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01.29.25 BAC Presentation 2Public Art Action Item Process and Finalist Approval for the Western City Campus January 29, 2025 Process/Finalist Approval Western City Campus (WCC) Three project sites and budgets: •WCC Plaza - $300,000 •Pavilion Lobby and Garage Atrium – $450,000 •Garage Stairwell - $100,000 WCC Sites for Art Process to date •March 2024: Orientation Meeting (Draft RFQ) •August 2024: Finalist Artist Selection Meeting (select finalists for each of the three projects) •December 2024: Finalist Proposal Presentations and Selection WCC Public Art Selection Panel Members (Voting): Artist: Helen Masvikeni -Masango – Business Owner, Photographer Arts Professional: Leah Brenner Clack - Executive Director, NoBo Art District Arts Commissioner: Maria Cole - Architect/Planner, Studio Cole Community Member: Liz Compos - Artist, Marketing and Community Events Manager, Lucky's Market Community Member: Ian Swallow -Senior Development Project Manager, Boulder Housing Partners WCC Public Art Technical Review Committee (Non-voting): Michele Crane, Facilities and Fleet Deputy Director Adam Goldstone, Facilities Senior Project Manager Leana Evenson, Facilities Construction Project Analyst Erika Garcia, Facilities Custodian Supervisor Jason Cahalan, Facilities Maintenance Technician III Kate Krikorian, ZGF Architects Jenny Lee, ZGF Architects Suejin Park, ZGF Architect WCC Public Art Semifinalist Review Criteria: •Inherent Artistic Qualities •Context •Ability to Maintain and Install •Time Horizon of Artwork •Diversity •Uniqueness WCC Plaza Public Art Location Rendering of Plaza From the Request for Qualifications: The selection panel members have created specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating a unique and inspiring work of art for the diverse communities that will soon live, work and visit the Western City Campus. The panel is looking for artwork(s) that are playful, welcoming, kid- friendly, and provide a cultural connection to the campus. The work could also be interactive and have a community engagement component. Works should be bright, colorful and imaginative and create a sense of belonging. Works that demonstrate the connection between human activity and the natural environment, and tell the story of the place - geologically, socially and ecologically, are encouraged. Budget: $300,000, National Call Scott Trimble – Untitled - Seattle, WA Curvilinear powder-coated steel forms that have colored cast glass in between each layer of metal. Scott Trimble Feedback (No issues from TRC) Pros: •liked the fluidity of the shape and curve in contrast to the sharp lines of the building •colorfulness was good because it appealed to the fun, bright, kid-friendly request in the call, but also spoke to Boulder/the geography •inviting people in to experience, touch, play -- also from the call Cons: •too many issues, especially with safety; powder-coated metal would be a huge problem; lots of technical issues •didn't feel unique •felt that the narrative wasn't easy to understand from outside--might require more explanation/signage Marc Fornes – Untitled – Brooklyn, NY Curvilinear painted aluminum forms bolted to the ground. Marc Fornes Feedback (TRC could not accommodate the new proposed location) Pros: •thoughtfulness in it being interactive and engaging •liked the shadows it casts, team seems sophisticated and capable •liked the size/scale of it, liked how much space it takes up in the plaza Cons: •underwhelmed by the proposal for WCC vs his previous work •piece wouldn't work if we had to move it to the original suggested location because interactive is important •thought the was underwhelming and wouldn't want it if it wasn't in the plaza Matthew Mazzotta – Cohabitat – Canton, NY Fiberglass with stainless steel armature. Work with design team to select evergreen plants for around base. Matthew Mazzotta Feedback (No issues from TRC) Pros: •so fun, gets people smiling, brings joy •would draw people in from the street/sidewalk -- which is powerful for this type of public space •really stands out as unique and surprising, excellent •really fun and playful, animal choice was thoughtful, nice contrast with the building Cons: •worried about the vegetation not being consistently hiding the fox face -- can the city maintain that? •is it timeless? Concerned it might not seem cool in the future •concerns about fiberglass material Selection Panel Recommendation: Matthew Mazzotta (Unanimous vote for Cohabitat) Feedback for Matthew Mazzotta •Work with