The meeting commenced at 3:11 p.m.
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Consent Calendar
1. Motion to approve honoraria payments to the following artists for the amount of $400 each: Michelle Blade, Jason Jagel, Ray Potes, Clare Rojas, Deth P. Sun, Kelly Tunstall, and Marci Washington and $1200 to Maya Hayuk for their participation in the exhibition Trace Elements at the SFAC Gallery from May 8, 2009 to July 3, 2009.
2. Motion to approve the removal of a portion of a mural entitled "History of the Sunset District" created in 1978 with lead artist Henry D. Sultan and the Sunset Mural Workshop and restored in 2003 with Precita Eyes Muralists under the direction of Jason Gilmore. The mural is located on the retaining wall on the north side of the West Sunset Playground at 3223 Ortega Street in San Francisco, and will be removed as part of the renovation to the Ortega Branch Library to increase security and decrease vandalism.
3. Motion to approve the following individuals as members of the Leland Avenue Streetscape Artist Selection Panel: Rene de Guzman, Senior Curator, Oakland Museum of California; Amy Trachtenberg, Artist; Marlene Tran, Community Representative; and Anne Seeman, Community Representative.
4. Motion to approve the following individuals as candidates for the Valencia Streetscape Artist Selection Panel: Kevin Chen, Program Director, Intersection for the Arts; Carolina Ponce De Leon, Director, Galeria De La Raza; Patricia Rodriguez, Gallery Manager, Mission Cultural Center; Alleluia Panis, Executive Director, Kularts; Susan Cervantes, Executive Director, Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center; Margie O'Driscoll, Executive Director, American Institute of Architects, San Francisco Chapter; and Kim Anno, Artist, Professor, Writer.
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
Moved: Garcia-Nakata/Lloyd
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San Francisco International Airport ("SFO")
Public Art Deputy Director Susan Pontious presented Clare Rojas's final design for her artwork for Boarding Area G at SFO, which includes a molding from which the painting will be hung. Ms. Pontious explained that the artist is influenced by folk art and Shaker art and the crown molding and picture-hanging rail follows the traditional method of how artworks were hung during the Shaker period. Ms. Pontious explained that the artist wanted to give the artwork more of a homey feeling in the space of the airport. She stated that the work will be printed on wooden panels, sixteen in total, each four by five feet, and the artist plans to apply silver leaf to the moon. Commissioners supported the revised artwork design.
Ms. Pontious stated that the motion to approve Charles Sowers' proposal for Terminal 2 is postponed.
Ms. Pontious provided an update on Norie Sato's artwork for Terminal 2 of SFO. She stated that Ms. Sato recently returned from a visit with the glass manufacturers in Germany and is working to determine the size of the pixels in her artwork, which should begin to dissolve when seen at a distance of 100 feet or less. Ms. Pontious reported that on April 28th the artists will test the size of the pixels on a FID screen at the airport which will allow the artist to see how the work appears at a distance. She stated that Visual Arts and Civic Design Commissioners are invited to this meeting. Ms. Manton explained that this is a critical point in the design of the artwork, and Ms. Sato's project will be the first artwork commissioned by SFAC that will be located on the exterior of the airport building. Ms. Pontious reported that full-scale panels will be tested onsite before the entire artwork is installed.
Motion: Motion to approve Clare Rojas' final design for her artwork for Boarding Area G at San Francisco International Airport and approval to proceed with fabrication.
Moved: Garcia-Nakata/Lloyd
THIS MOTION WAS POSTPONED.
Motion: Motion to approve Charles Sowers' proposal for Terminal 2 of San Francisco International Airport.
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Laguna Honda Hospital
Ms. Pontious presented Cliff Garten's mock-up for the sculptural handrail for Laguna Honda Hospital. She explained that the handrail consists of four unique design modules that will be placed along the main hallway of the hospital where many services are located. Ms. Pontious stated that Lewis deSoto's sixteen tapestries will also be hung along the same corridor and the two works look beautiful together. She reported that Kevin Jensen, the Disability Access Coordinator for San Francisco's Department of Public Works ("DPW") reviewed the design and determined that the handrail, which has a curvaceous form, has to be at some point, exactly one and a half inches from the wall. Ms. Pontious explained that Mr. Garten will attach a strip along the backside of the handrail to meet ADA requirements. She clarified that the motion related to Cliff Garten's artwork is to approve just the patina sample, not the final mock-up. Ms. Pontious also stated that as people use the handrail, the bronze will become shinier.
