VISUAL
ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Notices
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and
copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Ave, Ste 240,
San Francisco CA 94102 during regular business hours. Tel:
415-252-2594.
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during consideration of the item.
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Minutes
Commissioners Present
Ralph Guggenheim, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, Dugald Stermer;
Absent: Stanlee Gatti, Dede Wilsey.
Staff Present
Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs; Nina Dunbar,
Rupert Jenkins, Jennifer Lovvorn, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy
Moran, Susan Pontious, Kristen Zaremba.
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded
otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:08 p.m.
- Consent
- Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to
enter into contract with Art Rail, Inc., which is the artist
team of Bill and Mary Buchen, for the fabrication,
transportation and consultation during installation of artworks
for the Third Street Light Rail Project for an amount not to
exceed $600,000 (Six hundred thousand dollars).
- Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to
enter into contract with the Artist Team of Horace Washington,
Frederick Hayes, and JoeSam for the fabrication, transportation
and consultation during installation of artwork for the Third
Street Light Rail Project for an amount not to exceed $450,000
(Four hundred and fifty thousand dollars).
- Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to
enter into contract with the Artist Team of Nobuho Nagasawa and
Anita Margrill for the fabrication, transportation and
consultation during installation of artwork for the Third
Street Light Rail Project for an amount not to exceed $400,000
(Four hundred thousand dollars).
- Motion to approve the mural design by Ali Vieira and Luis
Hernandez with youth from Urban ArtWORKS at Marshall Elementary
School playground, 1575 15th Street funded by Neighborhood
Beautification.
- Motion to approve temporary poster display in the windows
of the Performing Arts Garage as proposed by the Department of
Parking and Traffic.
Motion: Motion to adopt the
consent calendar items.
Moved: Solomon/Stermer
- Gallery
Gallery Director Rupert Jenkins reported that the May 7 reception
for current City Hall exhibitions was a great success and very
well attended. The exhibitions, which feature three different
types of subject matter, will be on view through July 6. They are:
Something in Common, photographs by contemporary Chinese
photographers, War and Peace: An Afghan Journey,
photographs by Pia Torelli, Teen Posters: Safe Jobs for
Youth!, Where We Are Now: Teens in the Workplace,
photographs by Rebecca Letz, and Let Children Be Children:
Lewis Wickes Hine's Crusade Against Child Labor.
Mr. Jenkins continued his report by announcing that Power &
Affection, a solo exhibition of new work by Ulrika Andersson
curated by Natasha Garcia-Lomas opens on Friday, May 23. He
invited the Commissioners to attend a reception for the show on
that evening, 6 - 8 pm. Mr. Jenkins stated that with this
exhibition Andersson has made great use of the gallery space. She
has painted murals in the space referencing love-song lyrics as
well as installing a number of drawings along with her versions of
pop-culture merchandise such as posters, t-shirts and records.
Mr. Jenkins concluded his report by announcing that the deadline
for Construct 3 has just passed and that the proposals will
be judged on June 3rd at the gallery. Mr. Jenkins welcomed the
Commissioners to observe that process. He added that the gallery
received 85 submissions. Mr. Jenkins attributes the good number of
submissions to the fact that financial support is being offered
for the winning proposals.
- Collections
There was no Collections report.
- Ocean View Recreation Center
Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented the conceptual sketch by
artists Jon Rubin and Jim Goldberg for an artwork at the Minnie
and Lovie Ward Recreation Center. Ms. Macneil explained that the
artists are proposing what amounts to a floor to ceiling trophy
case along the interior back wall of the Center's Meeting Room.
Each trophy will be in a separate, individually lit case. The
trophies will be altered so that the individual figures will be
normal people. There are still potential problems with durability
and maintenance to be resolved. Ms. Macneil stated that the
Department of Recreation and Parks would like the commissioned
work to not require any maintenance. The artists have explored
encasing the figures in acrylic, but it is too expensive.
Plexiglass would scratch too easily so the likely material will be
glass. Because the trophy case would have a glass front there may
be some maintenance required. Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon
stated that the new proposal was not as exciting as the artists'
first one. Staff explained that in addition to strong opposition
from the community and architects to the original proposal, the
idea was probably not viable because of the cost of an attachment
system and the durability of the proposed material.
