BROWARD CULTURAL DIVISION AND PORT EVERGLADES DEPARTMENT RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This item supports the Board's value of "Cultivating community culture, arts, recreation and life-long learning" and goals relating to providing diverse artistic, cultural, educational and historical amenities and programs that contribute to a vibrant, multi-cultural and economically-viable community.
This action is for approval of the direct selection of artist Alice Aycock and her proposed artwork design of site-specific artwork, in an amount not to exceed $495,000 ($450,000 for art and $45,000 for contingency).
The artwork will be located in a new 55’ wide traffic circle which has been constructed on Eller Drive and is associated with the recently completed renovation to Cruise Terminal 25. The exterior artwork will become a landmark for Port Everglades and contribute to the transformation of the Midport section, specifically the area which is utilized by passengers of the newly-renovated Cruise Terminal 25, and by passengers of Cruise Terminal 21.
Exhibit 1 is the proposed artwork design for the Port Everglades Cruise Roadway Project by artist Alice Aycock. The artwork is approximately 29’ 10” long by 18’ 2” wide with varying heights from 2’ 9” to 12’.
The powder coated aluminum sculpture was originally inspired by diagrams and animation of wave and water movements. The sculpture suggests waves, wind turbines, vortexes of energy, and flowerlike vegetation. The color gradation from white to blue presents a strong visual contrast with the color palette of the surrounding buildings and plaza. The sculpture was designed to be viewed from multiple angles and to be visually interesting from multiple points of view. The artwork will be engineered to withstand 160 mph winds.
The Public Art & Design (PAD) Committee approved artist Alice Aycock to be added to the pool of pre-screened artists roster on April 11, 2018. Artist Alice Aycock was selected from the pre-screened pool of 66 artists by the PAD Committee on September 6, 2018 and by the Broward Cultural Council (BCC) on October 4, 2018, using the Direct Selection method due to the urgent project timeline and very specific project requirements. For the artwork to be successfully installed during the 2018/19 cruise season and to maximize the art budget, coordination between the artist and design team for the traffic circle was needed to occur as soon as possible.
The Artist Selection Panel approved the proposed artwork design on September 21, 2018. The BCC approved the proposed artwork design on October 4, 2018, pending PAD Committee approval. PAD Committee approved the artwork design proposal on October 10, 2018.
Artist Alice Aycock is a world-renowned artist who has exhibited in major museums and galleries nationally, as well as in Europe and in Japan. Her work can be found in major collections throughout the world including the Central Broward Regional Park, the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum, and the Brooklyn Museum. She exhibited at the Venice Biennale, Documenta VI and VIII and the Whitney Biennial.
Background on the Direct Selection Process
Pursuant to Chapter 33, Part V, Section 33.43.e.1. of the Broward County Administrative Code, the Direct Selection method is allowed when there is a very urgent project timeline or very specific project requirements. Exhibit 2 is the Artist Selection Comparison Chart that illustrates the timeframe for the typical Open Competition or Limited Competition method and Direct Selection method. The timeframe for the Open Competition method is 38 to 57 weeks. Utilizing the Direct Selection method would allow the artist to be placed under agreement in approximately 21 weeks.
Artists are recommended for the pre-screened roster on a continual basis by the PAD Committee and must meet the criteria for selection in accordance with Administrative Code Chapter 33, Part V, Section 33.43.d.
Background on the Direct Selection Process of Artist Alice Aycock
A Call to Artists for an outdoor artwork to be located at the terminus of Eller Drive with a project budget of $220,000 was issued on January 17, 2018, which garnered 81 applicants. On February 28, 2018, upon reviewing the applicant’s qualifications and past work, the Artist Selection Panel (ASP) tabled a motion to shortlist any of the artists who responded to the Call to Artists. The ASP suggested hiring an art consultant to advise on the budget and to identify qualified artists. In lieu of hiring an art consultant, staff and the Chair of the PAD Committee contacted art museum directors, curators, art consultants and public art administrators requesting referrals of artists that could be notified of the Call to Artists and who would be available to begin work immediately upon selection.
Of the referred artists, only Alice Aycock and Will Ryman are U.S.-based and create large-scale outdoor sculptures. The two artists were subsequently added to the pre-screened roster.
Following modifications of the Eller Drive roadway design, the original Call to Artists was canceled and the site for the artwork changed to a new traffic circle adjacent to Terminals 21, and 25. The budget was increased to $495,000 to allow for a large-scale artwork that would be visually compatible with the nearby cruise terminals and due to the high visibility of the location. Approximately one million Port Everglades visitors use the terminals and the number is expected to increase significantly over the next 10 years.
Prior to selecting Alice Aycock, using the Direct Selection method, artist Marc Quinn and his design Supra Littoral Zone was approved for direct selection in April and May 2018, by the ASP, the PAD Committee and the BCC. The cost of the artwork was $420,000 excluding crating and shipping from Spain, customs and delivery fees, preparation of the site, permitting and installation which were estimated to be up to an additional $80,000.
The Direct Selection method was employed to accelerate the artist selection process timeline for the following reasons: (1) artwork could be installed at the site no later than the start of the 2018 cruise season in October 2018; (2) Quinn had limited edition bronze sculptures immediately available; and (3) knowing the weight and size of the artwork would potentially allow for coordination with the roadway design team.
Staff were unsuccessful in negotiating an agreement with artist Marc Quinn, who required payment in full before artwork would be released for shipping to the site from a foundry in Spain. Referred artist Will Ryman did not respond to staff inquiries and subsequently artist Alice Aycock was chosen (through the Direct Selection process) by the PAD Committee to replace Marc Quinn. Alice Aycock is a U.S.-based artist experienced with outdoor sculptures, immediately available and who fabricates all of her artwork in Broward County. It was anticipated that the artwork could be installed in spring 2019, prior to the close of cruise season.
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