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8master vision9public arte xecuti V e su MMA ry
<br />for the past twenty years redwood city residents have championed public art
<br />efforts, leading to the development of many new exciting projects, such as Harambee,
<br />additional murals & utility boxes, The Heron, Chase the Chill, sidewalk shadow art,
<br />and Redwood City Pages. these initiatives evolved directly from community interest
<br />and quickly elevated everyone’s expectations. After the cities recent aquisition of ilya
<br />and emilia kabakov’s iconic Pirate Ship and the adoption of the public art ordinance,
<br />it became apparent that a professional study was needed to create a vision plan for
<br />the future.
<br />the purpose of this Public Art Master Vision is to provide aesthetic direction to
<br />the ongoing public art activities in redwood city and to offer practical tools and
<br />recommendations to help realize this vision. one long-term goal for the next 20 years
<br />is to create an outdoor museum throughout the city, comprised of talented artists from
<br />redwood city and the bay Area, complemented by national and international artists.
<br />this growing art collection will be on view to the public 24/7, free of admission. by
<br />supporting, refining, and elevating Redwood City’s Public Arts program, the plan can
<br />increase community and visitor engagement with the culture of the city and establish
<br />redwood city as a beacon of creativity, support, dialogue, and diversity.
<br />this report is meant to be a living document so that it may evolve to meet the
<br />changing needs of redwood city public art.
<br />While Public Art is often the first point of contact for a resident or visitor to experience art in a city,
<br />it is only one component of the cultural make up of a city. Arts education, exhibition spaces, artist
<br />residencies, grant programs, and arts support groups are but a small piece of a greater community that
<br />can help inform, guide, lead and impact society. Public Art should open the eyes of the viewer so that
<br />they see the city, public art, and the site of the artwork in a completely new and unexpected way each
<br />visit.
<br />Healthy public art programs that give rise to memorable and impactful public art— like the Public
<br />Art Fund in NYC or Art Angel in London— are the manifestation of a healthy collaboration between
<br />the public, artists, and government/civil departments, with staff support in place for these efforts.
<br />A Master Vision is the vision these parties share for the city and hope to accomplish. This Master
<br />Vision was created in collaboration
<br />between the public, Civic Cultural
<br />Commission, Redwood City
<br />Parks, Recreation and Community
<br />Services Department, and curatorial
<br />organization Fung Collaboratives. It
<br />lays out the uniting Master Vision,
<br />helps organize the public art process,
<br />and provides curatorial expertise
<br />and recommendations from Fung
<br />Collaboratives, along with essential
<br />documents to aid Redwood City in
<br />becoming the arts destination on the
<br />Peninsula.
<br />Redwood City, the county seat of San Mateo, is a remarkable city. It is the third largest city in San Mateo
<br />County, enclosing 34.7 square miles and 85,992 natives. During the day this population doubles as
<br />people flood in to work at companies like Electronic Arts and Oracle, to eat and shop downtown, or to
<br />enjoy pristine weather and nature walking along the Bay trail or hiking in the redwoods. Redwood City is
<br />economically, culturally, and geographically unique and flourishing.
<br />At the heart of Silicon Valley, this City is poised for significant economic growth. It is one of the oldest
<br />cities on the peninsula, with a culturally rich and diverse history. To accompany this economic growth,
<br />and to continue its tradition as a place of rich and significant culture, Redwood City is committed to
<br />becoming the arts and entertainment destination on the Peninsula.
<br />Envisioning a city…
<br /> • with dynamic and engaging spaces.
<br /> • with public art that is beautiful and initiates meaningful thoughts and discussions.
<br /> • that embraces ethnic diversity and gender balance in the artists who produce public works.
<br /> • that engages and inspires all corners of the city through public art.
<br /> • that supports public art that goes beyond function and decoration.
<br /> • that creates a legacy of unique character and strong sense of place.
<br />Vision
<br />Public Art should open the
<br />eyes of the viewer so that
<br />they see the city, public art,
<br />and the site of the artwork
<br />in a completely new and
<br />unexpected way each visit.8.A. - Page 10
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