Motion: Motion to approve the
concept by artists Jon Rubin and Jim Goldberg for a work of art at
the Ocean View Recreation Center.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Recreation and Park Department Bond Projects 2003
Pre-Qualified Artist Pool
Project Manager Tonia Macneil reported that a Recreation and Park
Artist Selection Panel had selected 25 artists to be added to the
existing pre-qualified pool of artists eligible for a series of
upcoming Recreation and Park projects. Last September the
Commissioners approved the first pool of artists for a term of one
year. That term, originally planned to expire in September, has
been extended for an additional year, until September of 2004.
Because the budgets for upcoming Recreation and Park Department
projects are much larger, staff decided to solicit for a new group
of artists to be added to the current group for a term lasting
through September 2004. The pool now includes 58 pre-qualified
artists. Ms. Macneil reminded the Commissioners that inclusion in
the artist pool does not guarantee that an artist will be awarded
a commission. Based on the recently approved Artist Selection
Guidelines for the Recreation and Park projects, project managers
will curate artists from the pre-qualified pool to present to
community-based selection panels for each new project site. These
panels will in turn make specific recommendations of project
artists to the Visual Arts Committee. Most of the artists will be
recommended on the basis of an interview, rather than a
proposal.
Ms. Macneil showed slides from each artist candidate and asked for
approval of the panel's recommendation of the Recreation and Park
Department Bond Projects Pre-Qualified Artist Pool.
Motion: Motion to approve the
following artists recommended by the selection panel for the 2003
Recreation and Park Pre-qualified artist pool: Deborah G. Ascheim;
Michael Bondi; Robin Brailsford; Mark Brest van Kempen; Judith and
Daniel Caldwell; Jordan De Staebler; Roberto L. Delgado; Todd
Gray; Tina Hoggatt and Norman Courtney; Joyce Hsu; David Joyce;
Miles Karpilow; Deborah Kennedy and Bill Gould; Mark Lere; Cork
Marcheschi; Anita Margrill; Brad Miller; Masayuki Nagase; Will
Nettleship; Ruth O'Day; Irene Pijoan; John Pugh; Darryl Sapien;
Paul Sorey; Kana Tanaka; Banker White.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Art on Market Street Temporary Projects 2003
Project Manager Judy Moran presented the two artist teams and
their proposals recommended by the selection panel for the Art on
Market Street Temporary Projects 2003 Program. Those are: Wowhaus,
with artists Scott Constable and Ene Osteras-Constable, and their
proposal for Life on Market Street: An Audio Archive; and Jo
Kreiter's Fly Away Productions, and her proposal for How to Be a
Citizen. Ms. Moran explained that this recently revived program
sponsors artists to create temporary projects on Market Street
that are specifically about Market Street. She stated that there
were 39 applications and added that the low number of responses is
likely due to the fact that the application required an extensive
proposal.
The proposal by Wowhaus is to create an audio piece based on
interviews with people who work on Market Street. The artists
propose to create a mobile recording and broadcasting studio that
will be parked at various sites on Market Street. An edited
version of the audio archive will be distributed two ways: via a
low-frequency radio broadcast to buildings near the site of the
mobile studio, and through the distribution of a CD of the audio
archive accompanied by a map that indicates the related sites for
each interview. She presented slides of past work by Wowhaus
including the following projects: experimental architecture for
small and mobile spaces, design and fabrication of the kitchen
interior at Martin Luther King, Jr. School's Edible Schoolyard,
and Family Roots, a photography project about urban
gardens.
Jo Kreiter's proposal, which is to create a twenty-minute dance
piece entitled How to be a Citizen, will be performed two
to five times on a platform at the plaza at Embarcadero and
Market. The performances will occur at a time of day when the
plaza is busy - either during the lunch hour or at 5 PM. Ms. Moran
stated that the dance piece is about the history of protests along
Market Street. In addition to the ten dancers working with Jo
Kreiter, artist Lalo Cervantes is constructing the platform and
performer/composer Pamela Z is creating the score. Ms. Moran
presented a video excerpt from a past dance performance by Jo
Krieter which featured an aerial performance on the side of the
Muni Garage on Harrison and Alameda Streets.
Motion: Motion to approve Wowhaus,
with artists Scott Constable and Ene Osteras-Constable, and their
proposal for Life on Market Street: An Audio Archive, and
Jo Kreiter's Fly Away Productions, and her proposal for How to
Be a Citizen, as recommended by the Selection Panel for the
Art on Market Street Temporary Projects 2003 Program.
