Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 330-B
Minutes
Commissioners Present
Stanlee Gatti, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, Dugald Stermer; Absent: Dede Wilsey.
Staff Present
Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs; Regina Almaguer, Rupert Jenkins, Debra Lehane, Jennifer Lovvorn, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious, Kristen Zaremba.
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:00 p.m.
- Consent
- Motion to approve the loan of a painting by Lucien Labaudt titled Shampoo at Moss Beach to the exhibition: Surrealism USA, organized by the National Academy of Design, NY and touring to the Phoenix Art Museum and a 3rd venue to be determined. Loan dates January 2005 - February 2007.
- Motion to approve the loan of a painting by Robert Bechtle titled San Francisco Nova to the exhibition: Robert Bechtle: A Retrospective, organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and touring to the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Loan dates January 2005 - October 2005.
- Motion to approve the loan of a painting by Maurice Lapp titled Urban Forms to the exhibition: Maurice Lapp Retrospective, organized by the Sonoma County Arts Council, Santa Rosa. Loan dates January 2005 - May 2005.
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Gallery Report
Gallery Director Rupert Jenkins reported that Gallery Manager Natasha Garcia-Lomas is leaving. She has been with the gallery for three years and has made a huge impact on the gallery. She’ll be working temporarily at Villa Montalvo. Mr. Jenkins also reported that the gallery has been working on strategic planning with its advisory board. There will be a full day planning retreat in May. He invited any interested Commissioner to attend. Mr. Jenkins added that there will be City Hall show openings next month on May 26 including a photo exhibition about the recent gay weddings.
The following motion was revised.
Motion: Motion to pay Meleksah Henderson up to $6,000 honoraria for gallery internship services, starting May 1, 2004, at the rate of no more than $1,000 per month.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Collections Report
Civic Art Collection Program Director Debra Lehane began her report by providing context related to a letter that was sent to Commissioners from the Mural Resource Center regarding a proposed mural by Demetra Captain. Ms. Lehane explained that the staff Curatorial Committee reviewed Ms. Captain’s mural design proposed for 3154 17th Street to be funded by the Mayor’s Neighborhood Beautification Fund. At that review in November 2003 the Committee declined to approve the proposal based on poorly rendered elements of the design and other concerns. The artist was given the option to address the Committee’s concerns. The artist resubmitted her design in January 2004 and because the problems had not been adequately resolved, the Committee declined to approve the revised design. Ms. Lehane reported that Arts Commission approval is not needed for the artist to be able to paint the mural on the proposed site since the property is privately owned. The artist does however need the Arts Commission’s approval in order to receive the funding from the Neighborhood Beautification fund. Commissioner Gatti stated that although he trusts staff’s opinion, he would like to see the proposed design. Ms. Lehane stated that she would get the proposed design from the artist for the next Visual Arts Committee meeting.
Ms. Lehane also reported on the Hamilton Pool Mural, which was discussed at the Civic Design Committee meeting. There was some debate whether the mural was installed legally and if it can be painted over. There was a question about whether the mural was impacting the overall redesign of the pool. Ms. Lehane stated that the Arts Commission had approved the mural to be painted in sepia tones, not the bright colors that were used. Ms. Lehane is also researching which location was approved. She stated that the Hamilton Pool project is currently on indefinite hold, so the question about the mural may be moot.
Ms. Lehane stated that at a future Visual Arts Committee meeting she will be asking for approval to relocate the Goethe and Schiller Monument from near the Academy of Sciences to the end of the concourse. She stated that this is the only location that wouldn’t have an impact on any major tree roots. The cherry tree that is currently in that location will be removed and a screen will be placed behind the monument.
Ms. Lehane ended her report by stating that at the next meeting she hopes to be requesting approval to relocate the de Anza and Carlos Monuments somewhere at Lake Merced.
- JP Murphy Clubhouse
Project Manager Regina Almaguer reported on the art enrichment project for the JP Murphy Clubhouse. She reminded Commissioners that she had presented work by the four finalists at the last Visual Arts Committee meeting. She stated that the selection panel met for a second time to interview the finalists and recommended Michael Carey for the project. She presented a site plan of the clubhouse and explained that the artist proposes to create a bronze figure, approximately five feet tall, mounted on a seven to eight foot tall stainless steel base. The standing figure has birds perched on its outstretched arms. The stainless steel base will be patinated to complement the color tones of the bronze sculpture. The base will have cutout animal imagery, backed by aluminum sheeting, which allows the imagery to contrast with the base. Commissioner Gatti stated that he liked the sculpture, but didn’t care for the base. He added that the piece should not be titled “St. Francis.” Commissioner Stermer stated that the iconography of St. Francis with birds mounted on his outstretched arms is a very common image in art and that it needn’t be associated with any organized religion.
