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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.1 Bray Commons Public Art OF Dir�� 111 19 ,82 AGENDA STATEMENT HERITAGE AND CULTURAL ARTS COMMISSION MEETING DATE: September 10, 2009 SUBJECT: Bray Commons Public Art Prepared by John Hartnett, Heritage & Cultural Arts Manager ATTACHMENTS: 1) Photo-Original Artwork 2) Photo-Modified Artwork 3) Photo-Artwork without Leaves RECOMMENDATION: Receive Report. FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None DESCRIPTION: In August 2008, the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission received a report on the artwork at Bray Commons Park. Specifically, the report outlined complaints that had been received regarding the noise generated by the artwork and safety issues related to leaves falling from the artwork. A few options suggested by the artist, Bill Gould, to modify the artwork and address the concerns were reviewed in the report and the Commission asked Staff to investigate some other sound mitigation options, including: 1) Coat the leaves with a sound reducing material 2) Plant mature trees to block the sound 3) Re-locate the artwork to another area within the park In December 2008, the City Council received a report outlining suggestions from the artist, Bill Gould, on modifications to the artwork. This process included: • Remove all the leaves from the artwork; • Coat the leaves with a plastic/rubber high solid polymer coating to deaden the metallic sound; • Reinforce the hanging-hole on each leaf with a metal grommet; • Re-hang the leaves using a sturdy S-hook and cable to reduce friction and sound placing a metal crimp underneath each leaf to eliminate the leaf from sliding off. A few leaves were to be hung on each cable, and the cables would be spread out to allow for more space between the leaves to reduce the noise factor, especially in the wind. Additionally, less total leaves would be hung to further reduce the noise factor. The Council accepted the suggested modifications and COPIES TO: Bill Gould,DFAF ITEM NO.: 7.1 GAHERITAGE COMMISSION\AGENDA_STMTS\2009\9-10 Bray Commons Artwork.doc approved an allocation of $5,000, with funds to be appropriated from the Public Art Fund. The modifications of the artwork were completed by the artist in early May 2009 (Attachment 2). In the past few months, even with the modifications that artist Bill Gould has made to the metal leaves, a number of the leaves have still fallen off. During extreme windy conditions, the metal leaves are ripping through the grommets and cable that the artist installed on each leaf. In conferring with Bill Gould, the artist acknowledges at this point that his modification methods have not deterred the leaves from continuing to fall off the sculpture and he does not have a design solution to remedy this problem, given the strong winds encountered at times in Dublin. It appears at this point that since safety continues to be an issue, the most sensible option is to have the artist remove all the leaves from the artwork. The artist has indicated that he concurs with the recommendation to remove the leaves and feels the sculpture still has value and appeal. Attachment 3 shows what the sculpture looks like without leaves (the photo was taken when the tree was stripped to begin the modifications). RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the Heritage and Cultural Arts Commission receive the report. If the Commission is in favor of removing the leaves, City Council approval will be required. Any other options recommended by the Commission will be presented to the City Council at the September 15, 2009 meeting. 2 of 2 / " Ira i Pt AW 1 v F^ j, s + E -= -g H W ?� U Cy._ - eft 1 •«� � ,its iS r rr s T i R � —t d x„�S Y � •�vi � t r 1 y � f k U77 OL i 1 G i'C i ..' t op ' Or- t, I- V+.