Moved: Solomon/Stermer
Motion: Motion to authorize the
Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Wowhaus
artists Scott Constable and Ene Osteras-Constable to implement
Life on Market Street: An Audio Archive, for an amount not
to exceed $15,000, for the Art on Market Street Temporary Projects
2003 Program.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
Motion: Motion to authorize the
Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Jo
Kreiter of Fly Away Productions to implement How to Be a
Citizen, for an amount not to exceed $21,700, for the Art on
Market Street Temporary Projects 2003 Program.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Airport
Project Manager Susan Pontious reported on the installation
of Pohina by Deborah Butterfield in Boarding Area C at the
San Francisco Airport. Ms. Pontious stated that the sculpture was
successfully installed with the work being done during slow hours
at the airport: 10 PM to 2 AM. She presented digital images of the
sculpture in its new site and explained that although the piece
looks as if it were made of driftwood, it is in fact made of
bronze. The base for the sculpture is a laminate over wood. Ms.
Pontious added that the Airport loves the piece.
Ms. Pontious reported that the Airport Art Steering Committee
would like to acquire additional artworks to locate along the
concourse at the entry of each gate. At their last meeting the
Steering Committee considered the work of six artists from Airport
Pre-Qualified Pool and selected the work of three artists. The
committee felt that two Tall Dango ceramic sculptures by
Jun Kaneko would make nice entryway sentries. They also selected
Anemone, a kinetic sculpture by Werner Klotz. Ms. Pontious
presented a video clip showing the movement of the piece. She
added that the settings for the sensors that trigger the motor
would still need to be determined. Finally, the committee selected
a proposal by Michael Stutz for a work entitled Cardboard
Kore. The sculpture is based on the classical Greek figure of
a Kore and would be executed in brightly colored cardboard. She
stated that the cost to acquire these art pieces is less than what
the budget allows. Ms. Pontious stated that if approved by the
Arts Commission these proposed pieces must also be approved by the
Airport Commission.
Explanatory Document: Minutes
from the Airport Art Steering Committee
Motion: Motion to approve the
following purchases/commissions of artwork pending Airport
approval: 1) Purchase of Tall Dango 00-8-21 and Tall
Dango 02-08-04, by Jun Kaneko for $63,900 each.; 2) Commission
Cardboard Kore by Michael Stutz for $33,000; and 3)
Commission Anemone by Werner Klotz for $62,500, pending
satisfaction of maintenance issues and installation
feasibility.
Moved: Solomon/Stermer
Ms. Pontious reported that Lewis deSoto had completed his design
development for the proposed sound piece entitled In the
Air. She explained that Lewis deSoto's piece, which consists
of a two to three note score that would be triggered to play just
before public announcements, was designed to give San Francisco
Airport an audio identity. The software technology needed to
enable this piece does exist, but it would cost at least $100,00
to upgrade the Airport's existing system to be compatible with the
new software. Ms. Pontious stated that she could not recommend
spending that amount of money to upgrade the Airport's system and
reported that the Airport Art Steering Committee recommends
declining the proposal.
Motion: Motion to decline further
development of In the Air by Lewis deSoto.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
Ms. Pontious reported that she presented to the Port Commission
the proposed installation of Robert Arneson's Yin and Yang
at the Embarcadero across the street from the north end of the
Ferry Building. At the meeting one of the Port Commissioners
stated that in order for an artwork to be appropriate for Port
property it should reference a maritime theme or labor issue. The
item was postponed to the next Port Commission meeting. Ms.
Pontious stated that by approving this proposal, the Arts
Commission could send a positive message to the Port Commission
that may encourage them to support the proposal. Ms. Pontious
added that the Port's Community Advisory Committee has already
approved the proposal.
Motion: Motion to approve the long
term temporary installation of Yin and Yang by Robert
Arneson in the circular planter located at the center of the
walkway west of the northern Ferry Building cross walk, on the
west side of the Embarcadero adjacent to Seawall Lot 202 pending
Port approval.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Laguna Honda Hospital
Project Manager Susan Pontious reported that she met with the
Laguna Honda Hospital Community Advisory Committee and presented
to them the proposed new artwork. She explained that the committee
was very critical of the selected artwork and felt that it was too
contemporary. Ms. Pontious added that Larry Funk, Executive
Administrator at Laguna Honda Hospital suggested that she organize
a series of events for the artists to present their work to the
Hospital's residents. To date there have been two of these artist
presentations and both have been very successful. There are
thirteen artists yet to present. Commissioner Guggenheim suggested
that due to the number of artists perhaps not all of them need
present to the residents. Ms. Pontious stated that although the
presentations require a lot of work, they are a good forum for
dealing with any problems that residents may have with the
artwork.
