SR-10-A (31)
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OCT 9 ''990
Santa Monica, California
CARS:BFM:jp:conradsr
Council Meeting: OCTOBER 9, 1990
STAFF REPORT
TO: Honorable Mayor and City council
FROM: Arts Commission
SUBJECT: RECOMMENDATION BY THE ARTS COMMISSION THAT CITY COUNCIL
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A
CONTRACT WITH PAUL CONRAD TO INSTALL A SCULPTURE IN THE
CIVIC CENTER AREA
Introduction
This report outlines a recommendation by the Arts Commission that
the city Council authorize the city Manager to negotiate and
execute a contract with Paul Conrad, to install a sculpture
entitled nChain Reaction" in the Civic Center area between the
County Courthouse and civic Auditorium (see attached map).
Background
Paul Conrad contacted the city in spring, 1988 to gauge their
interest in providing a permanent site for a proposed gift of a
26 foot sculpture entitled "Chain Reaction" made from oversize
chain links. The Arts Commission referred the project to an Art
Bank Jury composed of three artists and teachers (Tony Berlant,
Bruria Finkel and George Herms), for an expert jUdgment. The Art
Bank jury, recognizing the sculpture's aesthetic qualities,
recommended that the Arts Commission invite pUblic input and
consult with the artist on the question of siting. Considering
the Art Bank Jury's recommendation,
the Arts commission
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OCT 9 1990
unanimously approved proposing acquisition of "Chain Reaction" at
its meeting of June 20, 1988.
Several alternative sites were discussed at subsequent meetings
of a joint Arts Commission/Recreation and Parks Commission site
Selection Committee. A site in front of the gymnasium at
Memorial Park (14th Street and Olympic Boulevard) was accepted by
the joint Arts/Parks Committee and the artist and this selection
was endorsed by the Arts Commission at its meeting of April 17,
1989.
The Recreation and Parks Commission held a public hearing on the
siting of "Chain Reaction" at its meeting of May 18, 1989.
Public input at the hearing favored siting the sculpture in front
of City Hall or in the civic Center area. The. Recreation and
Parks Commission voted to endorse the City Hall site rather than
the Memorial Park Site at the May 18th meeting. After
considering the Recreation and Parks Commission's site
recommendation at its meeting of June 19, 1989, the Arts
Commission unanimously approved the City Hall/Civic Center site
pending public input.
In order to gain publ ic input, a maquette of the piece was
displayed in the lobby of City Hall from July through October of
1989. Of those surveyed, 730 citizens recommended against the
City accepting the sculpture and 392 citizens favored its
acceptance. Those responding positively were asked to select
from three alternative sites within the civic Center. The
results were as follows: North of City Hall; 58; front of city
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Hall: 178: front of Civic Auditorium: 118. Based on the survey
results, and after hearing public input at its meeting of January
17, 1990, the Arts Commission voted unanimously to recommend that
City Council accept "Chain Reaction" and install it between the
County Courthouse and Civic Auditorium because of the artistic
merit of the sculpture and suitability of the site. Following
renewed discussion initiated by co-council Liaison David Finkel
concerning the role of public input and the desirability of
installing a controversial work, at its meeting of June 23, 1990,
the Arts Commission reaffirmed its "enthusiastic support" of
"Chain Reaction", and once again referred the item to city
council for approval.
Budget and Fiscal Impact
"chain Reaction" is a proposed gift and consequently there would
be no budgetary or fiscal impact. All installation costs plus
maintenance expense for the first year the work is on view will
be underwritten by the donor. Because the work is in bronze,
on-going maintenance expense should be limited to periodic
graffiti removal. In the event that the Civic Center specific
plan or an unforeseen eventuality necessitates removal of "Chain
Reaction", the contract will include an agreement with the donor
that he would cover all relocation costs.
Recommendation
The Arts commission recommends installing "Chain Reaction" in the
Civic Center area between the county Courthouse and Civic
Auditorium. In the event City Council accepts the art work but
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does not agree with the recommended site, the Arts Commission
requests the matter of siting be referred back to the Arts
commission for further study.
Prepared by: Barbara Franklin-Moran
Director, Cultural and Recreation Services
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TO CITY OF SANTA MONICA
ConcernIng 'Chain ReactIon' sculpture
Statement of the ArtIst
If anythIng stands as a symbol of our age, the mushroom cloud
of a nuclear explosIon surely does.
Fro~ the UnIverslLY of ChIcago, to Alamagordo, to HIroshIma
and NagasakI, the enormous power of the SplIt atom has been
enlIsted in ever more lethal Instruments. These forces have
become the core of UnIted States milItary mIght, and of Its
allIes and rivals on the world stage.
ror decades, the policy of nutual assured destructIon has
prOVIded an uneasy, but so-f~r effectIve, deterrent to a
thIrd world war_
ThIS sculpture, 'Chain React.lon'. vJhICh I propose to bl1Ild,
WIll stand as a symbol of the peace WhiCh the splIt ato~
has prOVIded.
It Will also stand as a warning to all nations that they
dare not fISk the chaIn of actIons and reactIons of nuclear
war, but must seek to coeXist and settle their dlffere~ces
peacefully.
It IS, In short, a peace statement.
May It never be an epItaph.
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Founded under the City of Santa Monica Centennial
to collect and preserve the history and culture of Santa Monica
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October 9, 1990
TOI
SANTA MONICA CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND CITY MANAGER JOHN JALILI
FROMa
SANTA MONICA HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS
RE.s
CHAIN REACTION/CONRAD SCULPTURE
Dear Members of the Santa Monica City Council and
City Manager John Jalilia
The Santa Monica Historical society Board of Directors strongly
opposes the Conrad sculpture Chain Reaction and feels it would
not be appropriate in any area of our city.
We find it to be objectionable, grotesque, and offensive. It
does nothing to enhance the beauty and charm of our beautiful
santa Monica.
You have previously done surveys in the community regarding this
sculpture and the majority of people were very explicit about
not wanting it in our city. Why not listen to the voice of the
people you are supposed to be representing.
~~~
Louise B. Gabriel
Pre sident
And the Board of Directors
BOX 3059. WILL ROGERS STATION SANTA MONICA. CALIFORNIA 90403 . (213) 828-2170 (213) 394-2605