Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present
Leonard Hunter, Jeannene Przyblyski, Lawrence Rinder, Dede Wilsey
Absent: Pop Zhao
Staff Present
Nancy Gonchar, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious, Ellen Shershow, Meg Shiffler
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:05 p.m.
- Consent
- Motion to approve the unavoidable destruction of four artworks at Laguna Honda Hospital due to the demolition of the hospital’s main building as part of the Laguna Honda Hospital Replacement Program construction. The artworks are: ”Animals and the Natural Environment” (by James Morgan, Betty Benard, Yolanda Ramirez, Maura Frias, Bob Neil, and Peggy Huff) on the 6th floor; two works in the Hospice Garden, Children’s Mural (by Inyana Christine Schultz), “Butterfly Garden” (a mosaic pathway by Mitsuru Hirano); and a seascape mural in the C2 Hospice Lounge (by Chris Kidd).
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar item.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
- Gallery Report
Gallery Director Meg Shiffler presented the summer series, ‘The Dust Never Settles,’ including artists Margaret Tedesco, Patricia Diart, Claudia Tennyson and Kate Pocrass. Ms. Shiffler stated that in light of the earthquake centennial, this is an interesting time not only to look at ephemera, but to live in a city whose history requires us to live with the notion of disaster constantly underfoot.
Margaret Tedesco will exhibit several flipbooks. Tedesco was inspired by firsthand accounts of earthquake survivors describing various physical and emotional states of being they experienced during the quake. The images for the flipbooks come from films such as National Velvet. In addition to being exhibited at the Gallery at 401 Van Ness, the flipbooks will also be available for viewing in the sixth floor Book Arts and Special Collections section of the San Francisco Public Library. The librarians are thrilled with this idea, as they feel it will increase awareness of a very important and often intimidating room in the library.
Claudia Tennyson’s work will occupy the majority of the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery space. Ms. Tennyson’s work will utilize contemporary furniture that has been transformed into multi-use items: a table might become a bed, while a chair might find a use as a shelter. Her work will explore the idea of what one might need to make use of in a disaster situation. Additionally, Ms. Tennyson will utilize the back of the Gallery to show a video. One possibility is a 1950’s video that claims a tidy home will guard your family from the effects of an atomic bomb.
Patricia Diart will be in residence in the window space at 155 Grove Street. Thanks to a $2,000 honorarium from NORCAL, Ms. Diart will work from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, throughout the run of the exhibition. Ms. Diart will reconstruct a kitchen, and will have volunteers sign up to assist in this effort. Ms. Shiffler stated that a small closing reception is a possibility.
Utilizing an interview process, Kate Pocrass has created approximately six different poster designs for use on 34 JCDecaux kiosks throughout the city. Ms. Pocrass asked people what one object they would save in the event of a natural disaster, and why. This project will extend to the Gallery website, where Ms. Pocrass will create a blog, and allow viewers to upload an image of the piece they would save, along with a description.
Ms. Shiffler stated that she is excited about this new, multi-sited style of programming. Further, the Gallery will produce a booklet, complete with images and explanatory text, listing the locations and hours of these various projects.
Ms. Shiffler went on to discuss the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery Advisory Board retreat that took place on Saturday, April 29, 2006. She gave the Commissioners a handout with a summary of the retreat. Ms. Shiffler opened up the discussion by reading the Gallery’s original mission statement. She stated that the retreat was necessary to begin to generate a new mission statement that more closely matched the new programmatic vision. At the retreat, the Gallery Advisory Board began with several questions including “Whom do we serve?”, and “What do we do that no one else can do?” The Advisory Board members engaged in a brainstorming session, during which it was agreed that the most successful exhibitions at the Gallery have been the most surprising ones, such as exhibitions that deal with current political and social issues by placing contemporary art in direct dialogue with the City government. The Advisory Board also decided that the Civic Center location is vital, but the Gallery needs a new facility. Lastly, the Board is exploring different avenues of fundraising, obtaining grant money, and recruitment of five new members.