Ms. Pontious presented the revised proposal by Suzanne Biaggi for her artwork in Courtyard F of Laguna Honda Hospital. She presented a model of her work which will consist of a carved basalt sculpture that fills up with water. She stated that as the courtyard serves as a wander garden for patients with Alzheimer, the artist wants the work to be approachable and touchable. Ms. Pontious stated that the challenge of the site is that it is not flat and a retaining wall has to be built to accommodate the sculpture. She explained that the artist would like the surface of the retaining wall to be corten-steel so that the wall looks like part of the artwork. Ms. Pontious stated that while the retaining wall will increase the cost of the artwork, the additional costs will be covered by the contingency.
Ms. Pontious reported on the completion of Diane Andrews Hall's four glass mosaic artworks for Laguna Honda Hospital. She stated that these works were originally paintings transformed into glass mosaic. Commissioners expressed their enthusiasm about the final work.
Motion: Motion to approve patina colors for Cliff Garten's sculptural handrail for Laguna Honda Hospital.
Moved: Garcia-Nakata/Lloyd
Motion: Motion to approve revised proposal by Suzanne Biaggi to integrate the design of the retaining wall encircling her site by cladding it in core-ten steel so that it appears as an intended sculptural element.
Moved: Garcia-Nakata/Lloyd
Motion: Motion to approve and accept the following four glass mosaic artworks - "Hermit Thrush 2," 39 3/4" x 40" x 3/4"; "Goldfinch 5," 40" x 40" x 3/4"; "Goldfinch with Zinnia 2," 40 1/3" x 39 7/8" x 3/4"; "Morning Light 2," 47 1/4" x 47 1/4" x 3/4" - 2009 by Diane Andrews Hall commissioned for Laguna Honda Hospital, into the Civic Art Collection.
Moved: Lloyd/Garcia-Nakata
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Ortega Branch Library
Public Art Program Associate Mary Chou presented the preliminary proposal by the artist team Wowhaus, recommended by the Ortega Branch Community Artist Selection Panel for creation of an artwork at the Ortega Branch Library. She stated that the proposal consists of two mosaic fish, one located in the front of the new library, and one located in the back of the library in the viewing garden. She stated that the panel was united in their desire to move the rockfish sited in the back viewing garden to the front of the library so that the sculpture does not block the views of the ocean and the work is more visible to library patrons. Commissioners supported the placement of the rockfish at the front of the library.
Branch Library Improvement Program Administrator Mindy Linetzky expressed her support for the community involvement in the artist selection process for the branch libraries.
Motion: Motion to approve the artist team Wowhaus and their proposal for the Ortega Branch Library, as recommended by the Ortega Branch Community Artist Selection Panel.
Moved: Lloyd/Garcia-Nakata
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist team Wowhaus in an amount not to exceed $75,000 for the final design, fabrication, and transportation of an artwork for the Ortega Branch Library.
Moved: Lloyd/Garcia-Nakata
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Temporary Plaza at 17th & Castro
Public Art Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn presented a temporary public art opportunity to occur in conjunction with the temporary plaza to be located at 17th Street near the intersection of Castro and Market Streets. She stated that the community is interested in including public art at or near the plaza that is active, theatrical and whimsical. Ms. Lovvorn explained that Supervisor Dufty asked the Arts Commission to research the two winning proposals from the Harvey Milk Memorial competition held in 2000 to see if there might be an element from one of those that could be implemented now. Staff reviewed the proposals and determined that the Christian Werthmann + LOMA's proposal reflected the desired themes, and staff would like to further investigate the proposal's feasibility. The proposal features a floating body of mist illuminated by colored light hovering above the intersection of Market and Castro. If approved by the Commission, Ms. Lovvorn stated that Mr. Werthmann would develop a design proposal with a feasibility report and cost estimate. She stated that due to the temporary plaza's timeline it would be impossible to have a public art installation implemented to coincide with the opening celebration. However, the project stakeholders would welcome the inclusion of art at a later date and they see it as an opportunity have another celebration of the space and the community initiative. Ms. Lovvorn stated that there is no specified time period for the temporary plaza; if the plaza is successful, the City might consider making it permanent.
Because the Harvey Milk Memorial competition happened so many years ago, Commissioner Johnston directed staff to consult with the community to ensure that there would be support for the project prior to engaging Mr. Werthmann in a design agreement to conduct a feasibility study. Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that many Castro and Upper Market area stakeholders and community members, as well as nationally recognized architects and curators, were involved in the 2000 competition. The panel that selected the winning proposals included: CAPA president Joe Curtin; architect Elizabeth Diller, Diller + Scofidio; and Aaron Betsky, Curator of Architecture, Design and Digital Projects at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. She also stated that the proposals were on public view for a period of time and the winning proposals were honored at a ceremony at the San Francisco Veterans Building's Green Room.
