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Ossining narrows parking-scrim artwork to two finalists after placemaking committee review
Summary
Four Westchester artists were presented as finalists for the Aqueduct parking-scrim project; the placemaking committee prioritized human-created work and narrowed the field to two top concepts — an ecology/history-themed design and a map/cartography approach — asking for quick confirmation from absent trustees within 24 hours.
Placemaking staff presented four finalist designs for the Aqueduct parking-scrim project and led trustees through renderings showing how each would appear with backlighting and behind the garage openings.
The four finalists were (1) a large painterly concept focused on water and geological layers; (2) two concepts by Margaret Inga Urias (a cartography-style design that layers historic maps and the aqueduct, and an "Aqueduct Ecologies" design emphasizing native flora and fauna including herons and bats); and (3) a wheels-and-gears motif symbolizing engineering, mobility and progress. Staff reminded the board the scrim is translucent and that lighting and structure openings will influence the final appearance.
The placemaking committee emphasized preference for human-created art and discussed community concerns about use of AI-generated imagery; they said the RFP required Westchester artists and the committee chose human-made pieces in part because of artistic provenance and copyright considerations. Trustees debated readability at scale, nighttime visibility and color fading over the scrim's expected life (staff noted materials and printer specs aimed for a 10'15-year lifespan).
Trustees expressed mixed preferences but coalesced around two options: the ecology/history composition and the cartography approach that ties directly to the aqueduct and local imagery. The board agreed to solicit votes from absent trustees and artists were asked to be ready for minor color adjustments; staff said selected artists would submit a final digital file for printing and that the village would manage printing and installation.
What's next: Trustees asked for absent members' input within 24 hours so staff can confirm the selected design and finalize specs with the printer and installation vendor. No final selection or contract was approved at this meeting.
