DEPARTMENT: Department of Arts & Culture
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Debbie Racca-Sittre
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All
SUBJECT: Donation of a reciprocal gift of a sculpture from City of San Antonio to our Sister City of Gwangju; and amendment of the 2010 arrangement allowing the City of San Antonio to assume maintenance for the Korean Pavilion located at Denman Estate Park.
SUMMARY:
Approving a donation agreement gifting a sculpture to the Sister City of Gwangju, South Korea and authorizing the City to take over long-term maintenance of the Pavilion at Denman Estate Park; and approving payment to the City of Gwangju in the amount of $17,000 for installation.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Since 1956, sister city programs across the US have worked to create global relationships based on cultural, educational, information and trade exchanges through official municipal level sister city agreements. Participants have developed lifelong friendships that provide prosperity and peace through person-to-person “citizen diplomacy.”
The City of San Antonio enjoys active and productive Sister City relationships with eleven cities and two friendship cities worldwide, including the City of Gwangju, South Korea which was established in 1981. Sister Cities offer unique opportunities for diverse and exciting exchanges with residents in foreign communities.
In 2010, the City of Gwangju gifted the City of San Antonio a traditional Korean Pavilion built at Denman Estate Park. Planning for a reciprocal gift from San Antonio to Gwangju began immediately. The Department of Arts & Culture recommended San Antonio Artists from the City Council approved pre-qualified list in 2012 and the City of Gwangju selected Cakky Brawley to create the piece. Additionally, Gwangju curated the artwork which was designed and fabricated over the next few years and funded through the Sister Cities budget.
Gwangju and San Antonio each possess unique, individual histories and rich cultural and artistic identities. Both cities also have important and iconic natural elements that are integral pieces of their identities. The sculpture titled Light of Friendship, Kindred Cities, represents Mudeung Mountain and faces both East and West, thus watching over Gwangju and San Antonio. While at the base, the San Antonio River surrounds and embraces both cities. The sixteen foot sculpture consists of brushed, formed and welded aluminum over a steel frame. Three unique kinetic LED sequences illuminate the San Antonio River at the base, Mudeung Mountain in the center, and the flame atop the sculpture. The sculpture will be installed and dedicated in Gwangju on October 24, 2019 by Mayor Ron Nirenberg with participation by Councilman Courage. The Donation Agreement also allows the City to take over long-term maintenance of the Traditional Korean Pavilion, now located in San Antonio's Denman Estate Park in Council District 8, from the City of Gwangju.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of a Donation Agreement providing a reciprocal gift of a sculpture from City of San Antonio to the City of Gwangju and authorizes payment to City of Gwangju in an amount of $17,000 for installation. Funding for this agreement is available in the FY 2020 Arts and Culture Fund Adopted Budget for Sister Cities. This agreement will also amend the 2010 arrangement between City of San Antonio and City of Gwangju for the Construction of a Traditional Korean Pavilion allowing the City of San Antonio to assume maintenance for the Pavilion now located in San Antonio's Denman Estate Park.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City of San Antonio has been working with the City of Gwangju to select an artist and develop an artwork as a reciprocal gift in support of our Sister City relationship with Gwangju. Should City Council not approve this ordinance, the project would be delayed and would require additional funds to create a reciprocal gift.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed ordinance will authorize the City of San Antonio to pay the City of Gwangju $17,000 out of the Sister Cities program budget in the FY 2020 Adopted Arts & Culture Fund Budget for the installation of the sculpture. Maintenance costs for the Korean Pavilion will be funded out of the FY 2020 Adopted Parks & Recreation Department Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Arts & Culture, the Economic Development Department’s International Relations Office, and the Parks & Recreation Department recommend approval of the ordinance.