HomeMy WebLinkAbout8.1 Tralee Dev-Public Art
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AGENDA STATEMENT
HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION
MEETING DATE: June 12, 2008
SUBJECT: Tralee Development - Public Art
Report by John Hartnett, Heritage & Cultural Arts Supervisor
ATTACHMENTS: 1. Artwork Rendering
2. Tralee Development - Artwork Location
RECOMMENDATION: Recommend approval to City Council or provide additional
comment regarding the artwork for Council consideration.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: One of the Fiscal Year 2007-2008 high priority objectives adopted by
the City Council far the Heritage & Cultural Arts Division is to: "Facilitate the selection of public art as a
condition of approval for Private Development projects". One of the developments identified this year for
public art is the Tralee project at the corner of Dublin Boulevard and Dougherty Road, which is being
jointly developed by Pinn Brothers and Mike Banducci.
The Tralee project was approved by the City Council in 2004 far the redevelopment of the Pak N Save
shopping center at the northwest corner of Dublin Boulevard and Dougherty Road. The project includes a
mixed use component of 130 condominiums over approximately 35,000 square feet of retail in two, four
story buildings which front Dublin Boulevard. One level of below grade parking is located beneath the
mixed use buildings with additional surface parking provided throughout the project. Behind the mixed
use buildings are 103 town homes which are grouped into 4-, 5- and 7-unit buildings. Two floors of
living space are located above private one- and two-car garages which are accessed from the rear of the
unit. Decorative pedestrian walkways enhanced with fountains, pedestrian scale lighting and landscaping
provide access to the front of the unit which includes a stoop and porch. Amenities within the project
include a clubhouse, pool and spa, and playground. The project is currently under construction and a
number of the townhouse units have already been sold.
Although the development is not subject to the Public Art Ordinance since the application was submitted
before the Public Art Master Plan and Ordinance were adopted, as a condition of construction, the City
Council required the developers to include a public art element in the project.
COPIES TO: Rachel Davis, Mike Banducci
ITEM NO.: 8.1
G:\HER[TAGE COMMISSION\.AGENDA STMTS\2008\6-12-OS Tralee PA.doc
The developer has chosen local Sunnyvale artist, Rachel Davis, to create the artwork. Ms. Davis
previously completed an artwork entitled "Entwined" in 2006, which was installed at the San Ramon
Villages on San Ramon Road and Bellina Street.
Rachel Davis was born in Salinas, California and moved to the Bay Area to attend San Jose State
University, where she received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She has done several solo and group
exhibitions in the Bay Area and has created site-specific commissions for a number of cities including the
art piece "Tip", which was installed at Gordon Park in Milwaukee, WL Ms. Davis has also served as an
assistant to world renowned sculpture, David Middlebrook. In recent years, she has worked as one of the
fabricators for a public art piece in Campbell, California for artist Glen Rodgers. She also worked with a
team of artists to design and fabricate the interior of Aqui restaurant in Campbell, California. Besides her
public art pieces, she has worked as a set designer and backdrop painter for Community 7'heater
productions. Ms. Davis is experienced in all phases of inetal casting, fabricating, and finishing.
Ms. Davis's inspiration for the proposed sculpture entitled "Dublin Rose" comes from the theme used for
the Tralee Village development. Rosette imagery will be seen in various areas throughout the
development, and the sculpture will reflect this theme. Around the world, the act of giving and receiving
roses has a universal meaning. For centuries, roses have symbolized friendship, love, and kindness. In
addition to this symbolism, roses found in the town of Tralee in Ireland have special meaning. A 19`n
century love story entitled "The Rose of Tralee" inspired the creation of an annual festival there, which
commemorates the woman at the center of the tale. In the 1960s, a rose grower, inspired by the festival,
created a new breed of rose aptly named "The Rose of Tralee."
Ms. Davis's concept utilizes the fundamental elements of a rose and a vase to create a dynamic and
engaging piece of artwork that commemorates "The Rose of Tralee." The negative and positive spaces
throughout the sculpture create movement, rhythm, and energy. The visceral force created by abstracting
the artwork transforms the still life of a rose and a vase into a sculpture that is contemporary and relevant.
Design
The entire sculpture will be made out of stainless steel (Attachment 1). The vase will be made out of
stainless steel plate that is 1/2 inch thick. The edges will have covers made from '/2 inch thick stainless
steel, which will give the vase dimension and added safety. The flower will be made out of '/4 inch
stainless steel sheet. Pieces will be cut out, bent, and shaped to form the flower. The stem will be made
from stainless steel pipe and bar stock. It will be cut, bent, and fabricated to form the shape of a stem.
There will be three finishes given to the stainless steel sculpture, and each finish will bring out the
complexity and depth of the material. The vase will be a brushed stainless steel, with polished accents on
the covers that go over the edges. The opening at the top of the vase will be polished. The stainless steel
stem will be sandblasted. The rose will be a combination of brushed stainless steel with polished accents.
Once the sculpture is completed, it will be mounted onto a 4 ft. diameter round metal base plate 1 inch
thick. The base plate will be installed on a 10 ft. diameter concrete base approximately 18 inches high.
The concrete base will have integral colors that match the color palette of the surrounding buildings. The
location of the artwork will enable it to be viewed by those driving in either direction on Dublin
Boulevard (Attachment 2) and for added visibility; it will be illuminated by up-lighting in the evening.
Specific dimensions of the sculpture are as follows:
• Vase: The height of the vase will be approximately 8' with a diameter of approximately 6'.
• Stem: The stem will be approximately 13' high and support the rose.
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• Rose: The widest part of the rose will have a diameter of approximately 3'.
• Base Plate: The base plate will be 4' diameter round.
• Overall Height: Approximately 15' tall.
Maintenance
Stainless steel is a very durable outdoor material. The finishes given to the artwork should last the
lifetime of the piece with little to no touch-up work required. There should be no maintenance needed for
the sculpture once it is installed. Power washing the artwork might remove dirt and pollution build-up.
This may be done on an as needed basis, possibly once a year.
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission
receive the presentation by Artist Rachel Davis and recommend the proposed artwork for approval to the
City Council or provide additional comment regarding the artwork for Council consideration.
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