SR-305-004-03
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OCT 2 7 1987
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council Meeting: 10/27/87
Santa Monica, California
TO: Mayor and City council
FROM: city Staff
SUBJECT: Privately Funded Public Sculpture by Baile Oakes
INTRODUCTION
This Staff Report recommends city Council approval of a proposed
privately funded public sculpture by Baile Oakes to be sited in a
palm grove just south of the Palisades Park Rose Garden. The
construction budget is $45,000 of which $30,000 has been donated
to the SMARTS Foundation by an art patron. The SMARTS Foundation
Board has pledged $15,000 to the project. Additional donations
by other private patrons to underwrite an installation budget of
approximately $10,000 may be forthcoming upon council approval of
this plan.
BACKGROUND
11Gestation" is an outdoor sculpture by Baile oakes. Its theme is
birth and regeneration -- the basic roots of life. The circle
motif was chosen because its form represents infinity. The
progression of "ribs" from the circle symbolizes constant growth.
"Gestation" is intended to invite interaction and contains an
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OCT 2 7 1987
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interior circle 7 1/2 feet in diameter. This allows a citizen to
walk into the sculpture and experience its dynamics from the
inside out. The sculpture will be orientated so that the edges
of the outermost rib will form a viewing line to the western
horizon. This view is aligned toward the setting sun at winter
solstice. In this way the sculpture will visually celebrate the
return of spring.
The sculpture will be formed from Oregon yellOW cedar. Yellow
cedar is preferred because it can be milled and dried in a way
that will enhance durability. The piece will not be finished nor
coated in order to allow it to weather and take on a rich,
time-worn patina.
SITE
The Arts Commission, the Recreation and Parks Commission and the
Arts Foundation have recommended a location on the lawn
immediately south of the Rose Garden. The Palisades site is a
crucial factor in the theme "forces of life" because the area
combines ocean, land, air, wind, people, plants and animals. An
existing collonade of palms bordering the lawn will serve as an
harmonious entrance to the sculpture because the form of the
trees carries the same soothing visual message as the curved
progression of "Gestation". Proposed installation date is
January I, 1989.
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SELECTION PROCESS
In July, 1986, Baile Oakes asked Stephen Garrett, Director of the
Long Beach Museum of Art, if the Museum could recommend a
suitable outdoor location for a proposed sculpture. Mr. Garrett
referred Mr. Oakes to Lindsay Shields, Director of the Public
Corporation for the Arts in Long Beach and Chairperson of the
Santa Monica Arts commission. After contacting Mr. Oakes and
ascertaining the quality of his work, Ms. Shields forwarded the
proposal to Lynne C. Barrette, Assistant City Manager then
Acting Director of the Santa Monica Arts Commission. At a
meeting of the Arts Commission on December 15, 1986, Ms. Shields
and Ms. Barrette presented the possibility of developing a
project with Mr. oakes. After the Commission responded
enthusiastically to the artist's proposal, Henry Korn, Arts
Commission Director was asked to develop an implementation plan.
Mr. Oakes indicated he had a prospective donor, Nora Clow, who
was ready to make a substantial donation toward the $45,000
construction cost of the project. Time was of the essence in
view of the impending changes in tax laws regarding charitable
contributions. Mr. Korn met with the prospective donor, an
agreement with the Arts Foundation was negotiated and Ms. Clow
presented a check for $30,000. The Arts Foundation Board
formally reviewed and endorsed the plan at its meeting on January
21, 1987. On May 18, 1987 Mr. Oakes made a formal presentation
to the Arts Commission and his proposal was unanimously approved.
At its meeting of June 4, 1987 the Arts Foundation Board
unanimously approved a motion to formally commit to raising the
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remaining $15,000 required to complete the construction budget of
the Oakes project. The proposal was presented at a Joint Arts
and Parks Subcommittee Meeting on July 3, 1987 and to the
Recreation and Parks Commission on July 16, 1987. It was
approved by the Recreation and Parks Commission by a vote of 6 to
1.
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
OVer the years the coloration of the sculpture will take on the
hues of surrounding nature. Each rib is 9 1/2 inches wide by 1
1/2 inchs thick, bent and shaped into final form held together by
boat building epoxy resin -- "Chem-Tech T-88". The ribs overlap
and the joint between each section is secured by stainless steel
bolts concealed from view by plugs made from the same material
and grain pattern as the sculpture. The sculpture's engineering
has been reviewed by Charles Macintosh of Macintosh and Macintosh
who wrote a textbook on the engineering of wood structures for
the University of California. Mr. Macintosh will undertake
engineered drawings that will be submitted to General Services,
Parks and the Building Department for approval.
POSSIBLE PUBLIC CONCERNS
Durability: Wood sculpture, when properly mounted (i.e. allowing
no standing water to gather), will last hundreds of years.
Douglas Stafford, Parks Superintendent, reports adjusting the
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park sprinkler system to accomodate this objective is no problem
and a minor expense.
Graffitti: paint can be sanded. The artist will do this himself
after the first occurance. Then the city can decide whether to
coat the sculpture to protect it. This action, however, would
mean the color of the sculpture would no longer change with age.
Carving of Initials: Should this type of vandalism occur it will
not sUbstantially change the overall presence of the art work.
The strong and distinctive form will remain the same even if the
entire surface is covered. This type of vandalism is not of
concern to the artist.
Public Safety: The work is designed so that people cannot climb
the exterior of the work
the curve is too high and steep.
Sleeping: The interior space is small and thus uncomfortable for
reclining.
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT
All funding for the project will be paid for by the Arts
Foundation through private donations: therefore there is no City
budget impact.
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RECOMMENDATION
staff recommends City Council approval of "Gestation III" by
Baile Oakes. Upon approval, SMARTS will solicit required
installation funds and initiate an artist contract with the city
providing for installation of "Gestation III" in January, 1989.
Attachment
Prepared by: Lynne Barrette
Assistant city Manager
Don Arnett
Director, Recreation and Parks
Henry Korn
Director, Arts Commission
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