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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 4, 2015 Minutes Minutes: Art in Public Places Board Meeting Monday, May 4, 2015, 8:30 a.m.,Town Council Chambers AIPP board members present: Julie Hansen, Michael Kurz, Kathy Langenwalter, Bill Pierce, Kara Woods, Amanda Zinn AIPP Board members absent: Cookie Flaum Others present: Molly Eppard AIPP Coordinator, Margaret Rogers – Town Council Rep 1. Approval of minutes from April 6 meeting. 2. No citizen input. 3. Skatepark at the Lionshead Parking Structure Todd Oppenheimer from Town of Vail & Chad Young from the Vail Recreation District present *Site visit to approved location at the Lionshead Parking Structure. Molly remarks that today we will review slides prior to the site visit. The site at the Lionshead parking structure was approved by Council, so we are now in the design stage with California Skateparks. Margaret asks if the money is able to come from the reinvestment authority. Todd remarks that it is eligible, as well as from RETT. Todd informs the board of a public workshop meeting on May 13 for participants to work with the TOV and CA Skateparks for input on the park design. He remarks that art and design are very important to this unique skatepark. The viewing opportunities from above are unique in this location versus other skateparks. Rather than aerial sightlines from a drone, individuals will be able to experience this perspective in person. Todd reviews images submitted byJoe Ciaglia from CA Skateparks sent to get the creative juices flowing. He comments that last week Chad, Molly, and Kara met to discuss the art and design. We would like to use the following terminology to be consistent: Layout – The arrangement of the skating elements in the space; Design – There can be a fine line between art and design, but with design we are talking about patterns and color in the skating terrain; Art – Unique work integrated into the skatepark created by an artist. In some cases the art may be incorporated into a skate feature. Todd remarks that we should be conscious of the aerial sightline which is unique feature to this location. We will want to be mindful of any obstruction to this view of the park. Todd comments on the slides that were submitted by CA Skateparks illustrating the differences between layout, design and art. Kathy asks if the company will come up with the surfaces and designs. Todd comments that today we need to discuss what are the art elements and how does the design and art work together. Molly remarks that we do not want the art to hinder the skating experience. She comments that CA Skateparks are the experts on the design of the park, but they would certainly welcome any conversation that might incorporate artistic design. Molly comments that we want to elevate this skatepark by quality integrating art. With this, we will create an aesthetic identity for the Vail Skatepark. Michael comments that the locale is what is interesting in these slides. Do we incorporate the environment into the skaters’ experience? He remarks by bringing that visually to the skatepark makes sense versus departing from that from an indigenous standpoint. Kara comments that CA Skateparks has spent a lot of time walking around the community to get a feel for the area. They have talked to residents, commercial property owners, and guests to get a sense for Vail. Julie comments that we need to create an oasis with color and light. Todd comments that they do have landscape architects on staff. Molly comments that today we will have to determine potential locations art for the skatepark. We will need to determine whether we issue an RFP or an RFQ. There will need to be a relationship between the artist and CA Skateparks to have a seamless collaboration. Michael comments that we should look to CA Skateparks as well for recommendations. The board goes for the scheduled site visit to the Lionshead parking structure to view the space. While on site the board reviews the aerial views from each level before entering the park from the ground level. When in the space the board comments that the space is quite large with various surfaces that could serve for potential public art locations. At this stage, there is no plan to remove the pebbling effect from the formed concrete horizontal walls of the parking decks. Molly points out various potential locations for art being these walls or the concrete stairwell walls that face the interior of the park. Molly comments that we need to be considerate of the durability of materials. What we need to decide is how we want to incorporate public art into the project. What may facilitate this is by determining potential locations similar to what AIPP did with the Lionshead parking structure. We need to also determine if we are ready to proceed with an RFQ to artists about the project or an RFP with finalists who would then fine-tune their proposals. She recommends to consider durable materials which we did discuss with CA Skateparks. Molly comments on the brochures that she has distributed to the board. It is worthwhile to look at these catalogues from Mayer of Munich and Gordon Heuther to study the durability of materials. We may want to consider metal and tile as materials. If murals are submitted, we may want to examine other techniques for application as paint is going to require continual maintenance. She thinks this is a great opportunity to elevate the public art in this skatepark. While street murals are to be expected in skatepark public art, we may want to think outside of the box. She comments that sometimes street art murals can invite graffiti and vandalism, so we need to be mindful of subject