Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Tuesday, May 3, 2005
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present
Maya Draisin, Jeannene Przyblyski, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon
Absent: Dede Wilsey
Staff Present
Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs; Nina Dunbar, Nancy Gonchar, Rupert Jenkins, Jennifer Lovvorn, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious, Sharon Page Ritchie, Kristen Zaremba
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:05 p.m.
- Consent
- Motion to approve an increase in the contract amount with Suzanne Biaggi for fabrication, transportation and installation of a sculpture at Laguna Honda Hospital, from $55,000 to $64,300, to allow for three additional basalt “marker” columns and insurance against loss for four years.
- Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist team of Jeff Northam and Rufus Butler Seder for final design, fabrication, transportation and installation of an artwork for the new Glen Park Branch Library in an amount not to exceed $36,000.
- Motion to accept artist Vicki Saulls’s public artworks “Nuotatori” and “Locus” into the Civic Art Collection.
- Motion to approve the return and loan for five years of the Bufano sculptures to the Valencia Gardens housing development contingent upon a MOU outlining the terms of the loan agreed to by all the parties.
Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar reported on item 4 of the Consent Calendar, the return and loan of the Bufano sculptures to Valencia Gardens, explaining the reasons for the staff recommendation in favor of this motion. Commissioner Przyblyski concurred, having recently visited the site.
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items
Moved: Solomon/Draisin
- Discussion of Gallery Director Search
Gallery Director Rupert Jenkins reported that the Gallery would hold its annual retreat on Saturday, May 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and invited all of the Commissioners. Subjects for discussion include a review of the year, evaluation of progress toward goals previously set, programming, marketing and development.
Mr. Jenkins announced the opening on Friday, May 13, of “Tauba Auerbach: All Time, All the Time” at View 155. He urged the Commissioners to see “In Passing: A Show about Death” at 401 Van Ness, even though it is somber. He is very pleased with this first Curator’s Award show.
Amanda Hughen, host of the Gallery retreat, offered to report on the retreat for Commissioners unable to attend.
Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth opened the discussion by explaining that he was seeking the Commissioners’ thoughts on background, experience and other qualities they would like to see in the new Gallery Director. He has assembled a screening and interview panel consisting of Ms. Gonchar, Susan Pontious of the Public Art Program and Collections, Rommel Taylor of Civic Design and Collections, Ms. Hughen, and Kevin Chen of Intersection for the Arts.
Commissioner Draisin began by saying that it will be tough to fill Mr. Jenkins’s shoes, and all agreed. Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon said that the new director shouldn’t make art boring; that it needn’t be easier to go to a movie than a gallery. Commissioner Przyblyski said that excellent public relations skills would be important; the candidate will need to be a convenor, so that the Gallery is not a mausoleum for art but a place for the community to interact with art, and a destination. He or she should be a multitasker, with a broad range of interests in art and the willingness to embrace a wide variety of styles, media and communities as the director of a municipal art gallery. Commissioners said that the new director should like fundraising and be good at it. It was pointed out that although public service is not a road to wealth, this position offers enough in salary, benefits and stability to attract good people. Its intangible rewards include a platform and the opportunity to advance the city’s discussion of art. The position requires a good deal of curatorial experience and a strong curatorial vision, as the Gallery Director will either be curating the shows or hiring guest curators to do so.
- Sava Pool Project — Artist Finalists Approval
Project Manager Nina Dunbar reported on phase one of the artist selection process for the Sava Pool Public Art Project. She presented slides of past work by the three finalists: the Los Angeles-based collaborative group, Electroland; Catherine Wagner; and Relja Penezic; and the alternate Seyed Alavi. Ms. Dunbar stated that because the design of the building is nearly complete and the art opportunities are very specific, the final selection will be based on proposals.
Motion: Motion to approve the following artists as finalists for the Sava Pool Public Art Project: the Los Angeles-based collaborative group, Electroland; Catherine Wagner; and Relja Penezic; and to approve Seyed Alavi as an alternate.
Moved: Draisin/Solomon
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to pay each finalist for the Sava Pool Public Art Project (the Los Angeles-based collaborative group, Electroland; Catherine Wagner; and Relja Penezic; or the alternate Seyed Alavi) $1,000 to develop a site-specific proposal for the second phase of the selection process.
