A5
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: Apr. 30, 1996
Dept. File No.: SP
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: Director of Cultural Affairs
SUBJECT: Public Art Commission, 901 West Hastings Plaza
RECOMMENDATIONS
A. THAT staff commission Daniel Laskarin's public art proposal
"Working Landscape" for 901 West Hastings Plaza, based on
the approved budget of $100,000 on account in the Public Art
Reserve.
B. THAT after a technical and budget review, staff report back
on the cost of the selection panel's recommendation that the
commission be expanded to include a fourth turntable, and
additional planting for the plaza.
GENERAL MANAGER COMMENTS
The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of
A and B.
COUNCIL POLICY
On May 3, 1995, City Council approved a public art budget of $127,667
for the Plaza at 901 West Hastings Street.
On December 14, 1995, Council approved $13,000 to enable public
display of short-listed proposals and increase public access to the
public art process.
PURPOSE
This report recommends that City Council commission Daniel Laskarin's
"Working Landscape" for 901 West Hastings Plaza.
BACKGROUND
On May 3, 1995, City Council approved a public art process budgeted at
$127,667 for public art at 901 West Hastings Street Plaza. In
response to growing public interest in the public art process, Council
approved an additional $13,000 on December 14, 1996, enabling the
short-listed proposals to be exhibited for public review.
In October, 1995, an open call to artists was issued and 85
submissions were received. The selection panel, consisting of artist
Renee Van Halm, architect Richard Henriquez, and SFU Downtown City
Program director Judy Oberlander, recommended a short-list of five.
Five artists were given a budget of $2,000 to refine their schemes and
make models for display at Library Square.
The models and a description of the public art process were exhibited
at the library from April 4 through 29. Public comment on the
proposals was invited, and approximately 325 comments were recorded
(sample comments are on file with City Clerk). Finally, after
conducting artist interviews, technical analyses, and in-depth reviews
of the public comments, the panel unanimously recommended Daniel
Laskarin's "Working Landscape". Mr. Laskarin's artist statement is
attached as Appendix A.
DISCUSSION
Staff and the Public Art Committee are pleased with the selection
process and the display of the short-listed proposals. Thoughtful
comments were made about all five proposals, and these informed the
selection panel's deliberations. Many members of the public expressed
appreciation for the opportunity to comment.
As a follow-up to its recommendation, the panel will discuss its
process for making its short-list and final recommendation at a public
forum at 6:00 P.M. on May 23, at SFU Downtown.
"Working Landscape"
Mr. Laskarin's proposal includes three turntables which rotate at
rates equalling one hour, eight hours, and forty hours, representing,
respectively, the lunch hour, the work day, the work week. The work
includes a fourth turntable which could rotate every fifteen minutes
(the coffee break) were more funds available. All turntables differ
in size but are large enough to accommodate standard park benches.
After a preliminary review, City Engineers have indicated the proposal
is technic-ally sound.
The selection panel has recommended that Council approve additional
funds to activate the fourth ("Coffee Break") turn-table, and add more
planting to the Plaza. Staff recommend a report back on the
additional cost, after the detailed design review given to the
proposal prior to commission. The source of any additional funding
would be the Public Art Unallocated Budget.
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