Public Art Commission - January 16, 2025

LGBTQ+ oral-history installation is proposed for King Plaza

An early concept for a temporary King Plaza artwork would place a retrofitted pay phone playing collected LGBTQ+ oral histories inside a reflective, cocoon-like structure. The Public Art Commission did not approve the concept or take a vote. Staff said fabrication and engineering still need to be developed and a more developed design will return to the commission for approval.

The proposal grew out of approximately eight months of artist-in-residence work researching LGBTQ+ lived experiences and community resources. The artist reported engaging about 375 people, although Palo Alto participation was limited in at least one outreach effort. Of 16 attendees at a June LGBTQ+ listening forum, two were both Palo Alto residents and identified as LGBTQ+.

The presentation referenced a PrideNet study involving 315 people. The artist also cited data indicating that nearly 25% of Palo Alto LGBTQ+ residents and nearly half of Palo Alto transgender residents had seriously considered suicide or self-harm within the previous year.

Commissioners discussed whether visitors should be able to record messages at the installation and how submissions could be screened for harmful content while preserving authentic testimony. No policy decision was made. The artist and staff will work with potential fabricators, and the artist expressed hope of resolving the design by mid-February. The project hotline is expected to remain open during the installation to collect additional oral histories.

City Hall projection plan remains a limited proof of concept

The commission took no formal action on A3 Immersive’s proposal to use projection mapping on Palo Alto City Hall for a Code:ART-associated installation. A3 described the plan as a budget-constrained proof of concept focused on a central, diamond-shaped area between the building’s columns rather than the full structure.

A3 said the glass facade would be covered with a removable, perforated white vinyl decal to provide a projection surface. Commissioners questioned whether the material could be recycled or remain installed between events. They also raised questions about the limited projection area, possible expansion to the full building in future years and whether multiple nearby light festivals could become repetitive.

A3 said the decal could not be reused after removal but that the company was investigating recyclable materials. It plans to provide more information about disposal or recycling options, along with information about a vendor that offers geofencing-based attendance data. A3 also said the artwork, artists, music and designs would change each year.

Artist calls remain open through Jan. 27

Staff said Palo Alto’s open calls for artists seeking a place in a pre-qualified pool and for muralists will remain open through Jan. 27, 2025.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet