Agenda Item No. 4a Agenda Report DATE: APRIL 2, 2012 TO: FROM: PARK, RECREATION & OPEN SPACE COMMISSION ARTS, RECREATION & COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT SUBJECT: PRESENTATION OF SITE FOR BENIAMINO BUFANO S HAND OF PEACE STATEMENT OF ISSUE: A Public Art Selection Panel (Panel) was formed by the Arts Commission to determine a location for a public artwork being loaned to the City for 25 years. The Panel identified a location in Civic Park. This site for public art is being presented to the PROS Commission for review and recommendation to City Council. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Staff is asking that the PROS Commission review the proposed site for the Hand of Peace and make recommendation(s) regarding the location to the City Council. DISCUSSION: Background In 1967, the Hand of Peace was installed by Beniamino Bufano (d. 1970), the artist who created it, in Quail Court Office Park, a property now owned and managed by Westlake Realty Group, Inc. (Westlake). In 2009, Westlake, which also owns the public art piece, removed Hand of Peace for restoration by a professional conservator. Until 2009, the sculpture had been one of the most recognized pieces in Walnut Creek s public art collection and a favorite among those who have toured the City s public art, as well as a significant work of art itself. When it was discovered the piece had been removed, staff contacted Gary Wong, president of Westlake, to discuss their plans for the art. During a subsequent meeting Mr. Wong, on behalf of the Chang family, who owns Westlake and the art, graciously offered to loan the restored sculpture to the City for 25 years, if a suitable and prominent location could be agreed upon. After 25 years are up, the decision to continue with the loan would belong to a younger generation of the Chang family. About the Artist Born in 1898 in Italy, Bufano arrived in the United States at age three. He came to San Francisco in 1915 to work on a sculpture for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Bufano taught at the San Francisco Institute of Art, but was let go in 1923 for being too modern. He later taught at the University of California, Berkeley. Bufano was well-known and popular, and often made San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen s columns. His signature style is modern, with
PROS Commission Agenda Report Presentation of Site for Hand of Peace Sculpture April 2, 2012 Page 2 smooth, rounded, semi-abstract figures, animals or simple shapes. Bufano s work was typically large-scale and monumental; many have mosaic tile work. Bufano died in San Francisco in 1970. Bufano s works are prominently displayed throughout Northern California and San Francisco (North Beach and Fort Mason), and make up the backbone of the Mondavi Winery s outdoor sculpture installation. His works are also featured in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art s permanent collection, as well as at John Hopkins University, where a sculpture garden has been designed specifically to compliment and showcase Bufano s work. That the City of Walnut Creek has an opportunity, once again, to exhibit a world-class treasure such as Hand of Peace for public appreciation in a downtown location would immeasurably enrich the City s cultural landscape and add depth and appeal to the existing public art program. The unique sculptural style of Bufano s Hand of Peace is a preeminent example of post-war sculpture in America a monumental artwork that would significantly contribute to the vibrant aesthetic of the city. About the Art The Hand of Peace was purchased from the Bufano Society of the Arts in March, 1967 for $50,000 by Quail Court developer Bill Swigert of the Pacific Bridge Company. Swigert outbid Fox Plaza and Ghirardelli Square to acquire the piece. The sculpture, which is 9 x 2 x 32, is made of copper, mosaic and stained glass and sculpted over five years using mallet blows. Bufano did the installation over several weeks himself. About the Restoration The restoration includes the construction of a built-in stainless steel armature, intended to replace the steel and concrete core that originally stabilized the piece. The restoration is being managed and implemented by master artist Pierro Mussi of Artworks Foundry in Berkeley, an internationally recognized studio specializing in the production and restoration of bronze sculptures, reliefs, and monuments. Once the sculpture is installed, Mr. Mussi will spend time onsite restoring the original mosaic, which is 11 in diameter. About the Process On July 18, 2011, the Arts Commission approved the Hand of Peace site selection panel. The selection panel included: City Council: Arts Commission: Bedford Gallery Advisory Council (BGAC): Downtown Business Association: Design Review Commission: Park, Recreation and Open Space Commission: Public Services: Police Department Bob Simmons Fritz Brunner Pat DeRensis Brian Hirahara Michael Fotheringham Rich Carlston Steve Waymire Sean Conley On August 18, 2011, the panel met and selected one preferred site and one alternate site out of 10ten that were suggested by Bedford Gallery Advisory Council (BGAC) and staff from an initial list of 16. Of those sites, six were eliminated by city staff due to space and infrastructure