The Commissioners felt that Ms. Shiffler has been doing a wonderful job, and the discussion concluded with some thoughts about maintaining the cultural mission of the City of San Francisco within the revised Gallery mission statement.
Commissioner Przyblyski requested that Ms. Shiffler speak about the next year of SFAC Gallery exhibitions at the next Visual Arts Committee meeting. The Commissioners are very interested in providing input regarding the range of programming proposed.
Motion: Motion to approve an honorarium of $800 for Laurie MacDougall for the Saturday, April 29, 2006, SFAC Gallery Advisory Board Retreat facilitation.
Moved: Wilsey/Rinder
- Abraham Lincoln Brigade Memorial
Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar provided background on the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Memorial project. Ms. Gonchar noted that the project was previously reviewed in March 2004, and that the Commissioners were enthusiastic about the content and design of the memorial, although there were ongoing concerns about the longevity of the materials proposed. Ms. Gonchar stated that Molly Lambert of Architectural Conservation Inc. had prepared a maintenance report in 2004. Ms. Gonchar then introduced Donna Graves to the Commissioners.
Ms. Graves stated that she is currently working on conservation issues and a maintenance plan with David Wessel at Architectural Resources Group.
Ms. Gonchar introduced artists Walter Hood and Ann Chamberlain to the committee.
Mr. Hood gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Commissioners, explaining that the installation has endured multiple location changes, but is well suited for the current planned location behind the Armand Vaillancourt Fountain in Justin Herman Plaza on the Embarcadero. The installation has been scaled down from its original size of seventy-five feet to about thirty feet, in order to adjust to its current location. Mr. Hood stated that the artwork is comprised of onyx panels with an image on one side and etched text on the other, set into a galvanized steel frame. The panels can easily be removed for maintenance and cleaning. Mr. Hood has kept identical onyx pieces outside his studio for three years, and they have withstood the elements well. He explained that the onyx is somewhat translucent, and as light shines through it, the text and images will be visible as a single piece.
Artist Ann Chamberlain showed the Commission a number of slides, including images of the onyx panels and a number of Robert Capa photographs, from which Ms. Chamberlain and Mr. Hood will draw the majority of their imagery. Ms. Chamberlain explained that the text will be drawn primarily from firsthand accounts, letters and poems from the Spanish Civil War, an event about which many Americans know very little. Ms. Chamberlain went on to explain that Robert Capa’s work is well suited for this project, as he documented the war effort with heart-wrenching accuracy and with a particular affinity for children. Additionally, many of these images portray people who currently live in the Bay Area. Both Ms. Chamberlain and Mr. Hood stated that Magnum, which owns the photo rights, will not charge royalties for the use of the images, and that the Capa Estate has been extremely supportive of the project.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that it is important to mount projects such as this, as it commemorates labor and the progressive political history of San Francisco.
This motion has been revised.
Motion: Motion to approve the new design and location for the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Memorial. This motion is contingent on staff and the artists resolving the technical aspects of the installation.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
- Coffman Pool
Deputy Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious presented the final images for the Coffman Pool windows by the artist team of Steve Gillman and Katherine Keefer. Ms. Pontious reminded the Commissioners that they had previously approved the conceptual design for the Coffman Pool, and that the current phase is for image approval only.
Ms. Pontious showed two large color images; one depicted a young African-American girl swimming and laughing in the pool, and the other depicted a young Asian-American girl swimming and holding her breath. Ms. Pontious stated that these images will occupy two large glass panels on either side of the Coffman pool house, and will each measure approximately twelve feet high. The images were well received by the Commissioners.
Motion: Motion to approve final images for the Coffman Pool windows by the artist team of Steve Gillman and Katherine Keefer.
