Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Art Projection topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission backs ‘Eye to Eyes’ projection project and asks staff to proceed
Summary
The commission gave conditional support to a public-art partnership with the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art for photographer Jock McDonald’s “Eye to Eyes” projection on Sonoma City Hall plaza, recommending staff work with the applicant on logistics, releases, and scheduling; the motion passed unanimously.
The Cultural & Fine Arts Commission voted unanimously to support a conditional public-art partnership for “Eye to Eyes,” a community-centered portrait project led by photographer Jock McDonald in partnership with the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and the McNeely Family Fund.
SVMA Executive Director Linda Keaton described the project’s goals: to photograph about 1,000 people across Sonoma County and present those portraits in a museum exhibition and as a large-scale projection on City Hall plaza. “He hopes to get his thousand portraits,” Keaton said, adding that McDonald operates a mobile photo unit, prints two copies of each portrait (one for the sitters and one for the exhibition) and obtains releases for adults and children.
Staff told the commission the proposal requests limited city support — staff time, access to electricity on the plaza, parking and a projection position — while most funding and the projection equipment would be provided by the artist and partners. Commissioners asked about outreach to underserved neighborhoods (including the Springs and El Verano), the availability of release forms in Spanish (Keaton said they are available), the feasibility of projection mapping on City Hall’s facade, and the potential for permit waivers. Staff said they will work with the applicant to address logistic details and to return with any significant changes prior to council consideration.
By unanimous roll call, the commission directed staff to continue working with SVMA on the proposal and to bring the item forward to city council with additional details and conditions as needed.
