Attachment 5: (this page) Stefan Novak (deceased 2006) commissioned work
called “The Structure”. Novak was a master sculptor of redwood.
This historic redwood behemoth still stands today, all 24 feet of it!
Looking across Georgia St, in the 200 blocks, it must be looked for to be
spotted. When built in the 60s, it was an open area atmosphere, now it closed
in, surrounded by 3 buildings with tree's in front and back of it.
Additional Novak photos later in this report.
Attachment 6: (this page) Picture of the plaque, metal unknown. $5
bill included for perspective
Attachment 7: View from the Beeman Building, looking north
towards Georgia St..
Attachment 8: (this page)
Missing commissioned piece, “Triad” is the work created by Freda Koblich.
(Deceased in 2011)
As seen in the center right of photo, an Acrylic masterpiece utilizing the
fountain and water as its medium. Not much history on this item readily
available, additional research required.
Attachment 9: (this page) Triad Plaque, also the size of a $5 dollar bill. The
Plaque remains today.
Attachment 10: Looking north across Georgia St, the 200 block.
Attachment 11: The fountain where Triad was erected still remains.Close up
of the fountain.
(Plaque should be removed)
Attachment 12: Missing piece of art named, “Space Daisy” as seen in upper
right corner. Bella Feldman is the sculptress, still surviving today.
Space Daisy was referred to “symbolize the re-flowering of the Marina Vista
that took place like a Phoenix arising from the old slums and rubble of
Vallejo's past”.
Bella Feldman was present for the dedication of her masterpiece and spoke
during the dedication. This item is 8ft x 8ft x 4ft. A giant in its own making
made of cast aluminum, and placed upon a 4 ½ ft tall pedestal.
This piece was located in the 200 block of Georgia, immediately east of the
Beeman building, 20 feet from the building. Last known time frame of it still
standing is speculated to be the year 2000.
6 additional pictures attached for perspective of location.
Attachment 13: (this page) Space Daisy Plaque, again, the $5 size.
Attachment14: looking South at the Beeman, to the east is the remaining
pedestal of Space Daisy.
Attachment 15: Closer shot of the pedestal, about 4 ½ tall, about 3 ½ oval
wide.
Attachment 16: Close-up. Looking closely at the bolts, why are 2 missing?
Corroded? Forceful removal? The stains may have a story to tell as well:)
Attachment 17: You should by now be asking yourselves, why does the
Pedestal still remain? Good question, no?
Attachment 18: to finish off the perspective of this missing item.
(Plaque should be removed)
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15
Pedastal for Space Daisy
(Plaque should be removed)
There is a story here, any tellers ??????
We have discussed some of the items noted in the Dedication.
Many questions remain unanswered, additional research might present a
clearer picture. I have not found a line item, contracts or any document that
clearly points out the Marina Vista Arts Collection. The Smithsonian
Institute Database acknowledges works of art associated with the Marina
Vista Redevelopment project, dating them to 1967, noting them as
“Administered” by the City of Vallejo.
The Smithsonian also recognizes other art not mentioned in the Marina Vista
Brochure, possibly not associated with the Marina Vista Art Collection, that
were commissioned by the City of Vallejo.
The Public Records Research turned up nothing on the commissioning of
these items dating back to the 1960s. It needs to be done again. There are no
records or contracts found as to who commissioned this work, and why, at
what cost.
Now, that this report has been produced, there should be some response from
Vallejo citizens that have knowledge and memory about Vallejo’s public art
commissioned during the period of redevelopment. Perhaps some documents
and contracts will come to light as well.
“The Genius” sculpture (seen on the cover of the report) received no
recognition at the Dedication Celebration. This sculptor is internationally
renowned for his masterpieces! “The Genius” was located in 2002 on the
same plaza as Silent Company and the Luther Gibson Bust. Both of which
were listed in the inventory created for Salvage purposes. Genius was not
included in that inventory list.
Now, “The Genius” is housing the rodents behind building 535 along with
“Gibson” and “Company”.
“The Genius” is a “Posthumous Edition” a reproduction after the death of the
Sculptor, Carl Milles. The hollow bronze sculpture was cast in Sweden at the
Milles Estate. Vallejo’s reproduction was the first Posthumous Edition ever
shipped to the Untied States, since then there have been additional
Posthumous Editions purchased from the Milles Estate in Sweden and
brought to the United States. “The Genius” is considered to be Carl Milles
greatest masterpiece! Vallejo should be proud that we selected “The Genius”
for the Town Square.
Without going into further detail, this is undoubtedly the highlight of the
Marina Vista Art Collection and certainly worthy of a further in-depth report.
(Vallejo)
Attachment 19: “The Genius” is seen on a large pedestal, approx, 8 ft tall,
looking West to East as you view this photo. This photo comes from City of
Vallejo records, but no mention or photograph of its removal or storage in
Exhibit 14/Plaza Photo Inventory. This monumental possession remains
outdoors behind building 535, against the continual recommendations to
have it safely stored inside.
In the background is the Monolithic Monument known as “Silent Company”
(Vallejo)
2001-2002 ?
19
Attachment 20: Archived photo of two steel sculptures (artists unknown)
slated for salvage and returned to an alternate location. These 2 have been
duly noted and recorded.