Moved: Hunter/Wilsey
- San Francisco International Airport
Deputy Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious presented the budget for the expenditure of the balance of the Master Plan Project Art Enrichment Funds and the Secure Connector Art Enrichment Funds. Ms. Pontious went over the budget in detail, explaining that we have a balance of $956,000, much of which is already budgeted for new projects, such as commissioning Hung Liu and Joyce Hsu for two walls in concourse G, the sister city light projection project and funding for artists Claire Rojas and Richard Misrach to create two additional artworks in Boarding Area G of the International Terminal. We will have a small fund balance remaining after commissioning these new works. The Airport Steering Committee approved the proposed budget, and as Commissioner Hunter was in attendance at the Airport Steering Committee meeting, the rest of the Committee was confident regarding this approval. The Committee decided to discuss the potential projects for the secure connector at a later time.
Motion: Motion to approve the budget for expenditure of balance of Master Plan Project Art Enrichment Funds and Secure Connector Art Enrichment Funds. Explanatory document.
Moved: Wilsey/Hunter
Motion: Motion to approve the selection of Richard Misrach and Clare Rojas to be commissioned to create artworks for gate room walls in Boarding Area G of the International Terminal at SFO, with authorization for the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with each to design, fabricate and transport an artwork for Boarding Area G for an amount not to exceed $100,000.
Moved: Hunter/Wilsey
- Portola Branch Library
Project Manager Judy Moran presented the preliminary design for an artwork by artist Dana Zed for the new Portola Branch Library. Ms. Moran explained that she wanted to bring the design to the Commissioners at this early point in the process, as the detailing of each design will take considerable time and later revisions would be more time-consuming. Ms. Zed is creating four glass shutters to be placed in the windows of the new branch library.
Ms. Zed stated that at Portola community meetings, residents spoke of the large number of nurseries that previously existed in the area. With this in mind, Ms. Zed will use stylized motifs of Bay Area flowers for her glass panels. Salvaging some of her dichroic glass from a defunct computer company, she has been able to develop a color palette that varies depending on the light. Other glass imaging techniques include sandblasting, laminated copper, and molded glass. Ms. Zed stated the she would like to incorporate different methods into the shutter panel designs to represent the diversity of the community.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that she appreciates that the windows complement, rather than copy, the architecture of the building, and encouraged Ms. Zed to be brave with her use of color. Commissioner Wilsey stated that the windows respond well to the nostalgia of the community while maintaining a modernist aesthetic.
Motion: Motion to approve the preliminary design of glass and metal window shutters by artist Dana Zed for the new Portola Branch Library.
Moved: Rinder/Wilsey
- Ingleside Branch Library
Project Manger Judy Moran presented the revised design development of an iron gate and adjacent fence panels by artist Eric Powell for the exterior of the new Ingleside Branch Library. Ms. Moran said that Mr. Powell had incorporated many of the Commissioners’ suggestions on the previous proposal into this revised design. The new design incorporated ancient Dal writing symbols.
The Commissioners felt that the new design was greatly improved, and more interesting than earlier versions.
Motion: Motion to approve the revised design of a metal gate and adjacent fence panels by artist Eric Powell for the new Ingleside Branch Library.
Moved: Wilsey/Hunter
- Sunnyside Playground
Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented a conceptual design by artist Deborah Kennedy for fence panel inserts and seatwall embedment at Sunnyside Playground. Ms. Macneil stated that Ms. Kennedy, who was chosen from the Public Art Program’s pre-qualified artist pool, is working with a modest budget of thirty five thousand dollars.
Improvements to the park include an updated children’s playground, a small plaza, and a ramp to offer accessibility to the lower level of the clubhouse. Ms. Kennedy proposes to insert water-jet cut steel panels into the guardrail system along the ramp and above the playground. These panels are designed to reference the loops of fiery gases that escape from the surface of the sun, thus picking up on the name of the park. There will be architectural credits as a result of replacing the specified fencing materials, so the art budget will increase to about $40,000. Also, should additional funding be obtained, Ms. Kennedy proposes to embed brass sun designs into the concrete seatwalls in the plaza and playground.
Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual design of artwork by Deborah Kennedy for Sunnyside Playground and authorization to the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist for an amount not to exceed $40,000.
Moved: Hunter/Wilsey
- South East Water Pollution Control Plant
This report was continued to the June meeting.
