Meeting Information

Visual_Arts_Committee

VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

Commissioners Present
Leonard Hunter, Jeannene Przyblyski, Lawrence Rinder
Absent: Dede Wilsey, Pop Zhao

Staff Present
Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs; Jennifer Lovvorn, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious, Meg Shiffler

Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.

The meeting commenced at 3:05 p.m.

1. Consent
   1. Motion to approve the six final poster designs of “What’s New?” by the artist team of Julio Morales and Claudio Michelo, for the Art on Market Street 2005 Kiosk Poster Series, to be installed between November 11, 2005, and February 9, 2006.
      
      Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items
      Moved: Hunter/Rinder
      
      
2. Public Art Ordinance Evaluation
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on research that she has done on the public art ordinances of various cities, and on the related conversations that she has had with Commissioner Przyblyski and Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs.
   
   Ms. Manton reviewed with Commissioners San Francisco’s Public Art Ordinance and described the sections of the ordinance which should be revised.
   1. Regarding the 2% of project funds allocated for art, Ms. Manton stated that we need to clarify on which amount the 2% allocation is based: the estimated construction cost or the construction bid or contract amount.
   2. The ordinance’s definitions need to be better articulated.  For example, the definition that “New Additions” qualify for art enrichment only if they are at least two-thirds the size of the existing structure has been used by other City departments to claim that the project is not eligible for public art.  Ms. Manton recommends that the definition be revised to reflect that any and all new additions to buildings, parks and transportation improvement projects will generate art enrichment.
   3. Regarding the pooling of funds, Ms. Manton recommends that the language of the ordinance be modified to clearly establish the Arts Commission’s authority to pool funds within a department and its right to place the artwork anywhere within the jurisdiction of the department from whose project the funds were obtained, provided that this is not prohibited by the funding source.   San Jose and San Diego allow their Arts Commissions to pool funds.  Ms. Pontious pointed out that bond funds have restrictions that do not allow us to pool funds across departments.
   4. The current ordinance allows the Arts Commission to use up to 20% of the Art Enrichment funds to cover administrative costs and up to 5% for maintenance and conservation.  Ms. Manton recommended the elimination of the fixed percentage for administrative and maintenance costs, instead allowing the Arts Commission to exercise its best judgment as to what is appropriate for each project.   Mr. Newirth stated that this would encourage the pooling of funds, because larger-budget projects cost less administratively.  Ms. Manton added that public art programs in San Jose, Seattle and San Diego currently determine project administrative allocations in this way.  Commissioner Przyblyski stated that this will make it vivid to the client and community that an extended process will cost more administratively.
   5. Mr. Newirth has proposed that the Arts Commission secure another source of funding outside the ordinance for at least one staff position.  The Public Art Network Survey indicates that 81% of public art programs nationwide have another source of funding for staff outside the art enrichment money.  This is the case for San Jose and San Diego.
   6. There is a need for a philosophical statement as the preamble to the ordinance which speaks of San Francisco 's commitment to the artistic enrichment of our city.  This would help inform other city agencies about the philosophy behind the Public Art Program.
   7. Ms. Manton referenced the private development requirement in Los Angeles where developers are given the option of either onsite public art or placing the funds in a public art trust fund that might be used for temporary public art projects or permanent installations in other locations.
   8. Finally, whether as part of this ordinance or as a separate new ordinance, the Mayor's Policy Paper on the Arts has recommended a consolidation of curatorial supervision under the Arts Commission of the three City programs (City Planning, the Redevelopment Agency, and the Arts Commission) dealing with government-mandated public art.  In contrast, San Jose, Sacramento, San Diego, Los Angeles and Portland programs are all involved in managing public art for private development to varying degrees.   Commissioner Przyblyski noted that the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency often hires outside consultants to manage their public art projects, which means that they are outsourcing City work.

Ms. Manton concluded her report by stating that a special meeting will be scheduled to continue this discussion.

3. Moscone Recreation Center
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton introduced Jorge Alfaro and Andy Maloney from the Department of Public Works.   Jorge Alfaro, Project Manager of Moscone Recreation Center Project, gave an overview of the plans for the center’s renovation.  He stated that the center is located in the Marina District at Laguna and Chestnut Streets.  Mr. Alfaro met with Ms. Manton to discuss possible sites at the center for new public art.  Mr. Maloney distributed site photos and plans of the building to the Commissioners and explained that the best possible site for art is adjacent to the south façade of the recreation center where Buchanan Street meets Chestnut Street.  Ms. Manton stated that they were not recommending locating art in the northern part of the building because it is already being well used by the activities occurring at the recreation center.  Ms. Manton thinks it is preferable to mark the entrance of the building and mentioned the Mayor’s keen interest in more sculpture opportunities.  She stated that the art budget will be around $65,000.   Commissioner Hunter suggested the commissioning of a piece that could act as an icon for the building.  Commissioner Przyblyski stated that Chestnut Street could use a sculptural element.  She suggested that the architects might consider adjusting the ramp to allow the artwork site to be on axis with Buchanan Street.  Ms. Manton stated that the next step would be to hold a community meeting.  She added that the artist would be selected from a pool of greater Bay Area artists.
4. Gallery Report
   Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth introduced the new Gallery Director, Meg Shiffler.  He stated that she is in the midst of preparing for the Gallery’s annual fundraiser, Commission ’05, which will occur on Friday, October 21st.
   
