Title
Artist Design Contract for PSHIA Terminal 4 S1 Concourse Atrium Public Art Project (Ordinance S-45666)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a contract with artist Marc Fornes, doing business as TheVeryManyStudio, LLC (NY), for an amount not to exceed $125,000 to work with an Aviation Department design team to develop the design and engineering for artwork to be integrated into the atrium of the new Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport Terminal 4, S1 Concourse. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse all funds related to this item.
Report
Summary
The Fiscal Year 2018-23 Public Art Project Plan includes a project to commission artists to integrate artwork into the design of new south concourse at Terminal 4. The atrium will be a prominent gathering area for passengers moving between their gates and the terminal. The atrium interior will be visible day and night from the PHX Sky Train, which passes the new concourse.
On Feb. 7, 2019, a six-person artist selection panel recommended Marc Fornes and five other finalists after reviewing a pool of 132 applicants who responded to the project's open Request for Qualifications. In addition to Mr. Fornes, the finalists included the team of Ben Donovan and Simon Olmstead (AZ), the team of Lesley Chang and Jason Klimoski (NY), the team of Eric Rieger and Beau Basse (MN), Eric Staller (CA), and Aaron Stephan (ME). On March 22, 2019 the panel interviewed the finalists and reviewed their design approach before recommending that Mr. Fornes be contracted for the project. The panel based its decision on Mr. Fornes' ability to create a memorable landmark in the concourse atrium, his exemplary ability to work with other design professionals, and his expertise with the materials he proposed for the artwork.
The selection panel included Liesel Fenner, Public Art Program Director, Maryland State Arts Council; Gary Martelli, Curator and Manager of Phoenix Aviation Museum; Sam Chung, artist and teacher, Arizona State University; Erin Joyce, Curator at the Heard Museum; Gregory Torrez, community representative; and Susan Copeland, artist and teacher, Phoenix Union High School District. John Tran, Russ Sanders, and Molly Milne, from the project's architectural team, served as advisors to the panel.
Financial Impact
The PSHIA Terminal Four S1 Concourse is one of 31 projects in the Fiscal Year 2018-23 Public Art Project Plan that City Council approved on June 28, 2018. The Art Plan includes $1,796,441 for this project. The proposed $125,000 design contract will cover all costs related to the artist working with City staff and the Aviation Department design team to design and engineer the artwork to be integrated into the new Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport Terminal 4, S1 Concourse atrium. The remaining project funds will be used for development and administration of this and one additional project to be integrated into the S1 concourse. The percent-for-art funds for this project come from the Aviation Department Capital Improvement Program.
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The Phoenix Arts and Culture Commission reviewed and recommended approval of this item at its April 16, 2019, meeting. The Parks, Arts, Libraries, and Education Subcommittee reviewed and approved this item by a 3-1 vote at its April 26, 2019 meeting.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Karen Peters and the Office of Arts and Culture.