TO:
Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THROUGH:
Bruce Moe, City Manager
FROM:
Mark Leyman, Parks and Recreation Director
Martin Betz, Cultural Arts Manager
SUBJECT:Title
Approval and Disbursement of Funds for Replacement of Glass Panels on the Light Gate Sculpture (Parks and Recreation Director Leyman).
a) APPROVE
b) DISBURSE FUNDS
Line
_________________________________________________________
Recommended Action
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the City Council approve and disburse funds from the Public Arts Trust Fund to replace glass panels on the Light Gate Sculpture.
Body
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:
The cost to replace the Goldray Glass panels on the Light Gate Sculpture totals $17,620. Funds will be expended from the unallocated balance of the Public Arts Trust Fund. Currently, the fund has $737,533 in allocated funds and $1,270,994 in unallocated funds.
BACKGROUND:
In July 2012, the City of Manhattan Beach presented an opportunity to professional artists or artist teams to submit their qualifications to the Art in Public Places Committee (APPC) to create a unique and iconic artwork in celebration of the City’s Centennial year. Harries and Héder Collective were chosen as the artists to create their submission, Light Gate. The artist’s commission for the project was $130,000, using the City’s Public Art Trust Fund.
Light Gate was dedicated on Wednesday, February 25, 2015, and is located at the top of 14th Street, between City Hall and the new library, along Highland Avenue. The artwork is made of glass, laminated with prismatic lighting film that creates rich and varied light effects with the sun. Light Gate focuses the view through an opening down 14th Street to the Ocean. Each January 27th and November 14th, the sunset aligns within the keyhole.
DISCUSSION:
The glass panels that are an integral part of the Light Gate sculpture are made of fused glass imbedded with a film that is designed to create a prism-like refraction when hit by sunlight. Due to the experimental nature of the product, the panels have failed earlier than anticipated and need to be replaced. In the original installation of 2015, two panels were shipped, damaged and had to be replaced. The fabrication process was not stable and the panels could not be matched. Consequently, the sculpture had visually varied panels. In consultation with the artist, a decision was made not to risk the possibility of fabricating another set of panels with no guarantee of stability.
To resolve the issue, the artist has recommended a proven product that they are now using on their other projects. Dichroic Glass products by 3M are preferred for architectural use in sunlight and have a ten-year warranty. Harries Heder Collective acknowledges that the use of the new product will not alter the intent and integrity of the sculpture and it will not diminish its value or authenticity.
Staff recommends that the City Council approve and disburse funds from the Public Arts Trust Fund to replace the glass panels on the Light Gate Sculpture.
PUBLIC OUTREACH:
This item was discussed at the Cultural Arts Commission meeting on February 4, 2019.
The Commission was unanimous in their recommendation to repair the sculpture with materials designed to withstand intense weather and sunlight.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
The City has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that there is no possibility that the activity may have a significant effect on the environment; therefore, pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary.
LEGAL REVIEW:
The City Attorney has reviewed this report and determined that no additional legal analysis is necessary.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Lightgate Glass Quote
2. Dichroic Glass Brochure
3. Dichroic Glass Sample Images