   Ms. Shiffler stated that in the last couple of weeks, she has been trying to let herself do a little dreaming for the Gallery.  As one of her goals, she would like to activate City Hall and engage with local communities.  She feels that the title of Gallery Director is misleading, and would much rather be thought of as an Exhibitions Director, activating exhibitions both within and outside of the gallery.  She is interested in artists who work outside the confines of a gallery space, and is interested in programming that could potentially blur the lines between the Gallery Program, the Public Art Program and the Community Arts and Education Program.  For example, she would like to curate a series of temporary exhibitions of site-specific works by fine artists in the windows of a particular community.  She stated that she is easing into the exhibitions because the Advisory Board’s Programming Committee programmed the first show which pairs a local artist with a national artist.  She is interested in doing a series of three exhibitions based on the idea of pairing a local and national artist.  The series would culminate with a small publication tying the exhibitions together.  During this time she would also like to think about group shows and the Gallery’s award shows.
   
   Commissioner Przyblyski stated that there is a hunger for real “conversations” to happen in the gallery, and suggests that we have additional programs like “Artists Talks.”  She added that she would like Commissioner Rinder to join the Advisory Board’s Programming Committee as a way to create more connection between the Gallery Advisory Board and the Visual Arts Committee.  She also mentioned that the Arts Commission needs to be paying attention to what is happening with 155 Grove Street.  She stated that  Ken Paige has recruited Lorne Buchman and Steve Oliver to help get the building developed.  Ms. Shiffler stated that she has an interest in being involved in discussions about the possible new building at 155 Grove Street.  She added that having gone through two capital campaigns, she has recommendations regarding the benefits of multi-use spaces.
   
   Mr. Newirth stated that Ms. Shiffler has met with Daniel Homsey of the Mayor’s Office and will be working on a way to bring more arts programming to City Hall and have an impact on the overall curatorial vision.  He added that the life-size styrofoam Hummer by Andrew Junge which was produced at the NorCal Artist in Residence program will be on view in the Grove Street windows from mid-November through mid-January.
   
   The Commissioners welcomed Ms. Shiffler.
5. Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center
   Project Manager Tonia Macneil gave an update on the art enrichment project at Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center.  She reminded the Commissioners that the artists, Jon Rubin and Jim Goldberg, had proposed to create a trophy wall encased by a glass curtain for the interior of the new gymnasium.  The 500 to 700 trophies will be mounted on single steel rods and displayed with dramatic lighting against a black wall.
   
   She stated that the artists are trying to resolve a technical issue with their project and she is seeking Commissioner input on the issues.  The artists had planned to buy secondhand trophies on the internet and replace the figures, but they are unable to fabricate the replacement figures within budget.  Instead, they would like to photograph community members and adhere these photographs to blocks which would be mounted on the trophy base.  Ms. Macneil has concerns about maintenance related to this alternative proposal and asked Commissioners for their suggestions as to how to adhere the photographs to the trophies.
   
   Commissioner Przyblyski stated that if the artists go to all the trouble of acquiring unique secondhand trophies, perhaps it would be better if they were to replace the plaques and leave the figures.  She questioned how successful it would be to replace the trophy figures with photographs of everyday people from the community.  She added that the plaques could reference actual community members.  She prefers the idea of manipulating the plaques to the idea of manipulating the figures.  Commissioner Hunter stated that he had no problem with the project’s concept of referencing everyday people, but felt that the artists need to find a better solution.  Commissioner Rinder suggested that the artists cull trophies from the neighborhood.  Ms. Macneil stated that she will report the Commissioners’ recommendations to the artists.
   
   Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the artists need to be aware that the Commissioners had some concerns about the proposed solution.  She suggested that the artists submit one or more mockups of a trophy with photo image and/or a very detailed rendering of the installation of the trophies before the artists go to the trouble of trying to resolve the technical issues.
6. Upper Noe Recreation Center
   This report was continued to the next meeting.
   
