Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, March 17, 2004
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present
Ralph Guggenheim, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, Dugald Stermer, Dede Wilsey; Absent: Stanlee Gatti.
Staff Present
Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs; Regina Almaguer, Rupert Jenkins, Debra Lehane, Jennifer Lovvorn, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious.
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:10 p.m.
- Consent
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- Motion to approve the following pool of arts professional candidates for the 2004/05 Art on Market Street Temporary Projects Artist Selection Panel: Miya Masaoka, composer; Pamela Z, sound artist; Joe Goode, Joe Goode Dance Company; Jo Kreiter, Flyaway Productions; Ellen Sebastian Chang, performer; Joe Lambert, performing arts curator; Scott Constable, Wowhaus, architectural/environmental projects; Ene Osteraas-Constable, Wowhaus, architectural/environmental projects.
- Motion to approve the following pool of arts professional candidates for the 2005 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series Artist Selection Panel: Katherine Aoki, printmaker; Jason Jagel, painter; Matthew Higgs, Asst. Curator, CCA Gallery; Kerry Loewen, photographer; Gabrielle Drinard, visual artist; Stephanie Syjuco, visual artist.
- Motion to approve the six original designs for the Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, Urban Ornith-Capades, by artist Gabrielle Drinard, to be reproduced on 24 posters for installation in kiosks on Market Street between Van Ness Avenue and the Embarcadero from May 14 to August 12, 2004.
- Motion to approve any two of the following as guest jurors for the Stern Grove public art selection panel: Sheila Ghidini, Mark Brest Van Kempen, Susan Schwartzenberg, John Roloff, Kathryn Reasoner, Ned Kahn, Doug Hollis, and others to be named at meeting.
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Collections Report
Civic Art Collection Program Director Debra Lehane reported on various Collections Program activities. She stated that the Chronicle featured an article on the Vaillancourt Fountain adding that Supervisor Peskin recently put forward a Board of Supervisors Resolution urging the Recreation and Park Department and the Arts Commission to consider the possible removal and replacement of the Vaillancourt Fountain from Justin Herman Plaza. Commissioners Guggenhiem and Stermer stated that the water should be restored to the fountain and that removing the fountain would set a bad precedent. Ms. Lehane continued her report by stating that due to the lawsuit which has halted construction on the de Young Museum’s new parking garage in Golden Gate Park, the relocation of monuments from the parking concourse is also currently on hold. Ms. Lehane stated that the Bufano sculptures have been successfully moved and installed at the Randall Museum, and there will be a reception event for the pieces in May. She also reported that she will be asking the Lake Merced Taskforce to consider placement of the de Anza and Carlos Monuments somewhere at Lake Merced.
Ms. Lehane introduced Linda Lustig and Regina Almaguer who would be presenting the design for the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Memorial proposed for Ferry Plaza Park. Ms. Lehane added that there are some concerns about the proposed design. Ms. Almaguer presented images of the mock-up and reminded Commissioners that they had reviewed the design in June 2003. She stated that there are concerns with the framework being construed as a climbing structure, and there are durability and conservation problems with the use of onyx. She added that the conservator’s report indicated that the ink on the onyx would be vulnerable to permanent damage by solvents that are used to clean off graffiti. Ms. Lustig stated that although there are problems with the use of onyx, the visual effect is stunning. Commissioners Stermer and Guggenhiem asked if the piece could be proposed for an interior location. Ms. Lustig replied that the piece is activated by sunlight and that would diminish the visual effect of the work. She was also concerned that it would be impossible to find a suitable indoor location. She stated that she could ask the artists to redesign the piece so that it is not climbable. Commissioner Solomon stated that she liked the proposed design as is and that the framework gives the piece depth. Commissioner Stermer stated that the piece is very smart and beautiful and although not entirely practical for an outdoor setting, he feels it is a great piece.
The following motion was revised.
Motion: Motion to approve the design for the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Memorial.
