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Addendum♦ NN F W1V Boa s�s�s COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT DATE: JUNE 20, 2016 TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER MEETING DATE: 06/21/16 ITEM NO: 18 ADDENDUM SUBJECT: VETERANS MEMORIAL CONCEPTUAL DESIGNS A. ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE VETERANS MEMORIAL AND SUPPORT FOUNDATION OF LOS GATOS FOR THE SELECTION OF THE FLAME OF LIBERTY VETERANS MEMORIAL CONCEPT TO BE LOCATED AT THE LOS GATOS CIVIC CENTER; AND B. PROVIDE DIRECTION REGARDING NEXT STEPS REMARKS: After the Staff Report was distributed on Thursday, June 16, 2016, the attached public comments were received (Attachment 10). Attachments 1- 9 (Previously distributed with Staff Report on June 16 2016)• 1. Veterans Memorial Request for Proposal (RFP) 2. Summary of Stakeholder Committee Comments 3. Conceptual Sculpture Design for The Brave Patriot 4. Conceptual Sculpture Design for The Flame of Liberty 5. Conceptual Site Plan for The Flame of Liberty 6. Artist Statement for The Flame of Liberty 7. Frank Kocian Morris Resume and Biography 8. Survey results of the Veterans Memorial Public Comments 9. Veterans Memorial Public Comments Attachment 10 received with this Addendum: 10. Public comments received] 1:01 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2016 through 11:00 a.m. Monday, June 20, 2016. PREPARED BY: CHRISTINA GILMORE Assistant to the Town Manager Reviewed by: Assistant Town Manager Town Attorney Finance SACOUNCn, REPORTS\2016 \06 -21 -16 \Veterans MemoriahAddendum - Veterans Memorial.dm Subject FW: As requested, personal preference of memorial design From: Ellen Manzo [ mailto:ellen.manzo(i:bgmail.com] Sent: Monday, June 13, 2016 12:30 PM To: Hillhouse, Kent Subject: As requested, personal preference of memorial design Dear Kent, I am sending this in response to your request of the board in our meeting of last Monday to provide to you the view for our preferred choice of renderings for a memorial. If money were no object, I could see using all three focal points: the flame, the eagle and the bell. Positioning all three elements would be appealing. As one who lived in Japan, I saw how the Japanese designed their flower arrangements with ikebana. The use of three stems was critical to creating an attractive appeal. Designers do the same with collections of three and /or five items in interior design. But life is not perfect and hence I know I need to select one of the two design renderings for which we have to raise funds. We can fortunately thank residents of Los Gatos from the 189o's for funding the cost of the bell. Both designs are world class. I could easily see use of both designs in any memorial. And both artists are exceptionally talented. My preferred choice for this purpose is The Flame of Liberty. The Flame of Liberty carries for me not only a focal point that is appealing aline, but also a compelling story to be conveyed to viewers. It is very often the case that those who have had the fortunate experience to visit the Louvre in Paris to see the Mona Lisa, walk away saying how surprised they are by the diminutive size of the piece in comparison to expectation. That is for the reason that the story of Mona's smile carried a big stick. The painting did not have the notoriety until others found beauty and a story in her smile. Stories are important in the art world. So often, an art piece doesn't convey meaning until one sees the title. I find The Flame of Liberty to have great meaning. It has a significant number of symbolic messages that I believe carry a big stick for viewers who have the opportunity to see it. This design has the potential to carry a story that could become notable in the military world and potentially in the art world. I don't even know if the artist sees what I see. At the risk of verbosity, I will share my interpretation. ATTACHMENT 10 First, I see this design having greater meaning of the two designs for our military personnel and given that this is a veterans' memorial, I do believe that it is vitally important that we have a memorial which contains a special meaning for the members of our military, first and foremost. Second, as a sailor who has sailed off -shore in the Atlantic and has returned to New York harbor and has also sailed at night through New York harbor, I can attest to the fact that one of the first icons that one has that they are returning to America's port is the lit flame carried in the hand of the Statue of Liberty. I assume that our Navy, Coast Guard and Marines returning to New York harbor can resonate with that experience. Certainly immigrants landing on Ellis Island had that experience. I can only imagine that the experience is akin to our military members who have returned to SFO, and fly over the Golden Gate Bridge on their return from deployment. I often recall your comments in the presentation to the Rotary on your return from Vietnam. You spoke about how the pilot lowered the plane over the Golden Gate Bridge, another icon that one is returning home following deployment. What a welcome site that must have been! Third, The Flame of Liberty design, uses the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty flame to represent America's libert y, and depicts the sacrifices borne to protect our liberty to be free in that it includes the Soldiers Cross internal to Liberty's Flame. The message of the Soldier's Cross: All gave some, some gave all. The Soldiers Cross in size is smaller than the flame creating the second message and parallel of the notion that the sacrifices of a few delivered the liberty to freedom that benefitted maw. And as we saw in our last round of rendering proposals to the community, some residents were concerned with even seeing the statuary of our military upon the plaza. The Soldiers Cross is not "in your face" yet as depicted within the flame, draws the meaning that Los Gatos remembers. Fourth, I see this cony ng the distinction between "freedom" and `liberty" Our military serves as the guardians of liberty. "'Freedom' is a state of being capable of