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1) Consideration of a Deaccession of a Permanent Public Artwork “Media in Motion” located at 10950 Washington Blvd.; and 2) Make Recommendation to the Cultural Affairs Commission
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Meeting Date: June 24, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Sam Lee/ Cultural Affairs Analyst, Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-6001
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [X] No []
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas - Cultural Affairs Commission (6/19/25)
Department Approval: Sally Unsworth, Cultural Affairs Manager (6/18/25)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Cultural Affairs Commission Public Art Subcommittee approves the deaccession request for the permanent public artwork, Media in Motion, by Paul Novacek and Nick Seierup, located at 10950 Washington Boulevard.
BACKGROUND
Media in Motion is a permanent, public artwork currently located at the northern boundary of the 10950 Washington Boulevard property, which once served as the headquarters for the National Football League (NFL) cable network. The artwork, which intermingles with the site’s address as signage, was originally commissioned by Skye Partners, Inc. (property owner at the time) to fulfill their Art in Public Places Program (APPP) requirements in 1998. The sculptural installation, measuring approximately 13’ x 9’ x 6’ (height x length x depth), comprises two flat galvanized steel panels, representing television screens that have frosted glass with abstract silkscreened images of the site incorporated into them. The artwork weighs approximately 2,500 lbs. and required $65,000 to complete, although the original 1% APPP allocation was approximately $8,000. The creation was a collaboration between Paul Novacek, an accomplished environmental and graphic artist, and Nick Seierup, an established Southern California-based architect.
Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (Hudson 10950, LLC) is the new property owner of 10950 Washington Boulevard and has requested the deaccession of Media in Motion. Since September 2024, they have submitted a comprehensive plan to the City, proposing a new mixed-use, multi-family project with 508 residential units (90 studios, 241 one-bedroom, 177 two-bedroom), 14,087 square feet of ground floor commercial/retail space across five stories, and parking both at grade and in one subterranean level. 79 units of the total 508 will be reserved for low-income households. As previously mentioned, the existing building will be demolished, and this new development will be constructed in its place.
Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 15.06.175 provides guidelines for deaccessioning permanent artworks commissioned in conjunction with the City’s Art in Public Places Program (APPP). The artwork must have been installed for at least five years, which is a basic requirement for deaccessioning. In this instance, the artwork has been on public view for 27 years. Also, relocating the artwork to a new location is not possible because the artwork functions also as the address signage in its final design. The artwork reflects a different period, commissioned by the previous property owner, and doesn’t align with the new aesthetics and concept of the new development. Furthermore, Cultural Affairs staff was successful in contacting Paul Novacek and Nick Seierup in May 2025. Both artists have expressed in writing that they have no objections to the deaccessioning of Media in Motion, and are not interested in taking back the artwork, which was offered to them as an option. Having met the minimum installation timeframe and received both artists’ acknowledgement, Media in Motion is recommended by staff to be decommissioned, which is the most appropriate and cost-effective action in this instance. The cost(s) associated with the demolition/de-installation of Media in Motion will be absorbed by Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.
Next Steps
Should the Cultural Affairs Commission Public Art Subcommittee recommend the deaccession of Media in Motion, the materials will be forwarded to the Cultural Affairs Commission for final approval at their August 19, 2025 meeting.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Per the CCMC, Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. (Hudson 10950, LLC) has several options for replacing the proposed deaccessioned artwork, including providing new art for the site or paying an in-lieu fee to the Cultural Trust Fund. To date, they have decided to pay into the Cultural Trust Fund with their 1% allocation. As Media in Motion has been installed for over 27 years and exposed to outdoor conditions throughout that period, the artwork has experienced sizable wear and tear resulting in a significant reduction in its valuation. Staff estimates that the current value of the artwork is $1. All costs associated with estimated depreciated value of the artwork as well as the demolition and deinstallation of "Media in Motion" will be absorbed by Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc. Given that there already exists a 1% APPP requirement associated with the pending development, the impact on staff resources is minimal for coordination and oversight. The money paid into the Cultural Trust Fund would be used to support other Cultural Affairs projects and programs as outlined in the CCMC.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 25-06-23_ATT 1_10950 Washington Blvd_Deaccession Presentation
2. 25-06-23_ATT 2_Deaccessioning Media in Motion Letter
RECOMMENDED MOTIONS
That the Cultural Affairs Commission Public Art Subcommittee:
1. Approves Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.’s (Hudson 10950, LLC) request to deaccession Media in Motion by Paul Novacek and Nick Seierup.
2. Recommends Media in Motion for deaccession to the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) for final approval at their August 19, 2025 meeting.