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A Resolution approving the concept for a work of public art titled “Floral Sky” by Michael Kalish in conjunction with the Sunrise Senior Living development project at 1000 Ponce de Leon Boulevard 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, and the Cultural Development Board approval/denial vote: 7 to 0).
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Sunrise Senior Living (the “Developer”) is constructing an assisted living and memory care center at 1000 Ponce de Leon Boulevard (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 within the project as specified in the Zoning Code, Article 3, Division 21.
The Sunrise Senior Living development team met with art consultant David Austin and discussed the project plans and design. Mr. Austin considered the goals and aesthetic interests of the Developer and researched multiple artists, including those on the City’s pre-approved artist list. A short-list of artists and their work were presented to the Developer, who selected artist Michael Kalish and invited Mr. Kalish to develop a concept proposal.
For this project, Mr. Kalish applied his background of creating large scale interactive artworks that engage the experience of the viewer. The result is a sculpture titled “Floral Sky”, appearing as if it has grown from the ground to become part of the environment. Sculpted flowers, specifically the rose, have been part of the artist’s visual vocabulary for over 25 years. For this work, Kalish is sculpting florals related to South Florida, including Hibiscus, Coreopsis, and Morning Glories, among others. Individual blooms will be layered and arranged on structural stems to create an interactive canopy of color and shadows that is visible from the street as well as from above by the residents of Sunrise Senior Living.
“Floral Sky” will be fabricated from intricately water jet cut aluminum treated with military grade powder coating to withstand extreme weather conditions. Cut-out details within the florals will allow sunlight to pass through the individual pieces.
Two related installations make up “Floral Sky” and are located at either end of Sunrise Senior Living, appearing to float above the landscape and hardscape. The installation continues into the outdoor arcade between the two pieces with a series of related benches. The final location will be determined following codes regarding pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
Michael Kalish has a long career as an artist and sculptor. Monumental outdoor installations include the historic Muhammad Ali tribute “reALIze”, with 1300 punching bags suspended 22-feet high to form a three-dimensional rendering of the heavyweight champion’s famous face; a series of two dozen towering pinwheels exhibited at the Tampa Museum of Art; as well as The Perrier-Jouet Monument and “Raise The Caliber”, a monumental public work made of reclaimed guns designed as a statement against violence, which is currently traveling the US.
Embraced by critics, dealers, and an impressive list of contemporary art collectors, Michael Kalish’s artworks are featured in the collections of world leaders, fortune 100 companies, past presidents, professional athletes and musicians. His unique position as a preeminent pop artist has led to features in People Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, NY Times, Details, Wired, ArtNews and the feature of stories on CBS Sunday Morning, CNN, E! MSN and TLC.
The concept proposal is attached as Exhibit A to the proposed Resolution.
The cost of the proposed art piece and installation is estimated to be $430,000 (four hundred thirty thousand dollars) which is less than the required 1% of the Project’s total art in public places fee estimate of $517,126 (five hundred seventeen, one hundred twenty-six thousand dollars). The difference in cost will be issued as a check for deposit into the Art Acquisition Fund.
The Arts Advisory Panel and the Cultural Development Board voted unanimously to recommend the artwork at their respective meetings on July 22, 2020 and August 4, 2020.
The Developer is required to provide for the perpetual maintenance of the artwork, which will be the sole responsibility of the Developer, in accordance with a restrictive covenant entered into with the City of Coral Gables and following the Art in Public Places: Funding, Goals, and Implementation Guidelines.