Moved: Solomon/Draisin
- Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Center — Artist Approval
Project Manager Nina Dunbar reported on the final selection panel meeting to choose an artist for the Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Center Public Art Project. She stated that the selection was based on interviews and that Commissioner Przyblyski was on the panel. Because there is some uncertainty as to whether the theater will be included in the final renovation plans, Ms. Dunbar stated that it would have been difficult to request specific proposals from the finalists. She reported that the panel recommended Susan Schwartzenberg (San Francisco) and Michael Davis (San Pedro, CA) as the artist team for this project. Ms. Dunbar added that once approved, the artists will be put under contract for design development.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the artists’ responses to the interview format varied greatly. Some artists presented specific ideas for projects related to the site while others only presented past work. She added that the selection process worked out well in the end. She stated that the community was very involved and was happy with the choice.
Ms. Dunbar concluded her report by stating that she would bring the preliminary designs back to the Visual Arts Committee for approval.
Motion: Motion to approve the artist team of Susan Schwartzenberg (San Francisco) and Michael Davis (San Pedro, CA) for the Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Center Public Art Project.
Moved: Draisin/Solomon
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Susan Schwartzenberg and Michael Davis for an amount not to exceed $82,000 to develop final designs, fabricate and install a work of art for the Harvey Milk Recreational Arts Center.
Moved: Solomon/Draisin
- Laguna Honda Hospital
Public Art Deputy Program Director Susan Pontious reported on the tapestry designs by Ann Chamberlain and Bernie Lubell for the Laguna Honda Hospital Art Enrichment Project. She stated that the Commission had previously approved an earlier version of the “Earth” image, but felt that the “Air” image needed more work. She stated that the artists revised both images and she presented these designs to the Commissioners for approval.
Motion: Motion to approve revised designs for “Earth” and “Air” images for tapestries by Ann Chamberlain and Bernie Lubell for Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Solomon/Draisin
- Revised Civic Art Collection Guidelines
This item was continued to the next meeting.
The following motion was continued to the next meeting.
Motion: Motion to approve the 2005 Revised Civic Art Collection Guidelines.
- Collections Report
Public Art Deputy Program Director Susan Pontious reported that at their October 20, 2005 meeting, the Visual Arts Committee approved the sale of “Masquerade in Black” by Jay DeFeo to a Bay Area arts institution, such as a museum. Since then, the Arts Commission staff has been working with the DeFeo estate to identify a potential buyer and has had encouraging results. She stated that it is the staff’s recommendation that the Commission further approve the private sale of “Masquerade in Black” to a Bay Area arts institution. In accordance with the City’s Administrative Code, a private sale must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Commission. The staff recommends a private sale for the following reasons: 1. The Commission cannot control who buys the painting at a public auction, and therefore could not be assured of achieving its intent of selling the painting to a Bay Area arts institution; and 2. Because artworks by Jay DeFeo have not previously been offered at public auction, there is no auction record for her work and therefore the Commission could not be assured of getting the appraised value of the work at public auction. Program Director Jill Manton commented that if after six months we were not able to place the artwork at a Bay Area arts institution, staff would return to the Commission to discuss and reconsider the conditions of the sale.
Motion: Motion to authorize the Arts Commission staff to negotiate the private sale of “Masquerade in Black” by Jay DeFeo to a Bay Area arts institution.
Moved: Solomon/Draisin
- Airport
Public Art Deputy Program Director Susan Pontious gave an update on the proposed “Sister City” Project for the San Francisco Airport. She reported that Blake Summers from the Airport had developed a preliminary proposal for placement locations and cost estimates for glass panels representing each of San Francisco’s sister cities. However, Arts Commission staff were concerned about how the glass panels would be installed in a manner that was both attractive and cost-effective. Ms. Pontious added that the Visual Arts Committee had expressed concerns at the last meeting regarding the harmonious integration of the designs by different artists. There was also concern about the feasibility, with our current staffing resources, of selecting artists from each of the sister city locations, and our ability to control the quality of the various sister city submissions.
Ms. Pontious stated that another solution might be to utilize the Lewis deSoto “On the Air” artwork which is located on the floor of the International Terminal Arrivals Lobby. This artwork highlights cities from around the world, and six of the sister cities are already represented in the piece. Ms. Pontious spoke to the artist about whether he would consider expanding his artwork to include recognition of the sister cities. He was very enthusiastic and had a number of interesting ideas about how to expand the project to highlight the sister cities, including possibly extending the project upstairs.
