Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present:
Leonard Hunter, Jeannene Przyblyski, Lawrence Rinder, Pop Zhao
Absent: Dede Wilsey
Staff Present:
Carol Marie Daniels, Nancy Gonchar, Jennifer Lovvorn, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Richard Newirth, Susan Pontious, Meg Shiffler
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:05 p.m.
- Consent
Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection, Untitled (2004-2006), a set of six 6' x 6' water jet-cut stainless steel panels by Irene Pijoan, installed at Victoria Manalo Draves Park (formerly known as SOMA Park).
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar item.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
- Gallery Report
Gallery Director Meg Shiffler presented a draft plan for “Art at City Hall” which includes a plan designating “Art Zones” within the building. Ms. Shiffler explained that the City Hall Building Manager requested her assistance with creating guidelines and clear division of responsibility for decision-making regarding displays of art and historical objects and ephemera within City Hall. Currently displays in City Hall are coordinated by various departments, organizations, and individuals, which has made allocating City Hall building resources and labor very challenging. Ms. Shiffler stated that while she will not be coordinating all the exhibitions throughout City Hall, she has created the “Art Zone” framework which clearly articulated each area’s coordinator, number and type of exhibitions, and the related impact on the building. Ms. Shiffler and Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth will present this plan to the City Hall Preservation Committee.
Ms. Shiffler announced that a new exhibition of work by Chinese photographers is on view in the Lower Level of City Hall.
Ms. Shiffler stated that the proposal for Zone 6 is of particular interest to her. She and Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth would like to coordinate an Arts Commission-produced temporary project by sound artist Bill Fontana.
Mr. Newirth stated that the project budget is around $50,000 to $60,000 and will require private fundraising.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she is pleased that this proposal is being discussed at the Visual Arts Committee. She feels that City Hall is an important site. She proposed that this project be funded by the Board of Supervisors’ supplemental allocation. She added that this project could be a seed project to initiate a program of art projects that interact with the architecture of City Hall in subtle ways.
Regarding the Art Zones proposal, Commissioner Przyblyski stated that it makes sense for the Arts Commission to exert authority regarding art programming in City Hall. Because future administrations may not have an interest in art programming, she suggested that Zone 5 be designated as a community space that is currently being used by Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services (MONS).
Ms. Shiffler stated that the Arts Commission does not currently have adequate staff to take on the coordination of Zone 5 if MONS ceases that programming.
- Collection Report
Susan Pontious stated that the Commissioners were sent a staff report regarding the Civic Art Collection mission statement. She requested that Commissioners review the document and forward to her any comments and recommendations. Based on their feedback, she will write a draft mission statement for their review and approval at a future Visual Arts Committee meeting. She added that it would be particularly helpful to get feedback related to guidelines and standards for gifts to the City.
Ms. Pontious reported that she will be meeting on behalf of the Collections Team with the City’s Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Manager to make a case for the long-term capital needs of the Civic Art Collection. She stated that the Civic Art Collection is a substantial City asset. She added that the value of the artwork that has been commissioned through the Public Art Program alone is $40 million. The document which she will present to the CIP Manager will be a starting point for a reinvigorated maintenance and restoration program. The Collections Team has been getting cost estimates for a number of projects, which they will present to the Commission for prioritization and approval. The Collections Team is seeking approval from the Commissioners to spend up to $75,000 from the Board of Supervisors’ supplemental funding for Civic Art Collection maintenance and graffiti removal.
Project Manager Carol Marie Daniels reported on the status of the General Hospital inventory project. She stated that all of the artwork has been removed from the hospital’s basement storage room and is now in Arts Commission storage. Collections Intern Marcus Davies has catalogued the pieces, and this information is now being entered into the Collections database. There are a number of pieces from the Collection that have yet to be located. Ms. Daniels stated that she will be conducting a thorough search of the hospital and other City departments and will have the Collection inventoried by the end of May 2007. She added that there are a number of works in the Collection which are inappropriate or damaged and will be proposed for deaccession. Those works in the General Hospital Collection which are still on display need conservation, new framing and installation with security mounts.