Commissioners stated that while the proposal is dramatic in concept and worth a feasibility study since it was one of the winning proposals from a previous competition, they are concerned about the feasibility of the project, especially whether the mist could be formed into clouds that would hover over the intersection given the wind. Ms. Manton stated that Diller + Scofidio created a similar work for the Swiss Expo.02 in which they constructed a pavilion masked by a cloud of mist hovering over Lake Neuchatel in Switzerland. Ms. Lovvorn stated that the artist may not install the work directly over the intersection of Castro and Market Streets but may consider different locations within that general area. Commissioner Johnston stated that if the mist were installed over the temporary plaza on 17th Street, it might create a negative visual connotation due to its proximity to the gas station.
Regarding the duration of the proposed installation, Ms. Manton stated that it could be temporary or long-term temporary depending on the cost of the installation. Ms. Manton stated that conducting a new competition for a project at this site would delay the installation of an artwork at least six months.
Motion: Motion to approve an honorarium payment to Christian Werthmann in the amount of $9,500 to develop a design proposal and to address the feasibility and cost of implementing the Harvey Milk Memorial (also known as the "Pink Cloud") as a temporary project at the intersection of Castro, Market and 17th Streets.
Moved: Garcia-Nakata/Lloyd
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Church & Duboce Muni Track and Streetscape Improvements
Ms. Lovvorn presented a new public art opportunity for the Church and Duboce Muni Track and Streetscape Improvements. She stated that stakeholders are interested including public artwork at the intersection of Church Street and Duboce Avenue to help create a unique sense of place. She stated that there was particular interest in sculptural seating elements. Ms. Lovvorn stated that while the track and streetscape project does not generate art enrichment funds, there are funds available from art enrichment generated by the Geneva Historic Car Enclosure Project, which the Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") has agreed to match; this would result in a project budget of just over $100,000 with an artist contract of approximately $80,000. Ms. Lovvorn then introduced Kit Hodge, Vice President of the Duboce Triangle Neighborhood Association, who expressed her enthusiasm about the project and the community's support for public artwork that functions as seating and that enlivens the street.
Commissioner Garcia-Nakata expressed her support for the idea of sculptural seating. Commissioner Johnston expressed his concern about placing artwork in an area that is already so dense. Ms. Hodge stated that the stakeholders are interested in the intersection of Duboce and Church because while the area is heavily traveled, it is also very bleak. In addition she stated that there is an absolute need for seating in the area as people are now sitting on nearby steps when waiting for transit.
Ms. Lovvorn requested the participation of a Commissioner on the upcoming selection panels in mid-June and in early September. Commissioner Johnston requested Ms. Lovvorn to follow-up through email and supported the idea of including Civic Design Commissioners as possible participants for the panel.
Motion: Motion to approve the following arts professionals as potential selection panelists for the Church & Duboce Muni Track and Streetscape Improvements Public Art Project: Joseph Becker or Jennifer Dunlop Fletcher, Assistant Curator, Architecture and Design, SFMOMA; Zac Frank, former Special Projects Director, Urban Art Program, NYC Department of Transportation, Division of Urban Art and Design; and Julio Morales, artist.
Moved: Garcia-Nakata/Lloyd
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Hayes Valley Playground
Ms. Lovvorn gave an update on the public art project for the Hayes Valley Playground. She explained that the project, which Ms. Manton presented to Commissioners last November, includes a new playground and clubhouse. At the November meeting, Ms. Manton had reported that the landscape architect for the project had consulted with the community regarding a possible artist for the project and that the community was interested in the work of Laurel True. Ms. Lovvorn stated that the project has an artwork budget of $20,000 and the landscape architect and community would like to have two artworks, one at the entrance to the playground, and the other at the entrance to the courts from the clubhouse. Ms. Lovvorn added that in November Commissioners had supported the selection of Laurel True for the project and had requested that staff secure documentation of community support.
Ms. Lovvorn stated that the community has sent her a letter of support endorsing the selection of Laurel True for the project. Ms. Manton added that the Arts Commission has maintained a good relationship with Hayes Valley.
Ms. Manton explained the justification for the direct selection of Laurel True. She stated that conducting a selection process would decrease an already modest budget with an administrative fee of only $4,000.