making decisions without external control. `Liberty', on the other hand, is 'freedom'which has been granted to a people by an external control. The Declaration of independence declared that the King of England had undertaken such actions as limited the freedom of citizens of the newly established colony in America. By his actions the people were restricted and controlled in an unjust way. The complaint was not just about rules and regulations; it declared that the very nature of freedom had been violated. [The Declaration of Independence,] ... a powerful statement identifies the concept of freedom and declares itself to be capable of granting liberty to the people of the emerging nation. The difference is clear. people are, by nature, meant to live in freedom, and the new government will grant such liberty to its citizens. ... In doing this, the `founding fathers' make clear an important fact, that the purpose of the new nation is to be a place in which freedom is celebrated, and in which a government will be established to guarantee that freedom through the liberty it grants to each citizen. In saying this, the Declaration establishes the government of the soon- to -be- United States of America as the gwrito r of liberty ... the guardian of liberty ... and the guaranto r of those actions required to protect and perpetuate such liberty. That is a huge point needing to be understood by the citizens of the USA. In doing this, the "founding fathers" make clear an important fact, that the purpose of the new nation is to be a place in which freedom is celebrated, and in which a government will be established to guarantee that freedom through the liberty it grants to each citizen. In saying this, the Declaration establishes the government of the soon- to -be- United States of America as the r ntor of liberty ... the guardian of liberty... and the guarantQ r of those actions required to protect and perpetuate such liberty. That is a huge point needing to be understood by the citizens of the USA." Source: http: // the - penultimate - word.com /zo1]lo5/3o /liberty -or- freedom- the - difference -is- amazing/ I think Frank Morris got it right in his first set of renderings when he referred to our military figures in his statuary as the Guardians of Liberty. Our military backs America in serving as the guardians of liberty who in prQtecting our country, has preserved the right and the power for Americans to believe act and express oneself as one chooses of being free from restriction and having the freedom of choice. Our military has preserved a government free from tyranny or limitations to freedom imposed by the restraints of other forms of government. Freedom usually means to be free from something; liberty usually means to be free to do something. Liberty, first gifted to Americans in the Declaration of Independence as one of our inalienable rights, protects America's limitations to freedom. Liberty has been further gifted to Americans through the defense /protection delivered and sacrifices borne by America's military over many conflicts and over decades of time; something which I hope we can convey through this memorial to all its visitors for years to come... a gift for which I hope its visitors will be grateful. In many respects while Frank Morris has titled the iece The Flame of Liberty, I almost prefer the title: The Gift of Liberty. The Flame of Liberty... it delivers a memorial, yes. But even more, The Flame of Liberty carries a message... a message that I hope will be appreciated by all who view it; a message that I hope in the end delivers honor, respect and gratitude to the guardians of liberty who have sacrificed to protect America. Ellen Manzo 203 -561 -8888 This email (including any attachments) is confidential and intended for the named recipient(s) only. It may be subject to legal or other professional privilege and contain copyright material. Any confidentiality or privilege is not waived or lost because this email has been sent to you by mistake. Access to this email or its attachments by anyone else is unauthorised. 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Any views or opinions presented in this email or its attachments are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. f Subject: FW: Veterans Memorial Designs Attachments: Veterans Memorial Designs.pdf From: Barney Davidge [mailto:bdavidgePbdavidoe.com] Sent: Friday, June 17, 2016 10:43 AM To: Council Cc: Town Manager; BSpector; Marico Sayoc; Marcia Jensen; Steven Leonardis; Rob Rennie Subject: Veterans Memorial Designs Town Council, Attached are images of what how the Veterans Memorial will look like if put in the location as requested by the council. The Eagle and Flame images is from the veteran model as seen on the council web site. The Flame images is a rough estimate, as seen on the council web site, using the 12' flame as a measuring stick and not creating curved walls but using the heights at each end of the curved walls. I ran out of time to create a full model of the flame. As a 40 year Architectural illustrator I hope these images help you better understand the impact of the memorial. Thanks, Barney Barney Davidge Associates 114 Tait Ave Los Gatos, CA 408 354 6063 www.bdavidge.com I s .f I dpL- . .7t." i tm t V 1 Fl V 1 ., �,_ �' ' a :, .: .,.• -, ,, ,y "i.`"'t�' /� �� .. R S' 'R" !