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that General Hospital will undergo a major renovation that will commence within the next two to three years. She said it makes sense to remove the artwork in preparation for the construction.
Motion: Motion to authorize the expenditure of up to $75,000 from the Board of Supervisors’ supplemental funding for Civic Art Collection maintenance and graffiti removal.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
- Dewey Crumpler Mural at Joseph Lee Recreation Center
Project Manager Carol Marie Daniels gave an update on the restoration of the Dewey Crumpler mural at Joseph Lee Recreation Center. She stated that Architectural Conservation Inc. consulted on the conservation approach for the two remaining mural panels. Their report indicated that the stucco is in good condition and the surface of the mural is weathered. The conservator recommended a three-part cleaning that will brighten up the colors. Areas of the mural with severe loss can be overpainted, which would require consultation by Dewey Crumpler. The project would require one conservator, one technician and a studio artist.
Ms. Pontious stated that the Arts Commission is having fabricated a large porcelain enamel plaque featuring a reproduction of the mural panel that was destroyed as part of the renovation of the recreation center. She added that because Dewey Crumpler is an influential figure in the community, he will be invited to speak at the rededication of the mural and at other related community outreach events.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the community outreach component of this project makes it especially fitting as a recipient of some of the Board of Supervisors’ supplemental funds.
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that the Arts Commission has approached Department of Public Works to investigate the possible use of a lift or scaffolding from the General Contractor working on the Joseph Lee Recreation Center.
Motion: Motion to approve the budget of $105,000 for cleaning and stabilization of the Dewey Crumpler mural, Fire Next Time II, and commemorative plaque for Fire Next Time I, at Joseph Lee Recreation Center; and for the use of $44,679 of MTA grant funds pending approval of the Bayview Hunters Point Project Area Committee and $60,321 of Board of Supervisors supplemental funding to fund the project.
Moved: Rinder/Zhao
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Architectural Conservation, Inc. for an amount not to exceed $33,000 for the restoration of Dewey Crumpler’s Fire Next Time II, the exterior mural on the gymnasium of the Joseph P. Lee Recreation Center.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
Motion: Motion to approve an honorarium payment of $5,000 to Dewey Crumpler for his consultation services on the restoration of Fire Next Time II, the exterior mural on the gymnasium of the Joseph P. Lee Recreation Center.
Moved: Zhao/Rinder
- Utility Box Murals
Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth stated that the Utility Box Mural Project was a priority for the Mayor a couple of years ago. The project coordinator (Precita Eyes Mural Association) and the Mayor’s Office have spent the last two years working on the agreement. The project is now about to move forward and requires Commission design approval. The Mayor intended for this to be a pilot project with its future expansion in other parts of the City dependent upon how well these five murals are maintained.
Public Art Program Associate Jennifer Lovvorn presented the mural designs for the following five locations: southeast corner of 24th and Harrison Streets designed by Laura Joya, Brenda Miller and Patricia Rose; northeast corner of 24th and Capp Streets designed by participants in the Precita Eyes Urban Youth Arts Program directed by Fred Alvarado and Joshua Stevenson; southwest corner of 24th and Capp Streets designed by Cecilia Baeza and Celestino Illustrisimo; southwest corner of 24th and Folsom Streets designed by participants in the Precita Eyes Muralists Kids Mural Art Workshop directed by Brenda Miller; and northwest corner of 24th and Mission Streets designed by Peter Cordova and Vincent Jackson of Creativity Explored.
Commissioner Hunter stated that there are examples in other cities of more interesting murals on utility boxes.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that if the project is to be expanded beyond the pilot phase, it should be a project of the Arts Commission in order to encourage new approaches and ensure quality.
Commissioners directed staff to draft a letter to this effect to the Mayor.