Moved: Stermer/Wilsey
- Laguna Honda Hospital
Project Manager Susan Pontious began her report by reminding Commissioners that at the last meeting she had presented the revised design by Cheonae Kim for the tiled walls for the Aqua Therapy Center at Laguna Honda Hospital. Based on the Commissioners recommendations from that meeting, Ms. Pontious presented new tiles that are subtler in color. She stated that Laguna Honda Hospital prefers stronger and brighter colors. Ms. Pontious added that although she could ask the artist to revise her design again, the architects are currently completing their specification writing and they need to include the information for the particular tile that will be used. Ms. Pontious requested that the Commissioners approve the design for the yellow and white wall, so that the scope of the problem will be more defined. She added that she will consult with the artist and architects and bring the design back to the next meeting.
Ms. Pontious continued her report by presenting Lewis deSoto’s tapestry mock-up for Laguna Honda Hospital. She stated that the artist is revising the shadow color to be less red and more consistant with sepia-toned photographs. He also is doubling the width of the border tile motif.
Ms. Pontious also presented the final drawings for the mosaics by Owen Smith to be located in the neighborhoods at Laguna Honda Hospital. Ms. Pontious explained that for each neighborhood the artist is creating a unique mosaic and relief artwork based on each of the four elements: earth, wind, water and fire. The elements will act as a visual identifier for the neighborhood.
Finally, Ms. Pontious presented the conceptual proposal by Wang Po Shu for Courtyard J at Laguna Honda Hospital. She explained that the artist did extensive research for his project including meeting with and interviewing doctors, other hospital staff and patients. Ms. Pontious stated that the proposed cedar sculpture includes drip ponds. She added that the client likes that the sculpture would obscure the view of the loading dock from the courtyard.
The following motion was revised.
Motion: Motion to approve the design of the yellow and white tiled wall by Cheonae Kim for the Aqua Therapy Center at Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Stermer/Guggenheim
Motion: Motion to approve Lewis deSoto’s tapestry mock-up for Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Stermer/Wilsey
The following motion was revised.
Motion: Motion to approve images by Owen Smith for neighborhoods at Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Stermer/Wilsey
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement for $250,000 with Arlan Huang to fabricate, transport and install 15 glass panels with glass rondels and four 5'x5' glass block windows with 35 glass stones each for Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Solomon/Wilsey
Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual proposal by Wang Po Shu for Courtyard J at Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Stermer/Wilsey
- JP Murphy Clubhouse Project
Project Manager Regina Almaguer reported on the art enrichment project for the JP Murphy Clubhouse that is a park and clubhouse located on 9th Avenue near Pacheco and Ortega Streets. She reported that the selection panel met and chose four artists to interview for the project: Michael Carey, Glen Rogers, Ken Matsumoto and Scott Donahue. Ms. Almaguer presented slides of past work by each of the four finalists. The artists are scheduled to be interviewed on April 7th.
Motion: Motion to approve the following artists as finalists for the JP Murphy Clubhouse Project and to pay each artist an honorarium of $300 to participate in the interview process: Michael Carey, Glen Rogers, Ken Matsumoto and Scott Donahue.
Moved: Wilsey/Stermer
- Pulgas Water Temple Project
Project Manager Regina Almaguer reported on the art enrichment project for Pulgas Water Temple. She stated that the project has an art budget of $155,000, which shall be used for new entry gates to the facility on Crystal Springs Road. Ms. Almaguer reported that the selection panel met and chose three artists/artist teams to interview for the project and three alternates. Ms. Almaguer presented slides of past work by each of the finalists: Diana Pumpelly Bates, Tom Otterness, and the team of Ean Eldred and John Kashiwabara.
Motion: Motion to approve the following artists as finalists for the Pulgas Water Temple Project and to pay each artist an honorarium of $1,500 for the development of a conceptual design proposal: Diana Pumpelly Bates, Tom Otterness, and the team of Ean Eldred and John Kashiwabara.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
Motion: Motion to approve the following artists as alternates for the Pulgas Water Temple Project, in order of preference: Eric Powell, Ed McGowin, Branden Zebold.
Moved: Solomon/Wilsey
- 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. There was a work session on March 4th and 5th in which most of the outstanding issues were resolved. Most importantly the motion system is running smoothly. Ms. Manton explained that in the recent storms, the screen incurred some minor water damage and added that Multimedia is currently resealing the screen. Ms. Manton stated that there have been some problems with the camera and that a Panasonic representative will be visiting the site to resolve that issue. Ms. Manton added that she and Program Associate Jennifer Lovvorn attended a tutorial to learn about the broadcast scheduling software that is used to program what video footage or live feed displays on the screen.
