Title
Agenda Item:
Approval of West Bay Sidewalk Public Art Design
Body
Issue:
Should the City move forward with the West Bay sidewalk public art project by approving the Walking on Land by Water design?
Committee Recommendation:
On January 10, 2013 the Olympia Arts Commission unanimously agreed to recommend the concept plan, Walking on Land by Water by Carolyn Law for the West Bay Sidewalk Project.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to approve public art design Walking on Land by Water by Carolyn Law for the West Bay Sidewalk Project, as recommended by the Olympia Arts Commission.
Staff Contact:
Stephanie Johnson, Arts & Events Program Manager, Parks, Arts & Recreation, 360.709.2678,
Jim Rioux, Senior Program Specialist, Public Works, 360.753.8484,
Presenter(s):
Stephanie Johnson, Parks, Arts & Recreation
Trent Hart, Chair, Olympia Arts Commission
Background and Analysis:
In 2005, public artist Carolyn Law was contracted to design three public art sidewalks in association with the Parks & Pathways Funding Measure. Neighborly Notes on the eastside's San Francisco Street was completed in two phases, with the second phase completed in 2010. The other identified sidewalks, West Bay in the west, and Eastside/22nd Street to the south are just now moving forward, as both are complex projects.
Incorporating Walking on Land by Water into the West Bay Drive Sidewalk project is the result of collaboration by the City Parks Arts & Recreation and Public Works Departments. The public art component will be fully incorporated into the sidewalk construction project bringing efficiencies that will allow the City to get the most out of limited public art funds.
The West Bay Sidewalk Project completes missing sections of sidewalk on the west (land) side of that street, creating a continuous pedestian walkway along the corridor and providing safer passage for pedestrians going to West Bay Park, Garfield Nature Trail, or taking a walking loop. The scope of the sidewalk is approximately 1,560 linear feet, with four retaining walls, each 3 feet tall. The art proposal, Walking on Land by Water, intends to set up conditions that allow people using the sidewalk to experience a shift in the sidewalk environment through a particular use of different textures and the inclusion of words. The overall references are to the historic and ongoing logging industry and the overall environment of this area immediately adjacent to Puget Sound through reference to wood, water and poetry.
For this project, Carolyn Law intends to work with Lucia Perillo, a renowned Olympia poet and naturalist who lives just up the hill from West Bay Drive. Lucia's plan would be to translate and rework poems by 16th century Japanese poet Issa. An example of such a poem would be:
driftwood floating
this way, that way
ends the year
Three poems would be incorporated into three of the retaining walls (one each), cast into the concrete against a background created from wood-grain textured formliners.
There are two additional components planned as bid alternates: a sparklecrete (silica) additive to the sidewalk surface to create a watery effect, and additional poems stamped into the concrete of the sidewalk. The budget is small, and estimates can range widely, so knowing the contractor's fee ahead of time will determine if any of those components can be added.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Carolyn has been a part of the last two Public Works West Bay Sidewalk Project public meetings, on May 23, 2012 and January 29, 2013. 18 people attended each meeting, with one community member attending both meetings. Based on group discussion at the May meeting, Carolyn developed a concept plan for Walking on Land by Water that she shared with the Arts Commission on January 10, 2013. Following their approval to move forward, she shared the plan with community members at the January meeting. Response at both community meetings and at the Arts Commission has been positive.
Options:
1. Move to approve public art design Walking on Land by Water by Carolyn Law for the West Bay Sidewalk Project.
2. Move not to approve public art design Walking on Land by Water by Carolyn Law for the West Bay Sidewalk Project.
Financial Impact:
The budget for fabrication/installation of Walking on Land by Water is $10,000, based on 1% for Art Funds from construction estimates.