Title
A Resolution of the City Commission approving the concept and commissioning of a work of public art by Lynda Benglis in conjunction with the Regency Parc development project at 2601 Salzedo St., in fulfillment of the Art in Public Places requirement for public art in private development (unanimously recommended by the Arts Advisory Panel approval/denial vote: 5 to 0; unanimously recommended by the Cultural Development Board approval/denial vote: 6 to 0).
Body
Regency Parc (the “Developer”) is constructing a development project, at 2601 Salzedo St. (the “Project”). The Developer has chosen the option of petitioning for a waiver of the Art in Public Places Fee requirement by commissioning and installing artwork as specified in the Zoning Code, Article 9, Section 9-103 B.
Pursuant to Resolution 2024-90, Developer entered into an Escrow Agreement and is fulfilling the terms of the Agreement by obtaining a waiver of the AiPP contribution, conditioned upon approval of the proposed artwork.
Working with art advisor and curator Jeffrey Deitch, the development team selected the sculpture “Power Tower” by artist Lynda Benglis as the proposed artwork for the Project.
Background of Artist:
American artist Lynda Benglis has been producing prolific artworks since the 1960s, moving fluidly from painting to sculpture, performance, and explorations in new media. She is recognized globally as a premiere artist, consistently pushing the traditions of painting and sculpture into new territories.
The embrace of flowing forms, color, and sensual surfaces plays a large part in Benglis’ continuous investigation of the proprioceptive, sensory experiences of making and viewing her sculptures. From the complex chromatic harmonies of the wax paintings to the selected use of brilliant pigments or phosphorescence in her sculptures, Benglis’ exuberant engagement and radical employment of material sets her apart from the focus of her Minimalist and Postminimal contemporaries.
Lynda Benglis’ work is in prominent public collections throughout the world including: the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York; Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea, Turin, Italy; Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.; The Museum of Modern Art, New York; U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai, India; Tate, London; Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York; The National Museum of Art, Osaka; among many others.
Description of artwork from the concept proposal and Artist Statement:
“Power Tower” is an eight-foot tall, newly fabricated undulating form fabricated in high polished, Everdure Bronze as the fourth in an edition of six. “Power Tower” represents movement and organic growth. The goal is for the work to be held as a constant reminder of the growth and evolution of the world around us, and more importantly, to bring art such as this to the ground level for the public to enjoy. With its subtle yet reflective gleam, it is anticipated that “Power Tower” will become one of City Beautiful’s most iconic displays of art within the public space-enhancing the beauty and sophistication of the area.”
The concept proposal is attached as Exhibit A to the proposed Resolution.
The cost of the proposed artwork is estimated at $1,017,650 (one million, seventeen thousand, six hundred and fifty dollars). Funds toward the artwork should not replace expenses toward any lighting or infrastructure requirements for the project. The artwork and all related expenses for the art will be the responsibility of the Developer. Any difference in cost is to be issued as a check for deposit into the Art Acquisition Fund.
Furthermore, Developer is required to provide for the perpetual maintenance of the artwork in accordance with the City of Coral Gables Art in Public Places: Funding, Goals, and Implementation Guidelines which will be memorialized in a covenant to run with the land.
The Arts Advisory Panel and the Cultural Development Board voted unanimously to recommend the proposed artwork by artist Lynda Benglis at their respective meetings on September 4, 2024 and September 17, 2024.
Recommended Action
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