During the Tuesday County Council meeting, councilors check out the three kinetic wind sculptures the Arts and Public Places Board recommends purchasing. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
The community can expect to see several new additions to the Los Alamos County’s art collection.
Los Alamos County Council approved to purchase two kinetic wind sculptures and accept a donation of a third sculpture during their regular meeting Tuesday night. Additionally, the Council accepted “Berlin” by Valentina Devine, a fiber piece of art, into the County’s collection.
Finally, Council agreed to dispose of the artwork, “Inside Out.” The piece will be shipped back to the artist.
The Council approved use up to $25,000 in Arts in Public Places (APP) funds to purchase two kinetic wind sculptures from the Mark White Gallery in Santa Fe. The funds will be used for the purchase of the sculptures as well as delivery, installation, the dedication event, plaques, lighting if needed and any contingencies.
Charles Bowman is donating the third sculpture. The sculpture is in memory of his wife, Nona, who served on County Council for two terms as well as on the Arts in Public Places Board.
Council Vice Chair Christine Chandler said she liked the idea of honoring Nona Bowman. “(Bowman was) a real dynamo in the community … her loss was great when she passed a year ago … she was just a fabulous person,” she said.
While the purchase was approved, the sculptures’ location is yet to be determined. The Arts and Public Places Board suggested several sites including the area south of the Municipal Building parking lot, the park east of the Bath Tub Row houses, in front of Mesa Public Library, Guaje Pines Cemetery or in the space west of Bath Tub Row.
APP Board member Jeremy Smith said Charles Bowman’s preference is Central Avenue.
“Berlin,” Devine’s 10 feet by 10 feet knitted fiber piece that hangs in Mesa Public Library, was originally offered to the library but it was determined it would be more appropriate to donate it to the public collection, according to agenda documents.
Additionally, it was decided to dispose of “Inside Out” because the artwork is no longer relevant to the collection and APP couldn’t locate a good spot for it, according to the agenda. The artwork was purchased in 1992. The County will pay to ship the artwork back to the artist.