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FAC 03-26-02o City of Cupertino FINE ARTS COMMISSION Regular Meeting March 26, 2002 CALL TO ORDER At 7:40 p.m. Chairperson Hema Kundargi called the meeting to order in Conference Room A, Cupertino City Hall, 10300 Torre Avenue. ROLL CALL Present: Chairperson Hema Kundargi, Commissioners Nancy Canter, Shirley Lin Kinoshita, Carl Orr, Barbara Phelps, Rita Young, City Clerk Kimberly Smith and Recording Secretary Dorothy Steenfott Absent: Janet Mohr Guests: Roger Berry, Four Seasons Plaza Artist, David Middlebrook and David Anderson, Artists APPROVAL OF MINUTES Orr moved to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of February 26, 2002. Kundargi seconded and motion passed unanimously with Mohr absent, and Canter abstaining. COMMISIONER AND LIAISON REPORTS Young reported on the mayor's breakfast from March. She stated that the Teen Commission would be presenting a mobile skate park during the job fair at the Monta Vista High School on April 27. Orr will attend the mayor's breakfast in April and Canter will attend the breakfast in May. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. Four Seasons Plaza - Presentation from artist Roger Berry on new concept City Clerk reported on the meetings with the project management team (City Clerk, Public Works Director, City Architect, and Community Development' Director) and representatives of the hotel and apartments. She reported that discussions were held to discuss the new concepts for the plaza design, gateway, and public art. It was the preference of the management team that there should be multiple pieces of art throughout the site instead of in one location. March 26, 2002 Fine Arts Commission Page 2 Roger Berry reviewed the concepts he had developed over time while working on this project. It was clear that one of the demands of this art piece is that it be visible from the road, and what he had originally proposed wouldn't be. He indicated that the nature of the proposed park had changed from a quiet place to a very public, active place. There is now some direction and it is time for the commission's response. He stated that at some point someone has to approve the direction so that the art can be developed. He indicated that his original proposal told the story of seasons in shadow, and the new concept works with light instead of shadow. He showed some computer cartoons of several dichroic mirrors to reflect colors and create a cascade of colored light. Phelps asked about the large shadows which would be cast by the new buildings. Mr. Berry stated that he had visited the site to check on that. He was pleased to note that the hotel hardly cast a shadow on the park all year long. In the morning shade from the apartment building will completely cover the park, but at about 9:00 a.m. it is gone and then basically the park is in light all year long. He indicated that there is minimal shadow right against the hotel. City Clerk stated that the landscape architect also did a shadow study. He described his original idea for four bronze and stainless steel sculptures in more detail, and then discussed his ideas for the mirrored sculptures. One idea was for a vertical element with mirrors beginning at least 10 feet up. Mr. Berry said that the relationships of the upper mirrors to the lower mirrors might be designed in a way to represent different seasons. Kundargi asked Mr. Berry about public safety with respect to kids. Mr. Berry stated that that is always a risk, but there have not been any safety issues with any of his pieces. He stated that the mirrors are readily replaceable due to the large volume of producers in the state. Canter asked about maintenance and Berry said probably the only maintenance would be to hose them off. March 26, 2002 Fine Arts Commission Page 3 He described one "cartoon" which showed surrogate trees that are 20 feet tall, and if he created four of them he would make them seasonal and would put the combinations of mirrors and angles in such a way that they would each have a particular harmonic seasonality. Phelps asked if the piece at the Shabow Science Center had ever been vandalized. Mr. Berry stated that it had not. Phelps stated that she felt that a serious time telling piece would be much more effective than a decorative thing. She felt that if it could be a place where teachers could bring students and instruct there, it would make the art more meaningful. She suggested a celestial dome hinting at time without numerous mirrors or bells and whistles to add more intelligence. Mr. Berry stated that he'd like to have whatever the piece is have meaning and intelligence. Mr. Berry stated that the form is not yet articulated, except in as a "cartoon", and the tree form is probably where he was headed. Canter asked if the city has a structural engineer to look at the piece. Mr. Berry stated that that would be part of his contract and it would be have to be determined as to whether the city chooses one or not. He stated that quite often if there is a structural engineer already on the project it is easier for