BEVERLY IL. Nancy Hunt-Coffey, Assistant Director of Community Services CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO:

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1 BEVERLY IL t CITY OF BEVERLY HILLS COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM TO: Fine Art Commission FROM: DATE: Nancy Hunt-Coffey, Assistant Director of Community Services July 16, 2015 SUBJECT: Next steps with restoration of Kusama Staff and commissioners have discussed restoration of Kusama with a variety of experts on subject, including Rosa Lowinger and Associates, Jackie Silverman, David Zwirner Gallery, etc. Additionally staff and representatives of Commission met with representatives from Geffy. Commissioner Hiller will report out on results of meeting with Getty. The commission is asked to provide feedback on next steps with restoring piece.

2 0 E RT cinishe Estimate/Proposal: Hymn of Life Tulips January 16, 2015 Fine Art Finishes LLC Kelly Johnson Parkway Valencia, CA (661) To: City of Beverly Hills, fine Arts Commission Hymn oflife Tulips by. Yayoi Kusama Location: Beverly Gardens Park Procedure/Process: Color match all colors (estimated 8 colors) Document Graphic Detail placement and create stencils o Sand and remove exterior finish o Remove all loose flakes and cracking fiberglass o Body work and Repair all Fiberglass o Epoxy Prime alt surfaces o Surface Prime o Prepare all Base colors o Lay in Base colors o Prepare sections for detail painting and stenciling o Layout stencils and masking for Graphic Details o Paint sections and Detailed Areas o Clear Coat with UV resistant urethane clearcoat Labor/Prep/Paint: 356 Hours $95 per hour Materials: $5,696 Labor/Prep/Paint: 356 Materials: $5,696 Sales Tax: $ $95 = $33,820 Total: $40, Overtime: This estimate does not include overtime. Should overtime become necessary to meet deadline, cost will change. Storing: We wilt keep finished works upto two weeks after approval and cure time. After that time, we will charge $2.00 per square foot for storage Kefly Johnson Parkway Valenda, CA t: f: jennhfer@fineartfinishesi1c.com

3 ROSA LOWINGER & ASSOCIATES PROPOSAL FOR YAYOI KUSAMA - CONSERVATION HYMN OF LIFE: TULIP Prepared for: City of Beverly Hills 444 N. Rexford Dr. Beverly Hills, CA Attn: Patty Acuna, Recreation Supervisor T: pacuna@beverlyhills.org Prepared by: Rosa Lowinger, Christina Varvi, Principal & Senior Senior Conservator Rosa & Associates EIN: Lowinger rlowinger@rosalowinger.com cvarvi@rosalowinger.com Conservator Date of Report: June 4, 2015 Artist: Title: Date: Dimensions: Yayoi Kusama Hymn oflife: Tulip 2007 Yellow tulip W x 6% H H x 107 W; Materials: ferrous metal, fiberglass, Object: Three abstract, oversized Purple automotive painted tulip paint, ceramic tile, H x 84 W; Red grout tulip fiberglass tulips mounted to a tiled base. 112 Pre-Conservatjon Overview

