Meeting Information

Visual_Arts_Committee

VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

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

Staff Present; Carol Marie Daniels, Nancy Gonchar, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious, Ellen Shershow, Meg Shiffler, Rommel Taylor

Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.

The meeting commenced at 3:07 p.m.

Commissioner Wilsey was not present when the meeting commenced. As such Commissioner Rinder asked that we begin with items not needing a motion. The following items do not follow the same numbering system as the agenda

1.      Moscone Center
Jill Manton
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that a great deal of work will be occurring at Moscone Center over the next week. Recommendations to improve the movement of the motion system have been presented and are being evaluated. Work will be performed by the curtain wall fabricator to remedy a construction flaw that caused the columns on the second floor to make noise as the LED system moved. The proposed solution will place a Teflon pad at the base of the column, correcting the metal-to-metal contact which is apparently the cause of the sound. Up to three columns are expected to be worked on. Ms. Manton stated that Billboard Video has proposed to replace all of the 50-volt power supplies with a bigger power supply.  
Ms. Manton went on to explain that she is almost out of the reserve funds for the Moscone project, and may need to request additional funds in the future from convention facilities.
Commissioner Rinder inquired as to whether provisions had been made for future technology upgrades, which will most certainly be needed. Ms. Manton stated that there is a 9-year extended parts warranty. This warranty will commence after the first year of operation, during which the piece is fully covered for parts and labor. The one-year warranty will not “kick in” until the system operates correctly for several days in a row.

2.   Temporary Installation in Golden Gate Park
Jill Manton
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that Black Rock Arts Foundation is proposing another temporary sculpture entitled “Dreamer” by artist Pepe Ozan. The proposed site is on JFK Drive, two blocks north of the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.
This sculpture was originally installed at Burning Man. At Burning Man, the rear of the structure was open, and the interior was utilized as a performance venue. In the San Francisco location, the rear of the structure will be sealed. Ms. Manton felt it was important for Commissioner Wilsey to see this presentation, and upon the de Young’s approval, she will present it to the Visual Arts Committee. In closing, Ms. Manton invited all of the Commissioners to contact her directly with any additional questions or comments.

3. Old Business—Report on Alternative Sites for “Passage”
Jill Manton
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on an alternative site identified for “Passage,” another temporary sculpture project proposed by Black Rock Foundation which was introduced at the December Visual Arts Committee meeting. The new location proposed for this is a small plaza south of the Agricultural Building on The Embarcadero at Mission Street. As this is Port property, and is therefore outside of the Arts Commission’s jurisdiction, it does not require Visual Arts Committee approval.

4.   Announcement regarding PAN Council Meeting in San Francisco in
February
Jill Manton
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton began her presentation by stating that she is in her second term as an elected member of the Public Art Network (“PAN”). The PAN Conference operates under the umbrella of Americans for the Arts, which also encompasses the Unites States Urban Art Federation (“USUAF”). This is the organization that Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs, spoke about at a previous Arts Commission meeting.
Ms. Manton extended an invitation to all of the Commissioners to attend a small reception, hosted by Derix Glass, in the late afternoon of Friday, February 24, 2006, at the St. Regis Hotel. Ms. Manton will send an email to all of the Commissioners regarding the details of this invitation. Ms. Manton went on to invite the Commissioners to attend a tour of the public art installed at the San Francisco International Airport. This tour will be conducted the afternoon of Saturday, February 25, 2006, with Public Art Deputy Director Susan Pontious. This tour will include areas of the airport normally only accessible with a boarding pass.
Ms. Manton spoke briefly about the agenda for the conference, and invited all of the Commissioners to attend the meeting. One of the many topics to be discussed is the subject of insurance for artists. Ms. Manton publicly thanked Project Manager Tonia Macneil for setting up an innovative new master insurance policy for contracted artists at the Arts Commission. Ms. Manton believes we may be the first public art program in the country to have such a workable and affordable insurance policy available for our artists.
The agenda for the weekend also includes a panel on the transition to digital for artists, as well as a panel that will begin to put together a code of ethics for public art programs. Many other professional organizations have such a code, and there is a need for it in this field. This code of ethics will cover such topics as the role of staff, and the issue of professionals who serve on panels and their relationship to the artists that they recommend.
Lastly, Ms. Manton stated that the conference will include a discussion regarding the potential for a lower registration fee from the Americans for the Arts for artists who would like to attend the annual conference. Ms. Manton will email a copy of the agenda to all of the Commissioners.

