Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present
Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, Dugald Stermer, Dede Wilsey; Absent: Stanlee Gatti, Ralph Guggenheim.
Staff Present
Nina Dunbar, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Debra Lehane, Jennifer Lovvorn, Tonia Macneil, Susan Pontious.
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:10 p.m.
- Consent
- Motion to approve a revised plaque to commemorate Russian Sailors to be placed on Russian Hill as a gift from the United Humanitarian Mission with support from the Government of the Russian Federation .
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
Moved: Solomon/Wilsey
- Collections Report
There was no Collections Report.
- West Portal Clubhouse
Project Manager Nina Dunbar presented the conceptual design for the artwork at the new West Portal Clubhouse. Ms. Dunbar explained that artist's concept is based on a “secret garden” theme as expressed through flora and fauna motifs. The artist proposes to create an artwork with three elements: a sculpted tile design for the building's north and east exterior walls, a colored concrete and ceramic pad at the door area, and painted accent floor tiles for the interior.
The Commissioners liked the color scheme for the artwork but recommended that the artist alter the layout of the exterior tiles to be more compatible with the geometry of the building's architecture. Commissioners Solomon and Stermer suggested that the artist consider a layout that forms a classical frieze-like band that wraps around the building just below the roofline. Commissioners thought the random placement of floor tiles was not effective and preferred that the artist use the floor tiles as a border or that they be eliminated. Ms. Dunbar said that she would ask the artist to propose some alternative layouts for the committee's review for the November or December Visual Arts Committee meeting.
Motion: Motion to approve artist Aileen Barr’s conceptual design with modifications as per the Visual Arts Committee’s recommendations for artwork at the new West Portal Clubhouse.
Moved: Solomon/Wilsey
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with the artist Aileen Barr for design development, fabrication and installation of the approved design for an amount not to exceed $17,000.
Moved: Wilsey/Solomon
- Visitacion Valley Clubhouse Project Completion
There was no report for the Visitacion Valley Clubhouse project.
The following motion was continued.
Motion: Motion to approve final payment to artist Victor Mario Zaballa in an amount to be negotiated with the City Attorney.
- Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center
Project Manager Tonia Macneil reported on the progress of the Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center project. She stated that the Bureau of Architecture, the architect and the artists have come to an agreement that the current proposed design is sufficiently resolved, although the artwork budget is extremely tight. Ms. Macneil presented a mock-up of a mounted trophy and explained that the trophy figures will be replaced with generic male and female figures. Commissioners questioned the effectiveness of the use of generic figures with text on plaques in communicating the artists' message. There was concern that only a few of the texts would be read before people lost interest and the artists' intention to inspire OMI residents would be quickly lost. However, Commissioners agreed that the artists’ proposal was very strong nonetheless. Staff agreed to communicate the Commissioners' concerns to the artists. Ms. Macneil added that she has asked the artists to paint the background with a color other than black. Civic Art Collection Program Director Debra Lehane recommended that the artists use eggshell surface paint so that it can be washed.
Motion: Motion to approve design development, construction documents and mock-up for Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center.
Moved: Solomon/Wilsey
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with the artists Jim Goldberg and Jon Rubin for fabrication and installation of the approved design for an amount not to exceed $130,000.
Moved: Wilsey/Solomon
- Moscone Center Expansion Project
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the progress of the Diller + Scofidio project at Moscone Center. She stated that the president of Multimedia has spoken with the president of Sheedy Crane. Sheedy Crane may have agreed to pay for some of the modules that were damaged as a result of the accident in which one of the armature legs slipped and fell several feet off the track. Ms. Manton reminded Commissioners that the roof elevation varies to provide drainage, which makes the movement of the festooning arm difficult as it moves along the roof. Pol-X is currently designing a level elevated track along which the festooning arm would travel. Ms. Manton added that the video is almost complete.
- New Central Subway Start-Up and Planning
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported that she has met with Muni to discuss the start-up and planning related to the new Central Subway. The Central Subway will connect Chinatown to the Caltrain Station and the Third Street Light Rail with stops at Clay and Stockton, Union Square, the Moscone Center, PacBell Stadium and South Park. The new subway will have substantial art enrichment with an estimated budget of $8 to $10 million. Ms. Manton expects that schematic designs will commence early next year. Meanwhile, she is developing an art enrichment plan and is seeking ideas and recommendations from the Commissioners.
- Academy of Sciences Start Up
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported that she had joined Stanlee Gatti and Nancy Gonchar in a meeting with the California Academy of Sciences Executive Director Pat Kociolek last spring. In response to the Academy’s concerns, Ms. Manton has developed a Memorandum of Understanding that defines how the Arts Commission and the Academy of Sciences will proceed with the art enrichment project. It specifies that an art steering committee will be created to select the artwork and have oversight over its implementation. The committee will be comprised of a curator from the Fine Arts Museum, an Arts Commissioner, a representative from the Academy and the architectural firm, as well as two other arts professionals: one to be nominated by the Arts Commission and one to be nominated by the Academy. Commissioner Stermer volunteered to serve on this committee as the Commission representative. Ms. Manton added that she has been working with the City Attorney’s office to determine whether the 1995 bond was subject to art enrichment. The attorney has determined that under the previous City Ordinance up to 2% of the construction budget is to be used for art enrichment. This has been communicated to the Academy Team.
- New Business
- Old Business
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Assistant
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs , 10/27/03
10/27/2003
Notices
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 240, San Francisco CA 94102 during regular business hours. Tel: INFO: (Jennifer Lovvorn 415-252-2594).
Public comment in regard to specific items will be taken before or during consideration of the item.
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