4 ROSA [ Ov /NGER & ASSOOATES INTRODUCTION: Conservation RLA all aspects of located within work communicated is pleased to present treatment concerning conservation Beverly to RLA by Gardens Park. CONDITION PRIOR TO TREATMENT: sculpture sculpture past three Overall, repeatedly original fabricator undertook minor protective months, inherent Attempts following proposal to of Yayoi Kusama s The following treatment proposal Patty Acuna on May appears to be in fair condition. for years, several arisen. were made to surface clear coat. piece shows signs to public outdoor 28, City of Beverly Hills for Hymn of Life: Tulip, reflects scope After performing routine maintenance conditions on surface have some of se issues in 2014 when to and and ever 6 12 of wear and observations regarding mitigate repairs However, despite this intervention sculpture. of ongoing deterioration outside structure, paint coating, routine maintenance normal of tear Structural report Condition: Overall, appears fair. As in from 2014, cracks were observed each tulips, especially at leaves appears people may have stepped on m while Since 2014 cracks appear to have formed in localized areas each of elements, especially at edges of elements. have worsened. is expansion of cracks as well as new, to yellow yellow red and tulip. where it three tulip existing cracks hairline that report, more pervasive cracking around white structural condition rounded Of most concern connection of throughout leaf of noted leaf stem of climbing throughout maintenance structures. furrmore, stem of Additional areas of have become include base of at blue of blue and yellow tulip, crack has expanded, surface is displaced, and is associated loss. some of cracks in do seem to have since such as crack on inside and flower, yellow and blue pistils. was observed from all of observed cracks. of cracks is small (< 5% of surface), are due to and more severe damage to via stem maintenances previously noted re not cracking that ferrous corrosion staining While amount of paint relatively potential of water infiltration corrosion. Additionally, grout joint where worsened purple exacerbated fortunately, white emanating last maintenance, near almost y noted leaf significant internal structure slightly previous between base of each tulip stem and ceramic tile base has or is completely missing at each of tulips, to water infiltration from rain and nearby base. significantly deteriorated three sprinklers that routinely hit exposing joint VI Image: 2014 (left) and 2015 (right) detail images of multiple moderately sized cracks in fiberglass at stem of red and white tulip. j I

5 ROSA L OWINGER 8 ASSOCIATES A Image: 2011 (left) and 2015 (right) detail images of cracks stouter connection between leaf and stem at yellow/blue tulip. Expansion of existing cracks and associated surface displacement were observed in Image (left) and 2015 (right) detail images of hairline cracks at connection between leaf and stem at yellow/blue tulip. Additional cracking, surface displacement, and paint loss were obsered in Image: Crack through paint and substrate at edge of leaf element at Image: Cracking, firrous corrosion runoll and associated paint loss at connection of leaf with stern of red and white tulip. Surface Condition: Overall, surface condition is fair. As previously noted, localized areas are showing signs of paint loss and/or flaking, in some cases down to a gray substrate. In or areas, paint loss reveals anor coat/paint campaign beneath, before piece was re finished. In many areas where paint loss or lifting was noted in 2014, paint has eir now detached from surface completely or area of loss has expanded. Areas of new and more prominent losses noted in 2014 (such as those observed near bottom of sculptural elements, where stems meet petals, throughout head of blue and yellow tulip, as

6 ROSA LOWINOER ASSOCIATES C A I well as at blue stamen at red and white flower) have expanded and/or worsened. Some of se expanded areas appear to be result of abrasion and/or people picking at edges of existing areas of loss. Additionally, clear coating still exhibits signs of lifting and blanching in localized areas, especially at head of yellow and blue tulip. Approximately 15% of surface coating (both paint and clear coat) is exhibiting some form of chipping, flaking, abrasion, and/or loss. Prior to most recent maintenance, noticeable water spots, likely caused by mineral deposits from nearby sprinklers, were observed throughout all three tulips. A mineral deposit ring/tide line encircled all three tulips at ir connection to tiled base, likely caused by pooling water from nearby sprinklers. At time of inspection, additional water droplets were already observed on white ceramic tile base and red and white tulip. Previously noted handprints are still noticeable at top of red and white flower where it appears as though someone touched newly applied clear coating before it had fully cured. Atmospheric soiling from nearby vehicle traffic continues to collect throughout installation, especially within tulip heads. Image: 2O1F (left) and 2C)15 detail images at tulip. Additional paint loss and yellow/blue (right) of paint loss and hairline expansion of cracking were observed cracks at in connection between leaf and stem Image: 2013 (left) and 2015 (right) detail images of flaking paint at white edge of tulip petal. Cracking and flaking paint associated with stress cracks in fiberglass was noted at aforementioned areas. Cracking and flaking paint was also observed in various or locations throughout all three tulips, such as in recessed areas among tulip petals, along edges of tulip petals and leaves, at connection of tulip stems to ceramic tile base, and areas where surface paint layer has been abraded by public climbing on sculpture.

