During the March 23 Lafayette City Council meeting, Public Art Committee (PAC) Staff Liaison Jenny Rosen presented a staff report on behalf of the PAC suggesting the council accept a gift of daguerreotype by Binh Danh for inclusion in the city’s public art collection. A daguerreotype is a photographic process that was first developed in the 19th century. 

    Danh is a nationally recognized contemporary photographer, and his work has been exhibited in museums across the United States and internationally. His daguerreotypes are highly detailed, one-of-a-kind images on polished metal plates, and he frequently explores history in his art, using historical techniques in contemporary contexts. 

    Danh’s 2012 artwork, titled “In Memory of Our Troops, 6475,” depicts the Lafayette Hillside Memorial, and is proposed for installation at the Lafayette Library and Learning Center. Former PAC member Carol Rief will be facilitating the donation.

    The PAC considered the appropriate placement for the daguerreotype to ensure it is appropriately displayed within the library. A subcommittee conducted an on-site review at the LLLC, evaluating the spatial relationships and sightlines for optimal public viewership. The PAC also consulted Danh regarding final placement, ensuring he supports the proposed installation. 

    The council unanimously voted to accept the donation, providing the city with locally relevant, nationally significant artwork and enhancing the public’s access to culturally and historically meaningful art.