City of Sunnyvale
Agenda Item
22-0707 Agenda Date: 10/19/2022
REPORT TO ARTS COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Recommend City Council Accept Proposed Unconditional Donation of Art, titled Ito Den-emon House Collage, from the Sunnyvale Art Club and Iizuka Art Association
BACKGROUND
In 2021, the Sunnyvale Art Club and its sister city art organization, the Iizuka Art Association, teamed up to create a group collage. The resulting artwork is being offered as a donation to the City of Sunnyvale.
Staff recommends that the City accept the artwork as an unconditional donation (no restrictions), with the intent of installing the artwork at the Sunnyvale Senior Center. The collage has been temporarily hung in the main hallway, across from the registration desk, while acceptance of the donation is being considered.
This report provides information on the proposed donation. The Arts Commission is being asked to develop a recommendation to the City Council for consideration and final action on Nov. 29, 2022.
EXISTING POLICY
Council Policy 6.4.2 - Art Loans and Gifts (Attachment 2 - Council Policy 6.4.2 - Art Loans and Gifts)
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The donation of a work of art does not constitute a “project” within the meaning of the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15378(b)(5) in that it is a governmental organizational or administrative activity that will not result in direct or indirect changes in the environment.
DISCUSSION
Proposed Artwork
The artwork, titled Ito Den-emon House Collage (Attachment 3 - Photographs of Proposed Donation), was the first collaboration between the Sunnyvale Art Club and the Iizuka Art Association. The idea to collaborate was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic by club member Andrea Catura, as a way for artists to interact during a time when artists could not gather in person.
Fourteen artists from Sunnyvale and 14 artists from Iizuka were invited to reproduce a photograph of the Ito Den-emon House (Attachment 4 - Photograph of Ito Den-emon House), the main residence of a coal mining merchant. It was built in 1987 for his new wife and is considered very ornate and luxurious. The house was designated as a national Cultural Asset in 2020 and can be toured when visiting Iizuka.
Attachment 1
22-0707 Agenda Date: 10/19/2022
Each artist was asked to recreate a small section of the photo showcasing their individual style, medium and color palette. The sections were then put together in a larger collage and framed. The artwork measures 41 inches tall by 85.5 inches wide.
Selected Location
Staff have identified a location for the art piece in the main hallway of the Senior Center, across from the registration desk.
FISCAL IMPACT
The fiscal impact of accepting this donation will be minimal. The addition of one piece of artwork such as this is not anticipated to have a significant impact on the budget.
If accepted, the City will be responsible for installation, insurance, purchase of an identification plaque and ongoing maintenance. The cost to install the artwork and purchase a plaque is estimated to be less than $400 and will be paid for from the Art in Public Places budget.
Ongoing maintenance and repair costs, if necessary, would be covered within the existing resources of the Recreation Services operating budget, where there is a budget for public art maintenance and repair.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made through posting of the Arts Commission agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board, on the City’s website, and the availability of the agenda and report in the Office of the City Clerk.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Recommend City Council Accept Proposed Unconditional Donation of Art, titled Ito Den-emon House Collage, from the Sunnyvale Art Club and Iizuka Art Association
2. Do Not Recommend City Council Accept the Donation of Art
RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Recommend City Council Accept Proposed Unconditional Donation of Art, titled Ito Den -emon House Collage, from the Sunnyvale Art Club and Iizuka Art Association Staff has evaluated the artwork and concludes it meets the following criteria as outlined in Council Policy 6.4.2. Art Loans and Gifts:
· The quality of the artwork: The artwork is of high quality in terms of artistic skill, materials, and framing.
· The relationship of the artwork to the existing public art collection in terms of diversity in style and media: The City’s permanent art collection does not include a collage using this method of painting. The collection also does not include a work by the City’s sister city of Iizuka, Japan. · The City’s ability to handle, place, maintain and conserve the artwork; The public art staff has the ability to maintain and conserve the work, as well as locate it in a public area for viewing. · Costs to the City: Accepting this donation does not incur a large expenditure and can be maintained in conjunction with the other artworks included in the City’s Permanent Art
Attachment 1
22-0707 Agenda Date: 10/19/2022
Collection. Staff estimates the cost for accepting this donation will be less than $400 and ongoing maintenance will be minimal.
Prepared by: Kristin Dance, Recreation Services Coordinator II Reviewed by: Trenton Hill, Recreation Services Manager
Reviewed by: Damon Sparacino, Superintendent of Recreation Services Reviewed by: Michelle Perera, Director of Library and Recreation Services Reviewed by: Teri Silva, Assistant City Manager
Approved by: Kent Steffens, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
1. Hold for Report to Council
2. Council Policy 6.4.2 - Art Loans and Gifts
3. Photographs of Proposed Donation
4. Photograph of Ito Den-emon House
Attachment 1