Motion: Motion to approve Laurel True as the project artist for the Hayes Valley Playground project.
Moved: Lloyd/Garcia-Nakata
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Re-implementation of the Civic Art Collection Loan Program
Collections staff reported on the re-implementation of the intra-departmental office loan program. Ms. Pontious explained that the loan program will charge a fee to city departments for borrowing artworks for display in lobbies and offices. The fee amount was determined based on an estimate of the staff time it would take to administer the program. The program will also require stricter accountability with the borrowers of the work. Ms. Pontious explained that as the program will be costly, it will hopefully encourage serious, long-standing installations.
Commissioner Garcia-Nakata asked if the fee structure is ample enough to cover staffing costs for the loan program. Ms. Manton stated that the amount of $3,000 should cover staff costs and direct costs, and the fee amount was comparable to the rates charged by SFMOMA for their rental gallery. She stated that there will be few if any people who will be able to cover these costs during these tight economic times.
Commissioner Johnston stated that it is appropriate to assess a fee to ensure greater management of the artworks, and there will be interest by some departments even with the fee. He expressed concern regarding the way in which the reinstatement of the loan program should be announced; he cautioned against promoting the program in way that suggests there are many beautiful works in storage that should be on public display. Ms. Pontious stated that Collections staff has not yet completed the full inventory of the work in the Collection. She also stated that a lot of the work in storage is there because of the quality of the work or because the content is not appropriate for display in a public space.
Ms. Manton asked Commissioners to provide advice on how to respond to Mayors and Supervisors who would like to borrow artworks from the Collection who may not have the budget to cover the full fee. Commissioners responded that the program should be promoted in a way that emphasizes the continued care and maintenance of the Collection. Commissioner Lloyd stressed the importance of educating Commissioners about the program and the goals of the program. Ms. Cummings stated that further investigation will be needed to determine what to do with the works that are currently in the departments.
Commissioner Johnston also conveyed the importance of preparing for the transition that will occur when the next mayor comes into office and office space is shuffled. Ms. Pontious clarified that the $3000 fee includes the costs associated with the return of the work to the Collections staff. Ms. Manton suggested generating a catalogue of works available with prices so that city staff is informed about the available works. Commissioner Johnston stated that the program should be assessed a bit further before it is promoted to City staff. Commissioner Garcia-Nakata emphasized promoting best practices when presenting the program.
Motion: Motion to rescind Resolution No. 0913-04-192, which suspended the Civic Art Collection Loan Program in September 2004 as a result of budget cuts and the elimination of the Civic Art Collection Program Director.
Moved: Lloyd/Garcia-Nakata
Motion: Motion to implement the Civic Art Collection Loan Program, as described in the staff report, with the borrowing department assuming all costs associated with the loan.
Moved: Lloyd/Garcia-Nakata
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Chinese Recreation Center
Project Manager Tonia Macneil reported on the Chinese Recreation Center artist selection panel meeting on Tuesday, April 21st. She stated that the budget to commission two artworks is $250,000, with one artwork in the children's playground and the other in the lobby. She presented images of the works of the three finalists and one alternate selected for each site. Ms. Macneil also stated that during the panel, there was some conflict in how to preserve the visual and cultural attributes of Chinatown, but the panel agreed to focus on more contemporary expressions of Chinese culture, showing the culture in a state of flux rather than more traditional expressions. Ms. Macneil presented images of the finalists and alternates who are Colette Crutcher, LiQing Liang and Margarita Soyfertis, finalists, and Hou Yumei, alternate for the children's playground and Julie Chang, Paul Hayes, and Shan Shan Sheng, finalists, and Kana Tanaka, alternate, for the main lobby. Commissioners approved recommended artists selected for the proposal phase.
THIS MOTION WAS REVISED.
Motion: Motion to approve six finalists: Julie Chang, Colette Crutcher, Paul Hayes, Liang LiQing, Shan Shan Sheng, and Margarita Soufertis; and two alternates: Kana Tanaka and Hou Yumei; for the Chinese Recreation Center public art project.
