The meeting commenced at 3:06 p.m.
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Consent Calendar
1. Motion to approve a mural by artist Mona Caron covering two walls of a building at 86-98 Golden Gate Avenue at Jones Street in collaboration with youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco and the Community Arts Studio. The mural will depict the history of the neighborhood as well as the Southeast Asian community that currently resides in the area.
2. Motion to approve the following artists as recommended by the Central Subway Artist Pool Selection Panel as additions to the Central Subway Artist Pool to be eligible candidates for Central Subway Public Art Program art opportunities: Seyed Alavi, Tomie Arai, Lawrence Argent, Alice Aycock, Ron Baron, JD Beltran and Scott Minneman, Jonathan Bonner, Bill and Mary Buchen, Kendall Buster, Ed Carpenter, Chusien Chang, Jackie Chang, Jackie Ferrara, Bill Fontana, Karen Ganz, Cliff Garten, Brian Goggin, Douglas Hall, Nancy Hom, Yumei Hou and Cai Hong Zhao, Joyce Hsu, Michio Ihara, Yunfei Ji, Ilya and Emilia Kabakov, Kenneth Lum, Wang Po Shu and Louise Bertelsen, Erwin Redl, Kent Roberts, John Roloff and Lewis deSoto, May Sun, Hank Thomas and Ryan Alexiev, Brian Tolle, Catherine Wagner, Flo Oy Wong, Rene Yung, and Faye Zhang.
3. Motion to approve the following artists as recommended by the Branch Library Improvement Program Artist Pool Selection Panel as part of the pre-qualified pool for projects at four branch libraries in San Francisco: Susan Adame, Adeyinka Adeyemi, Seyed Alavi, Steven Allen, Susannah Bettag, Freddy Chandra, Mei-Chu Chang, Marion Coleman, Susan Felter, Sheila Ghidini, Todd Gilens, Mark Grieve, Gerald Heffernon, Joyce Hsu, Alexandre Koulouris, Dorothy Lenehan, Cork Marcheschi, Anita Margrill, Fran Martin and Jim Growden, Patricia Montgomery, Elsa Murray, Ene Osteraas-Constable and Scott Constable, Johanna Poethig, Samantha Renko, Jim Rosenau, Catherine Schmid-Maybach, Kathryn Schnell, Les Seymour, Arthur Stern, Barbara Szerlip, Amy Trachtenberg, Ann Weber, Lena Wolff, and Debey Zito.
4. Motion to approve the inclusion of the following artists in a pre-qualified pool for projects at Terminal Two at San Francisco International Airport: Seyed Alavi, Terry Allen, Lawrence Argent, Dan Corson, Jim Hirshfield, Ray King, Sheila Klein, Michio Ihara, Anna Murch and Doug Hollis, George Peters and Melanie Walker, Jody Pinto, Charles Sowers, May Sun, Catherine Wagner, and Nikolas Weinstein.
5. Motion to approve the six final designs for the Art on Market Street Project by Briana Miller and Thien Pham titled The Mighty Defender and the Unsung Hero, to be reproduced and installed in 24 kiosks on Market Street from December 22, 2008 to March 19, 2009.
Commissioner Przyblyski requested public comment regarding the Consent Calendar items. Emma Mankin introduced herself as a San Francisco-based art student whose grandfather was, and whose father currently is, a working artist in San Francisco. Ms. Mankin stated that while both she and her father, Daniel Macchiarini, submitted applications for the Central Subway Artist Pool, neither of them was selected for the pool. She asked Commissioners if the Arts Commission was committed to supporting artists who live and/or work in San Francisco or if the organization had its own agenda.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the Visual Arts Committee typically does not discuss public comments during the meeting, but takes the comments under advisement. She then explained that as a professor, she has many students who are interested in creating public artworks. As larger city commissions are complicated in terms of the level of competitiveness and the process of completing contracts, her advice to her students is to gain experience by creating local, temporary public artworks with organizations such as Southern Exposure. Project Manager Judy Moran stated that for the Central Subway Call for Artists, extensive outreach was conducted to artists and art organizations throughout the Bay Area, which included two artist workshops and a CaFÉ workshop in collaboration with the Alameda Public Art Program.
