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| SAN JOSE PUBLIC ART: THE YEAR IN REVIEW |
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2009 marked the 25th anniversary of San Jose's Public Art Program, and it was an exciting year for the evolution of public art in San Jose. During the past year San Jose continued to commission artworks that enliven its diverse neighborhoods and enrich public spaces citywide. Some of the highlights from the past year include:
- Initiation of the first major artwork at Norman Y Mineta San Jose International Airport -- --"Hands," a 1200 linear foot mural by artist Christian Moeller on the façade of the Consolidated Rental Car Garage. The mural uses a unique technology that plotted thousands of plastic pixels affixed to the architectural metal mesh façade to create the image of the hands of over 50 Silicon Valley residents signaling arrival and departure at the airport. The stories of "the faces behind the hands" and much more about this project will be available online in the coming year.
- Dedication of three site-integrated public art projects that have been several years in the making at Mayfair Community Center, East San Jose Carnegie Library and Berryessa Creek Park.
- A very active Exhibits Program at City Hall with seven exhibits displayed during the year ranging from The Bike Show in City Windows Gallery to the current exhibits: San José Calling! Celebrating 100 Years of Radio Broadcasting exhibit in City Windows Gallery, and Hidden Heritages: Six African American Families, San Jose 1860-1920; and Face2Face: Highlights from the Student Art Collection at the Santa Clara County Office of Education, both on display in the Tower.
- Recognition received through national awards programs for two public art projects: Jackie Brookner's "Urban Rain" project at Roosevelt Community Center and JD Beltran's "Downtown Windows" project that was part of "Who's on 1st, What's on 2nd" a temporary artwork program co-sponsored by the City of San Jose, VTA and San Jose Redevelopment Agency during 2008-09.
SJPA continues to explore ways for people to interact with public art. This issue of San Jose Public Art e-newsletter marks the end of our second year of monthly distribution to more than 3,000 recipients. In addition, we have published an updated Downtown Public Art Map and two books: Urban Rain, co-published with the Environmental Services Department, examines Jackie Brookner's environmental artwork at Roosevelt Community Center that functionally filters pollutants from seeping into the nearby Coyote Creek watershed; and South Bay Talent Center is a report on Jon Brumit's month-long interactive performance during "Who's on 1st, What's on 2nd". Copies of the Downtown Public Art Map, Urban Rain and South Bay Talent Center are available free through the Office of Cultural Affairs by e-mailing patricia.walsh@sanjoseca.gov.
Looking Ahead to 2010
During 2010 we are looking forward to some notable additions additions to the cityscape and exceptional opportunities to enjoy art in San Jose.
June 18, 2010 will be the grand opening of Mineta San Jose International Airport that will include the largest art & technology program in the United States. In addition to "Hands," the airport will include three interactive permanent artworks as well as a dozen other rotating artwork displays ranging from projection based artworks, to artworks that use social media and surveillance technologies.
SJPA is also collaborating with the biennial 01SJ Festival on a series of temporary artworks on the San Fernando Corridor. These artworks will be on display from June through October 2010. 01SJ will take place from September 16 -19 2010 and will feature a large array of public artworks and interactive experiences focused on the theme of "Build Your Own World." For further information: http://zero1.org/01sj/2010-biennial.
During 2010, many neighborhood projects including Santa Teresa Branch Library, Bascom and Seven Trees Community Centers and Branch Libraries and several fire stations along with some of the elements of the Alum Rock Cultural History Corridor and a community project in the Spartan Keyes will be completed. Each of these projects will include intriguing new opportunities for community involvement.
On behalf of the San Jose Public Art Program we want to thank the many community members and others who have contributed so much to the success of the program during the past decade and look forward to your continuing involvement and contribution to San Jose's public places.
Barbara Goldstein, Director
City of San Jose Public Art Program
Hands by Christian Moeller at San Jose Mineta International Airport, during installation; expected completion early 2010.
Three Sisters and Bienvenidos by Fernanda D'Agostino at Mayfair Community Center as part of the suite of artworks entitled Garden of Strenghth, dedicated January 2009.
Chutes and Thumbprint Filter from Urban Rain by Jackie Brookner at Roosevelt Community Center, dedicated December 2008; publication about project released in 2009. Seen in background is Spiritual Stonehenge, a site-integrated mural by Edward (Scape) Martinez.
Detail of Tree of Life art glass window by Beatrice Coron at new Santa Teresa Branch Library; dedication in early 2010. |
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Public Art Committee |
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The Public Art Committee will hold its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 5:30 P.M. The following discussion and action items are on the agenda:
Item e.1. ARTIST SELECTION
a. Approval of the five artists recommended by selection panel to develop projects for artwork for San Fernando Street Corridor. (District 3)
Item e.2. CONCEPT DESIGN REVIEW
a. Approval of the concept design of the Wall of Recognition commemorating of Jim Nissen, Ernie Rezel and Norman Y. Mineta. (Citywide).
Public Art Committee meetings are open to the public. The meeting is in City Hall, 200 E. Santa Clara Street, Meeting Room W-119 in the Council Wing.
