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TWO PUBLIC ART PROJECTS FEATURED IN NEW JOYCE ELLINGTON BRANCH LIBRARY |
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Artworks by Lucy Liew and Masayuke Nagase
The grand opening of the new Joyce Ellington Branch Library on June 28 will feature the dedication of two new, site-specific artworks.
San Jose-based artist Lucy Liew created artwork elements for the Children's area of the Library.
 Inspired by the community's enduring connection to the elm trees that for many years had existed on the site, Liew's Trees of Knowledge are two "trees" built around columns of the building, rich with colorful images. She suggests that these "serve as a gateway to the world of imagination and learning that await the visitors to the Children's section of the library."
Liew's  Metamorphosis - Transformation in the Woods is a painting in the form of butterfly wings (shown here upon installation). Positioned in the Storytelling Corner so that they will frame the storyteller, the imagery on the wings is intended to inspire positive themes for young readers.
Artist Masayuke Nagase's work Where The Tree Is Born, (depicted in the photo essay below) pays tribute to the Library's namesake, honored community member Joyce Ellington, as well as to the trees that formerly stood on the site. This exterior artwork, a granite sculpture in the form of a tree trunk, rises from a plaza filled with patterns of the shadows cast by tree branches. Low enough that it can be climbed or sat upon, the top surface of the sculpture contain rings of text referencing Joyce Ellington and area history. The sides have a bark-like texture that Nagase created using handprints collected from community members, including some of the students from the neighboring Grant Academy Elementary School.
The Joyce Ellington Branch Library Grand Opening is Saturday, June 28; the official program is from 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon. The location is 491 Empire Street, San Jose, 95112. Both artists will be present to discuss their work immediately following the program.
All are welcome! Please join us. |
FROM CONCEPT TO COMPLETION - CREATION OF AN ARTWORK |
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A Visual Story of Where The Tree Is Born, Artist Masayuke Nagase's Project for the Joyce Ellington Branch Library
Artist Masayuke Nagase is a traditional stone carver. His work at the new Joyce Ellington Branch Library is a granite sculpture entitled Where The Tree Is Born. The photo essay below chronicles key points in the progression of the artwork from the artist's concept thru completion.
1. Artists's conceptual design sketches: (left) the side view of the sculpture; (right) a view looking down at the plaza pattern.
2. Artist at work: moving raw stone into place at studio; and carving, with a model of the artwork positioned for easy reference on top of stone.
3. Artist collects community handprints for use in sculpture's bark pattern: (left) with students at Grant Academy; (right) Mr. Ellington adds his handprint at a community meeting.
4. A young art lover tests the seating features of the work-in-progress sculpture at the studio.
5. Creating the plaza element of Where The Tree Is Born: (left) the concrete base is poured; (right) staining and finishing the surface.
6. The finished work: (left) detail of the text engraved in the granite; (right) the sculpture, positioned on the finished plaza. |
| PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE MEETING |
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Next Meeting: June 17, 2008 - 5:30 PM
The Public Art Committee 's monthly meeting is Tuesday, June 17 at 5:30 PM. The following action items are on the meeting agenda:
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Bascom Branch Library & Community Center: Approval of recommendation by PACT of artist Ron Baron for project. (District 6)
The Public Art Committee, a sub-committee of the Arts Commission, is advisory to the Commission and to San José City Council. The Public Art Committee monitors and provides oversight in the artist selection, development and design review of public art projects throughout the City.
The Public Art Committee meets in City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, Council Wing Room W-119. The meeting is open to the public.
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| UPCOMING PUBLIC EVENTS |
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Meetings, Dedications, Celebrations, Lectures, Exhibits & More
Current listings for June - July as of newsletter distribution time JUNE 2008
Thursday, June 26, 6:30 - 8:00 PM
- Calabazas Branch Library - "Meet the Artists" . Living Lenses artists Po Shu Wang and Louise Bertelsen will conduct an interactive presentation to gain community input for developing the public art concept for the new Library. This will be done as part of a larger neighborhood Community Meeting (this portion of the meeting should start at approximately 7:15 PM). Location: Calabazas Branch Library, 1230 Blaney Avenue, San Jose, 95129
Saturday, June 28, 11:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
- Joyce Ellington Branch Library Grand Opening & Public Art Dedication at the new Joyce Ellington Branch Library, 491 E. Empire St., San José, CA 95112. The celebration of the new library will include dedication of the public artworks by Masayuke Nagase and Lucy Liew. (District 3) All are welcome!
For additional art activities that you can enjoy in June, please see "ONGOING EXHIBTIONS" listings, below.
JULY 2008
Monday, July 14, 6:00 - 7:00 PM
- Great Cities Speakers Series Continues: "Great Ideas for Building Livable Communities" featuring Dan Burden, Director of Walkable Communities. LOCATION: San Jose Repertory Theater, 101 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, 95113. (Event is free, but it is necessary to reserve a free ticket. Go to www.1stact.org for more information on free tickets and on the Great Speakers Series.)