(currently stored behind building 535, Mare Island)
Attachment 21: 1967 photo of the Town Square after completion. Looking to
the South, you can see “Silent Company” in the Fountain.
Gordon Newel is the architect and creator of the granite masterpiece.
Monolithic is the term used to describe this 5 piece Black Granite 1 of a kind
commissioned masterpiece that dominated the town square. Like “Triad”,
water is part of the medium. Flowing water was activated for special
occasions.
It is a 5 piece creation. One piece alone weighs 20 tons and is16 feet tall. An
additional function of this fountain was for pedestrians to stop and rest at the
Fountains edge.
The Genius can be seen in the background, dwarfed by the Monolithic
proportion of “Silent Company”.
The fountain was dismantled in 2002 with no intention of returning it to the
Unity Plaza area.
21
Attachment 22: (Exhibit 11), looking west to east, note the granite pavers,
that look like cobble stones.
If you were coming west down Georgia Street prior to 2002 and crossed
Santa Clara Street, this is just 1 of the Artifacts from the Marina Vista
Collection that were Commissioned for Vallejo.
These pavers are currently at Mare Island
22
Attachment 23: (this page)
Young Mayor Tony Intintoli and Council member Larry Asera pause for a
photo in front of “Silent Company”. To the right you can see the Luther
Gibson Bust, to the left, “The Genius”. The fountain is activated in this
photo.
Today’s “Unity Plaza” does not add up to the Artistic effort and Community
concepts that were created during the Marina Vista Redevelopment.
Attachment 24: (this page)
Seen in the Marina Vista Brochure and in the Special Edition Dedication.
Sculptor Martin Metal created “The Wall”
Location of this artifact unknown at this time.
Attachment 25: Cover sheet of the Plans and Specifications.
(State and Federal Aid)
Attachment 26: Reference to Material Ownership,
Attachment 27: Notes protection of items. Note 3.04, Special conditions
given for Flags and Granite pavers.
Nowhere in the documents reviewed did I come across any recommendations
or concerns expressed for Sculptures, Busts, Plaques or others.
It strikes me odd that our Historic Collection receives less significance than
Granite Pavers.
25
26
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Attachment 28: Landscape contractors, Exhibit 14.
An inventory list with thumbnail photos attached. This list appears to be
complete. All but 1 item is identifiable.
(Revised)
“appears to be complete” is not a correct statement, there are not enough
records available at this time to confirm what was removed, what was
replaced, when, where or otherwise. Documentation of Inventory removed
limited, at this time.
Attachments 29 and 30: Random Invoice/Purchase order for the purpose of
understanding the storage situation.
No evidence/documentation of transportation or original storage location has
been found up to this point. Cooper Crane and Rigging were the subcontractors responsible for transport and temporary storage. Cooper Crane
and Rigging is no longer in business.
Records such as these reflect payments for storage.
No location of original storage site was ever noted in the documents
reviewed.
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30
Attachment 31: Change Order Summary.
Line 2, Storage for Statues and Monuments, $16, 988.91
Per documents reviewed, the introductory price of storage was $800 per
month for a minimum of 6 months. $980.00 per month after the 1st 6 months.
Records available are not complete. Beginning date of storage is sketchy at
best, mid 2002 perhaps. Transportation records would confirm, but there is no
record of transportation. It is not easy to haul a 20 ton carved Granite center
art work.
We should know when and where these artifacts were stored.
31
Attachments 32, 33 and 34:
It appears to me these 3 documents are records from a local organization,
Commission or otherwise. You will notice Artifacts are referred to by Name,
unlike contractors references, monuments, statues, busts.
These are in my opinion notes and minutes from meeting(s).
Attachment 32 appears to be an inventory list for a community meeting.
Attachment 33, undated meeting notes. This document refers to all artifacts
being stored on Mare Island. These are the few exceptions where “The
Genius” is ever noted. The Richardson plaque is still in storage. I don’t know
about the Marina Vista Dedication Plaque.
Attachment 34: Items should be located and confirmed.
32
33
Who ever wrote these notes apparently had no idea the name of the Sculpture
with wings. Also, the pool contains 5 pieces, not 4.
34
Attachments 35, 36 and 37:
Prior to development the City did outreach in the Community to discuss the
“Relocation of Monuments” that included Busts, Sculptures and Plaques.
35
36
37
Attachment 38: The Negative Declaration?
Under Cultural Resources it notes all existing Monuments and Plaques will
be relocated.
dictionary.reference.com/browse/monument noun 1. something erected in memory of a
person, event, etc., as a building, pillar, or statue: the Washington Monument. 2. any
building, megalith, etc., surviving ...
A monument is a type of structure that was explicitly created to commemorate a person
or important event, or which has become important to a social group as a part of ...
mon·u·ment
\'män-yə-mənt\
: a building, statue, etc., that honors a person or event
: a building or place that is important because of when it was built or because of
something in history that happened there
: an example of something
Question is, who will decipher the definition of “Monument”
Will said Monuments be relocated as Cultural Resources Report declares?
Have we upheld our obligations to our Cultural Resources?
The answer is NO, we have not.
The question is, what are we going to do about it?