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Home My WebLink About8.2 AvalonBay Communities, Inc.PublicArt AGENDA STATEMENT DCITY OF HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION UBLIN MEETING DATE: March 14, 2013 SUBJECT: AvalonBay Communities, Inc. Public Art Project Prepared by Ann Mottolo, Heritage and Cultural Arts Manager ATTACHMENTS: 1) "Oasis" Description 2) Artist Resume RECOMMENDATION: Recommend approval of the proposed public art to the City Council. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: AvalonBay Communities, Inc. is currently under construction with a residential development adjacent to the East Dublin BART Station on Iron horse Parkway and Demarcus Boulevard. As part of their Development Agreement Plan, the developer opted to install public art versus paying the in lieu fee. Per the Public Art Master Plan, all private developers are required to meet with the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission for review of the artwork. Upon recommendation by the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission, the developer is also required to seek final approval of the artwork by the City Council. Project Background AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (AvalonBay), is one of the developers of the Dublin Transit Center, including Dublin Station and Dublin Station II, and has been actively engaged in the City's public art program. Representative, Jeff White, served on the public art selection committee for the East Dublin BART Station that selected the artist, Cliff Garten. While the original plan for the project was for Garten to create two artworks at two different locations within the Transit Center, it became evident during the design process that the budget was not adequate for artwork at both locations. Garten requested the entire budget be put toward one sculpture of a more significant scale at the BART plaza. Garten's request was endorsed by the selection committee and City staff, and approved by the City Council. As a result, the steel and light sculpture, "Dubliner" was installed at the plaza area of the Dublin East BART Station. Also at that time Jeff White generously offered that AvalonBay would provide an additional artwork valued at$50,000 at the median east of Campbell Green at Iron Horse Parkway. Artist Selection Process The Public Art Master Plan encourages private developers to follow an artist selection process consistent with the City's policies for selection of artists and artworks. AvalonBay has demonstrated a process similar to a limited or invitational competition. COPIES TO: ITEM NO: 8.2 G:\COMMISSIONS&COMM ITTEES\HERITAGE COMM ISSION\AGNDSTMT\2013\03-14-13 Item 8.2 Avalon Bay Public Art Project.doc AvalonBay contracted with Art Consultant Chandra Cerrito to facilitate the artist selection process. Cerrito presented over 25 qualified public artists to the development team. From those, five artists were selected as finalists. Finalists received materials regarding the site and project. Each prepared a presentation of past work relevant to possible directions for this project and they presented their work to the development team during interviews. Based on the interview and artists' past work, the development team selected Wowhaus. Wowhaus was contracted by AvalonBay to begin conceptual design work. The development team and Art Consultant offered feedback and direction regarding several initial proposals presented by Wowhaus. A final design direction was selected and developed more fully,with the input of the project's landscape architect. In making the selection of this artwork, AvalonBay used criteria inclusive of those used in the City's process. These criteria include: qualifications of the artist; quality of design; appropriateness to the site; permanence and integrity of materials. The public liability of the artwork has also been reviewed and approved, in concept, by City Engineers and Public Works. Community Outreach In addition to including the Heritage and Cultural Arts Manager in the review and critique of the artwork, as specified in the Public Art Master Plan, AvalonBay also performed outreach to the Dublin community. Avalon Bay invited the Heritage and Cultural Arts Committee to select one or two of the Commissioners would to review the artwork in advance of the formal review and recommendation by the full Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission. On February 19, 2013, Wowhaus and Art Consultant Chandra Cerrito presented the proposed artwork to Commissioners Deets and Tutino. Cerrito also shared the proposed artwork via email with members of the residential community immediately surrounding the artwork site. Feedback from the Commissioners and community has been positive without reservation. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission recommend approval of the proposed public art to the City Council. 