Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present
Leonard Hunter, Jeannene Przyblyski, Pop Zhao
Absent: Lawrence Rinder, Dede Wilsey
Staff Present
Nancy Gonchar, Tonia Macneil, Judy Moran, Richard Newirth, Susan Pontious, Ellen Shershow, Meg Shiffler
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:05 p.m.
- Consent
1. Motion to approve Jonathan Bonner’s granite sample submission of Mountain Rose Granite with a honed finish as the material for his sculpture for Laguna Honda Hospital.
2. Motion to approve the six final poster designs by artist Mark Brest Van Kempen for the Art on Market Street 2006 Kiosk Poster Series, for exhibition in 24 kiosks on Market Street from August 11 to November 9, 2006.
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
Moved: Hunter/Zhao
- Collections Update
Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar publicly thanked the collections staff, Carol Marie Daniels, Marcus Davies, Sarah Lenoue, Susan Pontious and Rommel Taylor for their extraordinary work on the collection. Ms. Gonchar reminded the Commissioners that numerous conservation, maintenance and renovation projects have been completed this year, including Portals of the Past, Lotta’s Fountain and ten pieces at the San Francisco International Airport, among others. Additionally, the staff has gone the extra step of coordinating a maintenance strategy which includes a City-approved list of pre-approved conservators and art technicians.
Ms. Gonchar then presented the agreement between the Arts Commission and Olympic View Realty regarding the Beniamino Bufano sculpture entitled “Peace,” located on Brotherhood Way. The construction of 182 residential units at 800 Brotherhood Way will require that the sculpture be protected during construction. The agreement states that Olympic View Realty will, at its sole expense, protect the sculpture throughout the construction project, clean the sculpture within thirty days of the construction completion, and furnish landscape lighting as well as a path for disabled access to the base of the sculpture. Olympic View Realty has been extremely amenable to this arrangement.
Motion: Motion to approve the agreement between the Arts Commission and Olympic View Realty regarding the Beniamino Bufano sculpture “Peace,” located on Brotherhood Way.
Moved: Hunter/Zhao
Ms. Gonchar went on to present the Fire Arts Coalition and their efforts to perform in public spaces throughout San Francisco. Ms. Gonchar explained that the cost of permit fees has risen sharply over the past year, making them more difficult to obtain. The Fire Arts Coalition has already received a supportive motion from the Entertainment Commission. Ms. Gonchar introduced a representative for the Fire Arts Coalition, Vatra Amidzich.
Mr. Amidzich stated that he is a fire dance performance artist, and as a representative of the Fire Arts Coalition, he would like to ask for the support of the Arts Commission. He said that fire dancing already experiences a broad range of support in San Francisco, including groups such as Bom Tribe, Burning Man, the Fire Arts Collective and Pyronauts. They are looking to create an alliance with the Arts Commission, the San Francisco Fire Department and the Entertainment Commission to bring affordable and legal fire arts dance to San Francisco.
Mr. Amidzich explained that fire dancing utilizes small amounts of fuel that are completely harmless when used correctly. Fire dance performers do not use fireworks, pyrotechnics, or any substance that explodes. Crowd control and safety are extremely important to fire dancers, who inspect their tools meticulously and have fire extinguishers at every performance.
Currently, in order to have a single performance, a fire dancer must obtain the following permits:
1. Fire Department fee: $160
2. Fire Marshal Fee: $380
3. Insurance
4. Street Closure and/or Parks and Recreation fees
This means that each fire dancer must pay a minimum of $540 per performance.
Because the Fire Arts Coalition members would like to make a living doing what they love, they are proposing an annual fire dance permit for fire dance artists. They propose that performers would need to receive a passing grade for three events to be eligible for such a permit, in addition to carrying insurance, and receiving warnings leading to probations should they commit infractions during the time that the permit is active. This annual permit would be renewable, and would include all fire permit and Fire Marshal fees for all events. Mr. Amidzich explained that this permit would be analogous to a driver’s license.