Staff was directed to work with the artist to resolve any issues regarding the use of aluminum insets in the stainless steel base. Staff will investigate whether using these two metals in tandem will cause negative reactions.
Motion:Motion to approve artist Michael Carey’s conceptual design for artwork for the JP Murphy Clubhouse project.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with artist Michael Carey in an amount not to exceed $29,000 for the design development, fabrication, transportation and installation of a figurative sculpture for JP Murphy Clubhouse.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Laguna Honda Hospital
Project Manager Susan Pontious began her report by reminding Commissioners that she had previously presented various versions of the design by Cheonae Kim for the tiled walls at the Aqua Therapy Center at Laguna Honda Hospital. Ms. Pontious explained that the artist was commissioned to create a design for the wall using the tile that was specified in the architectural budget. The Commission approved the artist’s original design, but unfortunately the proposed colors were not available in the specified tile sizes. Ms. Pontious stated that the artist has created several color groupings, but her last two proposed color palettes were not approved. Now she has come up with two new color groupings: one with a matte surface and the other with a shiny surface. Ms. Pontious presented the current revised color schemes to the staff at Laguna Honda Hospital. Hospital staff said that they liked both and would defer to the artist. The artist prefers the shinier palette. Commissioner Gatti stated that he likes the revised color palettes.
Ms. Pontious continued her report by explaining that the conceptual design by Ann Chamberlain and Bernie Lubell had been previously approved and the artists are currently working on design development. Ms. Pontious is now requesting approval for the artists to proceed with construction documents. This approval is needed so that the artists can build prototypes and provide information that is needed for the architectural drawings. Once the artists have resolved their design, she will bring it to the Visual Art Committee for approval.
Motion: Motion to approve the revised tile color palette by Cheonae Kim for the Aqua Therapy Center at Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
Motion: Motion to increase the contract with Ann Chamberlain and Bernie Lubell by $240,000 for a total contract amount not to exceed $250,000 for construction documents, fabrication, transportation and installation of their photographic light box artworks for Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Art on Market Street Temporary Projects
Project Manager Judy Moran reported that the artist selection panel for the Art on Market Street Temporary Projects Program met and selected two proposed projects and an alternate. She presented the application materials of the artists recommended by the selection panel: The artist team of Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson; Tom Ferentz and the Sixth Street Photography Workshop; and the alternate artist, Kim Epifano of Epiphany Productions.
Ms. Moran presented slides of photographs by Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson who propose to do a project about the seeds of rare and endangered plants. Ms. Moran explained that the artists propose to create vinyl banners featuring the images of nearly extinct seeds greatly enlarged to be hung in the windows of the Ferry Building. The artists would also create explanatory signage to be located at street level. The project would also include companion lectures by an ethnobotanist. Commissioner Stermer stated that this project would certainly be supported from both within and outside the art community. Commissioner Gatti stated that the Ferry Building is a good venue for temporary projects and added that the seed project would tie in well with the farmer’s market. Ms. Moran added that the project could be publicized at the farmer’s market.
Next, Ms. Moran presented the proposal by Tom Ferentz and the Sixth Street Photography Workshop, which would include three evenings of slide shows on outdoor public walls at two sites along Market Street: two presentations at a site near the Luggage Store and one presentation at One Bush Plaza. The project would be directed by Tom Ferentz and Amanda Herman. They would be working with people who live near Market Street on creating the images through photography workshops for six months. Ms. Moran presented examples of past work by Tom Ferentz and the Sixth Street Photography Workshop. Ms. Moran added that the panel recommended that the budget be adjusted to include honoraria for the photographers as well as the lead artist and his collaborator. Commissioner Stermer agreed that it is important to pay the participants who are producing the work.
