SR-06-12-2012-3LCity Council Meeting: June 12, 2012
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Karen Ginsberg, Director, Community & Cultural Services
Subject: Approval of Artwork Fabrication Contract for Parking Structure 6
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a professional services agreement with Mike Ross (NonStop, Inc.) for the
fabrication and installation of an artwork for the east fagade of Parking Structure 6 in an
amount not to exceed $125,000.
Executive Summary
Artist Mike Ross is proposing to create a whimsical, brightly - colored "paint drip"
sculpture for the east fagade of the new Parking Structure 6 at a cost of $125,000. The
work would enliven the alleyway and engage passersby; parts of the sculpture would be
viewable from the Third Street Promenade. Mr. Ross was selected last year through a
competitive process and his design has been reviewed and approved by the Santa
Monica Arts Commission and its Public Art Committee.
Background
In March 2011 the City issued a Request for Qualifications for artwork for the east
fagade of Parking Structure 6. Mr. Ross was one of five finalists, out of 31 artists,
invited to develop a proposal. In July 2011, the selection panel, consisting of arts
administrator Letitia Ivins- Fernandez, artist Jody Zellen, and architect Christof Jantzen,
conducted in- person interviews with the five shortlisted artists and reviewed their
proposals. The panel recommended Mr. Ross to the Public Art Committee of the Arts
Commission as the best artist for the project.
Discussion
Mr. Ross strives to create art that is iconic, visually rich and thought- provoking-
connecting with universal themes while remaining engaging and accessible. His work is
experiential. He seeks to share his sense of joy and wonder for the world around us
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through playful forms created from industrial artifacts and employing bright, saturated
colors. His work is also informed by the years he spent working as a research scientist
in artificial intelligence and linguistics, and inspired by emergent phenomena, complex
systems and the interaction of the natural and the man -made.
The piece Mr. Ross developed for Parking Structure 6, a brightly colored sculpture of
fiber reinforced polymer, would enliven the rear fapade of the structure and engage both
passersby in the alley and patrons of the structure. The piece would be fabricated by
Kreysler and Associates, one of the leading firms in the nation working with these
materials. They have produced work for such renowned artists as Claes Oldenburg and
James Turrell.
Commission Action
On August 15, 2011, the Public Art Committee approved the panel's recommendation of
Mike Ross and the conceptual design. The final design was approved by the Public Art
Committee of the Arts Commission on May 3, 2012.
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The proposed contract includes all costs for engineering, fabrication, transportation and
installation of the artwork for an amount not to exceed $125,000. Funds for the contract
are available in account number C770081.589000. Subsequent annual maintenance, in
amount not to exceed $2,000, will be funded from account 0010081.589000.
Prepared by: Jessica Cusick, Cultural Affairs Manager
Approved: Forwarded to Council:
Karen Ginsber Rod Gould
Director, Com nity 8�Cultural S rvices City Manager
Attachment A: Rendering of artwork by Mike Ross
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Please see "Sight Lines" documents for information on visibility from various viewpoints.
View of PS6 and sculpture from far eastern side of 3rd St. Promenade
View of PS6 and sculpture stepping 35' towards center of Promenade
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FEq Map
Actual placement and
specs may vary.
Typical 400 Watt Fixture
Runs on 277 Volt
Reference Contract No.
9596 (CCS).