Kenebrew, Jerice
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Stevenson, Garrett
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 7:36 AM
Kenebrew, Jerice
FW: Public comment for mosaic art repair in public right of way —-Original Message-—
From: Michael Robertson -.^ „...-..._
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2024 8:50 PM
To: Stevenson, Garrett <[email protected]>
Subject: Public comment for mosaic art repair in public right of way [You don't often get email from
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Hello, the repair of public curbs by a local artist should not have been destroyed by the city. It's better to work with the public and allow them to repair and beautify the city than it is to allow hazards to go unaddressed without repair. I can't believe the City spent my tax money to remove this art repair and re-create hazardous conditions. Don't spend tax money to restore the condition of the curb to its previously destroyed state, instead work with the public and allow things like this. We can promote art, promote public engagement and community, and fix the city all at the same time, or people could just tag and trash the whole place, up to you really! 1 Kenebrew, Jerice
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Stevenson, Garrett
Tuesday, February 27, 2024 7:36 AM
Kenebrew, Jerice
FW: Mosaic Art - public comment
From: Laiza Robertson
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2024 8:41 PM
To: Stevenson, Garrett <[email protected]>
Subject: Mosaic Art - public comment
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Hello,
I wanted to submit a comment in regards to the mosaic art installations that were recently destroyed by the city of Pasadena. The mosaic art installed to repair these curbs not only offer a solution to a problem that the city continuously fails to address in an efficient manner but also helps to beautify the city. It is tragic that the city cannot find a way to compromise and work with this artist. The city of Pasadena prides itself on diversity, culture, art and this a perfect opportunity to foster those very things. Let the mosaics stay and support this artist by working with him! 1 Kenebrew, Jerice
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CK.
Sunday, February 25, 2024 1:28 PM
PublicComment-AutoResponse
In support of Justin Munoz and mosaic street art in Pasadena [Some people who received this message don't often get email from important at https://aka.ms/LearnAboutSenderldentification ] . Learn why this is
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Hi,
As a homeowner and resident of Altadena, I wanted to voice my support for the beautiful mosaic works that Justin Munoz is adding to Pasadena street curbs. We need more people to take pride and seek beauty in our surroundings and this should be encouraged.
I have worked in projects adjacent to the art world in LA for almost 15 years and attended UCLA for studio art as a young person. Not that this gives me any authority on artistic taste, but I've read enough about art history, outsider art, and public art that I believe the city would be missing out on a wonderful opportunity to encourage and showcase these creative and beautiful public works of art that, like most great works of art, arrived organically instead of on bureaucratic time.
Thanks for listening to my comment and thanks for all the work of the public servants and city officials for helping to maintain such a great city, I truly love living adjacent to Pasadena! Best,
Clare Kelly
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1 Kenebrew, Jerice
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Stevenson, Garrett
Monday, February 26, 2024 2:51 PM
Kenebrew, Jerice
FW: Unpermitted Mosaic Tile Installations
From: Stacey Rain Strickler
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2024 1:44 PM
To: Stevenson, Garrett <[email protected]>
Subject: Unpermitted Mosaic Tile Installations
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Good Afternoon,
I am writing to you today in regards to the unpermitted mosaic tile installations around the city and the city's Public Art program administered by the city's Cultural Affairs Division. Please submit this letter for the record of the meeting to be held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
When I purchased my home in 2009, there was a whimsical life sized/larger than life sized statue of a man doing a one- handed handstand at the intersection of Mountain Avenue and Sunset Boulevard, near the city maintenance yard.
Everyday, I drove past that statue on my way to work and it made me smile and made me glad I had bought a home in Pasadena. As anyone living in Pasadena can tell you, the North West (NW) area is the most dangerous and neglected part of the city and this statue was a symbol of hope and affirmation that NW was a valued part of the city and the Public Art program.
A few years later, since the program is on a revolving cycle, we got our new installation, an enormous, shiny ball of stainless steel pots and pans. Now, not all contemporary art is for everyone, and at first I didn't like it because it reminded me of my sink full of dirty dishes back at home. But it grew on me. But, imagine my surprise when I visited the Victoria & Albert (V&A) Museum in London and saw a nearly identical piece outside their entrance! Was it the same artist? Was it a copy? Whatever it was, it made me appreciate the one in my neighborhood more and appreciate the Public Arts program's aim of exposing Pasadena residents to new, provocative designs.
When that installation was taken down, I eagerly anticipated the next work of art. Imagine my surprise and disappointment when the new piece couldn't even been seen or interpreted without parking your car and getting out to take a close-up look. It was a very small, punched piece of metal that resembled a maquette for a full-sized sculpture, rather than a work of art itself. It was supposed to evoke cloud designs, but from the description, the only way to envision that was to lie on your back on the ground to look through it. It was completely impractical. To make matters worse, there were other art installations around town that were large, colorful, and engaging. It made me feel like ours had been an afterthought, or perhaps a compromise decision when discussing the potential elimination of an installation at that location altogether.
It seemed like many years went by until we got our latest installation, and honestly, it took me a while to even realize anything was there. I am attaching a photograph of the current object. Please do not interpret my comments as 1 disparagement of the art or the artist in any way. My comments are to express my feeling that such a small object is difficult to see from a passing car and gets lost in the visual clutter surrounding it. It feels like the quality of the Public Art program has been in slow decline and is neglecting the residents of NW Pasadena.
That being said, when I started to see images posted on Nextdoor of mosaic tile being installed in places of crumbling infrastructure, I was intrigued. The installations were cheerful, imaginative, and showed that someone was paying attention to a need for contrast against blight and decay. That someone would do this on their own time and with their own resources says a lot about their intentions. The Public Art program declares that it is about art that celebrates the human spirit and condition, and that is exactly the attitude that is reflected in these joyful tile mosaics. The day that I walked down my street and randomly saw one of these mosaics, I was filled with excitement! It was better than seeing a rainbow! Almost as exciting as seeing the bomber fly over on New Year's Day. I felt like our corner of the neighborhood had been blessed. I can only equate this feeling of spontaneous discovery with stumbling upon a Banksy mural. Both artists make good use of existing surroundings to create thought-provoking messages through their artist expression.
I have read the entire report issued by the Department of Public Works Municipal Services Committee and acknowledge the validity of concerns about public safety, durability, and liability. I can't help but wonder, however, if ramped up attention to this matter has been prompted by a sense of embarrassment, since the installations are drawing attention to lack of street maintenance citywide? Regardless, it is my hope that the city and the artist can come to a compromise agreement where the crumbling infrastructure gets repaired while the residents of Pasadena can still delight in the discovery of these mosaic tile installations, which are the truest form of public art.
Thank you,
~Stacey Rain Strickler
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