- Argonne Playground
Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented the final design by artist Joyce Hsu for two insect sculptures to be attached to the entrance gateposts at Argonne Playground. Ms. Macneil reminded the Commissioners that the only change to this design was to include two insect species instead of one.
Motion: Motion to approve the final design of artwork by Joyce Hsu of two insect sculptures to be attached to the entrance gateposts at Argonne Playground.
Moved: Wilsey/Hunter
- Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton and Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented the conceptual design by the artist team of Jon Rubin and Jim Goldberg for artwork at Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center.
Ms. Macneil introduced the artist team of Jim Goldberg and Jon Rubin to the Commissioners. Mr. Goldberg and Mr. Rubin stated that when they first presented their design to the Commissioners, it involved buying, modifying and mounting trophies on the rear wall of the auditorium and enclosing the installation in glass as a way to acknowledge and champion the local community. They have spent several years attempting to complete design development of the three-dimensional proposal with the funding allotted, but were unable to obtain prices that were within their budget, finding that the bulk of their cost would be consumed by the glass enclosure. They finally agreed to modify their proposal in March of this year. The artists will not change the basic concept of the proposal, as they feel the trophies honor the common and local heroes of the community.
The current design will be a wall-size photograph laminated between sheets of glass, although some of the prices for this system are still unknown. The artists propose to use photographs of trophies, and construct an image of interconnected trophies, using the notion of genealogy. This genealogy will begin with Minnie and Lovie Ward, and move out from there, exploring the invisible web of connections that exist in all communities. Using 100 degrees of separation, this original couple will become connected to friends, family, neighbors and community members. This photographic chart may also have a key or a legend, to account for names that may be closer to the top and therefore more difficult to read.
Both artists acknowledged that the biggest stumbling block for them will be timing, as this project has a completion date of February of 2007. The artists proposed the following timeline:
Present-October, 2006: Names collected
November-December 7, 2006 : Image completed
December 8, 2006: Files sent to the manufacturer
January 1, 2007: Delivery and Installation
This revised proposal was well-received by all of the Commissioners. Commissioner Hunter stated that it displays a strong artistic intelligence.
This motion has been revised
Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual design of artwork by Jon Rubin and Jim Goldberg for artwork to be installed at Minnie and Lovie Recreation Center.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
Motion: Motion to approve the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artists for design development, fabrication, transportation, and consultation during the installation of the artwork for an amount not to exceed $120,000.
Moved: Wilsey/Rinder
- Blue Greenway Project
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton presented the Blue Greenway Project: a new pedestrian bicycle path will be built along the South Central waterfront from AT&T Park to Hunter’s Point. This project is a collaboration between the Mayor’s Office of Greening, the Department of Public Works, the Port Commission, the Department of Parking and Traffic, the Neighborhood Parks Council and the Arts Commission. To inaugurate the project and make it a new destination, there was consensus that a temporary art program should be initiated to complement the new project.
As the result of a public competition, three artists were chosen to install sculptures for a six-month period at each of the three sites: Topher Delaney of Seam Studio will create a multi-component installation for Aqua Vista Park, William Wareham will install a brightly painted sculpture at 22nd and Cargo Way, and Pepe Ozan will install several sculptures from the Monicacos series at India Basin.
Ms. Manton explained that the first two artists are installing in locations that are under Port jurisdiction, and do not require Arts Commission approval. Pepe Ozan’s work will be placed on Recreation and Park property, and therefore needs approval from the Arts Commission to proceed.
Pepe Ozan will install a temporary sculpture of work entitled ‘Monicacos’ at India Basin Park for a period starting June 15, 2006, and concluding December 15, 2006. Ms. Manton introduced Leah Cohen from the Mayor’s office. Ms. Cohen stated that the India Basin site is located at the top of a park, and so is visible from the road and the water.
Ms. Manton then introduced artist Pepe Ozan. Mr. Ozan stated that the sculpture was originally conceived to be exhibited at Burning Man. Mr. Ozan stated that the piece is appropriate for the neighborhood, as the name, which translates into ‘Puppets of Hope,’ responded to the theme for this year’s Burning Man, ‘hope and fear.’