Mr. Amidzich stated that this will bolster the reputation of the City of San Francisco as a cultural mecca that supports innovative and vibrant forms of performance art, in addition to increasing awareness of fire safety. He stated that the coalition is not looking to change any of the current rules, but to work with them in a mutually beneficial manner.
In response to the Commissioners’ questions, Mr. Amidzich stated that the coalition was encouraged to get support from the Entertainment Commission and the Arts Commission before approaching the Fire Department.
Motion: Motion to support the Fire Arts Coalition and their efforts to perform in public spaces throughout San Francisco
Moved: Hunter/Zhao
- Moscone Recreation Center
On behalf of Public Art Program Director Jill Manton, Project Manager Judy Moran presented the Moscone Recreation Project selection panel’s recommendation of Kent Roberts, Troy Corliss and Brian Goggin as finalists to submit preliminary proposals for the Moscone Recreation Center.
Ms. Moran showed the Commissioners photographs of the existing Recreation Center and explained that the building will be renovated. She stated the project architects and Marina community members were most interested in a stand-alone sculpture to be placed at some point along Chestnut Street, near the Recreation Center. The community would also like the work to both reflect the history of the area and respond to the aesthetics of the Recreation Center, which is a multi-use facility for children, adults and seniors.
Ms. Moran stated that the three finalists have very different styles, but are similar in that they all demonstrated the ability to create unique artworks for specific situations. Troy Corliss works in a narrative style; for example, he fabricated terrazzo seating based on oversized and squashed sports balls, such as footballs, baseballs, etc. Brian Goggin’s work is quite playful, and he is probably best known for his site-specific sculpture, Defenestration, covering a building at Sixth and Folsom Streets in San Francisco. Kent Roberts’ artwork is elegant and well-crafted, as demonstrated in his wood and copper rowboat indoor sculptures and outdoor bridge sculptures.
Commissioner Hunter added that the panel had been exemplary, and that the pool of artists was very strong. Commissioner Hunter publicly thanked Ms. Moran for her work on the panel.
Motion: Motion to approve the Moscone Recreation Project selection panel’s recommendation of Kent Roberts, Troy Corliss and Brian Goggin as finalists to submit preliminary proposals for the Moscone Recreation Center.
Moved: Zhao/Hunter
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to pay an honorarium in the amount of $500 each to Kent Roberts, Troy Corliss and Brian Goggin for preliminary proposals for the Moscone Recreation Center.
Moved: Zhao/Hunter
- San Francisco International Airport
Public Art Program Deputy Director Susan Pontious presented the Sister City prototype and medallion designs by artist Lewis deSoto. Ms. Pontious stated that both she and Mr. deSoto tested two projectors for the light projections in the international terminal. The less expensive projector did not work at all, while the second projector, which is the same kind currently being used in Mr. deSoto’s artwork at the courthouse, worked flawlessly and was unaffected by the level of ambient light. This projector has been approved by Airport Director John Martin and the Airport Design Review Committee.
Ms. Pontious explained that the budget has been raised slightly to accommodate the purchase of the more expensive projectors, but that the Airport is installing the project, leaving only the design, the projectors, and the gel costs to the Arts Commission.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that Ms. Pontious has done a wonderful job with a challenging project. Commissioner Hunter added that an agreement needs to be made to allow for flexibility in the event of any sort of change to the International Terminal or the equipment.
Motion: Pending Airport approval, authorization for the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Lewis deSoto for an amount not to exceed $45,000 to fabricate and deliver sixteen Sister City light gels and projectors for installation at San Francisco International Airport.
