The Public Arts Ordinance sub-committee meet to review the draft ordinance. The time line has changed:

September 2: Draft presented to the Board

September 30: Final draft review and recommendation by the Board

October 16: Staff Report to Planning and Development Committee of Town Council

October 23: Ordinance presented to Town Council

Laura Harrar, Executive Director of Cary Visual Art, displayed a model of "Balancing Act II" for the Board to review. The funding would be a partnership between Cary Visual Art (CVA), SAS and the Town of Cary. CVA would purchase the piece, install and provide signage. SAS would pay for preparation of the site, but this is not confirmed. Marla Dorrel asked who would pay for lighting. Laura explained that had not been confirmed. What is the cost for the Town? The Town would provide mulch for the site. Carol Aupperle asked if there were safety issues with the site and what the plans for the trees are. Lyman Collins explained the trees would only be removed to secure the site, but the site preparation will remain SAS’s responsibility.

MOTION: Carol Aupperle made a motion to recommend that the Town accept the piece. Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded.

The site for placing this sculpture is on the triangular corner at the intersection of NE Maynard Road and East Chatham Street on property owned by Curtis Westbrook. Mr. Westbrook is building a two-story brick office building containing 11,020 square feet on 1.14 acres of property zoned Mixed Use. Cary Visual Art would own the sculpture. Landscaping and maintenance around the sculpture would be Westbrook Properties’ responsibility. If the sculpture needed to be moved in the future, the property owner would be responsible. The total cost of the sculpture is $73,500.

Laura Harrar, Executive Director of Cary Visual Art, displayed a model of the sculpture and a drawing of the building with its elevation. The sculpture on this site is proposed as a Gateway to Cary. The artist is James Myford, sculptor from Grove City, PA. The sculpture contains three tall, narrow triangular units made from cast and fabricated aluminum. The tallest of the three forms is 19 ½ ft in height; the second form is 17 ½ ft. in height; and the third form is 14 ½ ft. in height. Each unit would sit on its own base made of concrete laminated with 1" black granite. On one side of each of the trianglular granite veneer bases the word CARY would be etched and then filled with aluminum plating. The overall design and positioning of the sculpture addresses the triangular site. The bases are positioned so that CARY can be viewed at any angle by pedestrian, vehicular and/or rail traffic.

Each unit would have one side cast with a heavily textured dark surface. The other two sides would be ¼" thick aluminum welded to the cast sides. The two plate aluminum surfaces on each form would have an 80 grit brushed finish. Each unit has an angled triangular shape at the top. This vertical pattern would give the sculpture additional height along with creating dynamic energy as it interacts with natural and artificial light.

The three triangular vertical units are arranged in a composition where the viewer can see some of both surfaces from any angle. Each of the three units has its own identity yet visually functions as one form. The work has open space between the three units allowing the viewer to penetrate the work as they enter or depart from Cary. There is an element of surprise within the sculpture as the viewer walks or rides around it. The vertical positioning of the units brings a strong sense of stability (heritage) to the work, while at the same time the contemporary aluminum material and the composition address the future. The sculpture conveys a sense of independence, freedom, growth and compatibility. The subtle differences in the three forms encourage the viewer to focus, to contemplate, to reflect on one’s own experiences. The design also addresses the concept of the Research Triangle Park and diversity of cultures living and working within a given space.

Lyman Collins explained the Board’s role is to consider the aesthetics of the piece and how it relates to the site.

MOTION: Carol Aupperle moved to endorse the project and for planning to go forward with the site plan process. June Finkbeiner seconded.

Comments:

June said that the sculpture is designed to be in the landscape and to see the spaces in between each separate unit.

Adam Cave had concerns over the general area’s look as a Gateway. Mary Henderson said plans were to improve this area as part of the comprehensive Town Center Area Plan. Adam likes the piece but not sure about the site. He questioned if it functions well as a Gateway piece. He said it doesn’t "say Cary" to him and how will the general public feel about the word CARY written on each of the bases?

Melanie Chernoff expressed dislike of the sculpture.

Carl Regutti did not feel the piece related well with the building and said it didn’t seem right as a Gateway piece. The landscaping around the sculpture needs to have something like evergreen trees so the sculpture has a green background to form an artistic green barrier wall. Then the artwork would not conflict with the traditional architecture of the building. The plans show a little flower garden behind the sculpture which needs to be there to hide the ugly railroad tracks.

June made reference to the fact that the sculpture would be placed in a triangular location; there are 3 triangular units to the sculpture which would be placed in a triangular shape, and that this would represent Cary as upward, forward and as an integral part of the Triangle region.

Luan Harmeson was concerned about whether or not the reflective piece would blind motorists. There was discussion about the fact that other sculptures do not cause any problems.

Julia Kunkel Morrison said we aren’t looking at the piece in perspective. The model looks big compared to the elevation, but in actuality, once it’s in scale, it’s much smaller than the elevation.

Marla Dorrel mentioned that this is a developer requesting to place public art on his private property.

Laura showed a photograph of the sculpture Sky Sentinel by Greensboro artist, Frank Holder. The sculpture is woven steel and galvanized steel and CVA would like for it to be placed in the Town for one year. CVA has presented a site plan to Planning for the sculpture to be placed at 150 W. Chatham Street by the Fidelity Bank teller building near the intersection of Harrison Avenue.

MOTION: Adam Cave made a motion to recommend Sky Sentinel be included in the site plan as presented. Julia Kunkel Morrison seconded.