Maya Linn, Ann Hamilton and Mel Chin are on the short list.
By: Jennifer Potash
Imagine this help-wanted ad in the classifieds: Local library seeks internationally renowned artist to create a memorable work for a new public building.
While not running a newspaper ad, the Princeton Public Library will approach three well-known artists to create an artistic work for the lobby of the new library.
The library’s trustees Tuesday approved a recommendation by the library’s Art Committee to contact the three artists. The three candidates have created works for other public libraries around the country.
Maya Lin, of New York, is an architect and artist best known for her design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. She also designed the gates for the Cleveland Public Library.
Ann Hamilton, of Ohio, is known for her complex and site-specific installations in museums and art galleries throughout the world. She created a piece for the San Francisco Public Library in 1993 comprising cards from the library’s defunct card catalog.
Mel Chin, of Houston, has created a broad range of work, often from unusual objects, as well as temporary installations and permanent public art. He recently completed a work called "Rosetta" at the Martin Luther King Jr. Public and University Library in San Jose, Calif.
The space for the work at the Princeton Public Library includes the outer surface of an interior curved wall 60 feet long and 10 feet tall of the new community room and a glass wall near the entry of the lobby slated as a donor wall listing the names of all the contributors to the expansion project, said Nancy Russell, a trustee and chairwoman of the Art Committee.
"It really enhances the importance of our building and makes it more beautiful, Ms. Russell said.
The Arts Committee does not want to restrict the artist with a set of rigid parameters, said Judy Brodsky, a member of the committee. But the themes valued by the community and library, including diversity, learning, history and science, would be represented in the art work, Ms. Russell said.
And the art work should not be a staid image that people take for granted and begin to ignore with the passing of time, said Molly Murphy, a member of the Art Committee.
"I hope that every time somebody walks inside the library it will make you think, because that is what this town is all about," Ms. Murphy said.
Ms. Russell said the committee will approach the artists to gauge interest and availability for the library project.
In the event none of the three artists is interested or available, the Art Committee has a list of other artists and would bring those names back to the trustees for approval.
The library trustees will approve the artist selection and design. The expansion project contains a $100,000 budget for art work but that may need to be adjusted and could require more fund-raising based on the response from the artists, said Harry Levine, chairman of the library trustees.
Although the library is expected to be completed in late February 2004, the trustees are willing to provide a longer period for the art work commission.
The library is behind schedule in choosing art for the building. Most public building projects include display areas for art in the design and planning stages, said Library Director Leslie Burger. In Princeton’s case, the areas for display were identified after the design was completed.
"I’m keeping a running list of things I will not do the next time I build a library and remembering to include art is one," she said.
Since the library was designed without many interior walls to provide flexibility for future needs the building will not have a great deal of permanent art work.
There will be an opportunity to integrate art through the building and have some rotating displays such as a children’s art projects on the third floor, Ms. Burger said.
The Art Committee also suggested the library conduct a yearly juried art exhibit and show the artwork on temporary display stands.

