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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Jennifer Byrne, Director of Public Art
DATE: July 10, 2023
SUBJECT:
A Resolution to accept the selected proposal for CIP A069, a Multi-Use Sculpture at 14 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL, Ward 2.
PURPOSE:
To accept the proposal of the sculpture design provided by the selected Artist Edra Soto, for a project contract to fabricate and install five sculptural seating structures at 14 E. Downer Place, the park adjacent to the David L. Pierce Art & History Center
BACKGROUND:
The City of Aurora last commissioned a sculpture in 2008. The acquisition of this new series of five sculptures will provide creative seating for the public, further the mission of Public Art to bring a fine arts presence to the City, and give fine art fans from beyond the region another reason to visit Aurora. The CIP for a Multi-Use Sculpture was approved for the 2022 budget. RFQ 22-59 was launched August 15, 2022. Artist, Edra Soto, was unanimously selected by the Aurora Public Art Commission for recommendation October 20, 2022. Project funds were carried over to the 2023 budget; a design contract was provided to the Artist February 7, 2023. A fourth and final design edit, edits requested by the City, was provided by the Artist May 19, 2023. This final design was approved by the Mayor’s Office June 13, 2023, and unanimously recommended for acquisition by the Aurora Public Art Commission June 29, 2023.
DISCUSSION:
The materials used to fabricate the proposed five sculptural benches are enamel powder-coated steel and cast concrete. Each structure, each slightly different in shape, is approximately 6’ high, with an approximately 3’ x4’ base. This permanent installation is designed to last indefinitely. The structures will be installed at the south end of the park at 14 E. Downer Place on new concrete pads, next to the David L. Pierce Art & History Center at 20 E. Downer Place. Six permanent up-lights will be embedded in the new concrete pads, to illuminate the sculptures. To enhance and celebrate the new sculptures, a new mural, created by local artists, will be installed on the west façade of 20 E. Downer Place.
The concept behind Edra Soto's GRAFT series of sculptures references Latin American vernacular architecture, the immigrant experience, and memories of home. The Artist, Edra Soto, immigrated from Puerto Rico to Chicago to attend The School of the Art Institute. Twenty years later, she now has installations in outdoor spaces and museums around the world and the ten-year anniversary of her GRAFT sculpture series is currently being celebrated within the professional field of fine arts. Notably, the Whitney Museum of American acquired one of her GRAFT sculptures for their permanent collection earlier this year. Should this resolution be approved, the City of Aurora will own sculpture from the same series as is now owned by one the most important museums in the United States.
The contract for this grouping of 5 interactive sculptures is $100,000; funding is available through CIP A069 in account number 215-1360-450.73-43. Funding for the up-lighting and the concrete pads is available in account 340-4030-418.65-99, which has a balance sufficient to cover these $10,000 of estimated expenses, which will be procured in accordance with City policy.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The acquisition of this series of five sculptures will contribute to economic development via arts tourism.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Approve the acceptance of the sculpture proposal for contract for Project A069 Multi-Use Sculpture.
cc: Infrastructure and Technology Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
RESOLUTION NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
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A Resolution to accept the selected proposal for a Multi-Use Sculpture at 14 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL, Ward 2.
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WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora last commissioned a sculpture in 2008, and
WHEREAS, the CIP for a Multi-Use Sculpture was approved for the 2022 budget, and
WHEREAS, RFQ 22-59 was launched August 15, 2022, and
WHEREAS, on October 20, 2022, Edra Soto was unanimously selected by the Aurora Public Art Commission for a sculpture design contract, and
WHEREAS, a design contract was executed between the City of Aurora and Edra Soto on February 7, 2023, and
WHEREAS, the final sculpture design was approved by the Mayor’s Office on June 13, 2023, and unanimously recommended for acquisition by the Aurora Public Art Commission June 29, 2023, and
WHEREAS, the acquisition of the new series of five sculptures will provide creative seating for the public, and
WHEREAS, funding of $100,000 for the sculptural seating is available through CIP A069 in account number 215-1360-450-73.43 and funding in the estimated amount of $10,000 for the up-lighting and concrete pads is available in account 340-4030-418.65-99, and
WHEREAS, the acquisition of this series of five sculptures will contribute to economic development via arts tourism.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: the City is authorized to accept the proposal of the sculpture design provided by the selected Artist Edra Soto, for a project contract to fabricate and install all five sculptural seating structures at 14 E. Downer Place, the park adjacent to the David L. Pierce Art & History Center.