- Moscone Center Expansion Project
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the status
of the Diller + Scofidio project. She stated that the screen
should be installed at the beginning of June - either on the 3rd
or the 10th. She added that the problem with the screen not moving
around the corner of the building has been corrected. Presently
Pol-X West, the project engineer is trying to determine exactly
how the problems were remedied. Additionally, the engineer is
taking as-built measurements of the armature's mountings for the
screen to ensure that there is not a discrepancy between the
mountings on the armature and those on the screen. Ms. Manton
stated that the weight of the festooning arm, which holds the
cables that attach to the armature, has made grooves on the
protective asphalt pads on the roof. Commissioner Guggenheim
stated that it seems like the project was not well engineered if
it is having problems such as turning the corner, supporting its
weight and moving. Ms. Manton stated that this project is an
invention and such problems could not have been foreseen. Ms.
Manton added that Amelco, the Moscone Center Expansion Project
electrician will be doing the electrical work for the Diller +
Scofidio project.
Ms. Manton reported on the pending dispensation of the State Board
of Equalization regarding the payment of sales tax. Ms. Manton was
notified that the case has been reassigned to someone at the State
Board of Equalization who has the time to work on it. The Arts
Commission has requested a formal report that can be presented at
the next Commission meeting on June 2nd. Ms. Manton explained that
these funds were supposed to constitute the maintenance reserve
for this project.
Ms. Manton stated that a formal agreement needs to be made with
the Moscone Center regarding the use of the screen. Because the
screen is part of the artwork, it cannot be used for any
commercial purposes, which will entirely preclude its use by the
lessees of the Convention Center. She will inform the
Commissioners when the screen will be installed. Ms. Manton stated
that final production for the video cannot be completed until the
screen is installed. The timing of the moving shots needs to be
calibrated with the movement of the screen.
Finally, Ms. Manton reported that a licensing agreement is
currently being negotiated with Google for the ongoing use of
Google data for the scrolling, interior-facing alphanumeric text.
It is yet to be determined whether the licensing agreement will be
between Google and the City of San Francisco, or between Google
and Diller + Scofidio.
- New Business
As an item of new business, Public Art Program Director Jill
Manton reported that she has determined that there is Art
Enrichment funding associated with the new Academy of Sciences
building. Initially, she was told that the project did not qualify
for Art Enrichment. After pursuing the matter she was informed
that the project does qualify and that the Art Enrichment funding
would be 1.3 to 1.5 million dollars. Ms. Manton added that the
Manager of the Bond Program at the Recreation and Park Department,
Gary Hoy recently sent her a copy of the bond which indicates that
the Arts Commission may be entitled to even more funding. Mr. Hoy
obtained this information through his former membership on the
City's Capital Improvement Advisory Committee. Ms. Manton added
that it has been difficult to initiate work on this project. She
has requested information regarding the potential art
opportunities associated with this project, but she has been
dissuaded from beginning the process of recruiting artists until
she has met with the project architect Renzo Piano. She stated
that this meeting has been postponed a number of times. The
project manager has indicated that architect would like
environmental or kinetic artworks that deal with water and wind to
be located at the major axial approaches to the building. Director
of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth stated that there has been a
problem overall with the Academy of Sciences project not seeking
approval from the Arts Commission at the appropriate junctures in
their process.
As an additional item of new business, Public Art Program
Director Jill Manton announced that there will be a major new
Public Art project - the Central Subway. This subway is the second
half of the 3rd Street Light Rail connecting it to downtown. The
Central Subway will include four new underground stations. Each
station will have a unique look that responds to the specific
neighborhood where it is located. The Art Enrichment budget may be
six to eight million dollars. Ms. Manton stated that she is
beginning to research public art in subway stations. She and
Public Art Project Manager Judy Moran toured the MTA in Los
Angeles where there are a number of architecturally integrated art
projects. She added that she will plan to meet with a Public Art
Officer while she is in Paris this summer to research their subway
stations. Ms. Manton stated that this item will be on next month's
agenda and she welcomed Commissioners to share their ideas at that
meeting.
As an additional item of new business, Ms. Pontious announced
that as part of the Sculpture in the City events there will be a
reception to celebrate the completion of Vito Acconci's Light
Beams for the Sky of a Transfer Corridor, and Ned Kahn's
Wind Portal on Thursday, June 26th at the Airport. She
thanked Commissioner Stermer for his thoughtful introduction at
the reception for the projects at the Zoo.
- Old Business
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
5:00 p.m.
Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program
Assistant
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs,
5/28/03
5/28/03