Moved: Hunter/Zhao
- Victoria Manalo Draves Park
Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious presented the temporary installation, sponsored by the Black Rock Arts Foundation, of the sculpture Stan, the Submerging Man, by Finley Fryer, for a period not to exceed six months at Victoria Manalo Draves Park (formerly known as SOMA Park) pending approval from the Recreation and Parks Commission. Ms. Pontious began by explaining that some months ago, at Ms. Pontious’ suggestion, the community approached the Black Rock Arts Foundation in regards to an appropriate temporary piece for Victoria Manalo Draves Park. This led to the proposal of Stan, the Submerging Man. Ms Pontious stated that the piece will be affixed to a hard surface, and that appropriate engineering steps will be taken to assure its safety.
Commissioner Przyblyski opened up the meeting to public comment.
Gill Sperlein spoke as a community member. Mr. Sperlein stated that the sculpture is very important to the community, as the park’s location at Folsom and Sixth Streets makes it vulnerable to drug activity. He suggested that sculptures such as this will attract families and community members, and serve to change the reputation of the park as a location for drug activity.
Mary Tienken, Landscape Architect for the Recreation and Parks Department, expressed her excitement over the sculpture. Ms. Tienken stated that the sculpture has a playful quality that is appropriate for the park, and that it effectively puts the park, “on the map.”
Another community member stated that, as a mother of young children, she often struggles to find a safe outdoor playground for her children. Additionally, she looks forward to establishing her neighborhood as a community, and feels that Stan, the Submerging Man will assist in accomplishing both of these goals.
Christine Kristen, Curator for Burning Man, explained that she selected Stan, the Submerging Man based on the specific needs of Victoria Manalo Draves Park and the surrounding community. Having worked extensively with artist Finley Fryer, she feels its construction of recycled materials, in addition to its playful nature, makes the sculpture uniquely appropriate for this location.
Finally, artist Finley Fryer spoke. He stated that the sculpture has been installed in many outdoor locations, that it withstands the outdoors well and is quite simple and inexpensive to repair in the case of vandalism. He concurred with the community that this will work well in its proposed location due in part to its appeal to children. Mr. Fryer closed by offering to answer any questions about his sculpture.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she feels we learned from the David Best Temple that temporary public art should be accessible and should withstand vandalism. She stated that she would like to have a meeting with Black Rock to discuss beginning Arts Commission involvement at an earlier stage of project selection. Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth stated that the Arts Commission values the work they do with Black Rock Arts Foundation, and that in the future he looks forward to developing a better procedure for selecting Black Rock projects proposed for public spaces in San Francisco.
Motion: Motion to approve the temporary installation sponsored by the Black Rock Arts Foundation, of the sculpture Stan, the Submerging Man, by Finley Fryer, for a period not to exceed six months at Victoria Manalo Draves Park (formerly known as SOMA Park) pending approval from the Recreation and Parks Commission.
Moved: Hunter/Zhao
- Argonne Playground
This item has been removed.
- South East Water Pollution Control Plant (SEWPCP)
Project Manager Tonia Macneil requested guidance as to how to proceed with providing artwork for the lobby of the South East Water Pollution Control Plant, a facility of the Public Utilities Commission. Ms. Macneil stated that this project has been ongoing since December, 2001, when Artist Victor Zaballa was commissioned to create such artwork. At that time, the project had a budget of $70,000. In 2002, the budget was cut to $57,000.
Beginning in November, 2002, the project experienced numerous delays, exacerbated by the unforeseen illness of both Victor Zaballa and his wife, artist Ann Chamberlain. In 2003, the Arts Commission completed the contract design payments to Mr. Zaballa, though the work was not yet completed. Since that time, the Arts Commission has extended several deadlines for Mr. Zaballa.
At this time, we are still waiting to receive a final modified proposal and budget form from Mr. Zaballa. Ms. Macneil and the Commissioners discussed a solution at length, eager to find a way to both preserve a strong working relationship with the Public Utilities Commission, and remain respectful of Mr. Zaballa’s work and circumstances.
It was decided that staff shall work with the Public Utilities Commission to determine whether the project funds were still available to complete the work, either working directly with Mr. Zaballa, or utilizing his unique design with a ceramic fabricator.
- New Business
- Old Business
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:32 p.m.
6/16/2006
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.
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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/
