We were recently compelled
under Oregon public meeting laws to allow media to film during concept proposal presentations for a highly-visible tribute project (more on that later). It was clearly disorienting/distracting for all three artists,
greatly adding to the pressure to present their ideas coherently. (It was not in the RFQ because I wasn’t aware of it at the time).
In the end, the resulting press was professional and not sensational, and it lent transparency to the process, even
though deliberation occurred during closed “executive” session. Media was also present again when the selected artist presented a final design. I don’t believe it impacted the final outcome, though it could have easily been otherwise.
Still, as Renee pointed out, filming what is essentially a job interview isn’t considered a recommended best practice
in any field. Under certain circumstances such as Roberta and I have described, there may be a place for it.
Lisa, if you/they are still determined to proceed, would you consider the presentations and interviews by those
who were not selected be omitted from the documentary as part of the RFQ and video agreement?
Warmly (literally),
Michelle
|
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MICHELLE TRAVER, MFA
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From: public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com
<public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com> On Behalf Of
Bloom, Roberta
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 10:54 AM
To: public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com
Subject: RE: please post - question about filming artist presentations
I have been involved in one art selection process where this was used in an appropriate and meaningful way, and
that was for the just completed 7/20 Memorial in Aurora.
The finalists each agreed to have their presentation filmed so that it could be shared on a website that was only
available to survivors of the shooting and families of victims who could not be present to participate but who wished to stay engaged and aware of the memorial process. Many of these people don’t live in the area. They were then able to offer comments and
input through the website and/or via email. The intent of this step on the part of the 7/20 Memorial Board was to be transparent and inclusive with all of the families of victims and survivors of the shooting. These were never made public.
This effort of inclusion seemed to be appreciated and well-received.
Roberta
Roberta Bloom, Public Art Coordinator
Department of Library and Cultural Services | City of Aurora
14949 E. Alameda Pkwy., Aurora, CO 80012
office
303.739.6747
Facebook
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Twitter
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Nextdoor
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AuroraTV.org
From:
public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com [mailto:public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com]
On Behalf Of Lambe, Susan
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 10:02 AM
To:
public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com
Subject: RE: please post - question about filming artist presentations
Weighing in – Renee’s point is valid. Being filmed during an interview for a public art project would leave the
highly skilled and highly capable finalists who were not selected hanging out in this film as “losers”. It would be potentially humiliating, and would certainly have needed to be shared with the artists before they signed up to participate in such a process.
To Andy’s point, transparency and trust in public art is required from public commissioning agencies, but this isn’t
the way to get there.
Susan Lambe, PLA, CNU-A
Art
In Public Places Program Manager
512.974.7852
Mailing address:
Cultural Arts Division Office
P.O. Box 1088, Austin, TX 78767
austincreates.com
:: facebook.com/AustinAIPP
::
resources
for artists!
From:
public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com [mailto:public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com]
On Behalf Of Andy Witt
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 9:45 AM
To:
public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com
Subject: RE: please post - question about filming artist presentations
I would argue just the opposite. This is “public” art for a government project. With all the hoohah about public art for and against, a video
available on the selection process can be a very valuable learning experience for the naysayers and those accusing government agencies of wasting funds.
I for one, totally appreciate the video documentaries on PBS, Nat Geo, e tc, about creation and process and the behind the scenes that allow
the viewer to understand the complexities and people behind those projects.
Making a public art selection process creates transparency and trust
Andy Witt
Andrew Witt
Executive Director
St Johns Cultural Council
15 Old Mission Avenue
St Augustine, FL 32084
904-808-7330
From:
public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com [mailto:public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com]
On Behalf Of Renee Piechocki
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 10:04 AM
To:
public_art_network@americansforthearts.simplelists.com
Subject: Re: please post - question about filming artist presentations
Dear Lisa,
I think this idea is somewhere on the range of very uncomfortable to terrible. It sets up an unprofessional environment for what is in effect a job
interview and turns the public art process for this project into an episode of “America’s Got Talent.”
I would ask your colleagues at this corporation if they often interview candidates for other jobs within their company and if they would ever make
a video featuring the people who lost the job. I am guessing this is not part of their regular practice. But keep us posted. Maybe this is part of their HR process?
I can also see the possibility of taped interviews creating an environment where the panel to not want to express themselves with complete honesty
during the review process because they are uncomfortable with the filming.
If you do continue with this, the fact that the interviews will be filmed and potentially made public needs to be included in the call for artists
so artists have the opportunity to make a decision whether or not they are comfortable with this idea from the beginning.
Sincerely,
Renee
Renee Piechocki
reneepiechocki.com
On Tue, Jul 10, 2018, at 4:50 PM, Lisa Mariam wrote:
All,
We’re coordinating the artist selection process for a public art project at a corporate headquarters, and five finalists will present and interview later this month. The firm would like to document the process by filming the presentation/interviews and incorporating them into a video about the final work.
Have you had any experience with filming presentations, and if so have you used a waiver that you could share?
Thank you,
Lisa
LISA MARIAM
DIRECTOR OF GRANTS & SERVICES
lmariam@artsfairfax.org
703.642.0862 x1
ARTSFAIRFAX.org
2667 Prosperity Ave | Ste A | Fairfax, VA 22031
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