5.   New Art Enrichment—Sunnyside Recreation Center, Junipero Serra Recreation Center and Rolph Recreation Center
Jill Manton
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton began a discussion regarding pooling of funds or a streamlined commission approach to small Recreation and Park projects. Ms Manton stated that a number of new Recreation and Park projects will be going forward with individual project budgets as low as $14,000. This is such a modest amount that it makes more sense to combine the project funds and contract with a single artist who will design two or three projects at different locations. The artwork created for the various sites would be variations on a theme, and may take the form of something that is architectural as well as artistic, such as ornamental gates or fence panels, a sculptural trellis or an archway. This will save the Arts Commission an enormous amount of time as it will require only one selection panel and one artist contract as opposed to multiple contracts and multiple panels. It is also advantageous to the artist, who will have a larger budget to work with.
Ms. Manton explained further that the Recreation and Park project management staff is supportive of this idea, though generally they are against the idea of pooling funds. The only downside is that this may result in less diversity of the artwork commissioned, though contextually this is such a small amount of money that it should not affect the overall diversity of the Arts Commission Public Art Collection. Ms. Manton explained to the Commissioners that this does not need a motion; she wanted their support of this new way of doing things.

6.   Coffman Pool
Susan Pontious
Public Art Program Deputy Director Susan Pontious presented a revised design proposal by Steve Gillman and Katherine Keefer for the Coffman Pool.
Ms. Pontious introduced Artist Steve Gillman, explaining that his installation at the Coffman Pool is one of the Recreation and Park Department projects experiencing a delay. Ms. Pontious stated that Mr. Gillman had originally planned to utilize underwater photography, but was not able to with the funds provided. Instead, Mr. Gilman and Ms. Keefer photographed swimmers using the pool and made a kind of collaged image from those photographs, but the Arts Commission felt this first composition was not resolved.
In addition, the original material planned was ceramic frit. However, this bid came in three years ago. The price of this material has risen, and it is currently too expensive for the funds provided.  Mr. Gillman is proposing an alternate material a photographic film which is laminated between two plates of glass, which is about half the cost and allows for more freedom in terms of color and style.

While Mr. Gilman and Ms. Keefer have not decided whether or not they might alter the photographs stylistically, they were first seeking approval of the basic image.

Mr. Gillman provided three image options; the first proposal involved repeating the same image of a girl holding her breath on both windows; the second involved two images, one of the Asian girl and the second of an African American girl.  Mr. Gillman also presented an additional alternative of using the image of an African American woman. The Commissioners recommended that Mr. Gilman use the images of the two different children as it better represented the ethnic diversity of the pool users. Commissioner Rinder suggested that the images be reformatted so the two girls appear to occupy the same amount of space inside the frame.

At this point, Commissioner Wilsey joined the Visual Arts Committee meeting.

Motion: Motion to approve the revised design proposal by Steve Gillman and Katherine Keefer for Coffman Pool
Moved: Hunter/Wilsey

7. Consent Calendar

1.      Motion to approve the following firms as a pre-qualified list of fine arts services providers and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contracts with these firms on an “as-needed” basis for an amount not to exceed $25,000: Architectural Conservation, Inc., Angotti & Reilly, ARG Conservation Services, Atthowe Fine Arts Services, B.R. Howard & Assoc., Baird, Rief & Assoc., Conservation Artisans, Conservation Resources Management, Gizmo, Lawrence Fine Arts, Thomas Swan, Mikhail Ovchinnikov, Brian Boeddeker and Ann Rosenthal.
Explanatory Document: Staff Report

2.      Motion to approve the establishment of a pool to include the following individuals from which the Hayes Green Temporary Projects selection panel will be chosen:
Larry Badiner (Zoning Administrator, Department of City Planning), a representative from the Hayes Valley Association, David Best, Brian Goggin, Mabel Wilson, Ralph Rugoff, Sandra Percival, Susan Schwartzenberg and Kevin Chen.
The following names were added:
Renee Green, Susette Min and Hulleah Tsinhnahjinnie
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items
Moved:  Hunter/Wilsey

