Placement: Resolutions
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
title
Resolution 23-R117, Approve the Selection of a Temporary Interactive Public Art Piece to be Displayed at the MidFlorida Event Center from December 18, 2023 through January 25, 2024.
body
Submitted By: Bethany Grubbs, Planner III
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal to enjoy culture, nature and fun activities.
Executive Summary (General Business): The 2021 Art in Public Places Plan (AIPP) recognizes temporary public art as a way to propel art in Port St. Lucie into the future. The Public Art Advisory Board (PAAB) endorsed an art piece entitled “Trumpet Flowers” by Amigo & Amigo for Council’s consideration. The art will be installed for up to 6 weeks at the MidFlorida Event Center. This project advances the Strategic Plan priority of Implementation of the Public Art Master Plan and advancing the strategic goal of Culture, Nature and Fun Activities.
Presentation Information: Staff and/or Designing Local, the City’s consultant, may provide a presentation.
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the selection of the “Trumpet Flowers” temporary interactive art piece for up to a 6-week period (December 18, 2023, through January 25, 2024) as recommended by the PAAB.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and select another temporary interactive public art piece.
2. Move that the Council not approve the selection and provide staff and the Public Art Advisory Board with direction.
Background: Various cities in Florida have installed interactive public art as a fun way to engage the public. The installation of the City’s first temporary art piece would be an opportunity for the city to advance Idea #10: Temporary Celebration of the AIPP. The Idea states that an impactful experiential temporary public art installation can show the residents of Port St. Lucie the true potential of public art. This installation will be a draw to not only Port St. Lucie residents but regional residents and visitors as well. This Idea really elevates Port St. Lucie to an international /world-class level with regard to celebrating the arts in an innovative way. One of the priorities of the Strategic Plan is to grow the MidFlorida Event Center and look for new ways to offer our residents opportunities to celebrate culture and occasions.
“Trumpet Flowers” is an interactive art piece that is activated by the push of keys. As people push the trumpet keys they will illuminate and make a different sound with the corresponding trumpet flower. The display is 7’ x 7’ and contains 27 trumpet flowers in the form of a giant musical garden.
As stated by Amigo & Amigo, “You can’t help but feel you are shrinking as you approach our super-sized trumpet flowers. Tentatively stepping inside some unseen Giant’s musical garden, you become surrounded by an explosive and immersive jungle of light, color, and sound. Moving in and around the flower forest uncovers a deeper connection with their individual trumpet key controllers, interactive keys that allow you to play each flower as a 2-6 meter towering musical and light instrument.
Make your own spectacular floral symphony of sound and light or catch one of the scheduled animated musical scores throughout the evening. Inspired by vintage gramophones, Trumpet Flowers will shock and surprise as the entire world periodically bursts to life and plays its own commissioned musical score: a piece composed and played by Otis Studio and some of Sydney’s finest jazz musicians. Every tuba, trumpet, trombone, and drum sound in Trumpet Flowers’ repertoire is an individual live recorded and energetic moment at your fingertips to experiment with.”
The temporary public art will be an appealing way to connect with the community. There’s a lot of pop-up public art that brings people into the community and gets them involved in the process of public art. These artworks are essential to our cities as they promote engagement and contribute to the outdoor activities of our city.
The temporary art will be a signal of revitalization on the east side of the city. The intent is to attract the public and spur event attendance and generate revenue. The city must think differently since we do not have museums and other cultural experiences. The event center is our core cultural center. This temporary art display will be important in bringing forward the new brand identity. The city has grown tremendously and is now joining the tier of big cities. Amigo & Amigo’s art has not been displayed in our peer cities but in world-tier cities on a higher scale.
Issues/Analysis: The Temporary Public Art Selection Committee reviewed 8 potential pieces of public art to be temporarily installed. Once the top 3 were ranked, the committee discussed what piece would be the most feasible and appropriate for the location, installation requirements, and price. “Trumpet Flowers” is the second to least expensive art piece and would fit within the confines of the most secure area on site that would not interfere with paid events. The selection committee forwarded a recommendation to the PAAB requesting their endorsement of Trumpet Flowers, which they voted to endorse.
Financial Information: The contract is for $65,749 for up to a 6-week installation period. If the installation period is for a shorter time the cost would be less. The cost of the piece will be funded by the City’s Public Art Fund, which is money collected from developers on new projects. There are no tax dollars used to purchase the artwork. If the selection of “Trumpet Flowers” is approved, a contract for the installation of the temporary artwork will be entered into and signed by the City Manager per the City’s threshold amounts.
Special Consideration: Included in the contract is a team ready to deliver a turnkey piece. The company manages all aspects of production from fabrication and transportation to build-up and breakdown. Staff coordinated with the Facilities Department, MidFlorida Event Center, and Police Department to ensure all appropriate resources are available. It was agreed that the most suitable location for the temporary display would be adjacent to the interactive fountains. The justification behind this site selection is that there are security cameras aimed directly at this area, an electrical hookup is available, the space provides visibility from US Hwy 1, and most importantly the location would not interfere with other paying customer events.
Location of Project: MidFlorida Event Center, adjacent to the interactive fountains.
Attachments:
1. Resolution
2. Trumpet Flowers
3. Installation Location
4. 2021 Art in Public Places Plan
5. Strategic Plan
6. Staff presentation
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: 23220-06
Legal Sufficiency Review:
Reviewed by Frank X. Moehrle, Deputy City Attorney. Approved as to Legal form and sufficiency by Richard A. Berrios, Interim City Attorney.