Meeting Information

Visual_Arts_Committee

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 1, 2004
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

Commissioners Present
Jeannene Przyblyski, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon, Dugald Stermer
Absent: Maya Draisin, Dede Wilsey

Staff Present
Carol Marie Daniels, Nina Dunbar, Nancy Gonchar, Rupert Jenkins, Jennifer Lovvorn, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious

Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.

The meeting commenced at 3:00 p.m.

1. Consent
   1. Motion to approve the loan of “18th St. Downgrade (1978),” a painting by Wayne Thiebaud, to the University of California Berkeley Art Museum for a two-year period (renewable).
      
      Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar item.
      Moved: Przyblyski/Solomon
      
      
2. Gallery Report
   Gallery Director Rupert Jenkins announced that there are new exhibitions at all three sites.  At the 401 Van Ness Gallery there is an opening reception tonight from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM for the Murphy and Cadogan Fellowship award exhibition, which is supported by the San Francisco Foundation.  Next week in City Hall, the following new exhibitions open: “Insights 2004,” the annual juried exhibition of work by artists who are legally blind; solo shows by Pete Eckert, Michael LeVell and Alison Ulman, who are featured artists for Insights’s 15th anniversary; and “Jazzography: Photographs of Legendary Jazz Musicians,” by Mars Breslow.  There will be a reception for these exhibitions on September 9 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  Currently on view at the Grove Street windows space is the recently installed dual-channel video piece “Yellow Descending” by Elaine Buckholtz. 
   
   Mr. Jenkins reported that he still does not have approval for the requisition to hire a staff person for the part-time temporary exempt position.  Due to the loss of both his full-time and part-time staff members, Mr. Jenkins has made the decision to cease programming exhibitions in City Hall until he is able to hire a replacement City Hall coordinator.  He stated that the upcoming City Hall exhibitions will run through mid-October, and that no exhibitions have been confirmed beyond that time.  A new staff person has been identified and can be hired immediately once the requisition is approved by the Mayor’s office.  Commissioner Przyblyski suggested that a sign be installed where the exhibitions would be that explains why there are no exhibitions on display.
   
   
3. Laguna Honda Hospital
   Project Manager Susan Pontious gave an update on Cliff Garten’s artist-designed handrail project for the Link Building at Laguna Honda Hospital.  She stated that the Visual Arts Committee had previously approved the artist’s design drawings.  Ms. Pontious explained that the handrail consists of straight sections and specialty cast curved sections.  She presented material samples of extruded polycarbonate for the straight section and cast polyurethane for the carved model for the curved section.  The blue and ochre color palette of the sample was selected to match the architectural color palette for that part of the building.  She explained that the handrail has been designed to help residents with way-finding by using various color materials and by having Braille on the surface.  Ms. Pontious stated that once the materials and model are approved, the next phase would be to build a ten-foot section of the handrail.
   
   Motion: Motion to approve Cliff Garten’s model and materials for an artist-designed handrail for Laguna Honda Hospital.
   Moved: Solomon/Przyblyski
   
   
4. Art on Market Street Temporary Project Program
   Project Manager Judy Moran presented an alternate proposal for “The Endangered Seed Project” by the artist team of Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson.  Ms. Moran explained that the artists had originally proposed to install three 20-foot square open weave banners featuring images of nearly-extinct seeds across the front of the Ferry Building.  She reported that because the Ferry Building will not permit the installation of any signage, the artists have been forced to find a new site.  Because of the project theme, it is desirable to have the banners located near a farmer’s market so that the placement of these banners would not seem arbitrary.  Ms. Moran presented a mock-up image of several smaller banners as they would look if installed on the rear side of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.  Ms. Moran explained that there are certain vents on the rear side of the building that cannot be covered, so the exact layout would have to be coordinated with the building engineer. 
   
   Commissioner Stermer stated that because the banners are located so high on the building, people in passing cars would not be able to see them.  Commissioner Solomon stated that the banners are too small and recommended that the artists make one large banner of one seed that could be installed across the entire rear side of the building.  She also recommended that an additional large banner be installed on the adjacent side of the building.  Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the new proposed location does not have a strong association with the farmer’s market at U.N. Plaza.  She stated that the project could have a metaphorical connection to the earth if the banners were located at ground level in the stairwells leading down to the underground MUNI and BART stations.   Commissioner Stermer stated that the new proposed location does not seem appropriate and that the artists should continue looking for sites.  He recommended that the artists consider the Library or the new Alfred building.  Commissioner Solomon suggested that the artists make a huge banner that could be suspended between the light cannons at Ferry Plaza.  The Commissioners encouraged Ms. Moran to work with the artists to find a location as close to the Ferry Building as possible.
   
