Wilmington-Stroop Branch Library Project Details for Artists A Dayton Metro Library RFP for Artwork Open To: Regional Artists (250 mile radius of Dayton, OH) Commission Amount: $40,000 is budgeted for all artworks at this Branch Entry Open Date: June 19, 2017 Entry Deadline: August 18, 2017 Commissions Announced: September 9,2017 Project Completion: December 2018 Project Summary: The Dayton Metro Library (DML) and The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) seek to commission site-specific pieces of artwork for one or more spaces in the Wilmington- Stroop Branch Library with a targeted opening January 2019. Artists are invited to propose newly created artworks conceived in response to the two artworks below, held in the DAI s permanent collection. The inspiration pieces were selected from the results of voting by community members, and particularly patrons of the Wilmington-Stroop Branch, on two favorites of six DAI artworks. Artists may develop a response to one or both artworks. Any aspect can be utilized as source material for the submission (color, material, style, content, context, composition, etc.). From the submissions, the DML ReImagining Works Committee will select the winning artists, who will meet with DML and DAI staff, architects, and construction representatives to confirm plans for the commission. The artists will be required to sign a Letter of Agreement by September 30, 2017 and complete the work by the December 2018. Jon Kuhn (b. 1949) American, BOLD ENDEAVOR, 1998, Laminated, cut, and polished glass, Overall assembled: 24 1/2 x 45 3/4 x 8 1/2 inches, The Dayton Art Institute, Museum purchase with funds provided by the James F. Dicke Family, 1999.29 Jon Kuhn and his team take some of the purest glass and craft it with precision tools to produce perfect sculptures that fuse the scientific with the artistic, the physical with the spiritual. Using optical sheet glass and industrial grinders Kuhn creates sculptures that focus on the penetration of the exterior to reveal a brilliant, illuminating interior. His sculptures are assembled around a core, composed of pieces of thinly ground and polished clear glass layered with colored powders. The resulting stacks are fused together to form a checkerboard block which is then sliced. The pieces are then polished and laminated so that colored and colorless pieces alternate at various intervals. Kuhn s intricate patterns reflect his interest in music, mathematics and weaving. For more information go to: http://www.daytonartinstitute.org/199929#/overview Rationale for inclusion: This Branch takes its name from the two roads that intersect at its corner Wilmington and Stroop. The strong geometry formed by this intersection gives us one of the themes for this library. Kuhn s work is all about the intersections of lines and planes. Furthermore, the innovations Kuhn 1
developed to achieve his unique artistic vision reminds us of the many innovations of Kettering residents, including Col. Deeds and Charles Kettering. Dwinell Grant (1912-1991) American, RED CIRCLE, 1939, Oil on canvas, 30 x 40 ¼ inches, The Dayton Art Institute, Gift of Mr. Dwinell Grant, 1939.39 Red Circle is an example of Grant s interest in the non-objective art pioneered by artists working in Europe, including Russian artist Vassily Kandinsky. Using the pure vocabulary of circles, lines and rectangles, Grant worked intuitively to create a painting which had no association with a story or recognizable object. Like Kandinsky, Grant was interested in an art whose inspiration, like music, came from the emotions or the intellect rather than the outside world. Grant studied at The Dayton Art Institute and later taught at Wittenberg College where he founded the Art Department. To view this work, visit The Dayton Art Institute, gallery 203. Rationale for inclusion: This non-objective work features the strong geometry created by the intersection of Wilmington and Stroop Roads from which the library takes its name. Grant references music as an inspiration for his work - music is important to the residents of Kettering where the Fraze Pavilion is a popular music venue. The Library is a rich resource for tapping into emotions and enhancing intellect. Wilmington Stroop Branch 2
Artistic Goals of the Project: The newly designed 21,030 square foot Wilmington-Stroop Branch offers high visibility and a strong sense of place on the corner of Wilmington and Stroop Roads. The new design employs geometric expression and organizes the plan around the Marketplace: a light filled, open and spacious, dynamic interaction area. The new building encourages pedestrian travel, takes advantage of outdoor opportunities and positions the library as a community living room a place to interact, share, and connect. The new Branch will offer more amenities including: a quiet reading room, a dedicated teen space, a larger children s area, study rooms, an opportunity space and an after-hours accessible community meeting room. Proposed artworks should reflect the distinctive personality of this location; resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds; inspire collaboration, learning and creativity; and contribute to an inviting, engaging, and stimulating environment. The committee welcomes, but in no way, requires submissions that relate to the mission of Dayton Metro Library or that may provide a springboard for educational programming and/or current or future collaborative learning opportunities. Practical Considerations: The artwork must be durable and easily maintained and for location #2, suitable for an outdoor space. Some potential locations for artwork will be accessible to Library patrons. Four locations for artwork are shown on the attached renderings from Ruetschle Architects along with their dimensions. Dimensions are given to show the maximum size possible for the work. Architectural plans are still subject to revision. Submissions: Proposals will only be accepted electronically, in the form of a single pdf of no more than 10 pages and no more than 10 MB. Proposals must include the following and be organized in the order below: 1. A sketch and narrative explanation of the proposed artwork 2. Explanation of relationship between DAI inspiration art and proposed artwork 3. Size range for suggested location with maximum budget including installation costs 4. Four to six images of completed artwork, preferably of similar scale and material, including title, media and size 5. Brief artist s CV or biography (2 pages maximum) Additional Information: Susan Anable is The Dayton Art Institute s project manager for ReImagining Works. She will hold an informational meeting for artists on Saturday, July 15 at 11:00 AM at the DAI. Ruetschle architecture firm will be there to review the building plans and answer questions. This is a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of the building space with the art locations and to see the DAI inspiration pieces in person! Additionally, Ms. Anable will schedule individual, 15-minute phone calls with artists on Monday, July 17 between 4:00 and 6:00 pm. Please note that if you have specific questions about your project prior to the DAI meeting feel free to email Susan at sanable@daytonart.org. R.S.V.P. for the meeting and/or schedule a time to discuss your proposal or ask questions by emailing sanable@daytonart.org 3
Architectural renderings for the Wilmington-Stroop Branch from Ruetschle Architects. 4
5