City staff, designers and public art to ensure the foliage covers adequately •Get sample of painted fiberglass, and more info on durability of material •Fox should have a full face (not partial, in case foliage is thin) Next Steps. •Arts Commission Moves to Approve Process and Finalist •Advance to City Manager’s Office for Approval/Contracting •Follow up with concerns from panel to ensure design meets expectations. Questions about Process? Proposed Motion: “I move that we approve this process was properly conducted and recommend that the proposal by artist Matthew Mazzotta advance to the City Manager for final approval.” WCC Pavilion Lobby and Garage Atrium Public Art Locations Rendering of Lobby and Atrium From the Request for Qualifications: The selection panel members have created specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating a unique and inspiring work of art for the diverse communities that will soon work and visit the Western City Campus. The panel is looking to commission two suspended indoor artworks that will serve as a dynamic gateway to the campus. The panel is looking for artwork(s) that create a distinct connection to the natural world and have a strong daytime and nighttime presence. Works that demonstrate the connection between human activity and the natural environment, and tell the story of the place - geologically, socially and ecologically, are encouraged. Artworks will be visible from the street and should also enhance the experience for those who will work or live at the campus. Budget: $450,000 (for two suspended artworks), International Call Benjamin Ball – Untitled – Los Angeles, CA Colored stainless-steel beads, hung like netting. Benjamin Ball Feedback (No issues from TRC) Pros: •striking work in general •liked the patterns as you move around; integrated thoughtfully into the building's structure •would be mesmerizing Cons: •didn’t like the overall shapes •didn't feel unique or different from past work •not meaningful or site-specific enough Isabel Judez – Pliable Heritage – Paris, FR Inspired by local cultural heritage. Audio component with voices and nature sounds. Materials include stainless steel wire and recycled clay and bio-textiles. Isabel Judez Feedback (No issues from TRC) Pros: •appreciated inclusion of cultural piece •was ambitious •it involved the local community •liked the ephemerality and use of new materials Cons: •concerned with all the moving pieces; too ambitious; not convinced of her ability to deliver on her plans; audio sounds might get lost or create “noise” •needs more information on the materials •worried that it won't make much of a visual impact -- too delicate, will get lost in the big space •worried the colors won't contrast well; too many moving pieces; most excited about sound aspect •worried some of the designs (teepee for ex.) need more thinking-through Soo Sunny Park– Altered Topography: Flatiron Abstraction and Split/Together: Boulder Creek – Canton, NY Hand-crafted panels made from stainless steel wire and dichroic and tinted Plexi-glass pieces. Soo Sunny Park (No issues from TRC) Pros: •loved the color and lighting, liked that it creates lighting effects without electrical elements •has the potential to really "wow" people •very thoughtful, liked rectilinear shapes; she seemed confident and capable •confident in the artist's ability to consider; likes the focus on liminal spaces and thinks that fits well with Boulder; liked the references to rivers and Flatirons; likes that she's the primary fabricator for the materials Cons: •concerns the work is on the smaller side •concerned about possible glare for people in the building or on the street Selection Panel Recommendation Soo Sunny Park (Unanimous vote for Altered Topography: Flatiron Abstraction and Split/Together: Boulder Creek) Feedback for Soo Sunny Park •Work designers and public art staff to ensure the piece fills the lobby adequately •Create more distinction in color stories between the two pieces Next Steps. •Arts Commission Moves to Approve Process and Finalist •Advance to City Manager’s Office for Approval/Contracting •Follow up with concerns from panel to ensure design meets expectations. Questions about Process? Proposed Motion: “I move that we approve this process was properly conducted and recommend that the proposal by artist Soo Sunny Park advance to the City Manager for final approval.” WCC Garage Stairwell Public Art Location Rendering of Main Garage Stairwell and Elevator Bays (Artists had the option of including the opposite smaller corner stairwell