Kites selected for Vista's downtown

By: CRAIG TENBROECK - Staff Writer
Panel chooses designs for public art project | Saturday, March 1, 2008 10:38 PM PST ∞

VISTA ---- Eight unusual "kites" will soon cast whimsical shadows over the city's downtown.

Last week, the city commissioned several North County artists to create kite-inspired sculptures for a temporary art installation, Vista's most ambitious public arts project to date.

The artwork will be on display for one year, beginning in May, at prominent locations through the city, such as Creekwalk Park, Vista Village and The Wave Waterpark.

"They're outstanding," Councilwoman Judy Ritter raved as she inspected the three-dimensional models submitted by the top contenders. "I just love them, and I'm so excited."

It's going to take more than a stiff breeze to keep these fliers aloft. Most of the kites, mounted on 12-foot poles stuck in concrete planters, will be crafted from heavy-duty materials, such as metal, glass and ceramic.

The winning designs include an oversized "paper" plane, soaring through the air while tiny figurines hold on for the ride; a wavy arrow, adorned with stained-glass tail feathers; and a multicolored, abstract curlicue.

While some of the pieces will be static, others will rotate on a bearing or incorporate moving parts.

Art boosters and city leaders have said they expect the exhibit, dubbed "Kites Over Vista," to draw fresh faces into the city's shopping and entertainment hub. It was modeled after the popular "urban trees" exhibit at San Diego's Embarcadero.

Fifteen artists, from as far away as New Mexico, submitted 19 miniature model kites for consideration. The Public Arts Commission whittled the proposals down to eight.

The winners now have a few months to paint, polish and weld the full-sized versions.

"I thought the caliber of artwork was wonderful," said Lori Escalera, a Vista artist whose wave-inspired kite made it to the winners circle.

Escalera ---- a veteran mural artist, but a newcomer to sculpture ---- plans to piece her kite together with mosaic tiles. The rope tail, she said, will support a cluster of ceramic fish.

"When the wind blows, it will click-clack the ceramic together," Escalera said.

Charles Bronson, a founding member of the Vista Art Foundation, said he was pleased that five of the winning designs ---- including his own abstract copper kite with a patina finish ---- were submitted by Vista artists. (The others came from Escondido, Encinitas and Solana Beach.)

"I think it definitely makes a statement that we do have artists here," he said.

None of the participants is likely to get rich from the project. The city will pay each of them $750 and supply the bases and poles.

"Every single penny will be spent in material," Escalera said of her stipend.

The work will essentially be on loan. And at the end of the year, the artists can sell their kites, said Bill Fortmueller, a city parks superintendent.

The city plans to bring in a fresh batch of kites each year and eventually stretch the display down Santa Fe Avenue, Fortmueller said.

Contact staff writer Craig TenBroeck at (760) 901-4062 or ctenbroeck@nctimes.com.