Motion: Motion to approve the designs for the utility box mural project coordinated by Precita Eyes Muralists Association for the following five locations: southeast corner of 24th and Harrison Streets designed by Laura Joya, Brenda Miller and Patricia Rose; northeast corner of 24th and Capp Streets designed by participants in the Precita Eyes Urban Youth Arts Program directed by Fred Alvarado and Joshua Stevenson; southwest corner of 24th and Capp Streets designed by Cecilia Baeza and Celestino Illustrisimo; southwest corner of 24th and Folsom Streets designed by participants in the Precita Eyes Muralists Kids Mural Art Workshop directed by Brenda Miller; and northwest corner of 24th and Mission Streets designed by Peter Cordova and Vincent Jackson of Creativity Explored.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
- Laguna Honda Hospital
Project Manager Susan Pontious reported on the proposed design change for Takenobu Igarashi’s terra cotta tile project for the living and dining rooms of the link building at Laguna Honda Hospital. When the original design for wall mounting of terra cotta tiles was engineered, it was determined that the tiles needed top and bottom mounting. This proposed installation method would not work with the irregularity of Mr. Takenobu’s handmade tiles. The artist then proposed constructing a panel to which he could attach the tiles. However, because the wall where the work is to be installed has already been designed, it would be cost-prohibitive to redesign it to add the necessary structural support. Ms. Pontious investigated installing the tiles using a method similar to the one used to install Viola Frey’s tiles at the Airport. Ms. Pontious stated that while this installation method would work, it may be more expensive as it requires a custom bracket and frame fabrication. Ms. Pontious’s recommended installation method is for the artist to make thinner tiles that could be surface-mounted to the wall. Mr. Takenobu has decided to follow Ms. Pontious’s advice and alter his project so that it can be surface-mounted. He is proposing a new tile type to better accommodate this installation method. Ms. Pontious presented examples of similar work by Mr. Takenobu.
Commissioner Rinder stated that he prefers the piece Sea of Words, because it is less static than the other work and the frame sets it off nicely from the wall.
Ms. Pontious gave an update on the project by Diane Andrews Hall, who was recently selected as an artist for Laguna Honda Hospital. Ms. Pontious reported that Ms. Hall was very pleased to have been selected for this project and would like to have her paintings translated into tapestry and mosaic. Ms. Pontious presented Ms. Hall’s proposal for seven artworks. For the "H" wall, the artist proposes to create a 48" by 48" glass mosaic using one of her ocean images. She also proposes 40" by 40" mosaics for the "A," "J" and "D" walls. For the "F" wall, she proposes to create a tapestry that would be four feet high by up to eight feet long, which would feature the imagery from one of her paintings, Summer's Goldfinch, alongside a poem written by poet Lyn Hejinian. Two additional tapestries featuring cloud imagery for the "B" and "C" walls are also proposed. She has already met with the glass fabricator Franz Meyer to explore how her paintings might be translated into mosaic, and with Don Farnsworth at Magnolia Editions regarding fabrication of the tapestries.
Ms. Pontious gave a report on the budget escalation of Cliff Garten’s sculptural handrail project. She explained that while she will be seeking additional bids for fabrication, she believes that the major cost is related to how the artwork is designed and the precision that is needed. The fabrication process was outlined in the staff report that accompanied the agenda. Ms. Pontious added that she discussed the budget issue with the Executive Administrator at Laguna Honda Hospital. He is very supportive of the artist’s proposed project and would like to see the project executed, if possible. After some additional investigation of the fabrication costs, Ms. Pontious will meet with him to further discuss the project’s cost implications.
