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A Resolution of the City Commission accepting a proposal from the Julio Larraz Foundation and approving the fabrication and installation of the sculpture Mars by Julio Larraz, (recommended by the Arts Advisory Panel, approval/denial vote: 8 to 1, and the Cultural Development Board approval/denial vote: 6 to 0); authorizing an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2021-2022 amended budget to recognize as revenue a transfer from the Art in Public Places reserve, and appropriating such funds to put toward the cost of fabricating and installing the artwork.
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The Julio Larraz Foundation submitted a partial-gift proposal to the City through Jose Valdes-Fauli for the City to fabricate a sculpture by the artist Julio Larraz in celebration of a retrospective exhibition of the artist’s career at the Coral Gables Museum.
On May 26, 2021, the Arts Advisory panel reviewed the initial proposal consisting of different artworks and recommended a subsequent proposal responding to the Panel’s comments, including proposal of a specific work, relationship to its surroundings, and following public response to outdoor work installed by the Museum as part of the exhibition.
The Coral Gables Museum launched the exhibition “The Kingdom We Carry Inside” on December 1, 2021. The exhibition runs through April 30, 2022 and features the sculpture Mars installed outside on the Museum Plaza.
On March 9, 2022, the Arts Advisory panel reviewed a revised proposal for the sculpture Mars and recommended approval to the Cultural Development Board.
On March 15, 2022, the Cultural Development Board reviewed the proposal for the sculpture Mars and made a motion recommending approval to the City Commission.
About the artist:
Julio Larraz was board in 1944 in Cuba and currently lives and works in Miami. He is an accomplished painter, sculptor, and draftsman, best known by his precise and detailed technique, imagination, and subtle touch. The artist juxtaposes irony, humor, narrative, and metaphysical perspectives in his work. Larraz exhibits throughout the world, including frequently in New York and Italy. His artworks are in prominent public collections including Mexico, Colombia, France, Philadelphia, New York, and Florida.
About the artwork:
Since its installation on the Coral Gables Museum Plaza, Mars has received an enthusiastic response noted by the number of people stopping to admire the sculpture and have their picture taken with the artwork, which resembles an oversize watermelon slice with the red surface having a planet or moon-like quality.
Mars is an edition of 3 with 2 artist proofs. The artwork currently on view is a loan; this will be a new fabrication, as number 3 of 3. The fabrication is estimated to take 7 months to complete, and placement is recommended in Pittman Park.
The design of the sculpture is being donated by The Julio Larraz Foundation. Funding for fabrication ($150,000), engineering, foundation, lighting, signage, transportation, and installation (est. $46,000) of the artwork is being proposed through the Art Fund.
The cost of annual maintenance is anticipated to be minimal and is being proposed through use of the general fund as ordinary maintenance and will be included as part of the City’s annual public art maintenance plan.
The Arts Advisory Panel voted (8-1) to recommend acquisition of Julio Larraz’ Mars at their meeting on March 9, 2022.
The Cultural Development Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend acquisition of Julio Larraz’ Mars at their meeting on March 15, 2022.