NEW CURTAIN DESIGN STIRS CONCERNS.

Byline: Cecilia Chan Staff Writer

A design that would improve the often-mocked Copper Curtain on the east wall of the Civic Arts Plaza would cost almost $300,000, nearly double the original artwork's price tag.

Mayor Linda Parks, who is on a committee to consider a contract for the renovation, is concerned about how to pay the $296,000 to overlay the image of an oak tree over the sculpture.

``I have one design concern and also a fiscal concern about how we might be able to raise private funds for the project,'' said Parks, who sits on the committee with City Councilman Andy Fox. He was not available for comment.

The committee is scheduled today to consider a contract with Rami Designs of Santa Ana, although the funding source hasn't yet been identified. Parks said she will not move forward with a recommendation unless her concerns are addressed.

If the committee recommends approval, the City Council would hear the matter in November, officials said.

The original $150,000 architectural sculpture of 2,000 hanging copper strips was intended to represent a fluttering theatrical curtain. But city officials worried that the strips would bang noisily against the building or fly off in strong winds, so they ordered the panels secured.

The result prompted derisive comments after the 1994 unveiling that the artwork looked liked an oversize air vent or a refrigerator grill.

Plans now call for placing the image of an oak atop the existing sculpture, but Parks said she worries the stainless steel tree might not show up against the copper curtain, which appears gray in the sunlight.

``At 12 o'clock noon it may not be really clear it's an oak tree on a copper curtain,'' she said.

In order to achieve a higher contrast, the curtain may have to be sandblasted to its original copper color or coated with a copper finish, she said.

Rami Designs was the only bidder to respond to the city's request for proposals in December. In addition to the oak, it submitted designs for a muse, and a combination of a muse and the oak.

The firm's estimated costs for the the oak tree overlay is $210,000, in addition to $50,000 for lighting and $19,050 for the firm's consulting services.

Parks said she would like to see private donations help pay for some of the costs.

``We have had a wonderful community outpouring and support for the arts and I hope we have support for this,'' she said. ``I think the city has spent an awful lot already on this piece of art.

``I would like to see something the whole community can endorse and see it partially funded with private donations,'' she said.

CAPTION(S):

2 Photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) The original $150,000 architectural work of 2,000 hanging copper strips was aimed at representing a fluttering theatrical curtain.

(2) Plans now call for placing the image of an oak tree atop the Copper Curtain sculpture in Thousand Oaks, at a cost of $296,000.

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