2 of 2 OASIS Artwork by Wowhaus for Avalon Bay, Dublin, CA 2013 Oasis is inspired by the history of Dublin, which over 200 years ago served as the crossroads of two major stage routes. Travelers would stop at Alamilla Spring, in the Dublin area to refresh themselves before continuing their journey. We imagine that travelers, hot and weary from their journey, would look forward to this respite and the cool, clear waters of the springs, which were a welcome oasis. The artwork is a fantastical interpretation of this theme, evoking an imaginary contemporary oasis that references the region's history. Sited along a prominent median, colorful mosaic sculptures of fictional flowers are integrated with undulating landforms planted in "iceplant", a drought resistant groundcover that is carpeted with vivid red flowers in spring and that turns bright red in fall. The artwork and landscaping create an integrated artistic whole, transforming the linear median into a colorful oasis that complements the existing architecture. Rendered in a warm palate ranging encompassing red, yellow, orange and pink, the mosaic sculptures harmonize with the warm tones of the buildings nearby. Ranging in height from I'—4',the mosaic sculptures are created from thousands of pieces of hand-cut glass. Set in thinset with grout, the mosaic is applied to sturdy metal forms— the sculptures are created by forming metal rod into floral forms;these forms are overlaid with galvanized expanded lathe; the lathe is coated with exterior grade concrete polymer augmented by polymer and fiberglass chop. Once the concrete cures,the mosaic is applied to the sculptural forms. The sculptures are secured on site, bolted to concrete footings reinforced with rebar. The resulting artwork is safe, durable and secure;Wowhaus has created similar artwork using the same technique for the San Francisco Arts Commission; two mosaic sculptures are sited by a library adjacent to a playground and school. ATTACHMENT 1 RESUME FOR ENE OSTERAAS-CONSTABLE&SCOTT CONSTABLE ARTIST TEAM OF WOWHAUS 885 Jonive Road,Sebastopol,CA 95472 • www.thewowhaus.com • studiowowhaus @yahoo.com • (707) 874-2395 PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONS**(Note:Scott Constable and Ene Osteraas-Constable have collaborated fully on all commissions for over 15 years.) •LAKE MERRITT, Lake Merritt Entry Promenade,Oakland,CA,2013 ($200,000) Wowhaus has been commissioned to create iconic artwork at Lake Merritt,capturing the attention of thousands of passerby in cars and on foot at this significant public park site. •TSURU, Ralph Carr Judicial Center, Denver,CO,2012 ($150,000) A 9'h central bronze sculpture of the Whooping Crane that flies through this region is at the center of an integrated courtyard design with sculptural granite benches&paving pattern.The crane is an ancient symbol of wisdom;it is also an endangered species protected by law. • FLUKE, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Exploration Center, Santa Cruz,CA 2012 ($110,000) A landmark 13'wide cast bronze whale tail or"fluke"sculpture draws attention to the museum,sited by a major road at the entry to the Santa Cruz Boardwalk.The Sculpture,which anchors a dynamic oceanic public plaza design rendered in glass aggregate and pigmented concrete,invites interaction from the 1,000's of students visiting this educational museum each year. • VILLAGE AT MARKET CREEK, National Endowment for the Arts Planning Initiative,San Diego,CA 2012 (Consultancy) Wowhaus is identifying and designing myriad pubic art installations for a 60 acre development, including large-scale gateway sculptures. • GEOLOGICA, Walnut Creek,CA 2012 ($40,000) Mosaic water feature reflects geologic strata,featuring a central geode form. • SPECTRA, West Berkeley Public Library, 2013 ($49,000) Art glass incorporating dichroic glass,cast glass,and hand-cut prisms to be integrated into public library, evoking the environmental history of the region. •SPARK, Chabot College, Hayward, CA 2012 ($117,000) A series of four architecturally integrated 10'x 12'wide large-scale iridescent glass mosaic murals feature dynamic abstract images of a spark, emblematic of the spark of inspiration and scientific inquiry. •ABUNDANCE, San Francisco Arts Commission,Ortega Branch Library,San Francisco,CA,2011 ($75,000) An 11'h iridescent mosaic fish sculpture celebrates the tiny silver"forage fish",species which are vital to the ocean's ecosystem yet are threatened. Paired with 8' 1 orange Rockfish sculpture&integrated with native grasses in a plaza adjacent to school and playground,the highly durable mosaic is touched by hundreds of children visiting the library each week. • JOHN MICHAEL KOHLER ARTS CENTER, "Connecting Communities"Artist Residency,Sheboygan,WI,2010 •WATERSHED ART MARKERS,Oakland Public Art Commission,Oakland,CA, 2010 ($92,000) Marking the sites of subterranean creeks at 5 sites throughout the city,a series of 5 cast bronze relief sculptures evoke"stepping stones"across a creek.The bas relief artwork features fish and other native creatures,inviting the public to interact with the artwork by metaphorically crossing the subterranean creek.Additional installations are planned,potentially mapping the city's entire watershed ecosystem. • MILDRED'S LANE ARTIST RESIDENCY,Beach Lake,PA 2009 •SUNNYSIDE