ONGOING EXHIBITIONS
LOOK AGAIN
The inaugural exhibition in the new City Windows Gallery, Look Again is an exhibit space located in the windows along the S. 4th Street façade of City Hall. Curated by Kathryn Funk, Look Again features the work of artists who use cast-off materials and waste from contemporary life to create their art. Artists in the exhibit include Ed Clapp, Marita Dingus, Charlotte Kruk, Rob Larsen, Mark Fox Morgan and Mary White. The exhibit will remain on display until July 21 and is a feature of the San Jose Public Art Program's City Hall Exhibition Program.
WHO'S ON 1ST/WHAT'S ON 2ND
Profiled in the June '08 Special Edition of SJ Public Art News, Who's On 1st/What's On 2nd temporary exhibitions continue thru the summer along the Downtown San José Transit Mall, with the addition of new artworks:
Jon Brumit's South Bay Talent Center (SBTC), located at the Lion Building, 97 South 2nd St., Suite 100 (at San Fernando and S. 2nd), is an interactive project inspired by the notion that everyone is good at something. SBTC encourages participation in bi-weekly talent showcases. Designed to explore, catalog and celebrate the numerous varieties of "talent" found within San José via its inhabitants, visitors, and workers, SBTC seeks to promote accessibility and public interaction.
SBTC is open Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays 12 p.m. to 6 p.m; Fridays, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. is ongoing thru Ongoing thru August 15.
Chip Lord's and Bruce Tomb's Hello, San José! occupies two parking spaces at the corner of South Second Street and Fountain Alley. This brightly painted kiosk contains eight listening posts in the structure broadcast music and talk radio stations from distant places. Listeners can "mix" audio channels as they walk around the structure or sit and experience the "Ghost Zocalo". In addition, by calling (408) 288-5962, you can leave a message that will broadcast to the neighborhood. Hello, San Jose! continues thru August 10.
Hector Dio Mendoza's Cultural Citizen multimedia project explores what it means to be a "cultural citizen" in San José. The work includes a website, posters and banners along 1st & 2nd Streets. A major new element, a "Cultural Citizen Tree" will be added in St. James Park beginning in July, 2008. For more information and inter-active elements of the project go to the Cultural Citizen website at www.culturalcitizen.org. For more information and to view online active elements of the project go to the Cultural Citizen website.
Bill Fontana's Sonic Cascades broadcasts the live sounds of the bells of Trinity Cathedral, 81 N. 2nd, creating a sound sculpture that interacts with the urban landscape. It can be heard along N. Second Street and features combination of some traditional bell music and minimalist composition by Fontana. Sonic Cascades continues thru the summer.
JD Beltran's Downtown Mirror featuresfour video projections within storefronts and building windows reflecting both the local environment and the rich demographic and historical atmosphere of the downtown. Text from recent interviews and historic texts are superimposed on the videos revealing a fascinating time-spanning portrait of the downtown. Continuing thru the Summer, Downtown Mirror video projections can be viewed in the following locations: in two storefront windows adjacent to Zanotto's at The Globe Residential Community located at 25 S. 3rd Street, at 38 2nd Street, and in a small storefront window on the Paseo De San Antonio, adjacent to Camera 12 Cinemas.
Please go to www.w1w2.org for more details about the all of these projects, related events, and more.
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| FOR ARTISTS: A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS |
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Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport Art + Technology Artist Pool - Submittals Accepted Thru July 1
A Request for Qualifications to establish an Artist Pool for Art + Technology is now available. The focus of initial artwork commission will be the San José International Airport's program of short-term changing Art + Technology projects and two permanent sculptures for the arrival/departure hall of the new terminal.
As part of the Airport capital improvement program, the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport Public Art Master Plan creates a framework for a unified program of Art + Technology, showcasing the innovation, diversity, and change that defines San José and Silicon Valley. This program will create a major collection of technology-related artworks for the City at the airport. Public art at the airport will use the tools and technologies developed in Silicon Valley to provide a portal to the community, highlighting the important histories that are the foundations of San José's place in today's global economy.
Commissioning opportunities include, but are not limited to: 2 and 3 dimensional art; static and dynamic work; projections; data-driven work and/or work encouraging social connections; ambient and/or responsive audio work; active textiles or other active surfaces; screen-based; flat-panel displays or low-profile light boxes. Artists who are accepted into the Art + Technology Artist Pool will be considered for multiple opportunities.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Submissions must be received as a complete application in CaFÉ™ by Tuesday, July 1, 2008.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To view the on-line application, go to www.callforentry.org , register a username and password, navigate to "Apply to Calls", and search the list for "City of San Jose - Art + Technology Pool".
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THE "Downtown Public Art Map" IS A FUN AND EASY WAY TO SEE PUBLIC ART IN DOWNTOWN SAN JOSE |
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Create your own walking tour!
The Office of Cultural Affairs publishes a colorful, informative map of public art projects in downtown San José.
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| SO MUCH MORE TO COME IN SAN JOSE PUBLIC ART! |
Please stay with us for future editions of San José Public Art.
San José Public Art is the way to keep connected and informed.
We welcome your comments, ideas and suggestions. You can e-mail us at publicart@sanjoseca.gov.
Please forward this to people you know who might like to keep informed about public art in San José.
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