fire escape, but not required) From the Request for Qualifications: The selection panel members have created specific goals and parameters for this public art project with the hope of creating a unique and inspiring work of art for the diverse communities that will soon work and visit the Western City Campus. The panel is looking for a two-dimensional indoor artwork that serves as an inclusive gateway to the campus via the parking garage. Works that offer a cultural connection, are welcoming, and create a sense of belonging while telling the story of the place are encouraged. Artworks will be visible from the street and should also enhance the experience for those who will work or live at the campus. The selection panel is open to artwork made from materials that are easy to clean and maintain, and suitable for indoor display. Budget: $100,000 (for 2-D work such as mural), Local (Colorado-only) Call Catie Michel – Untitled – Denver, CO Hand-pained murals inspired by local avian life. Catie Michel (No issues from TRC) Pros: •super thoughtful, very planned out; detail and scale are great •bright and airy; very thought out and intelligent; likes the community engagement element •so well researched; great answers to all the questions we asked; impressive detail •super approachable; home run for Boulderites •great for everyone in the community; depth of research is impressive; favorite proposal in terms of composition Cons: •lacks human element •maybe a little boring -- feels more governmental or museum-y rather than urban and exciting •maybe a little too simplistic •too safe Edica Pacha – Untitled – Denver, CO Printed wallpaper created from Edica’s photography and digital design, in partnership with Drylands Agroecology Research. Edica Pacha Feedback (No issues from TRC) Pros: •excited by the photography and all the possibilities •appreciated that images of humans are representational not specific •scale would make it very striking •liked the photographic style; feels universal Cons: •concerned that we don't have a clear idea of what it will actually look like •confused about the narrative; underwhelmed •struggled to know what it will actually look like; wouldn't have confidence in choosing her over the others Koko Colab – Untitled – Denver, CO Hand painted mural using digital collage, inspired by ecology and biophilic design. Koko Colab (No issues from TRC) Pros: •liked the growing from the ground up and the connection to nature •appreciated the diversity; liked the focus on health •had a human element •liked the narrative •loved the composition and all the things in it; liked how the second mural is more relaxing and different from the first Cons: •it felt too somber -- like surrealist dystopia •too serious -- wouldn't be good for people working and living there -- the design should cheer people up more Bimmer Torres – Infinite Flow – Arvada, CO Hand painted mural based on local culture, flora and fauna. Will also include the (optional) SE fire escape stairwell on opposite side of garage. Bimmer Torres (No issues from TRC) Pros: •really thought-through; contained a lot; incorporated all the concepts we asked for in the RFQ; has confidence in his artistic abilities •so beautiful; loved the narrative and cultural symbols •beautiful colors; liked that it included human forms, not just natural/animal •authentic; would add more to a sense of place •liked how we wove together many concepts; liked the options for second location; likes the emotion and the vibrancy of color Cons: •concerns about the images of faces and possible stereotyping •might be too ambitious •missing the educational aspect some of the others had; the two women pictured at the bottom seems too generic Selection Panel Recommendation Bimmer Torres (Unanimous vote for Infinite Flow) Feedback for Bimmer Torres •Make sure to really research what the indigenous faces (and clothing) should look like - consult with Creative Nations if needed •Rethink the two women hiking at the bottom, maybe replace with two bear cubs? •Make the background color swirls less colorful/heavy Next Steps. •Arts Commission Moves to Approve Process and Finalist •Advance to City Manager’s Office for Approval/Contracting •Follow up with concerns from panel to ensure design meets expectations. Questions about Process? Proposed Motion: “I move that we approve this process was properly conducted and recommend that the proposal by artist Bimmer Torres advance to the City Manager for final approval.” Final Thoughts on Projects, Process and/or Suggestions for Success?