MENAGERIE,San Francisco Arts Commission,Sunnyside Conservatory,SF,CA 2009 ($75,000) Conjuring an imagined past or potential future,a series of 24 interactive bronze figurative sculptures are integrated amidst plantings in this public garden. One creature also functions as a musical instrument,creating sound when a stick is rubbed along its back. •OAKLAND FUSION,Ellis Partners, LLC,lack London Square Marketplace, Oakland,CA 2009 ($72,000) 8 interactive lenticular murals feature textiles representative of the cultural diversity of the city;viewers' perspectives shift as they walk past; head-on, patterns interpenetrate. • WISHING WANDS, San Jose Public Art Program,Berryessa Creek Park, San Jose,CA 2009 ($50,000) Interactive sculptures evoke the ATTACHMENT 2 childhood tradition of making wishes by blowing on dandelion seed heads. Myriad 3"Austrian Crystals catch light, refracting sunlight in prismatic rainbows children "catch" and play amidst. • NAPA RIVER ECOLOGY, COPIA:The American Center for Wine,Food and the Arts, Napa,CA 2007 • LOOK CLOSELY, City of Emeryville,Emeryville,CA 2006 ($100,000) A series of 11 naturalistic,functional sculptures are integrated into the landscape of a 6 block Greenway; photographic imagery etched in granite is integrated into the sculptures. • CALIFORNIA NATIVE,Creative Work Fund,Peralta Hacienda Historical Park,Oakland,CA, 2006 ($34,000) A series of 6 naturalistic,functional sculptures integrated into a public native plants garden reflect the interrelationship between local Native peoples and native plants. • "CRAFT AND DESIGN: HAND, MIND AND THE CREATIVE PROCESS",Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in partnership with Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum,Smithsonian Institution, 2004 • LIFE ON MARKET STREET, (Temporary)San Francisco Arts Commission's Art on Market Street Program,SF,CA 2004 • EDIBLE SCHOOLYARD COMMISSIONS, Berkeley,CA 2002-2005 • CALAVERAS MURALS ,Stockton Public Art Program,Stockton,CA 2004 ($100,000) Eight 10' In x 24' 1 lenticular ceramic murals "wrap" utility buildings, ,transforming them into iconic, interactive sculptural forms in the landscape.The murals, created with the participation of over 250 schoolchilyden, reflect the local watershed ecosystem. • GRIZEDALE ARTS,Artist in Residence,"Hindpool",Cumbria, England 2002 WOWHAUS EXHIBITIONS 2012 Big,Big Backyard:Contemporary Community-Engaged Art,College of the Canyons, Los Angeles,CA 2009 Terroir: A Sense of Place,MCF,Petaluma,CA 2008 Mix,Southern Exposure Gallery,SF,CA 2006 Hybrid Fields, Sonoma County Museum,Santa Rosa,CA 2006 Social Construction,Southern Exposure Gallery,SF,CA 2005 4Projects, Richard L. Nelson Gallery,UC Davis,CA 2003 Bay Area Furniture Art Blue Room Gallery,San Francisco,CA 2003 Lost Space, Phoenix Garden, London,England 2002 Grizedale Live,Grizedale Arts,Cumbria, England 2002 Treehouse: Shelter, Sanctuary, Stage,Stone Quarry Sculpture Park,Cazenovia, NY 2002 Utopia Now! (and Then) Ecology/Art Expedition Survey:Phase 1,Sonoma County Museum, Santa Rosa,CA 2001 Add/Drop/Add, Oliver Arts Center,California College of Arts&Crafts; Oakland,CA 2001 FSC Certified Wood Products Exhibition,San Francisco Airport Museum; San Francisco,CA 2000 Chicago Decorative Arts,Art Institute of Chicago;Chicago, IL 2000 California Design 2000, San Francisco,CA 1997-2001 Re(f)use- Design from Reused and Renewable Materials,The First European Arango International Design Exhibition:Stuttgart, Breda,Ghent,Athens, Barcelona, Hong Kong,Singapore, Tokyo,Taipei,Copenhagen,Paris,Utrecht. 1998 International Design Resource Awards Exhibition, Seattle, New York 1997 Rematerialize,The Royal College of Art, London,Aberdeen,Surrey 1997-98 Hello Again: A New Wave of Recycled Art and Design, Oakland, Los Angeles,Barcelona 1996-99 Re(f)use - Good Everyday Design from Reused and Recycled Materials,The 9TH Arango International Design Exhibition: Miami,Toronto, Detroit, Montreal, Los Angeles, San Francisco,Seattle WOWHAUS PAGE 3 SELECT PRESS San Francisco Magazine,p.18-21 December, 2009 NBC News, May 21,2009 POV, Metropolis,June,2008 Public Art Review,November,2007 AWARDS/GRANTS Wornick Distinguished Visiting Professor of Woodworking,California College of Arts and Crafts(S.C) 2010 Center for Cultural Innovation Investing In Artists Grant Recipient 2008 City of Oakland Individual Artist's Grant 2006 Design Annual,Communication Arts Magazine:COPIA Kids Garden Design 2005 Creative Work Fund 2004 Award of Excellence,City of Stockton Planning Commission&Cultural Heritage Board 2004 Design Distinction Award:Environments,I.D.Magazine Annual Review 2002 Excellence Award,Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture 2000 Creative Work Fund 2000 First Prize,Design Resource Awards,Seattle,WA(Ecological Design Competition) 1997 Design Excellence,Berkeley Design Advocates,Berkeley,CA(Urban Design Panel) 1995 EDUCATION ENE OSTERAAS-CONSTABLE BFA,Cum Laude, University of Massachusetts,Amherst, MA 1987 SCOTT CONSTABLE BFA-Sculpture,School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1982-85 Foundations/Architecture,RISD 1981-82