Commissioner Gatti asked why the slide presentations are structured as events rather than being ongoing. Ms. Moran stated that the project budget cannot afford having staff present to operate the equipment on an ongoing basis. Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that she will explore whether there is a secure location where automated equipment could be set up to run so that it’s not on the street and does not need to be staffed. Commissioner Stermer stated that it would take a disciplined audience to watch the entire slide show if it were presented as an event, whereas, if the slide show were ongoing, people could just happen upon it. Ms. Moran stated that it is not possible to have technical productions without ongoing specialized supervision, so she proposed a compromise by having an extended screening that might last several hours each weekend. Commissioner Stermer expressed support of this idea.
Finally, Ms. Moran presented the work by the alternate, Kim Epifano of Epiphany Productions, who proposes to create a performance event called “Lotta's Opera” that would be about the history of the buildings at the time of the 1906 earthquake along a section of Market Street. The event would include dance, theater and song, and would feature eight dancers and two opera singers. The performers would lead the audience down one city block as the performance unfolds. Ms. Moran presented a video clip from an Epiphany Productions performance in San Diego.
Commissioner Gatti stated that he loves the idea of vocal performance and dance on the street, but he is concerned that it needs to look professional. He added that San Francisco has a strong tradition of street performance, and some attempt would have to be made to distinguish this event from street theater. Ms. Moran stated that if this project were to go forward, she would expect to make the event as professional as resources would allow and she said she would welcome the Commissioners’ advice.
Motion: Motion to approve Tom Ferentz and The Sixth Street Photography Workshop's proposal, and the artist team of Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson's proposal for the Art on Market Street Temporary Project Program for 2004/05, with Kim Epifano of Epiphany Productions' proposal as an alternate.
Moved: Solomon/Stermer
The following motion was revised.
Motion: Motion to approve the Director of Cultural Affairs entering into contract with Tom Ferentz and Amanda Herman in an amount not to exceed $17,000, for “Talking Market Street: If Market Street Could Talk,” an art project for the Art on Market Street Temporary Projects Program for 2004/05.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
Motion: Motion to approve the Director of Cultural Affairs entering into contract with Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson in an amount not to exceed $17,075 for “Endangered Seed Project,” an art project for the Art on Market Street Temporary Projects Program for 2004/05, pending approval of the site.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
Motion: Motion to approve the Director of Cultural Affairs entering into contract with Kim Epifano of Epiphany Productions in an amount not to exceed $16,000 for “Lotta's Opera,” an art project for the Art on Market Street Temporary Projects Program for 2004/05, in the event that one of the two finalists' projects does not proceed to implementation.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Moscone Center
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the progress of the Diller + Scofidio Project at the new Moscone Center. She stated the project is almost finished. The screen is moving smoothly and the LED video is working. The sign off days for the system are projected to be on May 14th and 15th. Ms. Manton mentioned that she is concerned about the ongoing maintenance of the motion system. During the design process she was assured that the piece would be automated and would require very little maintenance. She is talking to Moscone about their staff performing a routine system check every morning. Some money remains in the maintenance reserve that can be used to pay Moscone staff. Ear Studio will also require a small annual fee for maintenance of the LED text. She stated that Pol-X West will be doing two a month for the first few months that the project is up and running. After that, there will be a monthly inspection. She added that when the project was being planned Moscone had funding reserves and there was some discussion and implied agreements that Moscone would contribute to the cost of maintaining the project. Now with the City’s financial crisis the reserves have been depleted. Commissioner Gatti inquired about the cost of the monthly inspections. Ms. Manton responded that the first annual budget from Pol-X West calls for 15 visits at $1,000 per visit. She added that she has observed the daily start up and it takes ten to fifteen minutes. Commissioner Gatti recommended that Ms. Manton discuss with the artists the possibility of keeping the video screen in one location. Ms. Manton stated that she is hopeful that Moscone will be willing to perform the daily system start up. She added that she hopes that the interior-facing LED text will be a source of revenue from the sale of advertising which could be used to offset maintenance costs. Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth suggested that a maintenance endowment be created.
- Stern Grove
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the art enrichment project at Stern Grove. She stated that a call for artists has been distributed and she asked the Commissioners to pass on any recommendations of artists. The public art will be located in the meadow and the artwork will be concrete, stone, bronze, or wood. Due to the size of the budget ($50,000) the competition is limited to Bay Area artists. Ms. Manton stated that she’d like a Commission liaison on the panel, which would begin meeting in late May. Commissioner Solomon volunteered to be part of the selection process.