Motion: Motion to approve the design revision of terra cotta wall tiles by Takenobu Igarashi (V1 Living, Dining Rooms) to allow for surface mounting of tiles to the wall.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
Motion: Motion to approve the proposal for a series of artworks by Diane Andrews Hall for Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Hunter/Zhao
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Diane Andrews Hall for up to $80,000 to design, fabricate, transport and install seven artworks in tapestry and/or glass mosaic on the L1 level of the East Residence Building of Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Rinder/Zhao
- Airport
Project Manager Susan Pontious reported that the kinetic artwork Anemone, by Werner Klotz, which was installed in Boarding Area C a year and a half ago, has been having ongoing maintenance problems. Due to the vibrations of the terminal where the piece was located, the motors were continually thrown out of alignment and have been changed twice. The piece has been relocated to the International Terminal, which is built using base isolator technology and therefore does not have the same problem with vibrations. This relocation has left an opening in the Boarding Area sculpture court for a new piece. Ms. Pontious stated that staff proposes the purchase of a ceramic figurative sculpture entitled Martha H by Richard Shaw. The ceramic artwork would be enclosed in a Plexiglas display case. She stated that staff believes that this artwork will have a very nice relationship with the other figurative sculptures in the concourse by artists Michael Stutz, Manuel Neri, Deborah Butterfield and Isamu Noguchi.
Ms. Pontious continued her report and asked the Commissioners for their comments on the design submitted by Clare Rojas for a tile and glass mosaic mural for a gateroom wall. The Commissioners were pleased with the proposal.
Ms. Pontious concluded her report by stating that there will be a selection panel meeting at the end of the month for the secure connector glass curtain project.
Motion: Motion to authorize the purchase of Martha H, by Richard Shaw, (porcelain with decal overglaze, 63" x 21" x 16") for $28,000, for installation at San Francisco International Airport (Boarding Area C), pending approval by the Airport Commission.
Moved: Hunter/Zhao
- Third Street Light Rail
Project Manager Judy Moran presented the final designs for long-term installation in windscreen display cases on ten Third Street Light Rail transit platforms. The panels, which will be approximately 4’ wide by 6’ tall, will be made from Fujiflex Crystal Archive material with UV cold lamination. There will be two copies made of each panel in case one needs to be replaced.
The ten two-sided display cases will feature twenty different artist-designed panels by the three artist teams assigned to each section of the rail line (Mission Bay, Bayview, and Visitacion Valley). Each of the artist teams created designs compatible with themes generated at community meetings for the “Town Center” platforms in their neighborhoods. The Town Center platforms are in areas that will have the highest volume of passenger use, and therefore include more art elements than the standard platforms.
For the Mission Bay/Central Waterfront platforms, the artist team of Bill and Mary Buchen worked with historian Nancy Olmstead and graphic designer Ari Solomon to create ten designs that depict the history of Mission Bay, with historic photographs and text and with background elements that relate to the design of the platform.
For the three Bayview/Hunters Point platforms, Horace Washington, Frederick Hayes, and JoeSam each developed designs for one of the three platforms designated for this team. Horace Washington’s designs are inspired by the history of the shipyards, with photographs, drawings and ship names. Frederick Hayes’s designs explain the African-inspired imagery and symbols used in the other platform artwork elements. JoeSam’s designs relate to the bird theme for the platform, featuring stylized drawings of birds.
For the Visitacion Valley platforms, artists Anita Margrill and Nobuho Nagasawa each worked on one of the two platforms. Anita Margrill created two designs, each depicting a different native flower (poppy and thistle). Nobuho Nagasawa’s designs relate to the moon theme of her platform, with pavers and the windscreen designs depicting the 28 phases of the moon.
Commissioner Rinder asks how long these panels would be on display. Ms. Moran answered that they could be on display for up to ten years, depending on how much the panels fade. After ten years, Ms. Moran said that the communities or the Arts Commission may want to change the designs.
Ms. Moran said that in addition to the 20 individual designs by the artist teams, there would also be 40 windscreen panels created by youth residing in neighborhoods along Third Street who participated in workshops with artist Sheila Ghidini. These youth art panels have previously been approved by the Arts Commission. Therefore, the total number of different windscreen panel designs is 60, for which the cost to fabricate two complete sets in the Fujiflex material would be approximately $22,000.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that it would be nice to publicize the artwork along Third Street by having a guided press tour that would ride along the new line. Ms. Moran stated that she is already working with Muni on just such an event.