8.  Gallery Report
Meg Shiffler
Gallery Director Meg Shiffler presented slides and video on the upcoming exhibition “Conversation 3: Amy Globus & Cynthia Ona Innis.”
Amy Globus is a New York-based artist. Her video, Electric Sheep, for which she raised two octopuses, has been tremendously successful, showing in various locations in the United States, and abroad in both Paris and Madrid. Ms. Shiffler explained Electric Sheep as being about vulnerability and love, sensuality and sexuality, intimacy and tenderness, mixed with an ever-present sense of pain and science fiction.
Cynthia Ona Innis presents an ideal partner for Ms. Globus. An Oakland native, Ms. Ona Innis uses various inks to paint on both canvas and silk, lending her work a flesh-like quality. Ms. Ona Innis will produce a body of work specifically for this exhibition; this work is comprised of about one hundred silk pillows stained in various ways to reference the body and its many fluids, cells and capillaries. The installation will utilize the entire front room of the gallery.

Motion: Motion to approve a payment of $100 to artist Amy Globus and $500 to artist Cynthia Ona Innis for honoraria for artwork included in upcoming exhibition.
Moved: Wilsey/Hunter

9.  Collections
Rommel Taylor
Explanatory Document: Staff Report
  Project Manager Rommel Taylor stated that the “Portals of the Past” monument in Golden Gate Park requires seismic stabilization. The existing structure will be stabilized with a new concrete foundation. A new concrete wall will be installed to brace the back and a concrete beam will brace the top of the monument.. If funds permit, the stone and marble will be restored as well. Additionally, the Mark di Suvero sculpture “Sea Change” on the Embarcadero will be repainted this month.
Mr. Taylor stated that ARG Conservation Services is developing a long-term maintenance plan for all the monuments on Market Street. The maintenance plan will provide a strategy for regular preventative maintenance of these monuments. Regular preventative treatment will significantly reduce costs that result from deferred maintenance on our monuments.
Finally, the Robert Howard Whale Fountain was damaged during its move from the Academy of Sciences. ARG Conservation Services is performing an assessment of the damage. At this time, it is not clear what the Academy’s role is in the damage, and as such it is not clear who will provide the repair funds. When the fountain’s repairs are complete, it will be installed at San Francisco City College ’s main campus.

The following motion was revised
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Architectural Resource Group Conservation Services in an amount not to exceed $275,000, to provide repair and conservation of the Mark di Suvero sculpture “Sea Change” on the Embarcadero, and to perform seismic stabilization of the Portals of the Past Monument in Golden Gate Park.
Moved: Hunter/Wilsey

10. Public Art Policy Discussion
Jill Manton
Explanatory Document: Staff Report and Public Art ordinances from neighboring cities sent to Commissioners under separate cover on February 8, 2006.
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that she has been working on proposed changes to the Art Enrichment Ordinance. When this ordinance was first passed in 1969, a source of funds to provide for maintenance of newly commissioned or acquired work was not considered. Additionally, Ms. Manton asked the Commissioners to consider that administration, or staff funding, is currently linked to a one-time fixed fee. This model worked well when public art involved, for example, purchasing and installing a painting in an office lobby. However, public art has evolved over the years, becoming more architecturally integrated and complex. This financial model is therefore out of date and can no longer sustain the program.
There was much discussion regarding the pros and cons of making any kind of legislative change and the risk involved.
The discussion concluded with the agreement that the Arts Commission must approach the Supervisors with a realistic goal and with the argument that public art will only add to the economic viability of San Francisco. Ms. Manton will prepare an analysis of different scenarios and the corresponding action for the Commissioners.

11.  Laguna Honda Hospital
Susan Pontious
Public Art Program Deputy Director Susan Pontious presented color samples for the artist-designed handrail in the Link building at the Laguna Honda Hospital. Ms. Pontious explained that the mock-up, the material and the design have already been approved; this motion applies only to the color palette. Ms. Pontious went on to explain that artist Cliff Garten worked directly with the manufacturer to create precise custom colors in nine hues of amber, green and blue, and that the colors will be grouped: there will be a section of blues, a section of greens and so on.

