HomeMy WebLinkAbout042021-3.2
FINANCE COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM 3.2
TO: Mayor and Town Council April 20, 2021
SUBJECT: Authorize execution of contract with Foldhaus Art Collective for the
temporary art exhibit, Shrumen Lumen
BACKGROUND
The Town has now successfully launched a public art program through its Piano, Dogs
and Hearts exhibits. In an effort to diversify the type of temporary art that is displayed
Town Staff has reached out to the Foldhaus Art Collective to participate in conjunction
with the upcoming art gallery summer exhibit “Altered and Reimagined”.
Foldhaus Art Collective is locally based in the Bay Area and comprised of a group of
engineers who are also artists. Together, this group created interactive art pieces the
Shrumen Lumen: a garden of origami mushrooms. Each mushroom is an umbrella-like
mechanism powered by an industrial actuator which causes the cap to change shape.
Pressure pads, located at the base of the mushroom, activates the movement. Over 1,600
LED lights consistently change colors automatically and the mushroom structures stand
12 feet tall, and the caps expand to 14 feet wide.
These public art pieces have been on view at The Renwick Gallery (Smithsonian
Museum) in Washington D.C., in the Dubai in the Design District, at Burning Man in
Blackrock, CA, the Oakland Museum of California, the Cincinnati Art Museum in Ohio,
and at the Pacific Palace in Hong Kong, China.
DISCUSSION
This outdoor public art exhibition will be on view from Memorial Day until Labor Day
(end of May 2021-beginning of September 2021). The Town of Danville will receive two
out of the five mushrooms created. One mushroom will be housed on the patio in front
of the Village Theatre Art Gallery and one in front of the Danville Community Center.
Staff anticipates this exhibit along with its programs and events to attract people to the
downtown area stimulating economic vitality as they travel to see the artwork. Public
artwork of this measure is known to increase community pride and tourism.
Finance Committee 2 April 20, 2021
Sufficient funds have been appropriated in the Town's Public Art CIP Budget to cover
the cost of delivery, installation, and the exhibition loan.
It is recommended that the Finance Committee approve a contract not to exceed $25,000
to Foldhaus Art Collective, for the Shrumen Lumen public art exhibit.
Prepared by:
Jessica Wallner
Program Supervisor, Cultural Arts & Marketing
Reviewed by:
Henry Perezalonso
Recreation, Arts & Community Services Director