Ms. Manton explained that the Mayor’s office will transfer funding to the Arts Commission to enable the Arts Commission to issue a grant of $39,375 to the Neighborhood Parks Council to coordinate the three temporary sculpture projects. This grant, which will be signed by each of the three artists, is a clever and efficient way to ensure that the City’s needs are met through the execution of a single document. The artists will receive 50% of the funding prior to installing artwork, and the balance once the work is removed and the property is restored to its original state. Ms. Cohen added that the Mayor’s office is in full support of this project, and that she is indebted to Ms. Manton, without whom this project would not be possible.
This motion has been revised.
Motion: Motion to approve a grant of $39,375 to the Neighborhoods Parks Council for the coordination and implementation of three temporary sculpture projects to inaugurate the new Blue Greenway Project initiated by the Mayor’s Office.
Moved: Wilsey/Hunter
This motion has been revised.
Motion: Motion to approve the temporary sculpture of work entitled ‘Monicacos’ by artist Pepe Ozan at India Basin Park for a period starting June 15, 2006, and concluding December 15, 2006.
Moved: Hunter/Wilsey
- Rolph Playground/Potrero del Sol Playground
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that the Arts Commission is recommending Isis Rodriguez from the 2005 Pre-Qualified Pool as the artist to perform the design, fabrication and transportation of a two-component artwork for Rolph and Potrero del Sol Playgrounds.
Rolph Playground and Potrero del Sol Playground are located on the east and west sides of Potrero Avenue at 25th Street. The scope of construction for the two projects calls for the renovation of an existing facility, a small addition to a building, replacement of a fence, new playground equipment and the creation of a skateboard park. The artist will be asked to design a pair of sculptural gateways, and possibly, in response to the interest of the community, to create a tile mural on the façade of a building in Potrero del Sol.
The Art Enrichment budget for these two parks is approximately $15,000 each. With a limited budget, Ms. Manton selected the artist from the pre-qualified artists’ pool instead of conducting a more extensive community process. Ms. Manton stated the Ms. Rodriguez is an ideal candidate as she is experienced in both metalwork and tilework, and lived in the neighborhood for many years. Additionally, Ms. Rodriguez did a wonderful job designing the tile mosaics at Parque los Ninos Unidos. She will meet with the community to learn of their concerns and interests prior to commencing work on a design.
Commissioner Przyblyski commented that she is in full support of this pooling of Recreation and Parks funds, but would like to revisit the results of using small budgets to commission functional or ornamental artworks in the future.
Motion: Motion to enter into an agreement with Isis Rodriguez for a total amount of $30,000 for the design, fabrication and transportation of a two-component artwork to be installed at both the Rolph Playground and the Potrero del Sol Playgrounds.
Moved: Wilsey/Hunter
- Moscone Recreation Center
Commissioner Hunter graciously agreed to serve as a Visual Arts Committee representative on the selection panel to take place at a time to be determined.
- Art on Market Street
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton asked that the discussion regarding the Art on Market Street Program be deferred to the next meeting due to the late hour. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that staff could proceed with the Market Street RFP, to which Ms. Manton replied that the new plan that staff was proposing would not include a competition. Instead, staff would create an annual vision for the program, as outlined in the staff report, without a competition. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she liked the idea of an annual plan and staff should proceed to develop one for 2007 to bring to the Commissioners at the June Visual Arts Committee meeting.
- New Business
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton distributed Public Art Project District Reports along with a comprehensive Progress Report representing the collective work of the program to the Commissioners. The district reports represent each of the City Supervisors’ districts, and document Public Art Projects completed or begun between 2003 and 2006. These reports include a short descriptive text and image of the completed artwork. The Progress Report lists all sixty-three public art and collections projects currently in progress.
The District Reports were created with the intent of being distributed to the Board of Supervisors to make them aware of the Art Commission’s activities in each of their districts.
Both reports were very well received by the Commissioners.
- Old Business
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:21 p.m.
5/22/2006
Notices
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94102 during regular business hours. INFO: Ellen Shershow (415) 252-2594.
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