Item 14 - Selection Process Recommendations for the Corridor Construction Program Slaughter Lane Art in Public Places Projects — original pdf

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Corridor Construction Program Slaughter Lane Projects (2) Selection Process Recommendation ARTS COMMISSION JULY 18, 2022 Slaughter Lane o Districts 2, 5, & 8 Budget A: $63,000 (Barstow to Loop 1) o o o Budget B: $63,000 (Menchaca Rd to West of S. Congress) Character: o Rural roots o Once more of a quiet and secluded part of Austin o Much development over the years o Residential neighborhoods o Bustling shopping centers o Regarded by many as a utilitarian roadway o Possible artwork locations include: o Mary Moore Searight Dr. o Brandt Rd. Slaughter Lane Goals Jury and Advisors The goals of these opportunities are to select an artist, in collaboration with project stakeholders and City staff, who will design artwork that: • Helps connect people to nature; • Supports the vitality of the small business community; • Encourages participation of families and youths; • Integrates seamlessly into the construction of the corridor; • Enhances the dialogue surrounding mobility and the experience of pedestrian, car, and bike travelers; Is made from durable and low maintenance materials; and • • Enriches or adds to the depth/breadth of the City of Austin’s public art collection. Jury: Armin Salek, Former Akin High School Teacher Dawn Hewitt, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Tara Barton, Scientific Journal Manager, Writer/Editor, and Resident Jaime Castillo, District 2 Arts Commissioner Kathleen Rubin, Corridor Program Office Request for Qualifications Open to artists in the Corridor Construction Artist Pool. • Opt-in period open 07/16/21 to 08/03/21 Artist Information Meeting 07/22/21 • Jury + advisors review applications 06/21/22 • Project Goals & Selection Process Corridor| Slaughter Lane Corridor Pool (114) Corridor Pool Slaughter Opt- In (32)* ​ Slaughter Opt-In (32)* Slaughter Finalists (4) Slaughter Finalists 16 13 2 1 2 15 42 23 47 44 2 21 Hispanic Black Asian Arabic Native American Mixed Race White Unknown Male Female Gender Queer Unknown Demographics 14% 11% 2% 1% 2% 13% 37% 20% 41% 39% 2% 18% 6 1 0 0​ 0​ 4 15 6 17 13 0 2 19% 3% 0% 0% 0% 13% 47% 19% 53% 41% 0% 6% 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 3 0 0 25% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 50%​ 25% ​ 25% 75% 0% 0% *Note: 32 total artists opted-into this call. 5 artists were deemed ineligible due to being under contract with AIPP for a permanent commission. 4 of these artists self- identified as BIPOC. Corridor| Slaughter Lane Corridor Pool (114) Corridor Pool Slaughter Opt-In (32) Slaughter Opt-In Slaughter Finalists (4) Slaughter Finalists 2 87 25 7 81 26 3 52 59 Veteran Non-Veteran Unknown LGBTQIA Not-LGBTQIA Unknown Disability Not-Disability Unknown Demographics 2% 76% 22% 6% 71% 23% 3% 46% 52% 0 31 1 1 24 7 1 24 7 0% 97% 3% 3% 75% 22% 3% 75% 22% 0 4 0 1 2 1 0 3 1 0% 100% 0% 25% 50% 25% 0% 75% 25% *Note: 32 total artists opted-into this call. 5 artists were deemed ineligible due to being under contract with AIPP for a permanent commission. 4 of these artists self- identified as BIPOC. Corridor | Slaughter Segment A Barstow to Loop 1 R E C O M M E N D E D A R T I S T Yuliya Lanina Jury & Advisor Comments: I think this artist will be a great fit for the area. Her portfolio showed work that was colorful, whimsical and engaging, and I could see users of the corridor of all ages being intrigued by it! Her characters' unusual forms play with gender and the natural imagery they seem to be rooted in, personifying it as well, which may bring extra fun for guests of the park, who are about to go explore the local flora and fauna. Her use of a variety of media seems like a strength for this project, and I am excited to see what might result! Unique, whimsical, and captivating physical features that would bring attention to the park and enjoyment to passersby. Yuliya's sense of whimsy and connection to nature through her art will work well in these green spaces. She is also an accomplished video artist and perhaps this could add an interesting element to the work if feasible in the space. Selection Process Recommendations Budget: $63,000 Corridor | Slaughter Segment A Barstow to Loop 1 R E C O M M E N D E D A L T E R N A T E Calder Kamin Jury & Advisor Comments: This artist's use of color and connection to nature stands out. Her use of recycled materials is exciting at a time we find ourselves battling our own trash as a human species, and the fact that it is collected locally makes this artist feel rooted in Austin in a unique way. Her works' comments on the health of our waterways seem particularly appropriate for this part of the corridor, where viewers of the work will be engaging directly with the Edward's aquifer. Her colorful 3D creations seem like they would charm people of all ages. Kamin's work is family friendly and inspires exploration of the environment through its nature imagery and use of recycled materials. I believe Calder's work speaks to the environmental issues that surround this area of Austin because of springs and aquifers that are directly impacted by trash and chemicals on the surface. This work certainly address those concerns in a colorful and engaging way. Selection Process Recommendations Corridor | Slaughter Segment B Menchaca Rd to West of S. Congress R E C O M M E N D E D A R T I S T Matthew Rodriguez Jury & Advisor Comments: Beautiful work with steel/aluminum that captured stories with cultural references and experiences of residents in Austin. The presence of this artist's work throughout the city and long reputation as a local artist make him a great representative for Austin culture and deserving of an opportunity to make work that lots of users will interact with at this rather busy and central part of the corridor. His work both in monochrome steel as well as in color in bold and eye catching and playful as well as recognizable and at this point maybe a bit iconic of the city. I think it will fit in this busy area and perhaps slow people down as well to take in the art as well as the easily overlooked Mary Moore Searight Park. Matthew's work reflects Austin through its use of color and shapes. His portfolio also reflects a real thoughtfulness to creating site specific work with the metal work representing the Montopolis Rec Center nicely. Selection Process Recommendations Budget: $63,000 Corridor | Slaughter Segment B Menchaca Rd to West of S. Congress R E C O M M E N D E D A L T E R N A T E Christine Rojek Jury & Advisor Comments: This artist is obviously well practiced at creating art that responds to public sites, with several impressive examples in her portfolio. Her animated sculptures would, I think, manage to catch attention and draw users towards the park in this busy segment of the corridor. The kinetic element in her work seems fun and engaging for passersby traveling by various means. And I imagine this element might particularly appeal to the many young people around, with several schools in the area, and give them a great experience with public art. Rojeck's work is visually engaging in its mechanical properties. Her portfolio demonstrates work that is adapted to its environment. Christine's work is engaging through the articulation of these aluminum pieces and would hold strong presence in the space. Her eye to site specificity is exampled through her portfolio, which shows a high-level of consistent work. Selection Process Recommendations October Artist under design contract + project kick off meeting Slaughter Lane Timeline (tentative) 2020 July Prospectus approved by AIPP Panel and Art Commission 2021 October Opt-in period for Corridor Construction Pool (two weeks) 2022 June Artist Selection Meetings/Interviews Nov-Dec Artist community engagement 2023 January Mid Design review April Final Design approval July Artist Recommendation Approval by AIPP Panel and Art Commission TBD Fabrication and Installation