Motion: Motion to approve the final designs of 20 windscreen display case panels, to include ten designs by the artist team of Bill and Mary Buchen, six designs by the artist team of Horace Washington, Frederick Hayes and JoeSam, and four designs by the artist team of Anita Margrill and Nobuho Nagasawa, for long-term installation on ten of the Third Street Light Rail transit platforms.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
- Broadway Streetscape
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton gave an update on the Broadway Streetscape project. The Department of Public Works agreed to absorb the cost for the artist-designed paving elements, which consist of a series of words embedded into the concrete surface. Both Ms. Manton and Project Manager Tonia Macneil are working with the Department of Parking and Traffic to evaluate a variety of issues related to the installation of the artwork. Finally, the City Attorney and the individual who has raised over $30,000 in private funds for the project have come to a resolution regarding the terms of the artist’s contract which shall be funded from a combination of art enrichment and privately raised funds. The $30,000 raised will be given to the City as a restricted gift to be placed in an interest-bearing account that will be used exclusively for the art project by Brian Goggin for the Broadway Columbus Streetscape.
Motion: Motion to accept a gift of restricted funds in the total amount of $30,000 to supplement the Broadway Streetscape Project art enrichment allocation, with the funds to be set up in an interest-bearing account that will be used exclusively for the art project by Brian Goggin.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
- Promenade Ribbon Sculpture
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the issues and proposed test solutions for problems associated with the Promenade Ribbon Sculpture’s fiber optic lighting system. She stated that over the past six months, staff has worked with an electrical contractor to examine the midsection of the Ribbon to identify the cause of the problems with the lighting system. The contractor determined that bay saltwater, from waves which break over the sea wall and flood the Embarcadero sidewalks, had gotten into the aboveground vaults that house the lighting fixtures. This resulted in the electrical service being shorted out and the fixtures being corroded.
Ms. Manton presented the design for the contractor’s proposed solution, which involves relocating the vault covers to the west side of the Ribbon facing the city instead of the bay. The new covers would be made of stainless steel and would protrude approximately one inch from the face of the vault. The louvers for air intake would be placed at a higher level at the top of the vault. The contractor proposes to install one new panel as a test solution in a specified location and to fit the vault with water detectors to determine whether the panel has been successful in keeping water out. The cost of the proposed test to waterproof the vaults and to check the water detectors on two occasions is $3,380. The cost to apply this solution to the entire mid-section of the Ribbon would be approximately $50,000 to $70,000. Ms. Manton stated that there would be some cost savings because there are six lighting fixtures in storage which were salvaged from a previous alteration to the Ribbon in a different location. Because the design of the proposed solution would visually impact the sculpture, Ms. Manton stated that she would consult with the Ribbon artist team to determine whether this solution is advisable.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that finding a solution for this problem is important, especially now as it is in Chronicle Watch. She looks forward to an update at a future meeting.
- Academy of Sciences
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton presented Maya Lin’s preliminary proposal for the Academy of Sciences as approved by the Academy Art Advisory Committee. Ms. Lin’s proposal consists of two separate artworks to be located in the East and West Terraces of the building. For the East Terrace, Ms. Lin proposes to create a suspended wire sculpture, approximately 40’ x 80,’ to be based on the topology of the bay floor and surrounding land forms. The artwork, to be fabricated from either aluminum or titanium, would compliment the California Exhibit that is located adjacent to the East Terrace. For the West Terrace, she proposes a video table that will be approximately 7’ by 15’. The title for the video table is Missing and it is about extinction. Ms. Lin created an approximate storyboard for the video. She is researching plasma screen technology and video artworks and has consulted renowned documentary filmmaker Ed Burns and the exhibition design firm Think. Ms. Manton explained that there was some concern by the panelists about the scale of the table, and questions about the light levels, visibility and the orientation of the text.
As a panelist, Commissioner Przyblyski felt that the Academy Art Advisory Committee meeting went well. She stated that the wire sculpture is part of a series of sculptures based on an earlier work done by the artist. She reported that the committee was pleased about the siting of the piece. Commissioner Przyblyski explained that the video table is still in development. She stated that Ms. Lin mentioned that the video piece could also be displayed vertically on a wall. Commissioner Przyblyski supports approving the direction for both projects. She feels that Ms. Lin will find a good solution for the video piece once she has had more time to work on it.
