DATE:
June 4, 2024
TO:
Paul Buddenhagen, City Manager
FROM:
Chadrick Smalley, Community Development Director
SUBJECT:
Resolution Of The City Council Of The City Of Emeryville Approving The Public Art Committee Recommendation To Purchase Ned Kahn’s Art Work “The Edge Of The Veil” For Installation On The Exterior Entryway Of Fire Station 35 With Funding Of $27,000 For The Purchase And Installation Of The Art Work From The Public Art Fund (Fund 243)
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution to approve the purchase of Ned Kahn’s The Edge of the Veil for installation on the exterior of Fire Station 35, 6303 Hollis Street.
BACKGROUND
The Emeryville Municipal Code establishes the Contributions for the Art in Public Places Program and the Emeryville Public Art Fund to implement the purchase of artworks. Following the unsuccessful implementation of artist Ned Kahn's original proposal for the City’s Marina Public Art Project due to Bay Conservation and Development Commission permitting issues, which necessitated significant effort on the part of Mr. Kahn to develop various alternative conceptual designs and maquettes at alternative sites, the Public Art Committee (PAC) expressed continued interest in collaborating with Mr. Kahn, who has offered two alternative artworks for the City’s purchase at a cost of $25,000 each. Despite the setbacks with Mr. Kahn’s initial proposal, the PAC has expressed a strong desire to continue working with Mr. Kahn, given his artistic merit and the value his installations could bring to the community. Pursuant to Section 19.13 of the Art in Public Places Program Policy and Procedure, adopted by the City Council in Resolution 90-115, the PAC may recommend the purchase of artworks selected by direct selection of artist(s) or completed work.
DISCUSSION
On May 9, 2024, the Public Art Committee reviewed the two works offered by Mr. Kahn and five City-owned or leased sites and recommended the City purchase The Edge of the Veil, a metal print with a static image, evocative of fire reflected over water for installation at the exterior entry of Fire Station 35 at 6303 Hollis Street. The original artwork is 3 feet tall by 6 feet wide and is printed on aluminum with backing tabs to facilitate wall mounting. Mr. Kahn has indicated he is able to print another version in any other size if needed. The image was created by combining photos of a fire on a lake in Patagonia with an X-ray of the center of our galaxy (see Attachment 1). Mr. Kahn says, “My intent was to capture the mood, but also the strange beauty of the changing atmosphere.” Fire Station 35 has an exterior wall space visible from southbound Hollis Street adjacent to a public bulletin board. As shown in Attachment 2, staff suggested installation of The Edge of the Veil in this location may be appropriate given the scale and theme of the work.
FISCAL IMPACT
The purchase amount of the artwork is $25,000, and installation costs are estimated at $2,000 for a total expenditure of $27,000. This amount is available in funds included in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget in account 243-87350.
STAFF COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC
On May 9, 2024, the PAC discussed the proposed artwork and made the recommendation to the City Council as described above.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the Public Art Committee's recommendation for purchase and installation of Ned Kahn’s work The Edge of the Veil at Fire Station 35.
PREPARED BY: Amber Evans, Community and Economic Development Coordinator II
APPROVED AND FORWARDED TO THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EMERYVILLE:
Paul Buddenhagen City Manager
ATTACHMENTS:
Draft Resolution
1 The Edge of the Veil Image
2 Depiction of the work on Fire Station 35
Purchase of The Edge of the Veil by Ned Kahn
City Council Meeting | June 4, 2024
City of Emeryville
CALIFORNIA
MEMORANDUM