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Arts Advisory Panel Meeting of April 13, 2022.
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NEW BUSINESS:
a. BOTERO - PROPOSED SCULPTURE ACQUISITION
Panel members received materials for a proposed sculpture exhibition of works by the artist Fernando Botero. Four figurative works were presented with a recommendation to install them along Miracle Mile.
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Ms. Hernandez made a motion to recommend a temporary exhibition of sculptures by the artist Fernando Botero. Ms. Miyar seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.
b. CORAL GABLES MUSEUM - ART ON THE PLAZA
The Panel was advised of a new initiative of the Coral Gables Museum to present an ongoing, rotating, temporary exhibition of sculptures on the Museum Plaza (a shared City space) with artworks related to current exhibitions and Museum programming. The proposed title of the program was noted as “Art on the Plaza.”
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Ms. Miyar made a motion to recommend the ongoing, rotating temporary public art exhibition on the Museum Plaza. Mr. Mato seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously.
c. PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT - ARTIST RECOMMENDATIONS
Discussion of the Art in Public Places (AiPP) process regarding private development was deferred. The Panel briefly discussed the current pre-qualified artist list.
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d. MOBILITY HUB - ARTIST RECOMMENDATIONS
Ms. Cathers briefly reviewed the City’s Mobility Hub project and stated that recommendations regarding public art initiatives are requested. Ms. Cathers stated the staff recommendation to focus on acquiring artwork for the ground level where plans currently indicate a plinth (for this purpose). In addition, she said, staff discussed comments from the Panel with the City Manager regarding the vertical cut-out on the east side of the building, including the challenges of installation, maintenance, and visibility. The City Manager, she said, suggested doing something in the location that is more kinetic or industrial, as a design feature, possibly collaborating with a university.
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Ms. Hernandez made a motion recommending the Panel present names at the next meeting to develop a short-list of artists to develop proposals for the sculpture opportunity at the ground level location of the Mobility Hub. Ms. MacDonald-Korth seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
The Panel discussed the second opportunity, to collaborate with university departments, such as architecture, design, and art, as a team to create charettes and present models of what could be placed in the cut-out area (on the East side of the building). The approach would be as a design team and ideas would be encouraged that are responsive to the use of the building and the building itself.
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Ms. Hernandez made a motion recommending staff to explore a collaboration with university departments to develop artwork responding to the Mobility Hub building. Ms. Miyar seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
e. ART BASEL - ARTIST RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff reviewed the previous discussion the Panel had regarding the City’s Art Basel invited artist, mentioning the possibility of requesting a commission of Alan Sonfist. Ms. Cathers noted the temporary installations of existing artworks that have already been recommended by the Panel of three cast, bronze branches, and suggested requesting a complimentary land-based work by the artist. If there is not a recommendation for him, she continued, the City needs the recommendation of other artists that could provide or create work in a timely manner.
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Ms. MacDonald-Korth made a motion recommending Alan Sonfist as the Coral Gables Art Basel artist for 2022, including the three existing branch artworks, with the understanding that the City would like at least one additional piece at a larger scale. Ms. Miyar seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
ART IN PUBLIC PLACES UPDATES:
There were no further updates.
CITY COMMISSION ITEMS:
The Panel was informed of the Commission’s approval of the Vaughn Spann artwork associated with the Alexan Crafts development project and approval of the fabrication and acquisition of Julio Larraz’ “Mars” sculpture.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
There were no further discussion items.
ITEMS FROM THE SECRETARY:
There were no items from the secretary.