City of San Antonio - File #: 20-1052

• File #: 20-1052
• Type: Miscellaneous Item
• In control: City Council A Session
• On agenda: 1/30/2020
• Posting Language: Ordinance approving the Donation Agreement with Enrique Carbajal aka Sebastian Sculptor and Siempre Mexico, Inc. for the donation of the sculpture “La Puerta de la Igualdad” (The Door of Equality). [Lori Houston, Assistant City Manager; Debbie Racca-Sittre, Director, Arts & Culture]

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
1/30/2020	1	City Council A Session	adopted	Pass

DEPARTMENT: Department of Arts & Culture


DEPARTMENT HEAD: Debbie Racca-Sittre


COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: All


SUBJECT:

Donation Agreement with Enrique Carbajal aka Sebastian Sculptor and Siempre Mexico, Inc. for the donation of the sculpture "La Puerta de la Igualdad" (The Door of Equality)


SUMMARY:

This Ordinance authorizes a Donation Agreement with Enrique Carbajal aka Sebastian Sculptor and Siempre Mexico, Inc. for a donation of the sculpture "La Puerta de la Igualdad" (The Door of Equality) to the City of San Antonio.


BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

Almost 20 years ago, the City of San Antonio received "Antorcha de Amistad" (The Torch of Friendship), a monumental gateway sculpture created by renowned Mexican sculptor Enrique Carbajal, known professionally as Sebastian, as a gift of state from the Mexican government and San Antonio's Mexican business community. The installation of the Torch in 2002 represented a major milestone for public art in San Antonio, becoming downtown's first large-scale contemporary sculpture, placed just blocks from The Alamo, nearby Historic River Walk, and Hemisfair. At 65 feet in height, the sculpture is a towering abstract form composed of vivid red triangular columns that rise, curl and salute the united and friendly relations between San Antonio and Mexico and now serves as the gateway to the new River Walk Public Art Garden.

In 2019, the City-wide exhibit "Sebastian in San Antonio: 50+ Years / 20+ Sites / 100+ Works" was coordinated by the Department of Arts & Culture and its collaborative partners. The retrospective celebrates Sebastian's more than 50-year career and features more than 100 sculptures and works of the famed Mexican artist. The exhibit opened in September 2019 and will be on display until May 2020 in more than 20 locations around San Antonio and even includes some of Sebastian's private collection. Stakeholders and participating partners include: The Department of Arts & Culture, World Heritage O...