PROS Commission Agenda Report Presentation of Site for Hand of Peace Sculpture April 2, 2012 Page 3 issues that would make placement difficult or due to safety issues that might put the sculpture in danger of vandalism. After reviewing the criteria and goals, the panel then went on a tour of the 10ten final sites in order to discuss the merits and issues of the various locations. The panel initially cast votes for their top three sites. Although there was no unanimous preferred site, the sites chosen as the preferred and alternate were the first and second choices of all eight panel members. The Alma Park entrance at the Southwest corner of Olympic Blvd. and S. California Blvd. was selected as the preferred site and the south end of Civic Park just north of the library as the alternate. The panel felt the Alma Park Plaza site would showcase Hand of Peace in a high visibility area, which would serve as a gateway both to other downtown artworks, as well as the Walnut Creek Public Art Program itself, by sparking interest in public art. It was agreed that, upon its installation, Hand of Peace would become a prominent artwork on the public art walking tours, and a significant place-maker for Walnut Creek and Alma Park. After careful review and input from the neighboring residents and businesses of the Alma Park site, and considering the future development that would take place adjacent to the site, it was determined that the location would not be viable. As the alternate, the panel selected the Civic Park Triangle at the Library s north entrance (Attachment 2), because they were drawn to the green, peaceful, and reflective qualities of the park. This site is highly visible, and the panel saw great benefit in installing the sculpture in a downtown park location and within a green landscape. The Civic Park site has significant pedestrian traffic, street visibility, and the opportunity for park visitors to spend time enjoying Hand of Peace from nearby benches and open space. Attachment 1 shows the Hand of Peace prior to restoration in its former setting in Quail Court Office Park. The other attachments show graphic renderings of the location and a vantage point from the north library entrance. At this time, staff is asking the PROS Commission to review and comment upon on the Civic Park Triangle location because the proposed site is within a city park. Although Westlake and the Chang family prefer the Alma Park site, they will also be very satisfied to see the piece installed at Civic Park in an environment similar to its previous home at Quail Court. Under the direction of City Council, Public Services staff will be bringing forward to the Commission at the April 2 meeting, under a separate agenda item, options for amenities to be installed in the north section of Civic Park near the Park Place preschool. City staff believes the proposed site for the art fits nicely with any amenity additions to the park being considered, especially as it relates to the rerouting of pedestrian footpaths. The art in the proposed site would also be an attraction and pleasant complement to park performances on the large grassy area near the library s north entrance. Next Steps Staff will present this item to the Arts Commission at their meeting on April 16. Following comments from the PROS and Arts Commissions regarding the proposed location for the artwork, staff will move forward and determine the project s full financial impact on the City s
PROS Commission Agenda Report Presentation of Site for Hand of Peace Sculpture April 2, 2012 Page 4 Public Art In-Lieu Fund and make an informed decision about the appropriateness of the project. Once costs have been determined, and a proposed loan agreement (between the City and Westlake) established, City staff will seek approval from the City Council for the proposed site in addition to allocation of funds to prepare the site for the artwork. Staff will then work with representatives of Westlake Realty and Artworks Foundry to develop detailed plans for ground preparation, delivery, and installation of the artwork. FINANCIAL IMPACTS: There is no General Fund financial impact on this action item. Any funding needed for installation will come from the Public Art In-Lieu Fund. DOCUMENTS ATTACHED: Attachment 1: Photograph of the Hand of Peace. Attachment 2: Aerial view of proposed site. Attachment 3: Aerial sketch of placement of art (to scale). Attachment 4: Maquette depicting scale of project (view from library entrance). COMMISSION ACTION REQUESTED: Review the proposed site for the Hand of Peace and make recommendations regarding the location that staff will forward to the City Council. STAFF CONTACT: Barry Gordon, 925-943-5850, bgordon@walnut-creek.org
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