Embracing the Desert:
A Program of Temporary Public Art Projects
The call for proposals resulted in over 130 entries from around the United States, Australia, and Europe. The Palm Desert Art in Public Places Commission and City Council selected six proposals to receive commissions. The program is designed to provide artists who have not had previous public art experience or very little to create a project and present it in Palm Desert which has a very active and supportive public art climate.
Please enjoy the following proposals and sketches, that were selected for the Embracing the Desert commissions. They will be installed periodically throughout the City for the next several years. Please revisit our web site to view the finished and installed sculptures. Thanking you for your interest in our program.
Richard L. Twedt, Public Arts Manager, Deborah Schwartz, Public Arts Coordinator, and Debbie Thompson, Public Arts Technician, Michael Volpone, Public Art Maintenance contractor for the permanent and temporary collections.
The "Desert Toad" by Anita Edman
Concept: The desert can be described as hot, dry, glaring, sparse, severe... so says the common image of sun-beaten, tumbleweed stretches of southwestern highway; but the desert that is home to cactus blooms and rock formations can be described as beautiful. The clear nights are magical, the native history is rich, and the intricately balanced ecosystem is delicate. A playful inhabitant of the side of the desert that invites warmly is the "Desert Toad".
A chance encounter with the "Desert Toad" will amuse and stimulate those who see it. This silly, colorful amphibian is far less mysterious than many other desert inhabitants, which are elusive, notoriously nocturnal, and can be foreboding and scary. It is large and visible, tempting one to touch the bumps and to consider other desert creature possibilities. The "Desert Toad" is a toad with a smile that you can see for a mile.
Size (Approximate):
Height: 4' at the head, width, 5-6' at various points, 4-5'
Surface: textured and bumpy
Materials: mold cast fiberglass, painted and sealed
Base/Installation: to be determined according to site, the Public Art Department's staff has determined the "Desert Toad" will be installed overlooking one of the lagoons located in the Palm Desert Civic Park.
Ms. Stoefen lives in Encinitas, Ca and has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree
"Desert Toad" is installed at the eastern pond in Palm Desert's Civic Center. It appears to be coming out of the water to find shade to rest in and maybe a few flies for a snack.
"Migration of the Butterflies" by A. Dudley Buchanan
Proposed construction materials, stainless steel with a concrete base.
Estimated scale 9' tall by 4' wide by 3' deep, Mr. Buchanan lives in Rancho Mirage, CA
It's anticipated the sculpture will be installed in the "Butterfly Garden" of the Eric Johnson Memorial Gardens located in and around the new Palm Desert Visitor's Information Center.
"Migration of the Butterflies": Installed in front of City Hall
on the northeast corner of San Pablo & Fred Waring
"Desert Barrel Cactus" by Patricia Mitchell and Eugene Wyrick
Proposal:
Working as a team, the artists, plan to build sculpture that utilizes traditional printmaking techniques and brings flat images into a sculptural form. They propose to construct a sculpture from plastic, ink and rubber in a shape resembling that of a barrel cactus. The surface of the sculpture will be covered with printed patterns; created from photographs of cactus flowers.
The artists chose the form of the barrel cactus because of it's simple shape, easily recognized and has keen metaphoric associations. The rich fauna of the Palm Desert community represents to them a testament of the strength of a city flourishing under extreme conditions. They are building from romantic associations with the desert landscape.
The sculpture will be 5.6' high and approximately 5' in diameter. It will be made by cutting a series of basic geometric shapes out of Lexan ( a strong material that resists the harsh elements and is UV resistant). Then, Patricia will print the cactus flower patterns one each panel. After the surfaces have been addressed, they will be hinged together using vulcanized rubber. This material is durable and will not be affected by the heat and light.
The sculpture will be installed on the El Paseo median across from the rear parking lot at the Palms to Pines shopping center, between Hwy 74 and Hwy 111.
(Proposal)
(Installed Sculpture)
"Desert Palm" a recycled glass tree by Sol Mesz
This piece will be installed next to the front door of the new Palm Desert Visitor's Information Center. It's quite an appropriate site as the Visitor's Center is the first "LEED" building in the Coachella Valley, which means "leadership in energy, environment design". It also is a "Green" building that uses recycled materials in it's construction. The "Desert Palm" will symbolize the "LEED" and "Green" attributes integrated into the structure.
"Rattle Tail" by Peter Mangan
Proposal:
The inspiration for the sculpture comes from Peter's first viewing of a rattlesnake in the wild on his property in Texas. It is an abstract snake tail with rattle. This experience generated ideas for several sculptures. Fear, power, fascination and respect for nature are some of the thoughts resulting from the meeting. Since, Palm Desert is in rattle snake country, he thought the subject matter would be appropriate.
When, finished, fused glass panes will be bolted into each circular opening. The metal used is 1/4" steel bolted together. The metal color will be brushed steel with a weather proof lacquer applied to the surface. The piece will stand approximately 9' tall with a 3' base. This piece is installed on the first pad on the El Paseo median just west of Hwy 74.
"Rattle Tail" Installed
"Desert Dream II" by John L. Seyfried
Proposal:
From the desert floor arises an apparition of gleaming, misty, metalic, undulating forms spiring cloudward like a subtle but powerful force evoking the spirit of a mysterious rendevous with teh sandy expanse of hidden life forces. A stiff wind passing through the curvacious slits send sounds of sensuous presence.
John Seyfried's sculpture "Desert Dream II" is installed on the east end of the El Paseo median, approximately 100 yards from Hwy 111.