that person to do it, but that he has several of his own as well. City Clerk highlighted the gateway concept which council asked to have considered. City Clerk also informed the commission that the city would probably be entering into a contract with Prometheus to have them build the plaza instead of the city. Mr. Berry explained how the dichroic mirrors are magenta, yellow and cyan and they reflect red, blue and green. Mr. Berry stated that the management team seemed to prefer the vertical columns in four elements and asked if the commission agreed. Phelps asked if Mr. Berry knew why the vertical columns were preferred. Mr. Berry stated that he felt there was sense that they blended well with the park. Orr stated that the vertical colunms are the one he prefers. He stated that a park with a concept of abstract trees fits very well and goes back to the original four seasons park concept with different types of fruit trees which proved to be unmanageable. March 26, 2002 Fine Arts Commission Page 4 o o Orr moved to direct Mr. Berry to proceed with the four vertical elements. Canter seconded. The motion carried 6-0 with Mohr absent. Chairperson Kundargi reordered the agenda to hear items 6A and 5D next. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation from artists David Middlebrook and David Anderson David Anderson showed a slide presentation of his work and reviewed a sculpture that he had available for purchase. He stated that the sculpture from his branch and blossom series available and is maintenance free. He suggested that the sculpture be installed in a raised garden or lobby area. Images of his work are on his website at dka9.com. David Middlebrook also presented slides of his work, and said that two pieces, Strattle and Strand are available for purchase. The commissioners concurred that they liked the sculpture on offer from both artists, and discussed the best means of contacting more artists with work for sale. UNFINISHED BUSINESS D. Status report regarding art in public places artist inquiry letter The commission reviewed two versions of the draft inquiry letter, and chose one that did not specify a dollar amount, and made additional changes. Orr stated that the sites that the ad hoc committee is recommending are the comer of Torre and Rodrigues in front of City Hall, either side of the driveway at the Quinlan Community Center, and either side of the two streets that go up to the comer, and Jollyman Park. Canter suggested that a plan be established to incorporate art throughout the city. Lin Kinoshita felt that two artists' work was too narrow a choice and that other artists' work also be considered. City Clerk suggested that the commission make a presentation to council, which would provide some background regarding the in lieu money from Apple, and remind council that they expressed interest in purchasing available art to enhance and beautify the city. The commission could also make a recommendation indicating a specific site and art piece for each site. City Clerk suggested that the commission decide whether to solicit public input or leave that decision to city council. March 26, 2002 Fine Arts Commission Page 5 Phelps and Lin Kinoshita agreed to work on the staff report for the May 6 council meeting, and bring a draft to the April Fine Arts Commission meeting. Kundargi would come to city hall to sign the inquiry letter and all members would contact the City Clerk with suggestions for the mailing list. B. Receive report from grant ac hoc committee Kundargi reported on the ad hoc committee's recommendation. She stated that the ad hoc committee recommended the following grants be awarded: $1,200 to Cherry Blossom Festival, $1,200 to Jennifer Swanton Brown, $1,060 to Monta Vista High School, and $1060 to the San Jose String Quartet. She stated that the ad hoc committee recommended declining a grant to Robert Harrison and the Bay Area Showcase. Orr moved to accept the ad hoc committee's grant recommendations. Young seconded and motion passed unanimously with Mohr absent. C. Follow up report regarding Percent-For-Art cap amount Phelps distributed a copy of feedback from the various cities. All recommended against a cap. Young moved to remove language for an expenditure cap on the percent for art program language in the General Plan. Phelps seconded and motion passed unanimously with Mohr absent. E. Status report regarding the Cherry Blossom Festival Lin Kinoshita reported that she had contacted Diana Aragabrite from the Euphrat Museum. Diana suggested "Young Artists in Cupertino" as the theme for the exhibit. Lin Kinoshita will let Diana know that "Budding Artist" was the recommended title from the commission. The commission concurred that they should recommend a theme in September 2002 to allow more time for Diana to incorporate it into the curriculum. Kundargi will announce the exhibit during the festival on April 20 at 10: a.m. F. Art and Wine Festival planning Continued to April 23 meeting. March 26, 2002 Fine Arts Commission Page 6 7. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 10:50 p.m. ecording Se~tary