Meeting Information

Visual_Arts_Committee

VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70

Minutes

Commissioners Present
Leonard Hunter, Lawrence Rinder, Pop Zhao
Absent: Jeannene Przyblyski, Dede Wilsey

Staff Present
Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs; Carol Marie Daniels, Jennifer Lovvorn, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy Moran

Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.

The meeting commenced at 3:00 p.m.

1. Consent
   1. Motion to approve the extension of the loan of “San Francisco Nova” (also identified as “Frisco Nova”), by Robert Bechtle to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art so that it may be included in the exhibition, “Robert Bechtle: A Retrospective,” when the show travels to the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., for exhibition from March 4 through June 4, 2006.
   2. Motion to approve the mural design by Mona Caron at 2844 Folsom Street funded by the Mayor’s Neighborhood Beautification Fund.
   3. Motion to approve the design for an extension and restoration of the mural by Betsie Miller-Kusz at the Eureka Valley Recreation Center, funded by the Department of Recreation and Parks.
   4. Motion to approve an exhibition at 155 Grove Street by Andrew Junge for November 18, 2005 through January 13, 2006.
   5. Motion to approve a $300 honorarium payment to Andrew Junge for an exhibition at 155 Grove Street.
      
      Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items
      Moved: Rinder/Zhao
2. Public Art Program Orientation — Phase II
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton began her report on the development process for Public Art Projects by distributing a list of ongoing projects.  She reviewed a document that describes the Public Art Project Development process with the Commissioners.
   
   Ms. Manton stated that as new Commissioners are appointed, the program processes are often revised to reflect the vision and input of the new committee members. She stated that Commissioner Przyblyski would like to have the Commission more involved in the up-front planning for projects and less involved in monitoring project progress.  She would also like the Commission to focus more on policy issues. 
   
   Ms. Manton stated that in order to involve Commissioners to a greater degree at the beginning of projects, staff will identify and recommend factors that will influence the project approach.  Those factors will include the mission, function and public accessibility of the site, the art enrichment budget, the status of the architectural design and how the project might fit into the Collection goals.
   
   Commissioner Rinder asked if there is ever an opportunity for staff or Commissioners to identify a site for new public art that is not associated with construction.  Ms. Manton stated that on rare occasions this is possible with art enrichment funds that are the result of a bond program for multiple sites, but bond funds may not legally be spent on a site that is not part of the bond group.  She added that the idea of pooling funds in order to employ more of a master plan approach for the placement of artwork has been met with resistance from other City departments.  Ms. Manton stated that this issue might be one that is taken up by the new Commission. 
   
   Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth stated that for privately funded projects, the Commissioners could have more input on placement.  He added that the Mayor would also like the Arts Commission to work with collectors and museums to place sculptures in public space.  These are initiatives that the Commissioners could take on, but they would not be funded with percent-for-art money. 
   
   Regarding artist selection, Ms. Manton stated that the Arts Commission has rarely used direct selection or purchase.  Most acquisitions are the result of competitions judged by peer panels.  Staff has considered exploring the possibility of making purchase recommendations and doing direct selections based upon an assessment of the Collection and future goals or objectives.
    
   In discussing the Commission’s ongoing role in the approval of progress of projects, Ms. Manton stated that there have been occasional problems in the past when Commissioners wished to revisit past approvals that may have been made by other Commissioners.  She stated that this makes it very difficult for projects to run smoothly.
   
   Commissioner Hunter asked which program issues are the most urgent and require more discussion.  Ms. Manton suggested that the Commissioners address the possibility of direct selection, Collection goals and master planning.  
   
   Commissioner Hunter stated that he would also like to discuss how Commissioners can help the selection panel meetings move along more smoothly.
   
