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About the Oakland ArtTrust |
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The Oakland ArtTrust project exists to create a collection of documentation and maps that identify public art in our city. We have three primary goals:
The following questions and answers address our work in more detail.
Who are you?
The Oakland ArtTrust project emerged from online mapping and GIS (geographic information systems) graduate work by Leah Roderman of Oaktown Underground and discussions with local artists about public art conservation in Oakland. We hope to be joined by other volunteers who are also interested in documenting these works of cultural, civic, and artistic significance. In doing so, we expect to counter negative stereotypes of Oakland and encourage more public participation in the creation, placement and maintenance of public art.
This project is not affiliated with the Cultural Arts and Marketing Department, the Oakland Chamber of Commerce, the Oakland Conventions and Visitors Bureau, Oakland CEDA or with any offices of the City of Oakland itself. We do not intend to represent the arts community at large, civic or non-profit organizations, or any other individual groups or ideologies.
So what are you doing?
We are attempting to document every work of public art in Oakland. We take photographs, track down artists, research original stories, and collect geographical coordinates. In doing so we have taken on the responsibility of a public trust: a commitment to the custody of art in Oakland. We rely on a variety of resources such as our free time, the public library, city employees, historians, artists and others with similar interests.
What exactly do you consider "public" art?
Oakland ArtTrust promotes a broad interpretation of public art: works that are accessible to the public. We have deliberately chosen to expand the standard definition of public art, which would cover only works commissioned by the City of Oakland through its Cultural Arts and Crafts, Public Works or Parks and Recreation departments, or the Oakland Museum. We consider the individual contributions of artists and other individuals to our shared public environment to be equally important as any large profile work.
The artwork listed here is art that was created for all members of the public to enjoy or partake in. Art found in semi-public spaces such as churches, schools, and lobbies of office buildings are included when the work merits a certain intangible level of significance, importance or recognition. We expect that as we grow, our ideas about what constitutes public art will contribute to the larger discussion about art in the urban environment.
And all this work is in Oakland?
Some works of art fall within a block or two of the borders of the boundries of the City of Oakland, and we think it would be a disservice to not include works just outside those borders that relate to the character of Oakland. The ArtTrust will never be a complete list of all public art in Oakland. The files found here are more of a cross section of works that are here or once were here. We hope to encourage people to participate by sending in images and information not already listed in the hopes of creating an vibrant changing document that grows and becomes more accurate with time.
Do you include art that no longer exists?
Yes, we consider it important to document art that has been destroyed or removed from the public eye. We also include works that were only intended to be temporary and/or constantly changing.
Where do you get all this information about these works of art?
Most information consists of what we see while walking around the streets of Oakland, and whatever we can glean from other people. We also research via the public library and the Internet to locate and contact individual artists in order obtain more accurate and personal information. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of all the information gathered here, but we welcome help with validating and adding details.
Where do the photographs of art come from?
The photographs found here were usually taken by one of our volunteers, and are not meant to represent the quality of the work or craftsmanship of the artist. Oftentimes, the art found on this site will be of diminished quality which is normal with a massive public art collection such as is found in Oakland. These photographs are not used nor are intended to be used in any sort of negative, demeaning or degrading way. Oftentimes they are the best photos of the artwork available.
We have tried our best to photograph the work under normal and optimal lighting conditions. Some of the images have been digitally enhanced in order to clean up, un-distort, clarify or re-create a visual experience similar to experiencing the work of art in person. When possible, we seek permission to use photographs from artists' Internet web sites. Photographs duplicated from published materials are identified as such and credited whenever possible. (If you spot a photograph of your own used in this way, and your permission to use the image here was not obtained, please let let us know immediately.)
Reuse of images is ultimately dependent upon the permission of the individual artists and photographers, not the Oakland ArtTrust. We make no claims for usability of images beyond the information purposes of this site.
If you are an artist who would prefer a different photo, or one that shows a different aspect of your work of art, please feel free to send it to us.
How are you promoting local artists?
We acknowledge that by gathering this information, we inevitably publicize certain artists in one way or another. Although you will find links to artists' web sites at OaklandArtTrust, linking is purely for reference purposes. Our intent is to make it easier for people to find an artist or artists for the purpose of commissioning a work of art or for the purposes of interviewing or documenting their work.
The Oakland ArtTrust does not promote any individual artists, instead leaving that job up to the artists themselves. The exposure that results from inclusion on this website is simply a positive by-product of our intended outcomes.
What recommendations can you make for art restoration?
We hope that by cataloging the artwork that the public can have a more proactive tool that enables them to save work they enjoy through the means of professional art conservation service. We don't however, make or offer those choices, recommendations or services here. This is just a public list, and we advise you seek the advice of professionals and the City of Oakland for any public art restoration projects you would like to undertake.
One excellent resource we can recommend for those who would like to find out more, is Save Outdoor Sculpture!, a collaboration between the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Heritage Preservation. SOS advises that professional conservators should oversee sculpture maintenance programs, and suggests contacting the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC).
How can I help?
We need assistance with all forms of documentation. See our wish list for the full lowdown on how you can contribute to the Oakland ArtTrust project.