Ms. Pontious reported that she would encourage this approach for the following reasons: 1. It would make the most of something we already have by enhancing and expanding the meaning and interactive use of an artwork already in the Airport’s collection; 2. It would be cost-effective; 3. It could be accomplished within a fairly short time frame; 4. Since the project would utilize an artwork already in the collection, the “sister city” component would fit within the collection focus and the architecture; and 5. Project management is feasible within current staff resources.
Ms. Pontious stated that she shared this idea with Blake Summers and John Martin from the Airport who have both approved this direction. Ms. Pontious stated that she is seeking approval of an honorarium payment to Lewis deSoto for $2,000 to develop a proposal that incorporates recognition of San Francisco’s sister cities into his artwork “On the Air” at San Francisco International Airport.
Motion: Motion to approve an honorarium payment to Lewis deSoto of $2,000 to develop a proposal that incorporates recognition of San Francisco’s sister cities into his artwork “On the Air” at San Francisco International Airport.
Moved: Draisin/Solomon
- Coffman Pool
Project Manager Kristen Zaremba gave an update on the proposed image selection for the Coffman Pool Art Enrichment Project. She stated that in May 2003 the artist team of Gillman/Keefer was selected for this project. She presented their preliminary design proposal, which was approved by the Commission in June 2003. Ms. Zaremba explained that the artists had originally proposed taking underwater photographs of lone swimmers to be blown up and used on the two large (12’ high by 16’ wide) natatorium windows. However, due to the high cost of underwater photography equipment rental, and community concern regarding inclusion of more community representations in the imagery, the artists have developed two new design proposals that are composite images of various swimmers as photographed from the poolside. Ms. Zaremba requested feedback from the Commissioners regarding the revised design compositions and the choice of black versus color for the ceramic frit transfer of the images to clear glass. She stated that once the Commission approves one of the revised design proposals, it will then be presented to the community for their approval.
Commissioner Solomon stated that the revised design proposal is not as imaginative as the original. She added that the imagery may clash with the view of the trees through the windows and she recommends a simpler design. She stated that the artists should submit their design proposal in color so that the artwork can be considered in context.
Commissioner Draisin stated that the proposal is reminiscent of a pair of billboards.
Commissioners Solomon and Draisin stated their preference for featuring one visually strong figure to simplify the designs and increase their visual impact, rather than using the composite imagery.
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that not all the images are consistent in terms of their visual quality. She also asked whether the artists intend to even out the tonal values of the photographs in the composite images. Ms. Zaremba stated that the artists intend to create a comprehensive composition using Photoshop and will have the opportunity to alter the values.
Commissioner Przyblyski expressed concern that the ceramic frit treatment makes the imagery look heavy. She recommended that the artists use Photoshop to alter the image to achieve a more watery effect. She was also concerned that the community’s desire to have their photographs included will preclude the opportunity for the artists to use a more graphical treatment.
Ms. Zaremba stated that she would relay the Commissioners’ concerns and feedback to the artists and present revised designs at an upcoming Visual Arts Committee meeting for Commission approval.
The following motion was continued.
Motion: Motion to approve the proposed imagery and layout, incorporating Arts Commission-recommended modifications, for the two window designs for the Coffman Pool Public Art Project.
- Moscone Center
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported that the final inspection for the Diller + Scofidio project went well and was attended by many of the people involved in the production of the piece, including Commissioners, City staff, and project consultants and contractors. She stated that the logistics of the inspection reflected the complexity of the project. The inspection began with viewing the screen from across the street, then went to the AV room where the control system is located, and finally ended up on top the building to see the motion system, motor, undulating roof track and festooning arm.
Ms. Manton stated that the terms of our agreement with the Moscone Convention Center require that the Arts Commission give 30 days notice after the final inspection before the project launches. However, due to Moscone’s convention schedule, it is infeasible to launch the project prior to mid-June.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the Commissioners are very excited about the project’s successful completion. She added that she would like to work to have a reception for the project in mid-to-late June.
Motion: Motion to approve the final inspection and completion of the Diller + Scofidio project at Moscone West.
