City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
1
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve the Streetlight Pole Banner installation
based on an art concept by Judy Starkman featuring photographs of swimmers from
the Culver City Municipal Plunge.
BACKGROUND:
Pursuant to Section 15.06.115 of the Culver City Municipal Code, all exterior and
interior modifications and additions of existing commercial, industrial and public
buildings are subject to the City’s Art in Public Places Program (APPP) requirements
if the remodeling project has a valuation as appears on the City-issued Building
Permit(s) exceeding $250,000.
In 2005, the City initiated a remodeling project for the Culver City Municipal Plunge
(the Plunge) with a Building Permit valuation of $750,000 (Permit No. 63984).
Based on this, the minimum amount required for fulfilling the APPP requirement was
$7,500. These monies were transferred into the Art Fund from the project account.
DISCUSSION:
In 2010, staff was contacted by Ms. Starkman, a professional photographer,
filmmaker, and documentarian, who regularly swims at the Plunge. Ms. Starkman
Meeting Date: 05/23/11 Item Number: A-3
AGENDA ITEM: Approval of a Streetlight Pole Banner Installation Featuring
Swimmers from the Culver City Municipal Plunge
Contact Person/Dept.: Christine Byers/
Community Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5776
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [X] No [] Date: 04/12/11; 05/03/11
Cultural Affairs Commission/PRCS Commission
Public Notification: Meetings and Agendas – City Council (05/19/11); Downtown
Business Association (05/11/11); Judy Starkman (05/11/11); Select Sepulveda
Boulevard Property/Business Owners (via e-mail) (05/11/11)
Department Approval:
Sol Blumenfeld (05/04/11)
City Attorney:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (05/17/11)
Fiscal Impact Approval:
Jeff Muir:(by K. Marsden) (05/18/11)
City Manager Approval:
John M. Nachbar (05/19/11) City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
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apprised staff of a photo documentation project she had initiated on her own entitled:
“The Secret Life of Swimmers.” At that time, Ms. Starkman had photographed or
had scheduled to photograph approximately a half dozen individuals she met at the
Plunge. Each subject was to be photographed twice: the first portrait was of the
subject in their swim gear at the pool. The second portrait was with the subject in an
identical or similar pose but in their “regular” life. Initial subjects included a UCLA
literature professor, a businessman, a world-renowned long-distance swimmer, a
housewife with a passion for exercise, and a physical trainer.
As is the case with Ms. Starkman, many of the Plunge patrons come from other
parts of Los Angeles for an hour or two of exercise, relaxation, and socialization.
From the connections and the stories each of the individuals shared about their lives
away from the pool, Ms. Starkman was inspired to begin this project. To date, Ms.
Starkman has photographed approximately 20 individuals, many of whom are Culver
City residents.
When Ms. Starkman first contacted staff about this project, she expressed a hope
that eventually the project would result in a book or an exhibition and wanted City
staff to be aware of her work in case there was an opportunity to incorporate these
portraits into a public art installation or some other City-sponsored project.
There is an opportunity for a permanent art installation at the Plunge that would
include portrait images such as those created for “The Secret Life of Swimmers.”
These include highly durable, photo tiles mounted to either an existing wall (e.g., the
north wall at the Plunge) or incorporated into a new permanent wall that would
replace the existing Overland Avenue chain link fence. (A new wall along the
Overland Avenue side of the property would reduce the current noise and debris
issues and provide increased privacy for pool patrons.) Costs associated with such
permanent installations range from approximately $25,000 for a tile installation (for
fabrication only) to $200,000 for a new wall (measuring approximately 7’-10” high x
207’-9” long), plus the cost for reproducing images on tile and installation of the
same. Although this type of permanent art installation may be considered in the
future, it has been determined that it is not financially feasible at this time. In lieu of
a permanent art project, a temporary art installation was considered, as discussed
below.
After conferring with the City’s Aquatics Coordinator, the Acting Director of the
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department, and the CAC’s Public Art
sub-committee (Vice Chair Koosed and Commissioner Musicant), staff proceeded
with development of a proposal for a temporary banner installation to be installed for
up to 24 months along a major corridor in Culver City. The project scope would
include:
City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
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• Fabrication of a total of 40 - 60 double-sided banners (same image on both
sides), measuring 3’ x 8’ each;
• Banners to be installed on 20 - 30 light poles, with the banners double hung
on each light pole (i.e. one banner on each side of the light pole);
• Approximately 5 individuals to be featured, each with two portraits (one pair of
portraits for each light pole);
• The series of portraits would be repeated two or three times, depending on
the total number of light poles incorporated into the installation;
• Banners featuring the title of the project and information on where the public
can find more information about the installation would be incorporated into the
series; and,
• A two-phased installation is proposed: the first phase would be in Downtown
Culver City from approximately mid-June through mid-September after which
the banners would be relocated to Sepulveda Boulevard (between Franklin
Avenue, just south of Braddock Drive. and Washington
Boulevard/Washington Place to the north).