- Visitacion Valley Clubhouse
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton and Project Manager Kristen Zaremba gave an update on the status of Victor Zaballa's gate and fence project for the Visitacion Valley Clubhouse. Ms. Manton explained that Nina Dunbar had been managing the project prior to her maternity leave. She added that Ms. Zaremba has done a formidable job trying to resolve the project’s final fabrication and paint performance problems. The artist and his fabricator are in dispute about this project and others, leading to further delays in addressing these problems and completing the work. Ms. Zaremba found a contractor to provide a solution to the paint problem, and the artist has continued to work on the structural and hardware defects. Now the artist’s subcontractor has filed a Stop Notice, freezing funds remaining in the contract, and causing the painting contractor to stop, as the artist does not have the financial means to pay them to complete their work.
Ms. Zaremba presented images of the clubhouse fence and gates as installed, explaining that when Ms. Dunbar went on maternity leave it was thought that the project was close to completion. However the issues related to fabrication soon came up. The artist is also having serious health problems and was trying to manage an unreliable subcontractor. Ms. Zaremba stated that the gates arrived late with the paint defects, scratches and that exposed metal surfaces soon began rusting. She added that the artist had been put in default on the contract once already, and was sent a demand letter to finish the artwork, which he was unable to do. The artist is currently trying to obtain bonds to allow for the release of funds from the contract. In the meantime, due to safety concerns, the Arts Commission has been obligated to contract directly with the painters currently on site to complete the project using another funding source. She reported that the Arts Commission will work with the city attorney to take all necessary steps to terminate the contract with the artist because he is in default. Once this occurs, the Arts commission will deduct the cost of remedying the problem from the contract balance. The client, Recreation and Parks, will be satisfied because the project is now being completed.
- Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton and Project Manager Kristen Zaremba gave an update on the art enrichment project design by Victor Zaballa for the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant. Ms. Zaremba stated that the project has been in the works for three years and the staff at the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant loved the proposed tile and mosaic mural. Ms. Zaremba reiterated that the artist is very ill and she thinks that he may not be able to complete the project on his own, based on his performance on the Visitacion Valley Clubhouse project. She explained that Arts Commission staff had suggested to the artist the possibility of having another mosaic artist or contractor execute the artist’s design with the artist having design oversight. The artist does not support that option, but he is currently trying to find new architects and contractors to help him execute the work. Ms. Manton stated that she is afraid that it would be irresponsible of the Public Art Program to go forward with the project based upon his past performance, however, she feels bad about the artist’s health. The Commissioners concurred that the Commission should not enter into a fabrication contract with the artist for this project. Commissioner Gatti stated that the program needs to set its limits. Commissioner Solomon stated that it is not unusual for artists to be commissioned to create designs that are never realized, although they are paid for their design. Commissioner Stermer stated that the program should cut its losses. Ms. Manton stated that the artist has already purchased thousands of dollars worth of materials for the mosaic and tile work, which were not authorized under his design contract. Commissioner Stermer recommended that we pay the artist the remaining $2,500 of his design contract, and then end the project.
Motion: Motion to make final payment to artist Victor Zaballa on his design contract for the Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant for an amount not to exceed $2,500.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- New Business
Director of Cultural AffairsRichard Newirth introduced Katie Sevier from the Goldman School of Public Policy at U. C. Berkeley who has been studying, as part of her Master’s thesis, the Public Art Program’s cost of doing business. Mr. Newirth stated that her research is providing the agency with very useful information and ideas for future possible legislative change. Ms. Sevier has researched the best practices of other programs around the country. Mr. Newirth stated that her work is incredibly valuable and the agency is very appreciative.
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton was approached by a private fundraising group who are working to renovate the windmill in Golden Gate Park. They were interested in including a Public Art component. Initially Ms. Manton thought that the art enrichment budget of $10,000 was too small. However, the group wanted to commission a sound work that could be performed at the windmill’s opening. Ms. Manton consulted with composer Paul Drescher and he felt that $10,000 would be an adequate budget to commission a musical composition.
- Old Business
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Associate
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs, 5/11/2004
5/11/2004
Notices
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Ave, Suite 240, San Francisco CA 94102 during regular business hours. Tel: INFO: (Jennifer Lovvorn 415-252-2594).
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