Anaheim Arena Artists Chosen; Pier Finalists Named

Five artists are expected to be commissioned to make indoor and outdoor works for the $103-million, 19,200-seat Anaheim Arena, scheduled to open in the summer of 1993. Two of the artists--Keith Sonnier and Nam June Paik, both of New York--are internationally renowned. Sonnier, who would make a large outdoor piece, is known for his sculpture incorporating tubes of light; Paik is a leading figure in video installations.

Painter Renee Petropolous of Los Angeles would design hanging panels for the stadium interior, and the team of Eric Martin and Susan Mogul would use video, audio and arena artifacts to design a wall commemorating the arena’s first year of operation.

The indoor sports and entertainment complex is being built on seven acres on Katella Avenue, across from Anaheim Stadium. Work on the art projects, expected to cost a total of $540,000, would begin early next year. Marc Pally, the stadium’s art consultant, said Monday that routine approval of the artists’ contracts is expected from the Anaheim City Council.

An Artist Selection Panel of art professionals sent letters of invitation to 100 artists nationwide. Fifty responded, including several from Orange County, and a seven-member Citizens Advisory Committee made the selections. Completed designs would be due in September.

Meanwhile, in Newport Beach, three finalists have been chosen in the $90,000 McFadden Plaza competition to design sculpture for the base of the Newport Pier. Richard Turner of Orange, Christine Oatman of Encinitas and Donald Lipsky of Brooklyn were selected from 204 applicants from across the country. Models of their proposed designs will be on view for three weeks at Newport Beach City Hall, beginning in August. In early September, the Newport Beach Art in Public Places Commission, the Newport Pier Assn. and the Newport Beach Arts Commission will select the winning model, which will be subject to approval by the City Council.