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A Resolution approving artist Ivan Toth Depeña to design public artwork in conjunction with the new Public Safety Building project. (unanimously recommended by the Public Safety Building Public Art Selection Panel approval/denial vote: 10 to 0, and the Cultural Development Board approval/denial vote: 6 to 0).
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On January 22, 2019 the City Commission approved four (4) artists to submit public art proposals associated with the construction of the new Public Safety Building. Jose Bedia, Martin Dawe, Ivan Toth Depeña, and Robert Lazzarini (the “Artists”) made site visits to Coral Gables in preparation to develop their public art concepts and met with City staff, the building architect, and public safety professionals Police Chief Hudak, Fire Chief de la Rosa, and Fire Division Chief Barger. Artists submitted initial concept proposals, which were received and posted on the City’s website.
A Public Safety Building, Public Art Selection Panel was formed consisting of Arts Advisory Panel members, Police Chief Hudak, Fire Chief de la Rosa, Fire Division Chief Barger, and Leslie Pantin as an appointed representative of the Cultural Development Board.
On February 20, 2019 an announcement was posted on the City’s e-News directing the public to read and view the Artists proposals on a dedicated webpage and inviting comments. Notices were mailed to business and private residences within a 1,000-foot radius of the project site announcing the project and inviting comments. The City received approximately one hundred fifty (150) responses indicating a strong preference for the work of Ivan Toth Depeña. Selection Panel members received the comments as part of their review process.
On May 6, 2019 the Artists were each given an equal amount of time to present their concept sketch to the Selection Panel. The Panel unanimously agreed to invite Martin Dawe and Ivan Toth Depeña (the “Artists”) to further develop their original concepts for the Public Safety Building public art and provided feedback for the artists to consider.
On May 29, 2019 the Artists were each given an equal amount of time to present their revised concept to the Selection Panel. The Panel unanimously agreed to recommend Ivan Toth Depeña to the Cultural Development Board.
On June 04, 2019 the Cultural Development Board reviewed the original four (4) concept proposals, the revised two (2) concept proposals, and the recommendation of the Selection Panel. The Board agreed to recommend Ivan Toth Depeña as the artist for the new Public Safety Building to the City Commission.
Ivan Toth Depeña currently lives and works in Charlotte, NC. With a Masters Degree in Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, Depeña’s artistic production is informed by his experience in art, architecture, technology and design, and encompasses a range of media. Using traditional avenues such as drawing, painting and sculpture then interweaving interactivity/responsiveness, video, light and high-tech methods of fabrication, Depeña explores the fine line between chance and intention.
Depeña has been working increasingly in the public realm and maintains a rigorous and experimental studio practice. He has exhibited extensively, nationally and internationally, in both solo and group exhibitions, including at the McColl Center, NC; Praxis NY, NYC; New Britain Museum of American Art, CT; Miami Art Museum, Frost Art Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art, North Miami. Depeña has recently completed large-scale public commissions in New York, NY; Denver, CO; Albuquerque, NM; Gainesville, and Miami, FL. His work is held in numerous public and private collections.
The location of the proposed public artwork is on the plaza of the new Public Safety Building on the corner of Salzedo Street and Minorca Avenue. The artwork concept responds to memorializing fallen officers and firefighters while honoring current public safety professionals.
The concept recommended for further development is a grouping of large fused glass panels with saturated color that transitions skyward into clear glass. The pieces will set on a reflecting pool of dark gray surrounded by seating. An explanation of the artwork and possible literal representation(s) of public safety professionals and the public will be incorporated either within the artwork or as a separate, stand-alone element. It is the recommendation of the Cultural Development Board that the artist meet with public safety professionals to further explore the capacity to inform the work.
If approved by the City Commission, the Artist will be required to enter into a contract with the City of Coral Gables prior to commencing work and will work with his professional team to properly permit, engineer, fabricate, install, and light the piece as appropriate.
The City and project architect will work with the artist to provide the proper infrastructure and access to utilities.
Funding for the artwork will be brought to the City Commission as a separate resolution.
The Public Safety Building Public Art Selection Panel voted unanimously (10-0) to recommend artist Ivan Toth Depeña at their meeting on May 29, 2019.
The Cultural Development Board voted unanimously (6-0) to recommend artist Ivan Toth Depeña at their meeting on June 04, 2019.