   Commissioner Rinder inquired whether the Arts Commission would ever address an issue such as the placement of metal strips on concrete bollards to deter skateboarders.  He stated that while the strips of metal may be functional, they are not attractive.  He was referring to bollards that are located on the Embarcadero just north of the Ferry Building.  Ms. Manton suggested that this is possibly an issue for Civic Design.
3. San Francisco State University Gallery Temporary Public Art Installation
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported that the Arts Commission is collaborating with San Francisco State University (SFSU) Gallery to install five temporary works of art in public space concurrent with the opening of the de Young Museum in October.  She added that this project is consistent with the Mayor’s desire to have more temporary public art installed around the city, and is an opportunity to showcase the talent and diversity of Bay Area artists at a time when many people will be visiting San Francisco.  She introduced Project Coordinator Regina Almaguer and SFSU Gallery Director Mark Johnson.
   
   Ms. Almaguer presented each of the five project proposals that are included in “High Five”: Ann Chamberlain at the north side of the de Young Museum; Lewis de Soto at the Civic Center parking space between the Main Library and the Asian Art Museum; Mildred Howard at the Golden Gate Park Arboretum; John Roloff at 155 Grove Street and a Civic Center flagpole; and Wang Po Shu at the east side of the Civic Center Plaza. She added that the John Roloff project already received preliminary approval from the Arts Commission at the last meeting.  The temporary installation will be on display from October 1^st through November 7^th to coincide with the opening of the new de Young Museum. 
   
   Commissioner Hunter asked how the public would be involved.  Mr. Johnson stated that there will be two public forums at SFSU and there will also be outreach to California College of the Arts and San Francisco Art Institute.
   
   Motion: Motion to approve the design and site proposals by the following artists for inclusion in “High Five,” a collaborative artist project between the Arts Commission and San Francisco State University Gallery from October through mid-November, 2005: Ann Chamberlain at the north side of the de Young Museum; Lewis de Soto at the Civic Center parking space between the Main Library and the Asian Art Museum; Mildred Howard at the Golden Gate Park Arboretum; John Roloff at 155 Grove Street and a Civic Center flagpole; and Wang Po Shu at the east side of the Civic Center Plaza.
   Moved: Zhao/Rinder
4. Airport — Appointment of Art Commission Liaison for the Airport Art Steering Committee
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton described the origin of the Airport Art Steering Committee.  She stated that when the Art Enrichment Ordinance was put into effect, the Airport challenged the Arts Commission’s authority over the percent-for-art money generated by new Airport construction.  A City Attorney’s opinion established the Arts Commission as the agency with jurisdiction over the funds.  In response to the Airport’s interest, the Arts Commission established an Airport Arts Steering Committee with representatives from both the Arts Commission and the Airport. This committee acts as an intermediary policy body between the Arts Commission and the Airport.  Project Manager Susan Pontious convenes the committee meetings.  The Airport Commission is involved in approving the artwork and the sites recommended for artwork.  Ms. Manton stated that Commissioner Przyblyski has recommended appointing Commissioner Hunter to the committee.   Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth stated that this appointment does not require an Arts Commission resolution.
   
   The following motion was tabled.
   Motion: Motion to approve the appointment of Commissioner Hunter to the Airport Art Steering Committee. 
5. 2005 Prequalified Artist Pool
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton stated that Commissioner Przyblyski has recommended that Commissioner Rinder be appointed to the 2005 Prequalified Artist Pool selection panel.  Commissioner Rinder stated that he is happy to serve on the panel dependent upon his availability.  Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth stated that this appointment does not require an Arts Commission resolution.
   
   The following motion was tabled.
   Motion: Motion to approve the appointment of Commissioner (to be named at meeting) to serve as a panelist for the 2005 Prequalified Artist Pool. 
6. Airport Collection
   Project Manager Carol Marie Daniels reported that Arts Commission staff was contacted by Planning Design and Construction at the Airport and informed that "Flight Patterns" by Larry Kirkland has to be relocated from the skylight at the entrance of B Concourse to the skylight at C Concourse, due to Airport construction of a mezzanine to accommodate a pedestrian bridge from the Airport shuttle train to the terminal. The sculpture comprises 1100 sculptural elements and 2200 suspension lines.
   