matter and style. Urban and modern art murals do not necessarily have to be street art. It will need to appeal to all ages given its very public location and usage. Michael comments that design will be implemented, so we may want to look at design concepts. He believes that the solution for the design needs to be integrated into the park first. Molly comments that we did discuss that last week. She remarked that she feels that the design needs to come first and with that the artist gets inspiration. Board members agree. CA Skateparks is very open to the process. Michael comments the space is a stone monument until color and form are introduced in the park. He thinks the spandrel walls and concrete slabs/stairwells seem obvious. Perhaps something can be free forming and hung from across. It gives us a chance to create a tubular space. Kathy thinks the first step in the design process is CA Skateparks devises how those skate surfaces work. The artist works with the designers to integrate the artistic features, so it is cohesive and unified artistically. Michael comments it should be thematic and executed throughout the space. Molly remarks she has done a bit of research on skatepark art calls. It seems the parks have some sense of design prior to a call. Kathy comments we can announce a RFQ while they are designing the surface areas. Molly comments an RFQ would assess interested artists. Todd comments the first public meeting is May 13 then another with on May 27. Then at the June 1 meeting, Todd would like to have CA Skateparks present. They plan to present to Town Council on June 2. Construction is expected to begin in August. This is the proposed timeline at this point. Kathy comments an RFQ will take less time than an RFP at this stage. Moll y comments we need to understand available space for proposals. Kathy remarks that we should come up with a list of potential artists. Kara explains CA Skateparks can incorporate artist inspired shapes, designs, etc. into the features that can be added while the design has already been determined. Kara thinks we should proceed with an RFQ for interested artists. Molly explains that she distributes RFQs and RFPs on a national network. Todd asks if the board is ok with the writing the RFQ explaining an elevated level of art above graffiti and street art. Kathy comments that we need to look at the guidelines which outlines this very specifically for appropriateness to our public art installations. Bill remarks that we should not preclude using the concrete walls for street inspired art. Kathy comments that should be open to all of art styles. Molly comments that we should stay away from lettering, words, and language in murals, but this is way down the road. The RFQ can be broad to ensure many styles and materials of art are considered. Todd invites the board to attend the May 13 meeting from 6:00 – 8:00 pm in the Grandview. Chad adds that he would like the AIPP board to commit to a decisive identity that runs from the art to the layout with design elements incorporated. CA Skateparks has invited ideas from TOV. They would incorporate our concepts artistically. We need to have this identity sooner than later established. This direction will ensure a better final product. Molly comments that they suggested clean lines, shapes and patterning, so that design does not become too minute. Molly will draft a RFQ to distribute to the board by next week. The board thanks Todd and Chad. Kathy comments that the May 13 meeting will likely address the theme of the park. Julie believes it speaks rivers given the length. Molly comments that we discussed water and rivers in a meeting, as it does have a canyon like feel. Molly thinks we should be careful in overusing the interpretation of theme because we do not want to be restrictive or hinder artists’ creativity. Julie thinks it should evoke an oasis. Kara thinks it is a great opportunity for us to do something fresh, lively, and modern. W e should let the artists’ creativity be open to explore. Amanda thinks we don’t want to cap artists’ inspiration. Molly thinks we need to create luminosity to it perhaps bringing in vibrant colors, so that it opens and enlivens the space. Kathy thinks that an artist will bring the fresh vision. Michael thinks we should look at the experience so that it is dimensional. Kara comments that CA Skatepark is great at working with the given space and environment. They have a sense of area, space, and needs of the locale. She has faith in their direction from a design point of view. Kathy hopes that we all be present at the May 13 meeting. Molly shows images that Julie would like to share with the board. Relating to the skatepark she has video from Rapid City, SD art walks. The area is a place for locals to create graffiti art. This alleyway is dedicated for this style of art. Bill asks Molly what her concern is with graffiti art. Molly remarks that this is what we need to be careful of for a permanent installation at the skatepark, as it invites vandalism. Graffiti in itself is against the law. She thinks that if the art looks like it was tagged, it will invite others to do so. Personally, she remarks that she would get bored overtime looking at something that represents graffiti unless it was intriguing. She explains that there is a very big difference between professional street artists and graffiti artists. Bill asks if we can change it from time to time. Molly comments that is a lot of organization and execution in inviting, selecting, vetting, prepping, and installing murals annually. Molly comments that we have thought about transferring murals into tiles, so that there is not a maintenance issue as with paint. Molly reminds the board that we need to stay away from introducing graffiti into the language of street or urban art, as it is unlawful. 