Vexler, Mark Chew, Christopher Moulder,
Michele R. Gutlove, Kessler Studios, Inc., Brian Schmitt, Adam Heber Smith, John Boak, Seth Palmiter. Molly
comments that some artists submit finalist images from previous projects, so it may be renderings for a project
that never came to fruition. Molly asks the board to keep maintenance in mind while reviewing the works. Light
inclusive in the installation does bring another layer of maintenance. The board votes for their top three
choices. The board discusses the proposals by Paul Vexler a wood sculptor from Washington and Michele
Gutlove a glass artist from Massachusetts for consideration. Molly gives feedback to the board from some of
the public comment after reviewing the proposals with the Director of Communications for the town. It was very
similar to the board’s comments. One thing we discussed was the direction of the RFP to fill the vacuous space
in the center of the Welcome Center, so Gutlove’s proposal was a bit difficult to discern as it was focusing on
the upper side walls versus the center of the space. Molly remarks that the banners come down and we do not
have wood in the public art collection. The only glass we have is by Michael Krondl. Michael comments that we
should have the finalists come see the space. Molly remarks that this is something we should discuss as a
board. The board would like to ask Vexler to resubmit his proposal upon examination of the space. Julie
comments that he could create a work with a lot of volume. The board likes many of his other installations and
thinks that he would be a good option with a different proposal which is more organic versus structured. Molly
will ask him about the wood at high elevation and dry climate as requested by Michael. Molly comments that
Douglas Fir is a very durable material. His price points are on target with what we have within our budget for
the work. The board remarks that they like his previous work as displayed on his website. The board then
views videos on his site. Kathy comments that the wood would be easier to maintain and clean. She likes the
unique quality of his body of work. The board views a video on Gutlove’s website. Michael comments that the
glass brings in color transitioning throughout the day. Molly remarks that we will want to ensure that the glass
does not cause reflection on the employees working beneath in the central desk. It is hanging in front of the
wall so the reflection is designated towards the side walls. Julie comments that someone should go see the
installation in Denver. Kathy would like to see a sample of the quality of the glass. She does not get a sense of
the quality of her glass from the proposal. Michael likes the shapes, motion, and color. Molly remarks that we
do not want too much motion, as there are three entry points to the building. We would need to be certain that
the suspended glass does not hit one another causing damage or distraction. She would want more knowledge
of how the glass is anchored. Molly remarks that the lighting would need to be on a timer, so that it is not on 24
hours a day. Michael comments that Vexler has some great works, but mostly are monochromatic. Molly
remarks that while monochrome refers to color, we should also consider the volume and appropriateness of
the proposals to the space as a whole. Molly will contact the references for Vexler and Gutlove. Amanda likes
the clean lines of Vexler’s works. She confirms that the board will offer a stipend of $1,000 for each artist as a
finalist. The board would like the artists to visit the space and review the proposals afterwards. Michael
suggests that if the timing for the monthly board meetings then perhaps they can create a video narrative. He
remarks that it would be worthwhile to find out how many people go through the Welcome Center annually.
9. Meeting adjourned.