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TO: Mayor Thomas J. Weisner
FROM: Daniel Barreiro, Chief Community Services Officer
DATE: May 5, 2014
SUBJECT:
Resolution authorizing the execution of an agreement for an Umbrella Art Installation in the Water Street Mall.
PURPOSE:
This License Agreement is necessary because of the use of public property and the nature of the proposed Umbrella Art Installation. The display is an outdoors art project consisting of 1,344 umbrellas suspended by a grid system of light cables connected from buildings and trees. It will be located in the Water Street Mall in between Downer and Galena and will be on display for about 3-4 months in the summer. The umbrellas will consist of an assortment of bright colors and have been carefully selected because of their light weight and durability.
This project will be enjoyed by thousands of people who work in and visit the downtown. The art display will also be seen by those who attend the Louche Puce Market, Alley Art Fair, parades and other major events in the downtown. In addition, the display will also become its own destination point.
BACKGROUND:
Several months ago Gaiter, founder of Rotten Apple Studios, pitched his Umbrella Art project to Mayor Weisner and Clayton Muhammad. Subsequent to that Gaiter met with Chuck Nelson, Jim Pilmer, Jim Birchall and Rena Church to discuss the project and discuss steps to go forward. Since then this project has been building interest and support.
The City of Aurora has had a growing art presence in the downtown area. The City of Aurora opened the David L. Pierce Art & History Center in the early 1990s. The City in conjunction with the Aurora Public Art Commission has installed public art in the downtown such as the Journeyman, Swimming Stones, Marie Wilkinson bench sculpture, the Fireman and the Sculpture Garden. These pieces have added to the fabric of the downtown and enhance the experience of those who frequent the downtown. Many arts groups...
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