   The following motion was withdrawn.
   Motion: Motion to approve the relocation of “The Endangered Seed Project,” by the artist team of Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson for the Art on Market Street Temporary Projects Program 2004-05, to the exterior of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, and to authorize an increase in the contract to an amount not to exceed $23,000.
   
   
5. Pulgas Water Temple Project
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the Pulgas Water Temple Art Enrichment Project.  The selection panel recently met to review the conceptual proposals by the three project finalists.   She presented Tom Otterness’s conceptual proposal and explained that he received a majority of the votes by a narrow margin.   Ms. Manton explained that the panelists felt that the Otterness proposal, while more appropriate and engaging than the others, was not consistent with the best examples of his past work, which is typically very witty and includes numerous small cast bronze creatures.  Ms. Manton stated that the staff recommends accepting Tom Otterness as the project artist if he agrees to revise his proposal taking into account the recommendations of the selection panel.  Commissioner Stermer stated that the proposal would have to be dramatically reworked. 
   
   Because the selection panel votes were so close, Ms. Manton also presented the proposal by Diana Pumpbelly Bates, who was the runner-up.  She explained that the selection panel felt that the Bates proposal was too urban for the site and that it did not respond to the identity and functions of the Water Temple site.  Commissioner Stermer stated that he prefers the Bates proposal.  Ms. Manton reported that the PUC staff on the panel did not like this proposal.  She stated that they liked the WPA-era logo that Tom Otterness created for the center of the gate. Commissioner Solomon responded that she did not like the artist-designed logo.
   
   Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she understands the need to work collaboratively with the PUC, but feels that it would be good to have a joint meeting between the Visual Arts Committee and the PUC Art Steering Committee to clarify the interface between the two bodies.   Ms. Manton stated that she would be able to arrange the meeting and added that the Arts Commission already has a Memorandum of Understanding with the PUC that governs the work of the two departments relative to the implementation of the Art Enrichment Ordinance.
   
   Ms. Manton recommended that the two high-scoring finalists be invited to submit revised proposals that address the panelists’ concerns.  The Commissioners were amenable to this suggestion.
   
   The following motion was withdrawn.
   Motion: Motion to approve the panel’s recommendation to select artist Tom Otterness pending a revised proposal for the Pulgas Water Temple Gates Project.
   
   
6. Moscone Center
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the progress of the Diller + Scofidio Project.  She stated that the project is very close to completion and there are only six items left to complete.  She added that she is very frustrated with Multimedia, because they are taking so long to complete their work.  She stated that she hesitates to invoke the liquidated damages section of the contract since it may strain the ongoing working relationship with Multimedia.  Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she will ask the Mayor to write a letter to Multimedia on behalf of the Arts Commission urging them to complete the work before the Moscone Center enters into the fall convention season.
   
   
7. Windmill Project
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported that the windmill in Golden Gate Park is being restored and will generate art enrichment funds of $14,000.  She stated that normally for such a small amount it is preferable to pool the money and have it redirected to a more substantial project.  However, one of the members of the project’s private fundraising group approached Ms. Manton to inquire whether the Arts Commission would be interested in using the art enrichment funding to commission a commemorative musical composition in honor of the restoration.  She added that the private fundraising group would raise additional funds to pay for a performance of the work, as well as fund a limited production of a CD.  In order to ascertain whether $10,000 is sufficient to commission a 15-minute piece, Ms. Manton spoke with the Arts Commission’s Cultural Equity Grant Program and the composer Paul Dresher.  
   
   Ms. Manton added that because the project would generate such a small administrative fee the Public Art Program would not be able to manage the project.  She stated that a consultant would have to be hired for a flat fee to administer the commission.
   
   Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she likes the idea that art enrichment money would be used to commission work that is accessible through other than visual senses.  She added that the challenge for the composer would be to make a piece that stands on its own, yet still has a connection to the site. 
   
   
8. Overview of the Public Art Project Development Process
   This report was postponed to the next Visual Arts Committee meeting. 
   
   
9. Budget and Staff Impacts on Civic Art Collection
   San Francisco Arts Commission Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar gave an update on the budget and staff impacts on the Civic Art Collection.  Ms. Gonchar explained that with the recent budget cuts, the Civic Art Collection Program Director position was eliminated.  She stated that the functions of that program have been distributed among various staff members who comprise the Collections Team.  Carol Marie Daniels will officially transfer from the Community Arts and Education Program to become a member of the Public Art staff on September 1.  Ms. Daniels’s primary responsibility will be to work on the maintenance, repair and conservation of the works commissioned through the Public Art Program.   Monument conservation and relocation, as well as graffiti removal, will be handled by Rommel Taylor under the direction of Nancy Gonchar.  Sarah Lenoue will continue dealing with the registration of artworks accepted into the City Collection.  In light of the budget cuts and staff reductions, Ms. Gonchar stated that the staff is making two recommendations regarding the remaining Civic Art Collection functions: 1. to suspend the Civic Art Collection Loan Program at the discretion of the Director of Cultural Affairs until further notice; and 2.  to enact a temporary moratorium on the acceptance of gifts until further notice at the discretion of the Director of Cultural Affairs.  Ms. Gonchar explained that both of these functions are very time-consuming for both staff and Commissioners.
   
   Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she is concerned about splitting the Civic Art Collection into contemporary and historical categories because the “contemporary art” will eventually become “historical.”  Ms. Gonchar stated that if the budget improves the Arts Commission may be able to once again unite the functions of the Civic Art Collection, but this current recommendation is meant to address the practical problem of loss of staff.  Commissioner Przyblyski stated that it is reasonable for the Arts Commission to make changes in order to cope with the current budget cuts, however the Arts Commission needs to continue to fight for these positions. 
   
   Motion: Motion to suspend the Civic Art Collection Loan Program at the discretion of the Director of Cultural Affairs until further notice as a result of budget cuts and the elimination of the position of Civic Art Collection Program Director.
   Moved: Solomon/Przyblyski
   
   Motion: Motion to enact a temporary moratorium on the acceptance of gifts until further notice at the discretion of the Director of Cultural Affairs as a result of budget cuts and the elimination of the position of Civic Art Collection Program Director.
   Moved:  Przyblyski/Solomon
   
   
10. Hearts in San Francisco
    Public Art Program Director Jill Manton introduced Ellen Newman, the Hearts in San Francisco Project Co-Chair.  Ms. Manton stated that the project has been wildly successful, placing over 100 heart sculptures around the city.  She added that Ms. Newman is requesting that the Commissioners approve the proposed installation of the Tony Bennett heart sculpture in Union Square.  Although the City is not purchasing the artwork, nor approving it as part of the Civic Art Collection, Arts Commission approval is needed for any artwork that is placed on City-owned property. 
    
    Ms. Newman presented slides of the Tony Bennett heart sculpture, which features a landscape painting of the Golden Gate Bridge with the Marin hills in the background.  Ms. Newman explained that she is proposing to locate the sculpture in front of a blank wall of the second building near the gift shop on the west side of the square.  She added that the proposed location has already been approved by Friends of Recreation and Parks and the Union Square Association.  She believes that the visitors to San Francisco will love the piece.
    
    Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she thinks the Hearts in San Francisco is a lovely project.  However, she is concerned that the scale of the heart sculptures that are being placed around the city will create an expectation regarding what the scale of public art should be.  She was also concerned that there may be too many artworks of that scale being placed in Union Square.  She stated that because Union Square is the most visible public space at the center of the city, she feels an obligation to ensure that the artwork that is located there is of the highest caliber.  Commissioner Przyblyski added that the Hearts in San Francisco Project is successful because there are so many hearts.  She is concerned that once the other hearts are removed, Mr. Bennett’s heart might not have the same strength as a stand-alone permanent sculpture.
    
    Ms. Newman responded that she believes that the Tony Bennett sculpture will be very successful, and that it will have a life of its own.
    
    Commissioner Solomon stated that the heart would have popular appeal.
    
    Commissioner Stermer stated that it is possible that the Bennett heart sculpture will be quite remarkable, but to be cautious, he recommended that the motion be revised to approve the installation for a renewable two-year period.
    
    The following motion was revised as indicated.
    Motion: Motion to approve the proposed installation of the Tony Bennett Heart Sculpture in Union Square for a two-year period (renewable).
    Moved: Przyblyski/Solomon
    
    
11. New Business
    As an item of New Business, Public Art Program Director Jill Manton introduced Carol Marie Daniels, who will be working on the maintenance, repair and conservation of artworks commissioned through the Public Art Program.
    
    Ms. Manton also presented to the Commissioners the Art in America Annual Guide to Museums, Galleries and Artists and stated that two of the Arts Commission’s Public Art Projects were selected for inclusion in the Guide’s 2003 Public Art in Review.  Those projects are “Union Square Colonnade” by RM Fischer and “Yin and Yang” by Robert Arneson.
    
    Ms. Manton also reported that Americans for the Arts gave its second annual Public Art Network Award to Jenny Holzer at the annual meeting held in Washington, DC.  She distributed to the Commissioners a copy of Jenny Holzer’s acceptance speech.
    
    
12. Old Business
    
    
13. Adjournment
    As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
    Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Associate
    Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs, 9/8/2004

9/8/2004

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. 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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