Moved: Draisin/Solomon
- Hayes Green — David Best Project
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the proposed temporary sculpture installation by David Best for the new Hayes Green. She presented the proposed sketch of the temple-like sculpture and explained that the project is on a fast track so that its installation will coincide with World Environment Day. Ms. Manton thanked Commissioner Draisin for helping with the fundraising efforts and noted that almost half of the necessary funds have already been raised. She stated that the project faces the challenge of coordinating with the completion of the Hayes Green, which was delayed due to rain. Ms. Manton stated that the City Attorney has decided that the artist would only need to obtain a permit with special conditions from the Department of Real Estate, rather than entering into a contract with the City.
Ms. Manton stated that Black Rock has been a great partner on this project. She added that on May 24, Black Rock will host a fundraising event to help support the project. She suggested that there should also be an event at Hayes Green while the sculpture is installed. Commissioner Draisin suggested that the Hayes Valley Merchants could support such an event.
Motion: Motion to approve the design proposal submitted by David Best for the Hayes Green project and to approve the temporary installation of the sculpture from May 25 to September 30, 2005.
Moved: Solomon/Draisin
- Report on Request for Qualifications for 2005 Pre-Qualified Artist Pool
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the Request for Qualifications for the 2005 Pre-Qualified Artist Pool. As stated in her staff report, this is an attempt to be more efficient in our artist recruitment process for upcoming art enrichment projects. In the past, competitions were held on a project-by-project basis. Artists were required to submit multiple applications for projects if they were applying for more than one. Artists complained about the cost and duplication of effort. We also recognized that we could conserve labor, printing and postage costs by consolidating our call. The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) lists a number of projects that are on the books and indicates that there will be other, as yet unidentified projects. We also indicate the budget range of projects to be from as low as $20,000 up to approximately $1 million. Ms. Manton reported that a revised 2005 Pre-Qualified Artists Pool RFQ was issued, which extended the deadline so that staff could do additional outreach to the neighborhoods where the projects would occur. Ms. Manton noted that this is the first time the Public Art Program has done an annual call, and therefore staff is mapping out the logistics of this process as we move forward. She stated that these applicants will be combined with the Central Subway applicants to have a very large, diverse group of candidates for projects. The applications will be classified by media and geographic locations. Combined with the Central Subway applications, the Public Art Program has received approximately 1,000 submissions. Ms. Manton added that soon we’ll be making a transition to allow for submission of digital imagery. She stated that we may consider doing pools for categories of projects, such as libraries or parks.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the Public Art Program may be able to use the new Qualified Artist Pool as a commodity. Ms. Manton agreed and stated that the Pool may be useful with regard our argument to consolidate the City’s curatorial oversight of all public art projects to the Arts Commission.
- Academy of Sciences Update
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported that the Academy of Sciences Art Steering Committee had their third meeting. She felt that the meeting was productive and that there is a synergy developing among the committee members. She stated that the committee identified a menu of sites and discussed their desire to commission a major piece. Ms. Manton noted that the architect has very specific ideas about what art he wants and is not familiar with the Public Art Program’s process. The committee members submitted recommendations to Ms. Manton and she will now begin recruiting.
- Joseph Lee Recreation Center
Project Manager Kristen Zaremba introduced the new art enrichment project at Joseph Lee Recreation Center. She reported that the Recreation and Parks Department has undertaken the renovation of this recreation center, which is located at 1395 Mendell Street (off Third Street) between Oakdale and Newcomb in the Bayview Hunter’s Point neighborhood. The existing facility, built in the 1940s, will be partially demolished and replaced with a new facility including a large lobby and reception area, dedicated spaces for latchkey youth and senior programs, two new outdoor play areas and open space with increased visibility throughout the property. The original gymnasium, an impressive structure with a vaulted ceiling and wood trusses, is to be retained and seismically upgraded. The Recreation and Parks Department, Department of Public Works (DPW) and Arts Commission staff attended a community meeting to present the redesign and to ask for input on the public art program. The new art enrichment budget, excluding administration, artist selection fees and contingency, is $67,000.
