Artist's Proposal
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Gabbert Artist’s Proposal 14th Street Roundabout Page 434 of 1673 Gabbert Sarasota Roundabout 41&14th James Gabbert Sculptor Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for this opportunity. For your consideration I propose a work tentatively titled “Flame”. I believe it to be simple-yet- compelling, symbolic, and appropriate to this setting. Dimensions will be 20 feet high by 14.5 feet wide by 14.5 feet deep. It sits on a 3.5 feet high by 9 feet in diameter base. (not accurately dimensioned in the 3D graphics) The composition. The design has substance, and yet, there is practically no impediment to drivers’ visibility. After review of the design by a structural engineer the flame flicks may need to be pierced with openings to meet the 150 mph wind velocity requirement. I see no problem in adjusting the design to accommodate any change like this. Fire can represent our passions, zeal, creativity, and motivation. The “flame” can suggest the light held by the Statue of Liberty, the fire from Prometheus, the spirit of the city, and the hearth-fire of 612.207.8895 | jgsculpture.webs.com | [email protected] 14th Street Roundabout Page 435 of 1673 Gabbert Sarasota Roundabout 41&14th James Gabbert Sculptor home. It would be lit at night with a soft glow from within. A flame creates a sense of place because everyone is drawn to a fire. A flame sheds light and warmth. Reference my “Hopes and Dreams” in my work example to get a sense of what this would look like. The four circles suggest unity and wholeness, or, the circle of life, or, the earth/universe. The four circles may suggest the four points of the compass. Description of materials: The circles and the central downward support elements are 3.5 inch diameter stainless steel pipe. The “flame” elements and supporting structures are laser-cut from 1/4 plate and 3/16 plate stainless steel plate. The form will be enhanced with LED lighting within the sculpture and, if appropriate, spotlighting from the ground. The pipe will hold the wiring for the interior lighting. Flame will be secured from a stainless steel plates with stainless steel bolts into a concrete base. The look of stainless steel is bright, neutral and contemporary. It conflicts with nothing and embraces all the colors around it. It accepts whatever color light we choose to shine on it. Maintenance: Stainless steel has proven itself to be a reliable low maintenance material. It is a well-known material to any professional restorer. A coating can be applied to address graffiti removal and would need to be reapplied per the supplier’s (most likely Tnemec) recommendations. My 30+ years of business leadership has provided me extensive budgeting and project management of multimillion dollar projects, as well as actively leading construction projects. I know how to deliver on time and on budget. My business experience also brings you an experienced listener who is willing and able to adapt to the needs and wants of the customer. My fabricator’s 30+ years of foundry and public art experience provides invaluable expertise. Casting Creations (http://castingcreations.us) has installations around the country and the world. My philosophy on public art is one of collaboration. Ultimately, a work of public art emerges from the vision of many people. As an owner of home furnishings retail stores I always saw an opportunity in another person’s better idea. Art, any art, is about letting go of an idea for a better one. Indeed, I find this to be the most exciting and rewarding part of the creative process. The surrounding environment is the ultimate influence to any good public art work. Just like interior design once the building is completed one must “collaborate” with the space given, and not work against it. 612.207.8895 | jgsculpture.webs.com | [email protected] 14th Street Roundabout Page 436 of 1673 Gabbert Sarasota Roundabout 41&14th James Gabbert Sculptor An artist is solely responsible for the artwork. And yet, the challenge/opportunity is to have the completed work be as much the community’s as it is the artist’s. This is achieved through the process of listening to key stakeholder and serious engagement with the spaces and materials surrounding it. My favorite example of this is “Hopes and Dreams”. The intention of this commission was to honor, but not portray, Mercy Hospital’s beloved long time Chaplain. The sculpture emerged through numerous conversations. His widow said he believed God was “a big loving mama”. This became the larger than life-size, plus-size woman sitting and approachable with a ready lap. His successor told me he was deeply involved in the design of the Chapel’s stained-glass window: a contemporized “dreamcatcher” with flame representing the Holy Spirit. I