Moved: Garcia-Nakata/Lloyd
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California Academy of Sciences
Ms. Manton reported on the What is Missing? video project by Maya Lin for the California Academy of Sciences. She stated that the work, which is a monument to extinction, consists of a large cone-shaped sculpture that is eighteen feet long and eighteen feet wide. The form beckons viewers to listen to the earth and will include a video with sounds from the earth and words in the form of a child's whispering voice. Ms. Manton explained that unlike the previous version of the work presented to Commissioners, the video will not include text. She stated that the project was well-received by the Acadmey Art Advisory Committee. Members of the Advisory Committee preferred the material of the sculpture to be bronze rather than painted stainless steel, and the Academy agreed to be responsible for the maintenance of the sculpture if created in bronze and all of its audio visual components. Ms. Manton stated that she has requested a $35,000 maintenance reserve for the sculpture, and plans to speak with Academy trustee and member of the Advisory Committee Bill Wilson about arranging for Webcor to absorb some of the costs. Ms. Manton reported that the estimated completion of the sculpture is September 26 or 27, 2009.
Motion: Motion to approve the final design of What is Missing? cone-shaped sculpture with audio and video components by Maya Lin to be permanently displayed in the East Terrace of the Academy of Sciences.
Moved: Lloyd/Garcia-Nakata
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Art on Market Street Program
Ms. Moran presented the works of artists under consideration to create proposals for poster projects for the Art on Market Street 2009/10 Program. She reminded Commissioners that the theme of this year's program is poster designs based on photographs that have been transformed through one or more technical processes. She stated that Kota Ezawa has already been approved for one of the slots, and Commissioners will select two other artists to fill the other two slots. Ms. Moran presented Mr. Ezawa's proposal, which is based on advertising images and text from advertising kiosks on Market Street. She then presented the works of the following artists: Jonathan Burstein, who creates paintings and collages using magazine cut-outs; Rigo, who has completed murals around the City and a series of works based on photographs of past political events; Binh Danh, who imprints found photographs of people imprisoned by the Khmer Rouge on leaves; Pamela Wilson-Ryckman, who creates paintings based on photographs of man-made and natural disasters; and Deborah Oropallo, whose creates collages from various source materials taken from the internet. The series by Ms. Oropallo shown during the presentation includes juxtaposed images of cowgirls and clowns.
Commissioners reiterated their concern with Kota Ezawa' proposal and his ability to create a work that does not read as advertising when displayed in the kiosks on Market Street. Commissioner Johnston stated his preference for the work of Pamela Wilson-Ryckman and Jonathan Burstein, whose work would read well enlarged as the detail in the collage would be more visible; Commissioner Garcia-Nakata agreed. Commissioner Lloyd preferred the work of Binh Danh, and Commissioner Johnston agreed. Ms. Moran suggested that the Arts Commission request proposals from the following three artists - Jonathan Burstein, Binh Danh, and Pamela Wilson-Ryckman - and Commissioners agreed.
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New Business
Ms. Manton discussed the possibility of re-scheduling the Wednesday, June 17th Visual Arts Committee meeting as several staff will be at a conference. Commissioners supported the idea of having the meeting rescheduled for the morning of June 17th and Ms. Manton stated that her staff would follow-up through email.
Ms. Manton stated she was proud to report that the Arts Commission has reached a final agreement with the Metropolitan Transit Authority ("MTA") regarding the budget of $14.5 million for the Central Subway Art Enrichment Program. Commissioners congratulated staff on their negotiations.
Ms. Manton reported on a collaboration with the Department of Public Works ("DPW") to launch a new Arts Education and Mural Program. The program will provide more opportunities for urban art throughout the city and will include an anti-graffiti curriculum. The program will be partially funded by DPW in the amount of $50,000. Ms. Manton explained that one component of the program is to reach out to youth between the ages of ten to twelve, before they become taggers, in order to teach them about the cultural legacy of the City; the project will culminate with a mural on school property. The other component will target youth in their late teens and early twenties, outside of the school system, and provide them with legitimate spaces to do their work with the goal of providing more support for their artistic expression. Ms. Manton stated that DPW will assist in identifying places for such work; the program will also include a code of conduct to guide the use of these spaces.
Ms. Manton reported that the proposal to place the Deborah Butterfield sculptures at the Embarcadero will not happen. She stated that Mr. Cancel wanted the sculptures to be on display for at least six months since the installation costs would be approximately $20,000 to $30,000. The artist was not comfortable with the period of time requested and decided not to proceed with the exhibition. Ms. Manton also stated that the Port has expressed their interest in a public process for the selection of artworks to be placed on the Embarcadero, although the Port does not contribute money to the exhibitions, which have been funded by PUC art enrichment funds. Ms. Manton then reported that Crouching Spider by Louise Bourgeois on the Embarcadero will be deinstalled on Friday, April 24th.
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Old Business
There was no old business to report.
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Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 5:16 pm.
MC 5/20/09