- Arts Commission Budget
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton explained that the Mayor’s Office has recently requested that all city departments create a contingency budget with a 7.5% reduction in the current year (FY 2003-04) General Fund budget. Apparently, this “cut” is somewhat negotiable and it may not be necessary to make the entire cut. For the upcoming fiscal year (2004-05) there is a mandated 5.5% cut to the General Fund budget. In addition, the Mayor’s Office is requesting a 15% contingency reduction plan. Because the state of the budget is potentially quite grave, Ms. Manton stated that she felt that it was important to explain that historically the Commissioners would meet with both the Mayor and the Board of Supervisors during the budget process to discuss the importance of preserving the Arts Commission’s against any further cuts.
- Academy of Sciences
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton presented the MOU between the Arts Commission and the Academy of Sciences and explained that she incorporated the Committee’s suggestions regarding the Whale Fountain, included protocol for the artist selection process, and added space on the selection panel for a citizen advisory group member.
Ms. Manton added that the Academy of Sciences is required to comply with the Art Enrichment Ordinance requiring that 2% of the 2000 Bond money and up to 2% of the Steinhart Aquarium Bond be used for the commissioning of artwork. She reported that Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth met with the Director of the Academy of Sciences to propose an Art Enrichment budget of Two Million Dollars. We are waiting for their response.
Ms. Manton reminded Commissioners that because the building’s design is nearly complete and the architecture makes such a strong statement, the artwork will not be located in the building. Instead, the artwork may be located at either of the axial approaches to the building or at the outdoor trellised areas. Other possible sites may also be identified.
Explanatory Document: MOU
Motion: Motion to approve the MOU between the Arts Commission and the Academy of Sciences.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- Gallery Report
Gallery Director Rupert Jenkins began his report by announcing that there is an opening reception for “The People’s Republic” at the Gallery on March 19 from 6 – 8 PM. The six artists in this exhibition document and subtly respond to the conditions, politics and cultures of global migration, particularly with respect to labor and transnational economies. He presented the exhibition brochure and noted that it includes an essay by local art writer Allison Bing.
Mr. Jenkins reported that the Mayor attended the last opening reception at City Hall. There are currently four exhibitions on view: “415/514,” Photographs by Amanda Marchand; “The Bay Area Seen,” Work from the California Society of Printmakers; “Building Studies” by George Clapper; and “First 5—Family Focus/Los Primeros 5—Enfoque Familiar.”
Mr. Jenkins continued his report by explaining that each year the San Francisco Foundation awards a number of MFA students with the Murphy and Cadogan Fellowhips in the Fine Arts with $2,500 to assist these students in pursuing graduate academic fine arts study. In addition to the monetary award, The San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery sponsors an annual exhibit featuring the work of the Murphy Fellowship winners. Fellowship applicants must be a graduate fine arts student at one of the following seven Bay Area colleges and universities: Academy of Art College, California College of Arts and Crafts, John F. Kennedy University, Mills College, San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco State University, Stanford University, or the University of California at Berkeley. Mr. Jenkins stated that if the Commissioners approve the proposed jurors, they authorize those jurors to make the artist selections.
Motion: Motion to approve the following jurors for the Murphy and Cadogan Award show, sponsored by the SF Foundation: Courtney Fink, Executive Director, Southern Exposure; Rene de Guzman, Visual Arts Curator, Yerba Buena Center; Steve Seid, Video Curator, Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley.
Moved: Stermer/Solomon
- New Business
As an item of new business, Commissioner Stermer proposed that the Arts Commission sponsor a program of murals on buses. He stated that the technology for shrink wrapping buses with advertisement could allow for an exciting venue for mobile murals.
- Old Business
As an item of old business, Public Art Program Director Jill Manton announced the successful installation of the new sculpture “Invocation” by Pepe Ozan at the Cesar Chavez overpass.
Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Associate
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs, 4/1/2004
4/1/2004
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).
Public comment in regard to specific items will be taken before or during consideration of the item.
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