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CAC - Consideration of a Concept for a Permanent Art Installation by Yoskay Yamamoto Toward Fulfillment of the City’s Art in Public Places Program Requirement for a Project at 10301 - 10395 Jefferson Boulevard
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Meeting Date: October 17, 2023
Contact Person/Dept: B. Christine Byers / City Manager - Cultural Affairs
Phone Number: (310) 253-6003
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Cultural Affairs Commission (10/13/23)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (10/12/23)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) consider the information provided, together with the recommendation of the CAC Public Art Subcommittee, and approve Yoskay Yamamoto’s concept for a permanent art installation toward fulfillment of Culver City’s Art in Public Places Program (APPP) requirement for a development project at 10301 - 10395 Jefferson Boulevard.
BACKGROUND
Redcar Properties (Redcar) is the owner and developer (Applicant) of a series of one-story buildings along Jefferson Blvd., across from Raintree. The address range of the property is 10301 - 10395 Jefferson Blvd. which incorporates three separate sections of buildings with parking. The project site also includes five murals created by the CYRCLE collective that were privately commissioned and which are not under the purview of the APPP.
Pursuant to CCMC Section 15.06.120, new commercial development projects with a building valuation of $500,000 or more and remodeling projects (tenant improvements) with a building valuation of $250,000 or more are subject to the City’s Art in Public Places Program (APPP) requirement. To date, the minimum 1% APPP allocation the Applicant is required to fulfill is $40,997. This amount is based on the 1% APPP allocation associated with Building Permits B21-0176, B21-0950 and B23-0262 that are for updating the existing buildings and parking to include adding a second story of office space as well as new landscaping and patio areas. A final accounting of the cost for the art and the 1% APPP allocation is completed toward the end of the project and is also reflected in the covenant for the art. The applicant is choosing to commission site-specific permanent art in fulfillment of the APPP requirement and will be investing the minimum $75,000 required per CCMC Section 15.06.125 F.
DISCUSSION
Redcar has hired Beau Basse of LeBasse Projects (LBP) to serve as art consultant for the project. LBP worked with the Applicant in completing a search for the appropriate artist or artist team for the site. Yoskay Yamamoto was selected from a short list of artists that also included Forma Studios and Yelena Filipchuk. Mr. Yamamoto, who is based in Los Angeles, was selected primarily for the appeal of his contemporary Japanese and Western pop-art fusion style and for his interest in developing art in Culver City.
The concept currently titled, Daydream Blossom, features an approximately 7’ tall x 5’ wide cast bronze head with a flower that will have a greenish patina and be sited in a bed surrounded by miniature gravel Zen garden. The sculpture is intended as a tribute to Japanese Americans in and around Culver City, specifically drawing inspiration from the nurseries that are a part of the history of Southern California. The artwork will be incorporated into a landscaped area on the eastern-most section of the property (corresponding address range is 10301 - 10305 Jefferson Blvd.), adjacent to the Ballona Creek side of the property and publicly accessible 24/7. The Applicant currently does not have a timeline for construction and installation of the art.
The attached art plan includes more information on the search for an artist/artist team, background on Yoskay Yamamoto, conservation report, as well as the proposed project budget which currently totals $95,600 and covers the artist’s fee, fabrication, installation, etc. The art plan does not include details pertaining to the base of the sculpture, how it will be installed in the planter, lighting and plaque installation/location, as that information is still pending. (LBP confirmed that while details of the base/foundation for the art are still pending, visually the sculpture will appear as though it is partially submerged in the gravel as depicted in the Art Plan.)
The CAC Public Art Subcommittee (Vice Chair Williams and Commissioner Mesghali) met with Beau Basse and staff on September 14, 2023 to review the materials. At the conclusion of the meeting, the subcommittee supported Yoskay Yamamoto’s concept toward fulfillment of the APPP requirement for the project at 10301 - 10395 Jefferson Blvd. (Mr. Yamamoto was not available to attend the subcommittee meeting in September but is scheduled to attend the CAC meeting on October 17, 2023.)
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The cost for design, fabrication and installation for this project is borne entirely by the Applicant. The responsibility and cost for future maintenance and restoration of the artwork is the responsibility of the property owner pursuant to Section 15.06.150 of the CCMC. There are, however, City staff costs associated with project coordination, preparation of a covenant, other documentation and outreach materials.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 23-10-17_ATT_Art Plan for 10301 - 10395 Jefferson Blvd.
MOTION
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
1. Approve an art concept by Yoskay Yamamoto toward fulfillment of the APPP requirement for a project by Redcar Properties at 10301 - 10395 Jefferson Blvd.