Title
Communication from Ann Arbor Public Art Commission (AAPAC) regarding the West Park Art Sculpture
Memorandum
In February of 2010 an RFP was issued for the procurement of an artist/contractor to design, produce and install a piece of artwork in the re-vitalized West Park. In March 2010 a committee of four reviewed thirteen applications, conducted four interviews, and selected Mr. Traven Pelletier. Mr. Pelletier proposed creating two steel sculptures’ to be installed in the area of new seat walls. These two 11’ high steel sculptures entitled “TREEform” were installed this fall in West Park. The total contract was for $10,000 and was funded by Ann Arbor's percent for art program as part of the city's renovation of West Park. This public art project complements the overall plans for the renovation which addresses storm water issues and creates new pathways, improved access to the park, renovated parking area, and built concrete seat walls into the hillside to accommodate better viewing of events at the park band shell.
The park was chosen for public art because it is centrally located and serves a broad section of the community. The installation is in keeping with the natural environment theme of the park’s renovation and the overall goals of the project. The city will dedicate the sculpture as part of the grand opening for West Park, expected sometime in the spring of 2011.
Pelletier was chosen through a competitive process following a call for art to Michigan artists. In designing the pieces, Pelletier found that the huge old oaks were the most inspiring natural elements in the space. “The sculptures were designed to be large enough for people to sit under and enjoy while not competing too much with the overall area as a theater space. They are meant to "cap" the audience area and create a tie between the surrounding natural elements and the band shell, both in form and color. The colors were chosen both to be striking and beautiful in the sunlight on the ...
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