Commissioner Rinder agreed that the video table has unresolved issues and said that he would provide information regarding other artists who have worked with video projections using multiple surfaces and/or orientations as a reference for the artist.
Motion: Motion to approve Maya Lin’s proposal of a suspended wire landscape sculpture to be based upon the Bay Area ocean floor topography and surrounding terrain, for installation on the East Terrace of the Academy of Sciences.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
Motion: Motion to authorize Maya Lin to further develop her proposal for a video table which would be one piece in a series of works from her Missing project, which deals with species loss and extinction, to be installed on the West Terrace of the Academy of Sciences.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
- 525 Golden Gate
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the reactivation of the project at 525 Golden Gate which had been placed on hold in 2001. At that time, the Arts Commission had conducted a competition to select three artists (Anna Valentina Murch, Ned Kahn and Paul Kos) for the project. Each artist was given a budget of $300,000 to develop projects that complemented or enhanced the premise of a “Green Building,” possibly utilizing recycled materials or contributing in some way to the quality of the environment within the building. All work on the project was stopped in April 2002 due to a lack of funding for the project. Each artist was paid for the work done to date and their contracts were closed.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) purchased the building from the City in July 2006 and entered into contract with the original building architects to complete design development. The building will become the new headquarters of the SFPUC when complete. The PUC’s objective is to design a building that will generate much, if not all, of the energy needed to operate the building itself.
Ms. Manton reported that Department of Public Works Project Manager Edgar Lopez had been contacted by the project architects about further development and incorporation of Ned Kahn’s work into the building design. With the PUC’s objective to develop a green, sustainable and self-sufficient building, the architects are eager to have the project benefit from Mr. Kahn’s renown for his synthesis of art, science and function.
Edgar Lopez has introduced Ned Kahn and his concepts to the PUC executive management, who are extremely enthusiastic about his continued participation and exploration of other building components such as solar panels.
Ms. Manton presented Mr. Kahn’s preliminary proposal for a sculptural wind turbine system which would be integrated into a glass tower on the north façade of the building.
Motion: Motion to authorize artist Ned Kahn to resume work on the 525 Golden Gate Avenue project for the Public Utilities Commission in collaboration with project architects and engineers to develop designs for a sculptural work that will assist in the energy efficiency of the building.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Ned Kahn for up to $10,000 for design development of an artwork or series of artworks for the 525 Golden Gate Avenue project with the Public Utilities Commission.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
- Junipero Serra Clubhouse
Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented the site plan for Junipero Serra Clubhouse, which is located at 300 Stonecrest Drive near Stonestown. She stated that at its September 2006 meeting, the Visual Arts Committee approved the art enrichment approach to place an artwork on the wall above the entry doors overlooking the ball field. The project will have a budget of up to $25,000. In accordance with the Art Enrichment Guidelines for selection of artists for projects less than $50,000, staff selected artists by invitation and from the prequalified pool for review by the client and project architect. Ms. Macneil presented the images of past artwork by the candidates she had identified in conjunction with the project architect and client (Bella Feldman, Mark Calderon, and Mel Katz) and the alternate (Bean Finneran).
Commissioners stated that they prefer the work of Bean Finneran. They like the bright colors and amusing pom-pom shapes.
Motion: Motion to approve the selection of Bean Finneran to create an artwork for Junipero Serra Clubhouse.
Moved: Hunter/Zhao
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Bean Finneran for an amount not to exceed $25,000 to design, fabricate, transport and install an artwork for the exterior façade of the Junipero Serra Clubhouse.
