sr-012412-3d (2)i Council r
City of
Santa Monied
City Council Meeting: January 24, 2012
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Karen Ginsberg, Director, Community & Cultural Services
Subject: Approval of Artwork Fabrication Contract for Palisades Garden Walk
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with Inigo Manglano - Ovalle for the
fabrication of the artwork to be installed in Palisades Garden Walk in an amount not to
exceed $440,200.
Executive Summary
A major work of public art will be included in the new Civic Center park (Palisades
Garden Walk) as part of the City's Percent for Art Program. Artist Inigo Manglano - Ovalle
would create an iconic sculpture comprised of 49 telescoping stainless steel poles each
affixed at the top with anemometers and wind vanes, staggered in height in increments
of one foot (see attachment A). Viewable from many vantage points in the park, the
elegant, grid -like form and quiet kinetic aspect of "Weather Field" (as the piece is
tentatively titled) complements the innovative design of the park by James Corner Field
Operations both physically and conceptually by highlighting the topography of the park
and acknowledging the local environment. Mr. Manglano - Ovalle was selected last year
through a competitive process and his designs have been reviewed and approved by
the Santa Monica Arts Commission and its Public Art Committee.
Background
In September 2010, the Public Art Committee of the Santa Monica Arts Commission
unanimously approved use of an invitational selection process for the Park, per the
City's adopted procedures for artist selection. The selection panel, assembled by the
Cultural Affairs Division and consisting of five prominent arts administrators and
curators, was asked to develop a pool of 20 qualified artists to invite to submit a
Statement of Interest. The City received submissions from fourteen internationally -
renowned artists and the selection panel short- listed five to interview. Based on the
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original submissions and the interview, the panel recommended Mr. Manglano - Ovalle to
the Public Art Committee of the Arts Commission as the best artist for the project.
Discussion
Based in Chicago, Mr. Manglano - Ovalle has a varied and complex practice that
encompasses sculpture, video and other disciplines. Mr. Manglano - Ovalle often
collaborates with scientists on projects that make objects in the natural world that are
difficult to touch, such as DNA molecules or clouds, tangible. It was this aspect of his
work, as well as his track record, that favorably impressed the selection panel, which felt
that he would create a significant work of art for the park, one that addresses the
uniqueness and prominence of the site and embraces the culture and values of the
community. Mr. Manglano - Ovalle's work gained international recognition at events, such
as Documenta XI and Art 38 Basel, and is held in a number of collections, such as the
Peter Norton Collection and the Guggenheim and Whitney Museums. In addition, he
has received a number of awards, including fellowships from both the John D. and
Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. In
December 2011, he was awarded the prestigious United States Artists Fellowship.
Viewable from many vantage points in the park, the elegant, grid -like form and quiet
kinetic aspect of "Weather Field" (as the piece is tentatively titled) complements the
innovative design of the park by James Corner Field Operations both physically and
conceptually by highlighting the topography of the park and acknowledging the local
environment. The terms of the contract with the artist, if approved, would provide for the
fabrication and transportation of the work to the park, its installation, and upon approval
of the finished artwork, its acquisition by the City. Once the work has been approved by
the City, the work would become part of the City's collection and the City would be
responsible for its long term maintenance. Every effort has been made as part of the
design review process to minimize anticipated maintenance primarily to periodic
pressure washing.
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Commission Action
On February 3, 2011, the Public Art Committee approved the selection panel's
recommendation of Mr. Manglano - Ovalle, and, on September 1, 2011, the Committee
approved the conceptual design. The final design was approved by the Arts
Commission and its Public Art Committee at a joint meeting on December 19, 2011.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract to be awarded to Mr. Manglano - Ovalle includes all costs for engineering,
fabrication and transportation of the artwork for an amount not to exceed $440,200.
Funds are available in account number 801008117.589000 Percent for Art.
Subsequent annual maintenance of the artwork, in an amount not to exceed $2,000, will
be funded from account number C010081.589000.
Prepared by: Jessica Cusick, Cultural Affairs Manager
Approved:
Karen Ginsber
Director, Comm nity $ Cultura Services
Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager
Attachment A: Rendering of artwork by Inigo Manglano - Ovalle
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Weather Field (as yet untitled) - by Ihigo Mangiano- Ovalle
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Front View Inigo Manglano- Ovalle
1235 N. Rockwell
Drawing Date: October 20, 2011 Chicago I 3
cel. 312 371 -871-87
68
imo @mindspnng.com
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242.5"
[20' -2 1/2 "1
27"
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243"
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Reference Contract No.
9536 (CCS).