Recent Public Art Repair: "Keepsies", 1985 by Anne Larose
Since 1985, the small bronze statue titled "Keepsies" has seen its fare share of visitors at The Grove Plaza. As originally built the sculpture could not sustain heavy public interaction and it created a need for regular stabilization. Until now, those techniques were temporary. The recent repairs included reinforcing the base structure with steel plates and rods. While those techniques were underway the surface patina was also restored to its original French Brown.
Special thanks to Ron Walker with the Boise Art Museum and Artist Ann LaRose and husband Bruce for the specifications on proper care for this artwork. Metal Arts Foundry in Salt Lake City was hired to unearth, stabilize, resurface, and reinstalled the sculpture. The work was completed in 14 days with help from Max Clark at Capital City Development Corporation and Hillside Co.
Maintenance: Regular routine inspection and care of artwork, such as cleaning and applying protective surface coatings. Arts and History Department staff carry out routine cleanings. Subcontractors, original fabricators and artists are consulted and hired when an artwork needs reconditioning or more serious repair.
Conservation Treatment: A more involved conservation technique may be needed at time which may be the result of variable weather, neglect, aging, damage or vandalism. To maintain original condition and integrity, a professional subcontractor usually carries out treatments, often in collaboration with the artists or other experts.
Condition Assessments: Inspections of artwork include information on the present location, the current condition and the treatment or maintenance needed. Conservation forms are on record that document all products and procedures used in creating the artwork. This is a great benefit to any subcontractor or staff member when addressing any issues.
Duties of the Maintenance Staff:
- Routine evaluation and condition assessments of City-owned public artwork
- Scheduled cleaning and applying appropriate maintenance measures to sustain the public artworks original condition
- To ensure timely response to larger maintenance and conservation needs
- To encourage longevity and maintenance considerations into artist's planning, and City approval processes for artwork
- To establish a treatment and maintenance for public art program with regular procedures, agreements and documentation
- To educate the public about the collection and its important role in our community infrastructure and planning