Moved: Zhao/Hunter
- Argonne Playground
Project Manager Tonia Macneil reported that the two sculptures entitled Incomplete Metamorphosis, by Joyce Hsu, were installed at Argonne Playground on November 27, 2006. The silver-painted aluminum sculptures depict a giant dragonfly and a firefly. The pieces are mounted so that they cantilever off the fence posts near the entrances to the playground at a height of approximately 14.’ Ms. Macneil presented images of the installed artwork.
Commissioners were pleased with the artwork.
Motion: Motion to approve the artwork entitled Incomplete Metamorphosis, by Joyce Hsu, as installed at Argonne Playground.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
Motion: Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection Incomplete Metamorphosis, two aluminum sculptures by Joyce Hsu, located at Argonne Playground.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
- Harvey Milk City Hall Memorial Sculpture Competition Report
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton gave an update on the Harvey Milk City Hall Memorial Sculpture Competition. She stated that the artists will submit their proposal maquettes on January 4, 2007. The maquettes will be on display for public viewing and comment in San Francisco City Hall’s Van Ness Avenue lobby from Wednesday through Friday, January 10, 11, and 12, and Tuesday January 16. The Mayor is holding a press conference for the competition on January 10. There will be a reception that evening from 5:30 to 7:30. Commissioner Przyblyski is on the selection panel, along with Jewelle Gomez (poet, Library Commissioner and Program Officer at Horizons Foundation), Dugald Stermer (artist, educator and former San Francisco Arts Commissioner), Gary Nathan (Spectrum publisher, and Harvey Milk City Hall Memorial Committee member), and Dan Nicoletta (Harvey Milk City Hall Memorial Committee member and friend of Harvey Milk). The public will be invited to submit written commentary about each of the maquettes displayed. The selection panel will reconvene to select the winning proposal after reviewing the maquettes and the public commentary. The winner will be announced in March or April of 2007 and will be given a full year to complete the finished sculpture. A free public unveiling of the finished sculpture in City Hall is being tentatively planned with a targeted date of Harvey Milk’s birthday, May 22, 2008.
- New Business
There was no new business.
- Old Business
Public Art Program Director Jill Mantonpresented the models by the three finalists for an artwork at Moscone Recreation Center. She reported that Brian Goggin’s proposal received the majority of votes from the selection panel as well as from the public commentary. But the Recreation and Parks Department had a number of concerns about it which include: 1. that it may be climbable and that the lifeguard seat, steering wheel and telescope will be a great temptation to climbing; 2. that someone may lasso the cantilevered illuminated globe and pull it down or hang from it; 3. that the artwork does not relate to the history, programs or uses of the center; and 4. that the artwork obscures the sightlines from properties located across the street from the recreation center. Ms. Manton pointed out that there are numerous tall lighting pole structures already on the grounds of the Recreation Center which don’t appear to obstruct the sightlines. Ms. Manton stated that she has conveyed these concerns to the artist and he will consider how best to address these issues through design modifications.
Ms. Manton added that the selection panel recommended a number of modifications: 1. the sculpture should be made unclimbable; 2. the objects of interest should be moved lower; 3. perhaps the lifeguard seat should be made miniature and 4. the artist needs to tighten up his metaphors and visual language.
Ms. Manton wonders whether she needs to do additional community outreach to address these concerns.
Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth stated that these concerns are likely coming from Recreation and Parks staff, and not the community.
As a selection panel member, Commissioner Hunter stated that the panel worked well together. He stated that the panel decided that the concerns would be addressed by the artist. He expressed concern that other staff from Recreation and Parks, who were not involved in the selection, are now attempting to influence the process.
Commissioner Przyblyskistated that Mr. Goggin needs to further develop his proposal to address the safety concerns. She also suggested that he refine how the sculpture meets the ground. She agrees that it is a good idea to put the interesting elements at ground level. She added that after the artist has satisfactorily addressed these concerns, the Arts Commission needs to reassert the process and emphasize its charter authority over the selection of artwork. She stated that both the Troy Corliss piece at Upper Noe Valley Recreation Center and the Joyce Hsu piece at Argonne Playground are successful examples of elevated artworks.
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Associate
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs
1/18/2007
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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