   In July, the Arts Commission passed Resolution No. 0711-05-150 approving the relocation of the artwork. Ms. Daniels stated that she is seeking authorization for the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Larry Kirkland to remove, catalog, clean and re-install the work at its new location. The cost of the project minus the expense of a lighting design study will be reimbursed by the Airport.
   
   Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Larry Kirkland, Kirkland Studios, in an amount not to exceed $90,000 for the removal of “Flight Patterns” from the skylight at the entrance of Boarding Area B, and for the cleaning and re-installation of the artwork at the skylight of Boarding Area C.
   Moved: Rinder/Zhao
7. Art on Market Street Program
   Project Manager Judy Moran began her report by explaining that the Art on Market Street Program has been ongoing since the early 1990s. Each year an ad hoc panel is established to review the applications and select the four artists to produce posters for three-month consecutive exhibitions in the kiosks. The artist selection panel for the Art on Market Street 2006 Kiosk Poster Series included Courtney Fink, Executive Director of Southern Exposure Gallery; Maria Forde, artist; and Julio Morales, artist. Based on documentation of past work and preliminary conceptual proposals, the panel decided to recommend three artists as finalists (Mark Brest Van Kempen, Jennifer Durant, and Abner Nolan) and an alternate (the team of Amanda Hughen and Jennifer Starkweather). Ms. Moran explained that she is seeking approval for these artists and their conceptual proposals. Typically, staff works with the selected artists to develop their final designs, and approves their final designs before they are presented to the Visual Arts Committee.  The request for Commission approval of these final designs is placed on the Visual Arts Committee agenda as a consent calendar item.
   
   Ms. Moran presented the finalists’ slides and proposals. Mark Brest Van Kempen works with ecology in the urban environment and proposes to create work about the animals and organisms along Market Street. Jennifer Durant proposes to photograph individuals at sites along Market Street that are significant to them, with text explaining the significance of the site. Abner Nolan works with found photographs and proposes to create a series using historical photographs from the 1906 earthquake juxtaposed with front pages from newspapers published the day before the earthquake. Ms. Moran stated that this series should be on exhibition during the centennial celebration. The alternate is the artist team of Amanda Hughen and Jennifer Starkweather. They proposed to make paintings that abstractly map movements by numerous elements along Market Street.
   
   Ms. Moran reported, as previously discussed at the May 3, 2005 Visual Arts Committee meeting, that the artist team of Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson and their “Endangered Seed Project,” originally approved for inclusion in the Art on Market Street 2005 Temporary Projects Program, is being recommended by staff for the fourth exhibition in the Art on Market Street 2006 Kiosk Poster Series. Their original banner proposal would be adapted into posters to be exhibited in conjunction with World Environment Day 2006. At a previous Visual Arts Committee meeting, the Visual Arts Committee concurred with this staff recommendation but was not able to pass a motion because the item was not included on the original agenda.
   
   Regarding the mandate that Art on Market Street projects relate to Market Street, Commissioner Rinder inquired if, after so many years, the theme might be exhausted. He wondered if it would be better to have the projects relate to the region rather than just to the street. Ms. Manton stated that the artists often interpret the context of Market Street very broadly. She stated that the point of the program, as opposed to an exhibition program, was to ask artists to design works that respond to the context of the site. Commissioner Rinder stated that responding to context is interesting, but wondered why the context couldn't be expanded. Ms. Moran stated that Commissioner Rinder’s recommendation to broaden the context of the poster designs still supported the spirit of Market Street by maintaining boundaries for the program, and deserved further discussion. She added that the program commissions only new artwork designed specifically for the Market Street Program and gives many artists their first opportunity to create and exhibit original art in a public space outside of more traditional art settings.
   
