Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Monday, August 4, 2003
1:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present
Stanlee Gatti, Ralph Guggenheim, Dugald Stermer; Absent: Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, Dede Wilsey.
Staff Present
Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs; Nina Dunbar, Debra Lehane, Jennifer Lovvorn, Tonia Macneil, Judy Moran, Kristen Zaremba.
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 1:10 p.m.
- Consent
1. Motion to approve the mural design by Mona Caron at 3857 20th Street funded by the Mayor's Neighborhood Beautification Fund.
2. Motion to approve the mural design by Juana Alicia Montoya at the corner of York Street and 24th Street funded by the Mayor's Neighborhood Beautification Fund and the Potrero Nuevo Fund.
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
Moved: Gatti/Stermer
- Helen Wills Playground
Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented the final design proposal for an artwork by Amy Blackstone at the Helen Wills Playground. Ms. Macneil reminded the Commissioners that at the June 2003 Visual Arts Committee meeting the proposal was given tentative approval until material samples could be presented. At today’s meeting Ms. Macneil presented those color and material samples and slides of the artwork in progress. She pointed out that the surface of the sample metalwork is more roughly hewn than it appears on the proposal boards. She added that in the current proposal there are only three columns and the figures at the top of the columns have been eliminated. She added that the exact column color and treatment of the top edge of the columns is yet to be determined by the artist. Ms. Macneil explained that the metal columns would fit snugly over columns of fiberglass and be illuminated by light fixtures with colored gels located inside the columns. She demonstrated how the colored light would appear as it shone through the fiberglass and cut metal. She added that the artist will likely paint the metal a rust color.
Commissioner Guggenheim expressed concern about the bottom six feet of the columns and wondered if children would try to climb them. Ms. Macneil stated that the fiberglass fits so tightly behind the metal cutouts that it would be difficult for anyone to find good toeholds.
Motion: Motion to approve the final design and budget of artwork by Amy Blackstone for Helen Wills Playground and authorization to the Director of Cultural Affairs to modify the artist's contract to include fabrication, transportation and installation services for the artwork, for a total contract amount not to exceed $35,000.
Moved: Stermer/Gatti
- Ocean View Recreation Center
Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented the design development rendering for the artwork by Jon Rubin and Jim Goldberg for the Ocean View Recreation Center. Ms. Macneil reminded the Commissioners that they had previously approved Jon Rubin and Jim Goldberg's artwork concept for the wall of trophies on the inside of the Recreation Center. Ms. Macneil stated that the trophies will be altered to replace the standard trophy figures with figures of ordinary people and the nameplates will be changed to incorporate short narratives gathered by children from the neighborhood. Each trophy will sit on its own small shelf, so that they appear to be floating in a random pattern on the wall. She reported that the artists propose to protect the trophies with a glass curtain wall that would be a maximum of 3 feet from the trophy wall. Ms. Macneil added that she has concerns related to the budget for this proposal and the ongoing maintenance of the work, and that she was withdrawing her request for approval of the final design and budget.
Commissioner Gatti stated that the proposal was conceptually strong, and he wondered if there might be a solution to the maintenance issues if the glass wall were sealed airtight. Civic Art Collection Program Director Debra Lehane stated that it is nearly impossible to make a seal completely airtight. The Commissioners expressed the belief that the artists could resolve the problems if they explored a variety of design solutions. Ms. Macneil stated that the artists need to find a solution for the maintenance that fits within the budget. Commissioner Guggenheim recommended that the artists address each of the problems very specifically before the Commissioners are asked to approve the final design and budget.
The following motion was continued.
Motion: Motion to approve the final design and budget by Jon Rubin and Jim Goldberg for the Ocean View Recreation Center and authorization to the Director of Cultural Affairs to modify the artists' contract to include fabrication, transportation and installation of the artwork, for a total contract amount not to exceed $150,000.
- Ocean View Library
Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented the color and material samples related to the final design of the artwork by John Wehrle for the Ocean View Library. She explained that the artist proposed to create a complete environment for the stairwell and hallway at the library related to the theme “Words Fly Away.” Ms. Macneil reminded the Commissioners that last year they had approved the design concept for this artwork, and that the current presentation pertained to the color scheme that the artist wished to alter to better match the library carpet.
Commissioner Gatti expressed concern regarding the impact of the proposed artwork and the ambiguity of the theme “Words Fly Away.” Commissioner Guggenhiem stated that the site would be vastly improved by the proposed artwork. Currently the site is unwelcoming and does not feel unified. Commissioner Guggenhiem added that this artwork would help to solve both of those issues.
Motion: Motion to approve the final design by John Wehrle for the Ocean View Library.
Moved: Stermer/Gatti
- Koret Children's Quarters
Project Manager Nina Dunbar presented the art enrichment concept for the Koret Children's Quarters by artist Vicki Saulls. Ms. Dunbar reported that Vicki Saulls worked with the project’s landscape architects MIG to develop the theme of her artwork: three sculptures based on recognizable coastal animals--the sea turtle, the hermit crab and the pelican. These stylized cast concrete play sculptures would be located in the young children’s area and are designed to be climbed on safely by children. Ms. Dunbar added that MIG is working with Friends of Recreation and Parks to commission additional sculptures using the three molds created for the sculptures. Ms. Dunbar presented the color samples for the concrete and the proposed locations for the sculptures along with drawings of each of the animals and a quarter scale model of the hermit crab.
Commissioner Gatti stated that MIG’s design proposal for Koret Children’s Quarters has been presented to the Civic Design Committee where there was some discussion about changing the proposed color scheme for the park. He added that as this issue has not yet been resolved, and it would be more appropriate to consider the artist’s choice of color for the sculpture once the park’s entire color scheme is resolved.
Motion: Motion to approve preliminary design for three pre-cast concrete animal sculptures (sea turtle, hermit crab and pelican) as developed by Vicki Saulls for the Koret Children's Quarters with specific decisions regarding final colors to occur at a later meeting.
Moved: Gatti/Stermer
- New Business
As an item of new business, Project Manager Judy Moran reported on the status of the proposed performance by Flyaway Productions as part of the Art on Market Street Temporary Projects Program. The dance performance was to occur on a ramp set up in Justin Herman Plaza. Ms. Moran stated that she and the artist, Jo Kreiter have been encountering difficulty in processing the artist’s contract due to concerns on the part of Risk Management, the City Attorney's office, and the Department of Public Works. Ms. Moran stated that the extent of the requirements may prohibit the use of the ramp, and she was concerned about the ability of the artist to implement the project.
- Old Business
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m.
Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Assistant
Approved by Jill Manton, Public Art Program Director, 8/25/03
08/25/03
Notices
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Ave, Ste 240, San Francisco CA 94102 during regular business hours. Tel: 415-252-2594.
Public comment in regard to specific items will be taken before or during consideration of the item.
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