� s .R p' k N Subject: FW: Proposed Veterans Memorial Monument Designs From: Mary Ellen [mekaschub @comcast.net] Sent: Friday, June 17, 2016 11:37 AM To: BSpector; Marico Sayoc; Marcia Jensen; Steven Leonardis; Rob Rennie Subject: Proposed Veterans Memorial Monument Designs June 16, 2016 TO: Members, Los Gatos Town Council FROM: Mary Ellen Kaschub RE: Proposed Veterans Memorial Monument Designs Although the Council has committed to choose one of two designed proposed by the Veterans Memorial Group, I urge you to take a good second look at what is being proposed. In particular the symbolism of each design, their relative size, materials, footprint and scale vs. current Town Plaza buildings. In addition, please pay attention to the overall impact that this memorial will have on the open public lawn space that is enjoyed as such throughout the year. Inclusive vs. Exclusive in tone One doesn't only serve their country in war — while I am not suggesting a memorial isn't a nice idea, I want to point out that war brings heartache and grief to innumerable members of families, friends, communities who, while not on the battle field, suffer greatly as they provide support from the home front and also the long -term consequences of war damage be it psychological and/or physical. Shouldn't the Los Gatos Memorial be inclusive, validating everyone's experience of sacrifice vs representing that of only one segment of the community that of military veterans. Intent of Memorials The finest example of a memorial is the Vietnam memorial designed by architect Maya Lin. The design is simple, every name is inscribed and its simplicity evokes pause, reflection and memory. It does not shout, overpower nor offend. What it does is provide the place of remembrance for the countless people who also sacrificed - generations of wives, children, families and friends. As a child of the `60s who lost many friends and family in the Vietnam War there is no solace for me and my friends in symbols of military imagery and shows of might. Design Coming from a family of architects and myself involved in design and the arts both professionally and in service of our local community (member of Arts Commission, co -chair of Art in the Council Program; Chair of Santa Clara County -wide high schools exhibition and as a board member of NUMU), I feel neither proposal meets the quality of the surrounding design of our current AIA- award - winning town center. Both proposed designs are markedly out of scale in height and mass to dwarf the bucolic area of redwoods and grass. Neither reflects the character and ambience of our small town. I am also saddened that a design competition was not geared to architects and site planners whose profession is to do these kinds of assignments well. As has been noted in the past, Los Gatos could have something fine, a memorial that would be an asset to the community and draw others to us. These designs are not close to that vision and possibility. I urge you to reject both proposed designs and initiate a design competition that is overseen by qualified architects and artists located in Los Gatos. Sincerely Mary Ellen Kaschub 320 Massol Ave. Los Gatos, CA 95030 Subject: FW: Veteran's Memorial From: Jan Schwartz Usourhilltop @gmail.com] Sent: Friday, June 17, 2016 5:11 PM To: BSpector; Marico Sayoc; Marcia Jensen; Steven Leonardis; Rob Rennie Subject: Veteran's Memorial June 17, 2016 TO: Members, Los Gatos Town Council FROM: Jan Borgenicht Schwartz RE: Proposed Veterans Memorial Monument Designs I have reviewed the two proposed designs for the veteran's monument, and have several concerns about the artistic impact of the proposals on the environment of the town center. First, the walls surrounding the monument cut off the space from the lawn, which has been a center for music and festivals that enhance the town of Los Gatos and bring townspeople and visitors from many miles around, creating a vibrant and friendly atmosphere. Second, the designs look industrial and stark rather than inviting and scaled to humanity. I would like to see a memorial that speaks for and to the people of Los Gatos. Rather than displaying a militaristic eagle or a soldier's cross, let us be inviting, light and open. The symbol should represent freedom, rather than war. Sincerely, Jan Borgenicht Schwartz 15966 Cerro Vista Dr. Los Gatos, CA 95032 Board Member, NUMU Art Historian THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Subject: FW: Vetern's War Memorial Opinion From: Nick Talesfore [nicktCla id- 3d.com] Sent: Saturday, June 18, 2016 5:12 PM To: BSpector; Marico Sayoc; Marcia Jensen; Steven Leonardis; Rob Rennie Subject: Vetern's War Memorial Opinion Dear Council Members, The Town Council has been presented with 2 inferior designs for a war memorial. I would call these 2 memorial proposals very rudimentary concepts sketches. Neither contains enough detail or dimensioning to be properly visualized let alone qualified to be chosen for a memorial. Traditionally, scale models or computer generated renderings are created and presented to give the artist's concept the qualities of scale and aesthetics to be fairly judged for acceptance for use in a memorial. Many times artists work with clay to model their ideas. In my opinion, as a professional designer for over thirty years: The first "The Eagle" sculpture is too tall and large for its base and is grossly out of proportion to the base it is placed on — making it very top heavy. The Eagle was not shown as a 3D image but rather a 2D flat picture sitting on top of a 3D pedestal. If The Eagle were created in 3D it would be even more massive. The 2^ proposal "The Flame" comes off as a rudimentary arts & craft glass and wire project certainly not of memorial quality. The rifle with the helmet sculpture has been seen over the years countless times. The proposal of using it as the memorial's center piece will come off as tired symbolism certainly not an elevating icon. Both sculptures are placed in very interesting architectural labyrinths either of which could be a good starting point to further develop and explore curved walls and walkways with benches nestled and integrated among the existing redwood trees where persons could come to reflect on 'the fallen' and also celebrate the living soldiers who served our Country in all the wars and serve our Country today.. Possibly local residents names of fallen family soldiers could be inscribed on the walls of a memorial or listed in a database if a wall is created, or projected on various surfaces of a memorial of this type. These proposals are far from being ready to take a place in our Town. My thoughts... Nick Talesfore rsi Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail. Nicholas F. Talesfore I.D.S.A ID -3D Industrial Design & Product Design www.ID- 3D.com 268 E. 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