Ms. Zaremba reported that two issues must be considered in developing the public art plan for this project:
1. Existing artwork: The building exterior is covered with two different mural projects. The more significant work is a two-part mural (The Fire Next Time, I & II) created by artist Dewey Crumpler between 1977 and 1984. The first component is located on the auditorium, which is to be demolished, and the second component is on the gymnasium. To date, City staff have not been able to determine whether the gymnasium murals can be saved. The facility staff and surrounding community members consider Mr. Crumpler’s murals to be significant landmarks for the neighborhood. City staff have conferred with Mr. Crumpler. He is disappointed at the loss of the auditorium mural, but is not protesting the new project, and recognizes that it may be too costly to preserve and/or restore the gymnasium mural. City staff are currently researching the feasibility of retaining some portion of the gymnasium mural during the renovation, and Arts Commission staff have promised to honor and document the murals by organizing an event for the artist and the community. The work will be documented with color reproductions in porcelain enamel and installed in the building interior as proposed for the Harvey Milk Recreation Center mural. A second mural created by youth, also on the gymnasium at ground level, was funded by the Mayor’s Office of Community Development (MOCD), and will most likely be lost during the seismic upgrading of the building. Ms. Zaremba stated that staff will continue to explore the feasibility of preserving the gymnasium mural and will report back to the Commission.
2. Regarding the new project opportunity, Ms. Zaremba stated that as the issues pertaining to the murals have not been resolved, and design development for the building is progressing, staff recommend convening a selection panel to consider artists with a strong aesthetic vision who are also experienced working with local communities to create a new work, either an outdoor treatment on the entry façade or a work for the building interior. The community has also expressed an interest in the Arts Commission working with youth on the creation of a new public art project. DPW staff suggest an outdoor treatment along the building façade. They have also asked Arts Commission staff to minimize the architectural integration of any new work, to minimize contractor costs.
Ms. Zaremba requested that a Commissioner sit on the panel, which will have its first meeting in the summer and will select artists from the 2005 Qualified Artist Pool.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that while she does not have any specific suggestions related to the Crumpler murals, she would like the Arts Commission to develop a more comprehensive mural policy. She recommended that Commissioner Draisin serve on the panel and agreed that the Commission should explore a policy for the City’s existing murals.
Project Manager Carol Marie Daniels recommended that an artist produce an oral history of the Crumpler murals as a CD-ROM.
- Art on Market Street Temporary Projects Program
Project Manager Judy Moran gave an update on the status of “The Endangered Seed Project” by the artist team of Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlton. Ms. Moran reported that, after the Arts Commission staff was informed that installing “The Endangered Seed Project” on the right rear façade of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium would not be feasible, a decision was made to not move forward with the project.
Ms. Moran reported that the decision was based on these factors: 1. The Mechanical Engineer hired by the Arts Commission recommended that mesh banners not be placed over the air vents on the rear façade of the Civic Center; 2. There was also concern expressed about the proposed method of installation, which would have been to cable the banners at many points around sections of the concrete lattice structure of the air vent panels; 3. Due to project revisions required for the Auditorium site, the budget more than doubled and became excessive for a temporary project; and 4. After both Arts Commission staff and the artists devoted considerable time over a one-year period to site this project, at both the Ferry Building and the Civic Center, both parties had previously agreed that if the Civic Center façade was determined not to be feasible, the project would not proceed.
Ms. Moran stated that the Arts Commission, by Resolution 0503-04-114, had provided that if one of the two approved Art on Market Street Temporary Program projects for the 2004-05 season could not move forward, the alternative, Epiphany Productions’ performance, Lotta’s Opera, would be scheduled instead. Therefore, staff notified Epiphany Productions that their project would be implemented. It will probably be performed in conjunction with the Earthquake Centennial in April 2006.
In lieu of the banner project, staff has offered the artists for “The Endangered Seed Project” one of the four Art on Market Street 2006 Kiosk Poster Series exhibition slots for which they could adapt the seed images and text. Staff anticipates that this exhibition would be slated to coincide with World Environment Day in 2006. The artists will also be offered some funds, in addition to the $500 already advanced to them, for their efforts to date on the banner project.
Ms. Moran stated that although staff deeply regrets that this project will not be moving forward as planned, she believes that after such an extended effort on the part of both staff and artists, it was time to move forward with an alternate format.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the Commissioners are also very sorry that the project will not be moving forward as planned. Commissioner Solomon stated that the Ferry Building had always been a more appropriate site for the project.
- New Business
- Old Business
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Associate
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs
5/31/2005
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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