The Public Art Committee, a sub-committee of the Arts Commission, is advisory to the Commission and to San Jose 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. |
| San Jose Public Art Goes Live On Radio Station KLIV |
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| Weeklong series explores public art in San Jose
On Monday November 30, radio station KLIV began a weeklong series about public art in San Jose. Included are interviews with San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, Public Art Program Director Barbara Goldstein, Redevelopment Agency Program Manager Bob Ruff and Public Art Committee Chair Patricia McDonald.
The interviews can be heard or downloaded at:
http://kliv.com/pages/1055853.php
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Design-It-Yourself Holiday Light Sculpture Contest Open Until December 16 |
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There is still time to enter the San Jose/South Bay "Design-It-Yourself Holiday Lightfest" contest, utilizing artist Jim Conti's 3-story light sculpture Show Your Stripes on The 88 condominium highrise. Everyone is welcome to join in the fun until the contest closes on December 16.
 Co-sponsored by ZER01:The Art and Technology Network, the San Jose-based arts organization that produces the 01SJ Biennial, and The 88, the contest, open to all, requires use of a cell phone to design a light pattern for the sculpture.
Here's how it works: Entrants simply designate the three dial-in codes which they've discovered to be the best three for a holiday-oriented sequence, and email them through Dec. 16 to lightfest@zero1.org .
Participants should drop by The 88, 88 E. San Fernando at 2nd, after dusk when the sculpture turns on, and from their cell phone dial 408-287-0128, enter any 3 numbers as well as the * or # signs, followed by 0 (zero), then hang up and watch the show. Entrants should try several, random 3-digit sequences. Once they have three they like, simply jot them down and email them to be eligible for the prize.
Show Your Stripes is a three-story light sculpture made of LED lights which have hundreds of unique designs already programmed, most of which are unannounced so that people can play with and discover the designs for themselves. Unveiled last year during the holiday season, Show Your Stripes has delighted passers-by who dial up the sculpture and change it to their whim. The artwork was created as a project of the San Jose Public Art Program.
The winning entry that reflects the best holiday-oriented sequence will be selected by Zero1 and The 88, and the prize winner and winning-design will be announced on Friday, December 18. The winner will receive a $100 downtown gift certificate that may be utilized at any one of the following merchants: Arcadia, Mezcal, Bella Mia, Nazca, Picasso's, Billy Berks, Azucar, Fourth Street Pizza, Morroco's, or E&O restaurants, or retailers Chic Chateau, Soula Power Yoga, Penguin Froyo or A Perfect Finish Wine Bar. Even if you don't enter the contest, be sure to visit Show Your Stripes and enjoy the fun of interacting with the artwork.
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| City Hall - Current Exhibitions |
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Current listings as of newsletter distribution
This is San José Calling! Celebrating 100 Years of Radio Broadcasting, sponsored by History San Jose and KCBS. (In City Windows Gallery, the storefront exhibition space located at City Hall along the 4th Street facade.)
Hidden Heritages: Six African American Families, San Jose 1860-1920 (In City Hall Tower, Santa Clara St. Lobby)
Six of San Jose's pioneer black families are brought to life in portraits pieced together from historical facts and public records, family recollections, artifacts, old photographs and artist renderings, each telling the story of a unique community from a different perspective and providing a poignant glimpse into San Jose's past during a pivotal period in history.
Face2Face: Highlights from the Student Art Collection at the Santa Clara County Office of Education (In Tower, 18th Floor Mayor and Council Office Lobby Gallery)
Featuring artwork created by children in conjunction with the Young Artists Showcase, sponsored by the San Jose Water Company.
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Explore Public Art in Downtown San Jose |
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Create your own walking tour!
Here are two ways you can enjoy public art in Downtown San Jose.
DOWNTOWN PUBLIC ART MAP - Updated 2009 Edition Now Available!
The San Jose Public Art Program's colorful, informative map of public art projects in downtown San Jose has recently been updated. The 2009 Downtown Public Art Map is a fun and easy way to see public in downtown San Jose.
Use it to create your own walking tour and include opportunities to stop and enjoy other features in the district including museums, galleries and restaurants.
RECOLECCIONES: THE MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. LIBRARY PUBLIC ART COLLECTION
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library includes an award-winning collection of more than 34 site-specific public artworks in locations throughout the library. Finding them is a process of exploration, discovery and is filled with surprises! A free colorful detailed brochure is available from the San Jose Public Art Program that will help you appreciate this extraordinary collection.
You can request a free copy of the 2009 Downtown Public Art Map or the Recolecciones - Library Art Collection brochure. Please e-mail your request to patricia.walsh@sanjoseca.gov, and include your mailing address.
You can also access a printable pdf version of the Downtown Public Art Map on the Public Art webpage of the Office of Cultural Affairs website at San Jose Downtown Public Art Map. |
| SAN JOSE PUBLIC ART - e-Newsletter Archive |
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Visit the Online Archive to view past issues!
Current and past issues of San Jose Public Art can be viewed on the Public Art pages of the Office of Cultural Affairs website.
Go to www.sanjoseculture.org. |
| More to come in SAN JOSE PUBLIC ART! |
San José Public Art is the way to keep connected and informed. Please stay with us for future editions.
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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