While conceived of primarily as an art installation, an ancillary benefit of the project
is that its focal point is the Plunge and the individuals who patronize this facility. In
order to give the project a high level of attention, locations were selected based on
high traffic volumes and good visibility.
Because the banner program will include only a small selection of individuals
photographed to date, a virtual gallery featuring all individuals photographed to date
and background information about them would be included.
Very few of the nearly 100 artworks commissioned through Culver City’s Art in
Public Places Program are located in or feature City park facilities and only one
installation to date (Culver City Currency) includes portraits of actual residents and
visitors to the City. Streetlight pole banners were recommended as they allow for
implementation of an art installation with a relatively short turnaround timeframe and
small financial investment. A banner installation does not preclude pursuing a
permanent art installation at the Plunge which staff will continue to explore.
This agenda item was considered by the Cultural Affairs Commission (CAC) at its
regular meeting on April 12, 2011. The CAC unanimously supported this project and
recommend the City Council approve the Streetlight Pole Banner installation based City of Culver City, California
Agenda Item Report
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on an art concept by Judy Starkman featuring photographs of swimmers from the
Culver City Municipal Plunge. This item was also considered by the PRCS
Commission on May 3, 2011, which voted to support the CAC’s recommendation.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
The total outside cost for this project is $24,000. This includes an estimate for
fabrication, installation and relocation of 40 – 60 banners of $8,150 - $11,445, a
design/production fee of $7,500 for the photographs and costs associated with the
design/production of a virtual gallery and promotional materials. The project would
be paid for by the Art Fund (41300676).
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Profiles descriptions and images by Judy Starkman
From “The Secret Life of Swimmers”
2. Sample banner layouts
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve the Streetlight Pole Banner installation based on an art concept by
Judy Starkman featuring photographs of swimmers from the Culver City
Municipal Plunge.; and
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents; and,
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.
MEETING DATE: May 23, 2011
AGENDA ITEM: Consideration of a Streetlight Pole Banner
Installation Featuring Swimmers from the Culver City
Municipal Plunge
ATTACHMENTS
Pages
1. Profiles descriptions and images by Judy Starkman 1 - 4
From “The Secret Life of Swimmers”
2. Sample banner layouts 5 - 6
Jason Christopher
Jason is an amazing inspiration. When he was 20 years old, he was on the fast track to
becoming a basketball star. He was on a full basketball scholarship when the
unimaginable happened--he was in a severe car accident and nearly died. Doctors tried
to keep him alive for a week, but an infection in his leg was so severe that they told him,
"It’s either your leg or your life." Today, Jason's life is very different than he ever
imagined. It was a struggle to accept his new fate, but he wanted to live by example, and
so he focused on overcoming the odds. Today, he is a personal trainer and swims
regularly at the pool for strength and balance. He hops out to the pool deck, just as he
appears in the photograph, without any walking aid. He was honored to be asked to be
included in this project and feels it is an empowering message to see the athlete that still
stands tall, even if he only has one leg.
ATTACHMENT 1
1Barry Shore
Barry Shore is one of the most animated, upbeat, positive people I’ve met at the pool.
Always smiling, always happy to see you. A typical greeting is yelled from a backstroke,
“Hello Beautiful Person!” Everyone is beautiful to Barry. He swims religiously. And that
truly makes sense once you get to know him. Imagine waking up tomorrow morning and
not being able to move. Your body is totally paralyzed. That’s exactly what happened to
Barry Shore five years ago. His paralysis was so intense that he needed to be on a
respirator. Doctors initially could not figure out what was wrong. Such a sudden onset of
complete paralysis was mystifying. But eventually they determined he was suffering from
Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a disorder in which the body's immune system attacks part of
the peripheral nervous system. Five years ago, Barry could not walk. He was in a wheel
chair. His physical therapist suggested he try getting in a pool to keep his circulation
going. He tried it. And his life was once again transformed. Movement came, but not as
quickly as the paralysis took over his life. It took time, but very slowly he regained some
mobility. Through it all, Barry was ever hopeful and willing to work very hard. Today, he
swims three hours a day--rain or shine. He’s religious about it.
2Teri Muttera
When I first laid eyes on Teri I immediately sensed her natural athleticism. It’s simply the
way she carried herself. She walked with a complete sense of ease and profound
understanding of how all the parts interconnect. There are lots of people walking around
in the world who do not possess their physical selves. Teri is not one of them. As the
inevitable disrobing took place, my suspicion about Teri, was quickly confirmed. She is
quite the profound athlete and has the legs and biceps to prove it, but more than that,
she has the will that accompanies them. As I would later find out, she spends hours a
day working out—for fun. She is a regular at the pool and has been for many years.
What you don’t know about Teri is that she and her husband are intense art collectors.
When she is not working out, she is absorbing art in any way she can.
3Chef Rohan
Chef Rohan, as he likes to be called, swims to release the stress from being a
professional chef, even though, it makes his perfectly coifed mustache sag. He loves
swimming for all the positive benefits, and swims regularly before going to work in his
kitchen.
4ATTACHMENT 2
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