SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
3 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco, CA 94102

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Minutes

1.            Roll Call

Commissioners Present:
President Beltran
Commissioner Chew
Commissioner Keehn, Chair

Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Silverman
Commissioner Sklar

The meeting commenced at 3:27 p.m.

2.            Public Comment
Discussion

Richard Rothman spoke against a set aside proposed by District 2 Supervisor Mark Farrell. He also commented on the murals at the Mother’s Building.

Commissioner Keen announced that Item # 10 would be moved to Item # 6.

3.            Consent Calendar
Action

1.            Motion to approve the mural design Don’t Dump Oil, at 1449 Mendell Street. The proposed mural is 25 feet by 100 feet. The project is sponsored by Bayview Opera House and funded by the Department of the Environment (“SF Environment”) and California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (“CalRecycle”).

2.            Motion to approve the mural design Bee Sting, by artist Shawn Bullen at 342 Hayes Street. The proposed mural is 30 feet by 40 feet. The project is sponsored by San Francisco Beautiful and is funded by a Community Challenge Grant.

3.            Motion to rescind RESOLUTION NO. 0706-15-195: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Joseph Kosuth for the development of a preliminary design proposal for the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Public Art Trust project in an amount not to exceed $25,000.

4.            Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Joseph Kosuth for the development of a preliminary design proposal for the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Public Art Trust project in an amount not to exceed $30,000 which includes a $5,000 reimbursable allowance for approved expenses.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar items.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

4.            Laguna Honda Hospital Mural
Susan Pontious
Action

Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious presented a proposed mural design to be located on a wall along the main pedestrian entrance to Laguna Honda Hospital. She explained that the artists had worked with the Hospital staff and the local community to gather input on the design, which has been received favorably. Ms. Pontious stated that Arts Commission staff felt the mural would improve the appearance of the wall and recommends that the Committee approve it.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

David Pilpel spoke in support of the mural and stated that it would enhance the environment. He asked if the Hospital had remaining Art Enrichment funds to be set aside for maintenance of the mural. Ms. Pontious said that no remaining Art Enrichment funds remained, but that the Hospital has committed to maintaining the mural and removing graffiti.

Rick Johnson spoke in support the mural.

Commissioner Keehn emphasized that there is a process by which the Arts Commission approves art public art on civic buildings. She noted that this particular project should have involved the Arts Commission at an earlier stage in order to keep with the policies and protocols of the city. She stated that the Arts Commission should be contacted at the start of all projects moving forward. President Beltran agreed.

Motion: Motion to approve the mural design Celebrating 150 Years of Compassionate, Dedicated Service to the Community, by artists Elaine Chu and Yukako Ezoe Onodera at Laguna Honda Hospital at 375 Laguna Honda Boulevard. The proposed mural is 5 feet by 200 feet. The project is sponsored by the Precita Eyes Muralists Association, Inc. and funded by Tides Foundation, Zellerbach Foundation, Fleishacker Foundation, Laguna Honda Hospital and an individual donor.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

5.            Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project
Mary Chou with Scott Oliver
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou presented the revised colors for Scott Oliver's artwork Points of Departure, for the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project. In response to concerns previously expressed by the Committee about the color scheme, cohesion, and readability of the artwork elements, Mr. Oliver has revised his design. Mr. Oliver explained that he replaced green elements with a blue palette to distinguish it from the surrounding trees. He also showed design images demonstrating the legibility of the text at the top of the posts, and the unity of the three different posts by their form and typography.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve revised colors (part of conceptual design) for Scott Oliver's artwork Points of Departure, for the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

6.            Randall Museum – Ben Trautman
Justine Topfer
Action

Project Manager Justine Topfer presented the Conceptual Design phase deliverables for and artwork by Ben Trautman for the Randall Museum Redesign Project. The artist is proposing a large scale mobile sculpture resembling a bird that will be suspended in the foyer and entrance to the museum. Mr. Trautman presented a mockup of the artwork and explained how the kinetic mechanisms and materials were still being determined.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables by Ben Trautman for the Randall Museum Redesign project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

7.            Change in Committee Meeting Location
Zoë Taleporos
Action

Program Associate Zoë Taleporos stated that due to the relocation of the Arts Commission office to 401 Van Ness Avenue, the Visual Arts Committee will now meet at that location, Room 125, for its monthly meeting.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Resolved that, pursuant to Administrative Code Section 67.6(a), the Visual Arts Committee hereby confirms that, effective October 1, 2015, its regular meetings shall occur at 3:00 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at 401 Van Ness Avenue, in Room 125.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

8.            Fire Station #5
Marcus Davies
Action

Project Manager Marcus Davies presented the revised Project Outline for Fire Station #5. He noted that due to architectural design changes, the artwork opportunity has been relocated to the curtain wall where a two-dimensional design may be architecturally integrated into glass. Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny asked if drills and other uses of the building would potentially damage the artwork. Mr. Davies said that the artwork would be safe if architecturally integrated into a durable glass.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the revised Project Outline for Fire Station #5.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