Ms. Pontious next presented the sculptural button design by artist Linnea Glatt. Ms. Pontious stated that these will be installed in various sizes, ranging from 5’ in diameter to 3’ in diameter, and that they will vary in color. Ms. Pontious stated that the Commission had already approved the artist’s proposal, with the exception that they wanted the traditional button design presented in an earlier version of the proposal to be used as one of the three designs because that design more clearly communicated that these were buttons. However, the artist preferred the later designs, and so prepared three-dimensional maquettes as a means of better illustrating how the finished work would appear. While some members of the Committee still preferred the more traditional button design, they agreed to approve the artist’s proposal.

Motion: Motion to approve Cliff Garten’s proposed color palette for his artist-designed handrails for Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Hunter/Wilsey

Motion: Motion to approve sculptural “button” designs as proposed by project artist, Linnea Glatt, for Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Wilsey/Hunter

12. Art on Market Street Program
Judy Moran
Explanatory Document: Staff Report
  Project Manager Judy Moran stated that Epiphany Productions is doing a dance performance associated with the Earthquake Centennial. They have applied for nonprofit status, but this process will not be finalized in time for the performance. Therefore, the City Risk Manager has requested that the Arts Commission contract directly with Epiphany Production’s fiscal agent, Dancers’ Group, rather than with an individual, Kim Epifano, the Artistic Director of Epiphany Productions. Both the City Risk Manager and Ms. Moran are concerned about having enough institutional support for the project because of the complexity of the performance, which includes numerous performers, musicians and technicians, as well as hundred of members of the public convening on City property to view the performance. Epiphany Productions has requested that the Arts Commission cover Dancers’ Group’s administrative fee of 10%, a standard amount for fiscal sponsorship. As such, this motion asks that the Grant Agreement be increased by $2,700 to cover the sponsorship fee. Ms. Moran mentioned Director Richard Newirth’s concern that the issue of fiscal sponsorship was a larger policy issue for the Commissioners to discuss; however, given the time constraints of the project schedule, the Committee voted to approve the fee for this project.

Motion: Motion to approve an increase of $2,700 in the Grant Agreement with Epiphany Production’s fiscal sponsor, Dancers’ Group, for the Art on Market Street Program’s performance of Lotta’s Fountain, previously approved for funding for an amount not to exceed $27,000. The increase is to pay for an administrative fee charged by Epiphany Productions’ fiscal agent, Dancers’ Group, and the total new Grant Agreement amount is not to exceed $29,700.
Moved: Hunter/Wilsey

13.  New Business

14.  Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:02 pm

Submitted by Ellen Shershow, Interim Public Art Program Associate

2/17/2006

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: Ellen Shershow (415) 252-2594.

Public comment in regard to specific items will be taken before or during consideration of the item.

The ringing of and use of cell phones, pagers and similar sound-producing electronic devices are prohibited at this meeting. Please be advised that the Chair may order the removal from the meeting of any person(s) responsible for the ringing or use of a cell phone, pager, or other similar sound-producing electronic devices.

Individuals and entities that influence or attempt to influence local legislative or administrative action may be required by the San Francisco Lobbyist Ordinance (San Francisco Campaign and Governmental Conduct Code sections 2.100 - 2.160) to register and report lobbying activity. For more information about the Lobbyist Ordinance, please contact the Ethics Commission at 30 Van Ness, Suite 3900, San Francisco, CA 94102 - telephone (415) 581-2300, fax (415) 581-2317 and website.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE SUNSHINE ORDINANCE
Government’s duty is to serve the public, reaching its decision in full view of the public. Commissions, boards, councils and other agencies of the City and County exist to conduct the people’s business. This ordinance assures that deliberations are conducted before the people and that City operations are open to the people’s review. For more information on your rights under the Sunshine Ordinance or to report a violation of the ordinance, contact Frank Darby by mail to Administrator, Sunshine Ordinance Task Force, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244, San Francisco CA 94102-4689; by phone at 415 554 7724; by fax at 415 554 7854; or by email at sotf@sfgov.org.

Citizens interested in obtaining a free copy of the Sunshine Ordinance can request a copy from Mr. Darby or by printing Chapter 67 of the San Francisco Administrative Code on the Internet, http://www.sfgov.org/sunshine/