Title
A Resolution of the City Commission approving the concept for a work of public art by Jean-Michel Othoniel in conjunction with The Plaza Coral Gables development project at 2901 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: 6 to 0, and the Cultural Development Board approval/denial vote: 5 to 0).
Body
Agave Plaza Trustee Living (the “Developer”) is constructing a mixed-use project at 2901 Ponce de Leon Boulevard, The Plaza (the “Project”). The Developer has chosen the option of petitioning for a waiver of the Art in Public Places Fee requirement by acquiring and installing artwork within the project as specified in the Zoning Code, Article 3, Division 21.
The Agave development team were presented with over fifty artists of international acclaim and invited Jean-Michel Othoniel to propose a sculptural fountain piece for a dedicated space on The Plaza project site. Mr. Othoniel proposed a piece linking the water element and the sea using his signature element, the bead. The mirrored beads are intended to joyfully play with the water as enigmatic and shimmering lively sea creatures. The elements themselves are a series of eight interlacing strings made of large stainless steel beads that draw a perpetual movement of water extending into a shimmering torrent to present an infinity of reflections creating complex and imaginary knots. The calligraphic gestures also reflect the artist’s love for writing and signs.
Following an initial review by the Arts Advisory Panel, Mr. Othoniel further developed the work with unique elements, realigned the elements for additional space from the edge, and revised the column cladding to a mirrored finish to further enhance the artwork.
Jean-Michel Othoniel lives and works in Paris, France. He offers a fresh and contemporary voice, enriching public environments such as civic space...
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