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CAC - Consideration of a Concept for a Permanent Art Installation by Geoff McFetridge Toward Fulfillment of the City’s Art in Public Places Program Requirement for Associated Projects at 8432 Steller Drive and 3592 Eastham Drive
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Meeting Date: May 20, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Sally Unsworth / 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 (05/15/25)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (05/13/25)
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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 Geoff McFetridge’s concept for a permanent art installation toward fulfillment of Culver City’s Art in Public Places Program (APPP) requirement for the associated development projects at 8432 Steller Drive and 3592 Eastham Drive.
BACKGROUND
Redcar Properties is the owner and developer of two neighboring sites located at 8432 Steller Drive and 3592 Eastham Drive (also noted as 3592-3620 Eastham Drive in the art plan). The developer plans to treat these two different projects as a single property for the purpose of fulfilling the Art in Public Places Program requirement and combine the budgets. The development projects involve transforming three single-story industrial buildings into modern creative office spaces with additions on Eastham Drive and adding a mezzanine and glass-enclosed lobby on Steller Drive, along with enhanced landscaping. Both developments aim to revitalize industrial spaces while maintaining the area's architectural character.
Pursuant to Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 15.06.120, new commercial development projects with a building valuation of $500,000 or more are subject to the City’s Art in Public Places Program (APPP) requirement. The projects at 8432 Steller Drive and 3592 Eastham Drive are subject to this requirement. To date, the minimum 1% APPP allocation the Applicant is required to fulfill is $30,000 (Steller) and $45,000 (Eastham) for a total of $75,000.
This amount is based on the 1% APPP allocation associated with $3,000,000 (Steller) and $4,500,000 (Eastham) total valuation of the development. 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. The developer for this project has shown support of the artist.
DISCUSSION
The developer has hired Beau Basse of LeBasse Projects (LBP) to serve as the art consultant for this project. LBP presented the proposed art concept by Geoff McFetridge. Mr. McFetridge is a Canadian-born, Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary artist and designer known for his clean, conceptual style. His work spans various mediums and collaborations with notable brands, recognized for its simplicity, playfulness, and visual storytelling.
The art concept, as presented, involves the use of narrow tiles to create drawings or handmade tiles with images. The themes explored in the artwork are open-mindedness and connectedness, conveyed through McFetridge's visual language where figures and ideas flow seamlessly, reflecting the interconnected nature of people, ideas, and environments. The tile medium serves as a metaphor for both individual expression and collective unity. The artwork is intended to encourage engagement and contemplation, fostering an openness to new ways of seeing. Culver City is noted as a fitting backdrop for this piece due to its status as a hub of creativity and cultural exchange.
The CAC Public Art Subcommittee (Chair Williams and Commissioner Mesghali) met on April 8, 2025, to consider the permanent art concept. LBP provided a presentation discussing the proposed concept, the project locations, the developer's ownership of separate properties and the plan to treat them as a single property with combined budgets, the concept design, past work by the artist, Culver City as a hub of creativity, and the exploration of open-mindedness and connectivity through the art.
Discussion ensued between LBP and CAC Public Art Subcommittee Members regarding several points. These included using the same artwork title for both pieces, separate permitting for each site, the ability for each piece to be a standalone project if only one development is realized, legal language for consideration of the proposal to approve two projects that are listed as a single piece with two addresses, and precedent with other projects with other artists in Los Angeles which include multiple site addresses.
The CAC Public Art Subcommittee supported the concept.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The cost for the design, fabrication, and installation of this art project is borne entirely by the Applicant. The responsibility and cost for future cleaning, maintenance, and restoration of the artwork is the responsibility of the property owner pursuant to Section 15.06.150 of the CCMC. City staff costs are associated with project coordination, preparation of a covenant, other documentation, and outreach materials.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 25-05-20_ATT_Art Plan by Geoff McFetridge for 8432 Steller Drive and 3592 Eastham Drive
MOTION
That the Cultural Affairs Commission:
1. Approve an art concept by Geoff McFetridge toward fulfillment of the APPP requirement for the associated projects by Redcar Properties at 8432 Steller Drive and 3592 Eastham Drive.