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Palo Alto commission opens evaluation period to consider deaccession of Narduli Studio’s "Conversation" installation
Summary
The commission voted to start a formal evaluation that notifies the artist and opens a public comment period before any final deaccession decision for the interactive video-wall artwork "Conversation," citing technical obsolescence and maintenance challenges.
The Palo Alto Public Art Commission on Sept. 18 voted unanimously to open the formal evaluation period to consider deaccessioning Conversation, a new-media installation by Narduli Studio installed in the City Hall lobby in 2016.
What the commission opened Staff said the vote initiates the legal deaccession process: the artist will be formally notified, the commission will solicit public feedback, and the commission expects to return with a formal recommendation in December or January. Staff described a January–March period for disconnection and further discussion with the artist about disposition of the artist-supplied computer and other components if the commission ultimately votes to deaccession.
Staff and technical issues Staff described Conversation as an interactive artwork that pulled local, national and global feeds, accepted submissions via kiosk, phone and social feeds, and required bespoke software and a dedicated artist-supplied computer. Staff said the artwork “is becoming increasingly unstable” as patches have been required over the years and the wall monitors have developed connectivity and compatibility problems. Nadia, a public art staff member, told the commission the artwork’s maintenance costs over 10 years were “about 20,644, not including staff time.”
What will remain on site Staff emphasized the city will not remove the monitors installed as part of the City Hall renovation; “We are not tearing the monitors out. There will continue it will continue to look like this,” a staff member said. Staff also said they would keep the city computer and city content capability in place so the video wall need not display a blank screen when the artwork is turned off.
Artist and public engagement Staff said Narduli Studio and the artist (referred to by staff as Susan) have been engaged about the possible deaccession and that the artist has been cooperative in discussions. The motion approved by commissioners opens the public comment period and begins the legally required notification and evaluation steps; final action has not been taken and will return to the commission later.