Commissioner Johnston stated that in regards to this topic, he has heard opinions ranging from limiting commissions to only local artists, to making no particular effort to providing opportunities to San Francisco-based artists. He stated that the Arts Commission staff has expressed its opinion about the topic in past Commission meetings, which are well-documented in the minutes.
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
Moved: Wilsey/Johnston
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Gallery
Ms. Shiffler stated that Mr. Fontana had to leave for another appointment and therefore could not present an excerpt from his new sound work titled Spiraling Echoes: A Sound Sculpture for the Rotunda of San Francisco City Hall. She stated that the project has approached a contractual milestone and proposed that Mr. Fontana make a presentation at the December full Commission meeting. She reminded Commissioners to RSVP for a sound test that Mr. Fontana will conduct on December 20 for staff in City Hall. Ms. Shiffler also announced that the exhibition date has been postponed to February 12, 2009 and she will coordinate this new date with other people’s schedules.
Commissioner Johnston agreed to a sound presentation during the December or January full Commission meeting, depending on schedule.
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San Francisco International Airport – Terminal Two
Public Art Program Deputy Director Susan Pontious explained that artist Janet Echelman would present her proposal via Skype for a new artwork for Terminal Two at San Francisco International Airport (“SFO”).
Ms. Echelman began by stating that she was presenting a preliminary concept for her work at the Airport and that she welcomes all input from the team as the concept develops. She first presented the work She Changes, completed in 2005. The piece is 150 feet in diameter, and was designed to not block views of the ocean, and to withstand hurricane winds, pollution and sea salt. She then presented her project called the Richmond Oval, a Vancouver 2010 Winter Games venue, which most resembles what she is proposing for the new terminal. Ms. Echelman stated that the project is an experiential, all-encompassing work that brings people from the street to the waterfront and encourages people to linger and stay. Ms. Echelman then presented images of her proposal for the new SFO terminal, stating that her goal was to create one interconnected space that unifies the Recomposure Area with the Gate Area. Based on the concept of air-ocean and the idea of making visible the fluidity of air, her proposal consists of sculptural elements, inspired by airships and sea ships, suspended from the ceiling and possibly incorporated into the floor design.
Architect Terence Young of Gensler Architects stated that the forms are interesting and open to interpretation but he wondered about the shift from atmosphere and weather patterns to the underwater. He suggested that Ms. Echelman try to reinforce the atmosphere concept rather than the underwater. He also inquired about an overall estimate for creating such a work. Mr. Young continued that the original charge was to create an artwork directly after security in the Recomposure Area. While he likes the fact that the work extends throughout the space, he stated that if the budget limits the work, he would like to see the work primarily located in the Recomposure Area.
Jeff Henry of Gensler Architects stated that if the work does extend beyond the Recomposure Area, then perhaps it could be based on the concept of microclimates where the forms change in scale and in shape to reflect different climates. Mr. Young stated that if Ms. Echelman’s treatment of the ceiling is successful, it would most likely replace the sculptural ceiling designed by the architects.
Commissioners stated their enthusiasm about the proposal. Commissioner Przyblyski expressed her excitement in working with Ms. Echelman on this important project. She stated that she is a little hesitant in thinking about a total encompassing artwork for the space and stated that as the Airport is an organic building, artworks have a tendency to be moved throughout time. Commissioner Johnston said that he enjoyed the transition between air and water and did not find the shift problematic given the location of the Airport near the water. Commissioner Wilsey agreed that there was a certain tranquility to the proposal and that when passengers arrive at the Airport for the first time, their first encounter is the water.
Ms. Pontious stated that materials and maintenance will be an issue as the Airport has oily dust from the jets. She then requested an amendment to increase the amount of the contract with Janet Echelman for Phase I to $244,000.
Ms. Pontious then presented the work of artist Charles Sowers, who will develop an artwork(s) for two “Kids’ Spots” locations in Terminal Two, one in a more active area and the other in a more passive area. She stated that Mr. Sowers could design a single, signature work or a more environmental work. She has left it open for the artist to explore and stated the preliminary budget for the artworks is $100,000.
THIS MOTION HAS BEEN AMENDED:
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Janet Echelman for an amount not to exceed $244,000 for Phase I, conceptual design through construction documents, for an artwork at Terminal Two of San Francisco International Airport.
Moved: Wilsey/Johnston
Motion: Motion to approve the selection of Charles Sowers to design an artwork(s) to be located in the “Kids’ Spot” locations in Terminal Two of the San Francisco International Airport, and to authorize payment to Charles Sowers in the amount of $1,000 for a design proposal.
Moved: Lloyd/Johnston
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San Francisco General Hospital
Ms. Pontious stated that she would like Commissioners to review and approve the artist pools chosen by the San Francisco General Hospital Selection Panel to create works for the San Francisco General Hospital’s new Acute Care Unit.
Commissioner Johnston asked what percentage of artists in these pools is based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Ms. Pontious stated that from a quick glance, about 75 percent of the artists in the pool selected for the new Acute Care Unit are based in the San Francisco Bay Area, and about 50 percent of the artists in the pre-qualified pool are based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Commissioner Przyblyski proposed adding artist Mildred Howard, and Jill Manton proposed adding artist Julio Morales to the selected group for the new Acute Care Unit.
Ms. Pontious explained that of the 630 applications, the applications were first prescreened by curatorial consultant Chandra Cerrito and then by Ms. Pontious. The panel then reviewed the remaining 135 applications and identified the first group of artists for specific opportunities in the new Acute Care Unit. The second group of pre-qualified artists will be used for other opportunities. Ms. Pontious recommended Rupert Garcia, who received the highest score from the panel, as the lead artist for the lobby area. She proposed an honorarium of $5,000 for Mr. Garcia to meet with the architects to review the design of the lobby and identify surfaces (i.e. terrazzo floor, glass, etc.) to address, and then select an artist or artists from the pre-qualified pool to work on his team.
THIS MOTION HAS BEEN AMENDED:
Motion: Motion to approve the following list of artists and artist teams, who by virtue of the San Francisco General Hospital Selection Panel score will be considered first for commission opportunities in the new Acute Care Unit: Rupert Garcia, Deborah Roundtree and Brian Crotty, Lena Wolf, Lorna Jordan, Lisa Levine, Paul Marioni and Ann Troutner; Joel Meyerowitz, Christian Moeller, Tom Otterness, Susan Schwartzenberg, Beliz Brother, Stephen Galloway, Cliff Garten, Paul Kos, Mike Mandel, Anna Murch and Doug Hollis, Masayuki Nagase, Mildred Howard, and Julio Morales.
Moved: Johnston/Wilsey
Motion: Motion to approve the following artists as an additional pre-qualified pool for any additional opportunities identified at San Francisco General Hospital: Johanna Poethig, John Roloff, Nita Winter, Ed Carpenter, John Wehrle, Suikang Zhao, Lynn Basa, James Carpenter, Michio Ihara, Joe Thurston and Sean Healy, Amy Trachtenberg, Seyed Alavi, Rob Badger, Kathy Bradford, Dana Zed, Tony Berlant, Nancy Blum, Chris Green, Henry Domke, Abhi Ganju, Merle Serlin.
Moved: Johnston/Lloyd
Motion: Motion to approve Rupert Garcia, by virtue of having received the highest score from the panel, as the lead artist for the entry lobby of the San Francisco General Hospital Acute Care Unit, and authorization to pay him an honorarium of $5,000 to develop preliminary design concepts.
Moved: Lloyd/Johnston
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Ingleside Branch Library
Project Manager Judy Moran presented the revised design by artist Eric Powell for the Ingleside Branch Library. She stated that Mr. Powell initially intended to create a gate and partial fence artwork on the exterior of the building, but the gate was too small, needed too much ADA equipment, and the fence was replaced with a chainlink fence. The next idea was to create a sculpture in the patio area on one side of the building, but the landscaping budget has been eliminated so it is not clear what the layout will be. In collaboration with the architects, Ms. Moran determined that the best location for artwork is on the rear wall of the main reading room, which is 31 feet wide by 4.5 feet high, above bookshelves. She stated that Mr. Powell developed a proposal for the back wall after meeting with the community, who wanted an organic and colorful work. The work will have relief elements with some parts raised from the wall.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she would like to see the design worked a little bit more. She thought that the design elements seemed arbitrary and it was difficult to determine the direction of the work. Ms. Moran responded that she is happy to continue working with the artist on refining his design, but asked for a specific direction. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the design resembles nautilus shell patterns or lima beans and pretzels and was concerned that the pattern would look outdated over time. Commissioner Johnston stated that it was unclear whether the work was supposed to be more representational or more abstract. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that there was a certain graceful and gestural quality to the curvilinear forms, but the forms seemed rather heavy. She stated that it seemed like the artist incorporated suggestions from the community, but he did not answer the question for himself about what he wants the artwork to be. She also suggested that the artist present an image of the design in the actual location to get a better sense of the work.