echoed the idea with the dreamcatcher element. I learned the hospital staff voted to name the new garden: “Hope Garden”. This became the figure’s pose as an expression of hope. Always in mind was the support for patients and their families who seek solitude and strength from this Garden space with its circular design. These ideas, gleaned from multiple conversation came together to create “Hopes and Dreams”. I thrive within this learning process. I find this project to be a very exciting opportunity, one very much in my wheelhouse as you can see by my completed public artworks. And, it is 40 minutes from my winter home. Sincerely, James Gabbert 612.207.8895 | jgsculpture.webs.com | [email protected] 14th Street Roundabout Page 437 of 1673 Gabbert Artist’s Previous Works 14th Street Roundabout Page 438 of 1673 Gabbert Title: “Hopes and Dreams” by James Gabbert Type of media: Bronze figure. Stainless steel “dreamcatcher” Dimensions: 11.5’ x 8’ x 3’ Year of completion: 2015 14th Street Roundabout Page 439 of 1673 Gabbert Title: “Mother & Baby” by James Gabbert Type of media: Bronze figures and stainless steel ring Dimensions: 72" tall and a 55 inch diameter ring Year of completion: 2016 14th Street Roundabout Page 440 of 1673 Gabbert Title: “Soaring Bird: Peace through Service” by James Gabbert type of media: The soaring bird and the supporting arc is made of Cor-ten steel. The prairie grass and supporting rail are made of stainless steel. Dimensions: The bird stands 26 feet above its base with a 7 foot wingspan year of completion: 2013 14th Street Roundabout Page 441 of 1673 Call ID:Gabbert 1610211 Artist ID: 75467 Status: Received James Gabbert Contact Partner Contact via Cell Phone Email [email protected] Phone 952 941-2726 Cell 612 207-8895 Web Site jgsculpture.webs.com Mailing Address 7140 Willow Creek Road Eden Prairie MN USA 55344 3226 Custom Answers Please complete and submit the Disclosure Statement located in Appendix B of the Appendices A through C document. Gabbert_Disclosure.jpg Please upload a written description and up to 8 illustrations of your proposed artwork for the 14th Street/US 41 Roundabout - include title, type of media, weight, and fabrication information. Gabbert_Letter of Interest.pdf Please upload a PDF or JPEG file displaying examples of previous works of art. For each example, please provide an image, title, type of media, dimensions, and year of completion. Public Art Samples.pdf Professional References: Please provide 3 or more professional references. Carolyn Carim, LEED AP Allina Health, Interior Designer, Design & Construction Mail Route 10019, 2925 Chicago Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55407 Email: [email protected] Phone: 612-262-2132 Fax: 612-262-7601 Jay Lotthammer Parks & Recreation Director, City of Eden Prairie Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Email: [email protected] Phone: (952) 949-8440 Wes Jones President Casting Creations of Minnesota 650 Dutch Lake Drive Howard Lake, MN 55349 Phone: (320) 543 2185 Fax: (320) 543 CAST (2278) eMail: [email protected] Website: http://www.castingcreations.us Please include a proposed budget estimate for this project consisting of estimates for fabrication and materials, design and engineering (including foundation), lighting, transportation, installation, artist fee, and other associated costs. Budget for "Flame": Materials and Fabrication $90,000 Structural Engineering $5000 Transportation and Installation $10,000 LED Lighting $15,000 Insurance/permits, etc $5000 Artist's time and materials $10,000 Contingency and artist's profit $15,000 TOTAL $150,000 Please provide a brief current resume emphasizing art experience, public collections, and public art commissions. Please be 14th Street Roundabout sure to include contact information including telephone number and email address.You can type in your experience or copy and paste Page 442 of 1673 from an existing resume document. Text is limited to 5,000 characters. Artist Statement Call ID:Gabbert 1610211 Artist ID: 75467 Status: Received James Gabbert (Continued) I create art to be provocative, that is, to provoke the mind, heart or spirit to experience something new or rekindle something forgotten. I believe art should be beautiful so as to draw the heart and spirit into it so the viewer leaves with something more. I strive for my art to be a unique contribution to our collective understanding of humankind. Pertinent Information Born: 1952, Minneapolis, Minnesota Summer Residence: 7140 Willow Creek Road, Eden Prairie, MN 55344 Winter Residence: 777 North Shore Drive, Anna Maria, FL 34216 eMail: [email protected] Phone: 612.207.8895 Website: http://jgsculpture.webs.com Resume 1972-1975: Graduated Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colorado with a Degree in Fine Arts 1979-1983: Games