|
 Early in the evening, during the public participation portion of
the meeting, Hoffman, and Toby Prang, who signs his artwork “Moses
Pinkerton” addressed the council.
Jason Hoffman spoke first saying that he had heard questions about
the title of the sculpture, and he wanted to explain it. The
sculpture is named “Maintain Equilibrium.” Hoffman said that he
first designed the sculpture while a student at Eastern Illinois
University in 2000-2001. Hoffman said at that time, he was going
through some personal issues and felt his life was out of balance.
He said there were many days that he felt like “taking the easy way
out.” But he didn’t. He said that he was hopeful that the sculpture
would encourage others to maintain their equilibrium even in times
when they feel like giving up.
Prang aka Pinkerton also spoke. He began by asking the aldermen to
define art, then said, “no matter what your answer, you had to use
your imagination to reply.”
He said he is “a firm believer that art leads the way, and people
with disposable income will follow.” Prang said, “the piece is going
to cast ever-changing shadows as the sun moves accrues the sky.
Giving whoever sees it the opportunity to use their imagination.”
 Later in the evening when the item came up for a vote, Rick Hoefle
asked if the council could talk before the motion was made. He was
advised that according to the rules of order, the motion had to come
first. Michelle Bauer made the motion to approve, which was seconded
by Jeff Hoinacki.
Hoefle then began the dialogue regarding the sculpture. He said that
he was not opposed to the artwork at all. But, he also realized that
it was being placed in the historic downtown district, and he
wondered if it could be placed somewhere else. He noted that Hoffman
and Pinkerton had two pieces of art on Sangamon Street. He wondered
if this work could also go there, perhaps on the Sangamon side of
the Lincoln Depot.
Jonie Tibbs asked if the proposal for the sculpture had been taken
to the Downtown Historic Preservation Committee for their review and
approval or rejection. City Building and Safety Officer John Lebegue
said that it had not gone before that committee.
City Administrator Clay Johnson said he wanted to mention that
Sangamon Street is also within the Downtown Historic District.
Tracy Welch said he did want the HCP to review the proposal; he
thought that was the fitting procedure. He said he was also
wondering if the art project, if approved, could be funded through
the city’s new Civic Foundation. That foundation has not been
finalized as of yet. Johnson and Mayor Marty Neitzel were recently
authorized to move forward with the formation of the Foundation, but
work on that is not yet completed. Kathy Horn said that she had
talked to constituents from all over the city, not just her ward,
who said that with city streets being in the shape they are in, the
taxpayers don’t think the city should be financing art.
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Todd Mourning asked how the site for the sculpture was selected. Johnson said
that quite some time ago when Keith Snyder was mayor and the design work was
begin put together for the Library Parking Lot; the artists approached the city
about a new piece of art. Because the project was under design, it was
considered that it could be placed at that corner.
At the last meeting about the sculpture, Steve Parrott, who was absent this
week, asked if there could be a comparison done with a local metal provider on
the price. Hoffman and Pinkerton had provided an estimate of the cost of
materials from a firm in Kentucky that had quoted the best price.
This week, Welch asked if artists had requested a quote locally from Lincoln
Iron and Metal. Hoffman said he had, but had not yet heard back from that
company.
Michelle Bauer said that she was a supporter of art, but was hearing the
concerns about the appropriateness of the proposed modern art in the historic
district. She asked Hoffman if he would be willing to discuss with the city a
different design, to go into that corner. Hoffman said that he certainly would.
Mourning came back to the Foundation idea and said that the Foundation would be
a vehicle for donations from the public specifically to the sculpture. He said
he liked the idea of private funding as opposed to using taxpayer dollars. He
said he liked the piece as designed, and would also be willing to consider a
different piece, as well as make a personal donation to the Foundation for the
construction.
Mourning added that art at that corner would make the parking lot more than just
a parking lot, that it would be an attraction or draw to bring people downtown.
Mayor Marty Neitzel said she too thinks that there should be a piece of art on
that corner, and noted that it would be a nice tie-in to the Art in the Park
Festival.
At the end of the conversations, Bauer asked if she could amend her motion.
Johnson said that she could, if Jeff Hoinacki, who offered the second agreed.
Hoinacki did so, and Bauer offered the amendment. She asked to table the motion
while the city and artists discuss other options for the artwork to be placed at
the corner of Pekin and Kickapoo Streets. When the roll call was taken seven
aldermen voted “yes.” The eighth alderman, Steve Parrott was absent for the
evening.
[Nila Smith] |