9.            McKinley Monument
Allison Cummings/Anne Marie Purkey Levine
Action

Project Manager Anne Marie Purkey Levine presented the conceptual design for a custom black galvanized metal fence to be installed at the top of the steps of the McKinley monument to protect the sculpture from repeated vandalism. Ms. Purkey Levine noted that design leaves the bottom steps available for community members to use as a meeting point. She also noted that the fence includes an access gate so maintenance and conservation work may be performed when necessary. Ms. Purkey Levine added that the monument will also receive a seismic retrofit and comprehensive conservation treatment as part of the project. Ms. Pontious added that the fence is removable should social conditions change in the area.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual design of a black galvanized metal fence at the top of the steps of Robert Ingersoll Aitken’s William McKinley, 1904, a historic monument of bronze, granite and marble (SFAC Accession Number 1904.2.a-b) approximately 34 feet tall by 42 feet diameter, located on the Baker Street entrance to the Golden Gate Park Panhandle.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

10.          General Hospital Acute Care Building

A. Plaza
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Senior Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn reported that the following the death of artist Anna Valentina Murch the responsibility for completing her project was stipulated by contract to fall to her husband Douglas Hollis. However, in order for Mr. Hollis to complete the work, the Arts Commission will have to enter into contract with him for the remainder of the project so that the payments can be made in his name.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Douglas Hollis for an amount not to exceed $333,373 for the completion of the artwork project by Anna Valentina Murch for the General Hospital Acute Care Building: Plaza.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

B. Floor 4
Marcus Davies
Action

Mr. Davies presented the completed artwork by Stephen Galloway as installed at General Hospital Acute Care Building: Floor 4. He described the artwork as glass corridor panels with a film interlayer.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the completed glass with polyester film interlayer artwork, titled Redbud Redux Suite, 2015, by Stephen Galloway as installed in the General Hospital Acute Care Building, Floor 4.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

C. Entry Loby
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented the completed artwork by Rupert Garcia for the lobby of the General Hospital Acute Care Building. She described the artwork as two ceramic mosaics and the terrazzo floor.

Director DeCaigny congratulated the staff and stated that the projects were exemplary of a hospital artwork program.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion:  Motion to approve the completed installation of two mosaic murals and terrazzo floor design by Rupert Garcia in the lobby of the General Hospital Acute Care Unit.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

11.          San Francisco International Airport: Administrative Complex
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented the public art plan for the San Francisco International Airport Administrative Complex. She noted that the complex is located to the north of the airport on McDonnell Road and will eventually include a new parking structure and two additional administrative buildings. She noted several opportunities for artwork including: an outdoor sculpture; two-dimensional artwork for the interior public spaces; or a gateway piece for the intersection of McDonnell and West Field roads.

Commissioner Keehn asked if the funds could be used to commission and artwork for another location at the airport that was more publicly accessible. Ms. Pontious agreed that the opportunities were not hugely public areas, but they did offer some degree of visibility. She added that some of the Art Enrichment funding should be spent on art for this location. Commissioners Keehn and Beltran advised Ms. Pontious to consolidate funds for fewer but more impactful artworks.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Approval of the public art plan for the San Francisco International Airport Administrative Complex.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

12.          Windsor Hotel Mural
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented a proposed mural design for façade of the Windsor Hotel overlooking Boeddeker Park. Director DeCaigny clarified that while the mural is proposed for private property, it requires approval from the Arts Commission because it is partially funded with public money. Commissioner Keehn asked who will be responsible for maintaining the mural. Lauren Holland, the building’s property manager, said the hotel will be responsible for the mural’s maintenance.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Betty Trainer, a member of Friends of Boeddeker Park, spoke in support of the mural.

Motion: Motion to approve the mural design Everyone Deserves a Home, by artists Antoine Marnata and Roberto Gonzalez to be painted on a mural site located at 238 Eddy Street. The proposed mural is 70 feet by 110 feet. The project is sponsored by DISH SF and funded by a Community Challenge Grant, DISH SF, First Amendment Gallery (“1AM”), and individual donations.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

13.          New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

Senior Registrar Allison Cummings reported that Ms. Purkey Levine will be leaving the Arts Commission this month. She listed Ms. Purkey Levine’s numerous accomplishments while at the Arts Commission including: the completion of the Civic Art Collection inventory; management of over 30 projects, overseeing vandalism abatement, and participating in the plan for future care of the collection. Ms. Cummings stated that Ms. Purkey Levine’s expertise and comradery will be deeply missed.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was no public comment.

14.          Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:29 p.m.

ZT 9/30/2015 4:38 p.m.

Notices

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost.
For assistance, please notify Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

我們將為閣下提供免費的書面翻譯資料和口譯服務。
如需協助，Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita.
Para asistencia, notifique a Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si a Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.