7 ROSA C L OWNGER ASSOCTES TREATMENT OBJECTIVE: To restore appropriate appearance, maintain painted surfaces, mitigate corrosion, and generally redress damage inherent due to fabrication/materials, constant exposure to strong UV light, and from public climbing on sculpture. This treatment would be done to redress fabrication problems as well. TREATMENT PROPOSED: 1. Erect construction fence and overhead canopy for protection and to mitigate effects of strong UV during treatment. 2. Document treatment with high-resolution digital photography. 3. Dry brush surfaces to remove loose particulate matter. 4. Wet clean surfaces with a conservation grade detergent such as Orvus WA Paste or Vulpex and water. 5. Rinse with distilled water and dry with cotton cloths. 6. Use a boroscope to view internal steel armature, specifically in areas where ferrous corrosion runoff staining is visible on surface and where expansions in fiberglass cracks were noted to determine presence and extent of any internal ferrous corrosion. Minor cuts will be made to surface to gain access to interior. a. If corrosion is observed, remove select areas of fiberglass surface to gain access to internal structure in order to passivate existing corrosion and seal passivated surfaces with a corrosion inhibiting paint system. Where possible, cuts will be made in discrete locations, likely on undersides of element to be treated. b. Replace removed section of fiberglass surface. fill edges and in-paint to blend with adjacent surfaces in both color and reflectance. 7. Stabilize cracking at fiberglass with an injectible structural adhesive, such as Sikadur 52 or anor compatible material to be researched. 8. fill cracks and boroscope access holes with a UV stable fill material that is compatible with adjacent surfaces and is rated for outdoor use. 9. Remove areas of damaged coating mechanically or chemically depending on what is safest for sculpture. Compound paint as needed. Stabilize and/ or remove areas of flaking paint depending on most sustainable option. 10. Fill and inpaint areas of paint loss and unsuccessful overpaint/in-painting, as needed, using a paint system such as Golden MSA UV resistant acrylic colors or comparable automotive paints that are rated for outdoor use. 11. Re coat sculpture with a conservation-grade, reversible clear coating with ultraviolet light blocking system. Determine most appropriate system that will not fail in future by research and testing. 12. Clear drainage holes, mechanically remove corrosion, and apply a passivating material to drainage holes. Apply a double corrosion-inhibiting primer to holes to prevent furr corrosion. 13. Mechanically remove failing cementitious grout at connection between tulip stems and ceramic tiles. Replace in kind. 14. If deemed necessary, re-seal grout at ceramic tile base. 15. Apply protective high-quality automotive carnauba paste wax to all painted surfaces per fabricator s specifications. Allow to dry and buff to a light sheen. 16. Prepare a detailed treatment report with select photographs that includes recommendations for routine maintenance.

8 ROSA LOWINGER ASSOOATES (.ra ESTIMATED COSTS: Principal Conservator: 16 $150.00/hr $ 2, Senior Conservator: 80 $140.00/hr $ 11, Conservation Technicians (2): $85.00/hr $ 20, Materials: $ 2, Construction fence (6 H with privacy screen): (Allow up to) $ 1, Canopy: (Allow up to) $ Total: $ 38, Note: RLA will provide all labor, materials and standard liability insurance for this work. RLA carries liability insurance in amount of $4,000, total, $2,000, per incident. The client will provide access to water, electricity, parking for one car adjacent to site, and sanitary facilities. If not provided, additional equipment costs may be necessary. No special insurance, permits, fingerprinting, background checks or or bonds and licenses are included in se cost estimates. Estimates assume that work will be carried out in continuous sessions during daytime working hours between hours of 8 AM and 6 PM. Prepared by: Approved by: Christina Varvi, Senior Conservator Rosa Lowinger, Principal Senior Conservator June 4, 2015