THIS MOTION WAS POSTPONED:
Motion: Motion to approve the final design of a 30-foot-long glazed metal wall relief artwork for the new Ingleside Branch Library by artist Eric Powell and to authorize the artist to proceed to fabrication.
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Civic Art Collection
Collections Manager Allison Cummings reported on the following Collections projects: the repair of vandalism of The Holocaust, 1982, by George Segal, and the removal and storage of Conquest of Space, 1983, by Rufino Tamayo, from Terminal Two at San Francisco International Airport. Ms. Cummings stated that swastikas within Stars of David were drawn onto the marble plaques as well as the main figure of the Holocaust sculpture. On Wednesday, November 12, there was some treatment to alleviate the damage; a conservator will create a more detailed assessment on Friday, November 21. She stated that there is a surveillance camera located over the piece and the police are currently reviewing the tape for suspects.
Commissioner Przyblyski asked if there was a sign stating that the piece is under surveillance and Ms. Cummings responded that the video cameras are very visible as they are located directly above the sculpture. Ms. Manton stated that she has received a donation from a concerned and generous individual for the repair and maintenance of the sculpture.
Ms. Cummings reported that the Tamayo sculpture was successfully removed from Terminal Two, with rigging assistance from Atthowe Fine Art Services. The piece is currently in a storage yard next to the Airport Museum’s offices and the work will be re-installed in 2009. She stated that there has been extensive video documentation of the deinstallation.
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Civic Center Plaza - Temporary Sculpture Proposal
Ms. Manton reported on plans to install a temporary willow sapling sculpture by artist Patrick Dougherty in Civic Center Plaza, and thanked Director of Cultural Affairs Luis R. Cancel for bringing the project to the attention of the Mayor’s Office. She reported that installation will take three weeks, beginning in February. She explained that she does not have a new proposal to show, although the proposal has changed a little in that it will utilize both rows of sycamore trees, and start on the north side of the plaza and move to the south. She asked Commissioners to approve the motion on good faith so she can enter into contract with the artist in time for the project. In response to Commissioner Przyblyski’s inquiry about the usefulness of student assistants, Ms. Manton stated that the artist had said that this project was probably not appropriate for a group of students because of the delicate nature of the sycamores and the need to work on ladders. She stated that the work would be on view for at least one year, hopefully two.
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into agreement with Patrick Dougherty for the installation of a temporary willow sapling sculpture in Civic Center Plaza for a total amount not to exceed $60,000 for the design, development, fabrication, transportation and installation of the artwork as well as identification plaques.
Moved: Lloyd/Johnston
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Chinese Recreation Center
Ms. Manton reported on a new public art enrichment opportunity at the Chinese Recreation Center on Mason and Washington Streets in Chinatown. The new construction will generate about $290,000 in art enrichment funds. She exhibited images of the architect’s drawings of the new building and stated that the Civic Design Review Committee had asked the architects to redesign the entrance. Ms. Manton announced that there will be a competition for this project and pointed out art opportunities to work with the architects on the building entry or to develop a design for the glass curtain wall. Other possible opportunities include a tile treatment along the stucco base of the building which rises to a height of fourteen feet, or the playground entry gate and surrounding fence. She explained that the Recreation and Park Department preferred the stucco base to tile in order to deter graffiti.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that it is an intensely programmed space and the design of the building has a nice complete quality. She stated that she would rather see something more celebratory that continues the gesture down to the base, but cautioned against creating a dispersed pattern on the façade of the building. Ms. Manton stated that the fence around the playground area could be an opportunity for a jet-cut metal work based on the design of Chinese paper cutouts. She explained that such a design would not compete with the building but create something special on either side.
Commissioner Johnston stated that gates are popular in Chinatown and explained that the images of the building are a bit misleading as the area is quite dense, with a Muni cable car on one side that is busy twenty-four hours a day. He also explained that Mason Street is extremely sloped near that intersection, so people will be more inclined to gather at the entrance on the corner rather than along the sides of the building. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that an artwork at the entrance and along the gates at the back would be one way in which the art could enhance the overall design and look of the building.
