To: Members of the Public Art Commission
From: Maia Yates, Staff Liaison
Title
Castle Rock Landscapes Conservation and Next Steps
Body
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Executive Summary
Staff requests Commission direction regarding the future care and potential restoration of Castle Rock Landscapes, a suspended fabric installation by Mettje Swift commissioned for the Town Hall atrium at 100 N. Wilcox St.
The Town acquired the artwork in 2001 for $10,000 following the Public Art Commission’s selection of the artist. The installation consists of four fabric landscape panels depicting the Rock, Pikes Peak and other views unique to Castle Rock. The panels were constructed from lightweight, translucent nylon fabric supported by fiberglass and/or stainless steel tubing and suspended at varying heights within the atrium.
Pacific Coast Conservation, the Town’s art conservation and maintenance vendor, recently retrieved the textile portion after it began separating from its frame in the Town Hall stairwell. Conservator Joy Carlsen reported significant fading and deterioration caused by prolonged ultraviolet exposure. The fabric has become brittle and is tearing in multiple areas, particularly along the right side. The assessment identified numerous tears in the blue, pink and white sections, including one approximately 27 inches long.
The conservator indicated that repairs may be possible, subject to further evaluation by a textile specialist, but would be difficult and time-consuming because of the fabric’s fragile condition. An alternative would be to consult the original artist about replacing damaged fabric sections, which may offer a more stable and cost-effective approach. According to Joy’s recommendations, either option would require a new display location, as continued sunlight exposure in the original location would cause further deterioration.
The original artist agreement addresses maintenance, repairs and restoration. Section 28 provides for consultation with a professional conservator and artist approval of repairs and restoration during the artist’s lifetime, with approval not to be unreasonably withheld. Where practical, the artist is also to be given an opportunity to perform or supervise significant repairs, with compensation agreed upon in writing before work begins. Staff will coordinate artist involvement and any proposed work consistent with the agreement.
Before requesting a formal repair proposal or committing restoration funds, staff recommends considering whether a suitable alternative location is available and whether restoration is practical given the artwork’s condition, anticipated costs and other collection needs.
The Commission is asked to provide direction on whether staff should pursue preliminary artist and conservator input, explore potential display locations and obtain cost information for future consideration.
If restoration and relocation do not appear feasible, staff would return with a separate item addressing potential deaccession and disposition. That review would document the artwork’s condition, alternatives considered and artist consultation, and include coordination with the Town Attorney’s Office regarding contractual obligations, approval authority and applicable notice requirements. The Commission’s draft deaccession policy may help inform this review but should not be represented as adopted policy while it remains under development.
No restoration expenditure or final decision regarding removal from the collection is requested at this meeting.
Attachments
Attachment A - Castle Rock Landscapes