4. Vail ART Pass Molly distributes information about the Powers Arts Center and a James Surls studio visit. Both are in Carbondale and are interested in welcoming a group from the Vail Art Pass. Molly comments that there are so many opportunities for tours and visits that coming up with ideas will not be difficult. The commitment to a calendar and organization of the tours is where she needs the board’s participation. Molly believes weekends will be difficult to commit, so perhaps we should look at weekdays. Kathy comments Thursdays can be difficult as well. Molly asks the board if they have ever been to Anderson Ranch lunchtime auctionettes. These fall on Fridays throughout the summer and could be fun outings as well. Molly has talk ed to Matt Mire, town attorney, regarding the club, so we have the language correct. He requires it be very clear that this is a club and in no way influential to the AIPP board making decisions as it is not town sanctioned. He would lik e details on membership as well. She would like to get feedback from the board in order to further discuss it with him. At this stage we need to decide on fees for events versus membership with fees. She asks if they would want it to be e-membership. Michael thinks membership is appropriate and members get discounted rate. There needs to be a forward commitment. The fee will be the value of the membership which gets you the discounted entry fees. Matt was very clear the Vail ART Pass would not involve decisions that would affect AIPP like Friends of Library. Michael comments that it is clear this is a club. Molly asks about number of events. Should we have one event a month during the summer and winter and take off low occupancy months. We can take a break April, May, October and November. Molly informs the board that the Denver Botanical Gardens will have an exhibit of Deborah Butterfield May 23 – September 27. Amanda has connected us to CME for wholesale rates. Amanda thinks $50 is acceptable for the membership. The discounted rate would be applied to members. She thinks we can have signature events for members at no costs. Kara agrees. She thinks $50 is good. Julie agrees, but that $10 discounts will be too much. Bill and Michael agree that it is a fair membership fee. Kathy remarks that because you have a Vail ART Pass does not mean that you are able to tell AIPP what to do and that it is merely a social group interested in the arts. 5. Summer Programming  GoPro – Zio Zeigler Molly has been talking with GoPro and the VVF to have a professional San Francisco based mural artist create a mural in a live demonstration during the games. Molly pulls up images of Zio’s work for the board to review. The board responds positively to his work. The challenge will be to relocate the mural after the games. He has an established relationship with VANS so the skatepark will not work. He would like it to remain as a public art project versus ending up in an office. Some opportunities may be Dobson Ice Arena, Red Sandstone Elementary, or the first level of the Vail parking structure. It will depend on the art once it is created where the fit seems most ideal. Molly is meeting with the VVF again today to look at a possible location on the construction fence abutting the Wall Street building. The mural would have to have plywood affixed to the fence, so that it can be relocated after the GPMG. The board is supportive of having this artist invited to Vail for the live art performance.  Michael Grab – Gravity Glue Molly has been trying to pin down a date for him to come for a performance weekend. We are asking that he come in August as to not interfere with a spawning of trout. The window is August 1 through mid-September. Our weekends in August are limited due to other events in the creek. She has been reaching out to the artist and waiting to hear back as to his availability. Michael thinks that if we cannot get him this year, we should get him on the calendar for next year. 6. Vail Village Welcome Center, RFP Molly comments that an RFP makes sense for this project as it is specific to the space. There are no present comments from the board on the RFP. Kathy asks about the vinyl banners as they would impose on any installation. Molly will ask if they can be relocated. Molly does comment that the Welcome Center is not open at nighttime and that it is dark versus the images in the photos. She thinks we need to consider hours of operation in the RFP. Michael comments on air currents might be nice to take of advantage of so that there is movement. Kathy remarks that we truly need to consider the maintenance, cleaning, durability, and sun exposure. Michael comments that the “I” also blocks it a bit from the outdoors. Molly will get the heights from the engineers to include in the RFP. 7. Art-spiration Molly shows images of suspended works of art found in open atrium like spaces. These images will help to inspire the board with the RFP for the Vail Village Welcome Center as they show a variety of styles and materials. 8. Coordinator updates  Branching Pattern by Robert Tully will have a new base at the Vail TRC in the coming weeks.  Wall Street Riddles – will be repainted at the end of the month by Amy Dose. There have been a couple that have been damaged.  Ford Park Portals – we should have preliminary concepts by late summer by Chevo Studios.  Artful Sol – Molly has not received accurate information regarding the method of installation of the work.  Rotating art installed at VPL  Bird of Paradise relocated near the entry of the Lionshead parking structure.  Deer Fence installed Meeting adjourned.