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ALSO
IN THIS ISSUE Beyond Books Designer's Challenge Improving Mother Nature Bach to the Future Chancellor's
Page Development News Factoids More Factoids Accidental Heroes Newsmakers |
DEVELOPMENT NEWS Come
and Sit Awhile Are your feet tired from walking? Take a look around and you may find a fanciful yet functional bench just waiting for you. San Diego City College’s Benchmark Project –– reminiscent of Cows on Parade, Chicago’s 1999 summer public art display –– placed 140 custom art benches along our city sidewalks, public parks, community squares, trolley stations and business storefronts in a one-month celebration of artistic and cultural vitality. This project is the latest addition to San Diego’s Urban Art Trail and to a growing list of internationally renowned local community art projects. More than 100 professional artists, designers, sculptors, architects and wood craftsmen designed the benches that enliven our urban locales. Beyond being a special community art project, the benches are also a fund-raiser for the San Diego City College Foundation’s graphic design scholarship fund. Some benches were specifically commissioned, such as the “Some Like It Hot” and “Wizard of Oz” benches created by drama set designer Duane Gardella for the Hotel del Coronado. Others are available for sponsorship, at $500 per bench. After the month-long outdoor installation, sponsors could keep their benches or show their community spirit by donating them for auction. All proceeds of the Feb. 13 auction benefit the LINK Program, AIGA Design Center and San Diego City College performing arts and graphic design programs. These organizations play a vital role in the artist life of our community by providing art education to at-risk teens, children's art workshops, and college scholarships to students studying the arts. Gardella, who designed a total of 10 benches, also created custom seating for NBC’s new downtown streetside studios and for the trolley. City College art professor Y.C. Kim used ceramic tiles for her bench, which now sits outside the Lyceum Theatre. “Many of the artists were free to create anything they could imagine. It is like walking through an art gallery and being able to interact with the artist's imagination,” said June Richards, City College drama professor. “I have taken many people on tours, and people respond to different benches in very unique ways. Some benches have interactive parts to them. One allows you to put your face into the design of the bench to be photographed. Each is extraordinary.” Candice Lopez, City College graphic design professor, was the driving force behind this venture, as she has been for other Urban Art Trail projects that promote and showcase the importance of design in our everyday lives. Normally, a project of this scope would consume a couple of years in planning and execution. Lopez, however, condensed that to four frenetic months –– from getting city approval, finding partner organizations and individuals, screening artists, putting up a website and ultimately creating benches herself. As the January launch date approached –- selected to capitalize on the influx of Super Bowl visitors –– artists worked ‘round the clock to finish. “It is amazing the amount of work and effort everyone committed to this project,” Richards said. See the benches, meet the artists and learn more about this project at www.benchmarkproject.com.
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