![\"Art](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/DJI_0043-HDR.jpg\")
Today, phase one consists of a mixture of apartments, restaurants, live-work lofts, retail and creative office spaces built around an open communal gathering space aptly called The Hub. It also includes eight public art installations and an onsite gallery which should all help inspire the developing creative community.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeven years ago, the attitude we took was that we wanted to articulate something aspirational and inspirational,\u201d Malmuth said. \u201cWe came up with four pillars \u2014 innovation, design, education and arts. It was clear to us from the outset that in order to make a place that is inspiring and appeals to creative people, we\u2019d need to incorporate art as a physical element.\u201d<\/p>\n
Six major art pieces and two art installations have already been selected, he said, adding that Ginger Shulick Porcella, former executive director of the San Diego Art Institute, assisted in the selection of the artists and the specific pieces.<\/p>\n
Bankers Hill resident Cy Kuckenbaker is among the artists being featured in the first round of public art. His submission, \u201cThe Cardinal Directions,\u201d is described as a photo and video series that\u2019s focused on his relationship to the city of San Diego and his need to orient himself within its narrative.<\/p>\n
Kuckenbaker said that while he had some familiarity with IDEA1 because he works in the area, he didn\u2019t know much about the project until he met the team. What surprised him most, he said, was that the developers chose to prioritize art and color.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost new developments in San Diego are aesthetically conservative, so it\u2019s very nice to see a different vision,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope others follow IDEA1\u2019s lead and tap local voices to contribute.\u201d<\/p>\n Malmuth hopes the same.<\/p>\n \u201cWe chose to include art because we felt it was the right thing to do and that it would make the project better,\u201d he said. \u201cIf other people see that it\u2019s successful, maybe they will think they should [incorporate more art] as well. I think that\u2019s happening with some of the other projects and there is more discussion of how to incorporate art, because it elevates the importance of art and artists.\u201d<\/p>\n The overall reception, he said, has been positive thus far.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been so gratifying to have people come walk the project and share their enthusiasm,\u201d Malmuth continued. \u201cHaving installations in The Hub and the gallery that are focused on local art and artists, that give emerging artists a chance to show their work, or do an opening around that where they can invite people, it helps expose art to the residents of the building. People see that having art as a part of their environment enriches it.\u201d<\/p>\n Malmuth said that the artistic and creative components of the building are what help make IDEA1 a living, breathing, \u201calways changing and never complete\u201d entity.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are even more excited to see what happens as [IDEA1] evolves and how the creativity of the district will play itself out.\u201d<\/p>\n Following is a list and descriptions of the public art pieces commissioned for the first round, courtesy of the project\u2019s PR team at Olive Creative Strategies.<\/p>\n These six public art pieces will be rotated out within two years:<\/p>\n These two installations will be permanent:<\/p>\n IDEA1 is located at 899 Park Blvd., in East Village. To learn more, visit ideadistrictsd.com\/idea1<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Art](\"https:\/\/sandiegodowntownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/DJI_0103-HDR.jpg\")
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