Ms. Manton stated that she will meet with the Citizens Advisory Group to discuss various approaches and solicit their input. She stated that there will be an open call for this project and the Arts Commission hopes to have an artist on board during the early spring of 2009.
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Hayes Valley Playground
Ms. Manton presented a new public art enrichment opportunity at Hayes Valley Playground located at Hayes and Buchanan Streets. She explained that the artwork will be partly funded by a grant from the Trust for Public Land. She presented preliminary drawings of the playground and stated that the landscape architect recommended two artists–Laurel True and Eric Powell–to create a public artwork for the site, with an art budget of $25,000. She asked Commissioners for their feedback about the landscape architect’s recommendations.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the site is small but highly programmed and the desire is to maximize every dollar possible. She explained that the architects and the community want to work closely with an artist and that a mosaics artist would be an appropriate and sensible choice. Ms. Manton explained that Laurel True has a relationship with that community and works closely with youth. The goal will be to commission artwork that enhances the playground without taking up too much space.
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New Business
Ms. Manton announced the dedication of Brian Goggin’s and Dorka Keehn’s Language of the Birds on Sunday, November 23, at the corner of Broadway and Columbus Streets. She stated that Mr. Cancel will be the Master of Ceremonies and the Arts Commission is partnering with the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) to hire parking control officers and obtain permits to close the street. She stated that there was one unexpected problem with the poured concrete being darker than expected and therefore making the embedded text difficult to read. She stated that one solution would be to sandblast the paving in order to bring out the aggregate in the concrete.
Ms. Manton also announced the dedication of Amana Johnson’s sculptureTime to Dream, which took place on November 18 at the Joseph P. Lee Recreation center in Bayview. Mr. Cancel stated that the sculpture consisted of a very embraceable sitting figure on a platform. Ms. Manton stated that there are plans to hold a workshop with the artist and the children at the Center.
Commissioner Przyblyski expressed her concern over the design of the La Grande Pump Station in the Excelsior District, which looks like a two-story Marina-style house with no windows. The upgrade results in $30,000 for art enrichment and Commissioner Przyblyski asked the Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) to consider commissioning a public artwork for the site instead of pooling funds because the Excelsior is underserved in public art. She stated that just because the façade remains blank does not mean the building remains anonymous or does not call attention to itself. Commissioner Przyblyski expressed her concern that the PUC currently has a minimum standard when it comes to design whereas PUC buildings have been historically beautiful.
Ms. Manton announced that Tony Labat’s Big Peace V sculpture will be installed in the first or second week of December. The loan agreement includes the option to accept the work into the City’s Civic Art Collection. Ms. Manton stated that she recently received a call from the Chief Curator in Oakland who is interested in purchasing the work and reimbursing the Arts Commission for related expenses.
Ms. Cummings provided an update on the restoration of Bufano’s s sculpture entitled Peace on Brotherhood Way. Phase I will most likely take place in the summer of 2009. The sculpture was losing its tesserae and the mosaic needed to be stabilized. Preliminary stabilization is being paid for by the conservation budget.
Mr. Cancel stated that he would like the Visual Arts Committee to brainstorm ways to augment the limited pool of funds for conservation. He stated that with increasing incidences of vandalism, there is a high public expectation that the artworks should be quickly repaired. He stated that this discussion item should be placed on the VAC agenda and the Committee should explore the option of increasing the conservation budget with funds from other agencies.
Ms. Shiffler announced that the current exhibition in the 401 Van Ness gallery titled This Place Called Poetry, which celebrates WritersCorps’ 15th anniversary, is a successful collaboration between two programs of the Arts Commission. The exhibition is very professional and follows the stringent aesthetic standards of the Gallery, the same standards followed by outside curators who organize exhibitions at the Gallery.
Commissioner Johnston announced that the artists who created the bust of Harvey Milk for City Hall, the Daub Firmin Hendrickson Sculpture Group, donated a variation of the bust to Treasure Island Job Corps Center; trainees fabricated the base. The administration building at the Center will also be renamed after Harvey Milk. The dedication and unveiling will take place on November 25, 2008.
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Old Business
There was no old business to report.
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Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 pm.
MC 12/24/2008
