Cerritos Council Gives Nod to New Infinity Symbol Sculpture Piece

The Cerritos Sculpture Garden will be getting a new lighted art piece by artist Cliff Garten as a result of vote by the Cerritos City Council during its July 9 meeting.

New Art

Assistant City Manager Kathy Matsumoto presented proposals by Cliff Garten for the Cerritos Sculpture Garden. According to Matsumoto, in February, the city council reviewed concepts and locations by the artist. This was to be done at no increase or charge to the previously approved budget. The Fine Arts Commission studied two locations in the garden for sculpture consideration. The first one would be visible from main entrance from 183rd street. The concept sculpture, consisting of twisting steel rods will replace three tall lighted fixtures, and it would be visible both from the street and inside the garden. The second site would be an elevated grass area visible from the Civic Center main entrance. That would serve as a portal to the sculpture garden. Garten proposed two art pieces for each location respectively.

Garten said the first concept really works in a series, so the sculptural lighting serves a function to light the area, but also becomes a sculptural presence in the garden.

“There is a sense of procession that is established here from that entry and through the garden,” Garten said. “They (sculptures) are also illuminated with LED. They also make their presence at night from the exterior. Also, these pieces can change colors so they can be programmed from a remote location."

Garten said the color-changing function of the sculpture is a good way to make the art fit certain events and themes throughout the year. The concept of the piece represents the Cerritos Star.

The second piece is an infinity symbol which includes two different variations. 

“It looks different from where you move and the garden,” Garten said. “These images would be changing perspective. As you move around it, this symbol appears."

The infinity sculptures are also illuminated at night.

Councilman Joseph Cho asked city staff what the current art fund balance is. According to Matsumoto, minus funds from the Cerritos Auto Square and the recent funds approved for temporary art pieces in the city, the art fund balance currently stands at $401,000. The Cliff Garten project, if approved, would take $275,000 to complete, leaving $126,000 left.

Mayor Pro Tem Bruce Barrows motioned to approve the 2nd variation of the infinity symbol, “Infinity 2,” to be placed in the sculpture garden. However, Councilwoman Carol Chen voted against the motion due to the timing of spending the allocated amount of money towards the item, in spite of her appreciation for the piece. Cho also voted against the motion in favor of changing the proposed sculpture location.

Updates on Pending Legislation

Although there are no new updates on legislation regarding the recent dissolution of California redevelopment agencies by Gov. Jerry Brown, City Manager Art Gallucci did have news of a recent trailer bill being signed by Brown, but the council will have to wait for an analysis, by staff, on how the bill impacts Cerritos.

The next city council meeting will be held on July 26.