   The following motion was continued to the next meeting.
   Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual design of artwork by Troy Corliss for the Upper Noe Recreation Center.
7. Laguna Honda Hospital
   Project Manager Susan Pontious presented a revised proposal by Linnea Glatt for Courtyard E, which is an area for patients who suffer primarily from dementia.  Ms. Pontious presented images of Linnea Glatt’s past work.  She explained that Ms. Glatt’s first proposal worked with the symmetrical dispersal of button-shaped sculptures.  Upon reviewing the original proposal, the Commissioners had requested that the artist create more varied designs and colors for the button sculptures.  Ms. Pontious explained that the revised proposal now calls for three different size buttons in three different colors.  Commissioner Hunter stated that the revised button designs may be too unique to be understood easily as buttons.  He recommended that the artist use the button design from the original proposal for at least one or two of the sculptures in order to give the viewer a clear reference.
   
   Motion: Motion to approve the revised proposal by Linnea Glatt for Courtyard E at Laguna Honda Hospital.
   Moved: Rinder/Hunter
   
   Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Linnea Glatt for $55,000 for fabrication, transportation and installation of a multi-part sculpture for Courtyard E at Laguna Honda Hospital.
   Moved: Hunter/Rinder
8. Airport
   Project Manager Susan Pontious reported that artist selection for the new gate room walls at the San Francisco International Airport will begin moving forward soon and she would like Commissioners to recommend artists to be invited to apply for consideration for these commissions. The gate room wall opportunities were advertised as part of the Request for Qualifications for the 2005 Artist Pool.   The artwork can be two-dimensional or sculptural, and the budget for each work is around $130,000.  Ms. Pontious presented images of the existing gate room wall artwork, including work by the following artists: Mildred Howard, Enrique Chagoya, Viola Frey, Larry Sultan and Mike Mandel, Squeak Carnwath, Carmen Lomas Garza, Rigo, Juana Alicia and Manuel Montoya, and Rupert Garcia.  She stated that these are primarily local artists.  Commissioner Przyblyski suggested that it would be nice to have another photographic piece and another sculptural work.  Ms. Pontious stated that most of these artists did not usually work in permanent materials, so she worked with them to translate their ideas into a permanent material.  Commissioner Rinder suggested that the Mission School be represented and recommended artists Alicia McCarthy and Clare Rojas.   Commissioner Hunter supports the idea of commissioning the work of Bay Area artists for these walls as a way to showcase local talent to visitors.  Mr. Newirth recommended Isis Rodriguez.  Ms. Pontious asked Commissioners to send her any additional recommendations.
9. Possible Loan of “Masquerade in Black”
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the possible loan of “Masquerade in Black” by Jay DeFeo for display at the de Young Museum.  She explained that the artwork was originally purchased for the Airport Collection, but due to the display conditions at the airport it cannot be exhibited there.  The Arts Commission recently entered into an agreement for six months with Cheryl Haines to sell the piece. Ms. Pontious stated that the funds resulting from the sale would be temporarily placed in the maintenance endowment to earn interest to maintain artwork in the collection.  She added that there is strong interest in the piece at the de Young, but they are currently not able to acquire it.  Ms. Manton stated that it might attract a donor if it were displayed at the de Young.  Commissioner Rinder asked what the motivation would be for the de Young to buy it, if we were to loan it to them.  Ms. Manton stated that the loan could be short-term.  Commissioner Rinder stated that from a museum perspective, a one-year loan would be reasonable, but six-months is too short.  He suggested that the de Young could have a donor purchase the artwork as a promised gift to the museum.  The museum could also request from the donor that the artwork be exhibited during at least ten percent of each year.  Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she feels strongly that the piece should stay in the Bay Area.
10. Moscone Center
    Public Art Program Director Jill Manton gave an update on the Diller + Scofidio project.  She stated that there are still a number of problems.  She will soon be meeting with a fabricator and the engineer to investigate a clanging and booming noise that can be heard from the second level lobby as the screen turns the corner.  She added that the main hard drive for the system has died.  She has been preparing an accident report for the City Attorney related to the Sheedy accident.  Multimedia’s work is still under warranty, and the screen won’t be accepted until it is fixed.  Ms. Manton stated that she has spoken with the artists about reconsidering the motion component given the current problems.  Commissioner Przyblyski stated that Ms. Manton has the Commissioners’ support.
11. New Business — Temporary Mural on PUC Water Tower
    This discussion was tabled.
    
    The following motions were tabled:
    Motion: Motion to approve a temporary painted mural of an elephant on the PUC Water Tower in Potrero Hill.
    
    Motion: Motion to not approve a temporary painted mural of an elephant on the PUC Water Tower in Potrero Hill.
12. Old Business
13. Adjournment
    As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:15 p.m.
    Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Associate
    Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs

11/1/2005

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: Jennifer Lovvorn (415) 252-2594.

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