   Commissioner Hunter stated that the Art on Market Street Program could be expanded to deal with all of the Arts Commission’s temporary projects. Ms. Moran responded that alternatively the Art on Market Street Program could become a sub-program of a larger Arts Commission temporary projects program. Commissioner Hunter suggested that the Visual Arts Committee could address temporary projects at one of its first policy discussions.
   
   Commissioner Zhao expressed interest in expanding the geographic eligibility for the Art on Market Street Program to international artists. Commissioner Hunter added that if we were to expand the eligibility, we could partner with local institutions that already invite international artists to come for residencies or lectures.
   
   Regarding temporary projects, Commissioner Hunter stated that we should partner with organizations beyond Black Rock Arts Foundation and develop policies for selecting future projects.
   
   Motion: Motion to approve artists Mark Brest Van Kempen, Jennifer Durant, and Abner Nolan as finalists, and the artist team of Amanda Hughen and Jennifer Starkweather as an alternate, and their conceptual proposals, for the Art on Market Street 2006 Kiosk Poster Series, as recommended by the Art on Market Street 2006 Kiosk Poster Series Artist Selection Panel.
   Moved: Rinder/Zhao
   
   Regarding the above motion, Commissioner Rinder requested that there be no dead animals featured in the posters.
   
   Motion: Motion to approve the inclusion of the artist team of Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson and their proposed Endangered Seed Project as the fourth Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series exhibition, to coincide with World Environment Day 2006.
   Moved: Zhao/Rinder
   
   Motion: Motion to approve the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contracts with Mark Brest Van Kempen, Jennifer Durant, Abner Nolan, and the artist team of Virginia Hopkins and Victoria Carlson, each for an amount not to exceed $10,000, to develop final proposals and print 24 posters each for exhibition in the Art on Market Street 2006 Kiosk Poster Series.
   Moved: Rinder/Zhao
8. Branch Library Improvement Art Enrichment Program
   Project Manager Judy Moran stated the Arts Commission staff worked with Library staff in 2001 to develop an Arts Master Plan for expenditure of the Art Enrichment bond funds for five new branches and the renovated Richmond branch, for which the original art enrichment allocation for the six eligible branches was $302,000.  Due to a recent budget increase for the renovation of the Richmond Branch Library, and a determination that the renovation to the Potrero Library is substantial enough to qualify for art enrichment for that branch, the overall Branch Library Improvement Project (BLIP) Art Enrichment budget will be increased by approximately $60,000 (final amount subject to confirmation), for a total BLIP Art Enrichment budget of approximately $362,000.
   
   Ms. Moran stated that the BLIP Master Plan, approved by the Arts Commission and the Library Commission in 2002, designates $36,000 for artwork for each of the participating six branches that were determined to qualify at the time, in addition to administrative, maintenance, artist competition, and other project costs. As the Potrero Branch Library will be the seventh branch included in the BLIP Art Enrichment Program, Arts Commission staff recommends that the budget for this additional artwork also be $36,000.  In addition, the budget for the Richmond Branch Library will remain at $36,000.
   
   After the allocations for administration, maintenance, and artist selection for the Potrero Branch are taken out of the new additional funds, there will be $8,100 remaining.  Ms. Moran stated that Arts Commission staff recommends that this remaining $8,100 be set aside as a contingency budget during artist selection, design, fabrication and installation of the artworks for all of the libraries, scheduled to continue through 2008.  Staff recommends that any of these contingency funds remaining after the installation of the seven library art projects be spent at an appropriate library site at one of the eligible branches, within the restrictions of the Art Enrichment Ordinance and the BLIP bond funds. Staff also recommends that the Library be responsible for determining the branch or branches that will receive any such remaining contingency funds, with Arts Commission approval of the specific artwork(s), if appropriate, as required by City administrative code.
   
   Motion: Motion to approve the First Amendment to the Branch Library Improvement Art Enrichment Program, resulting from an overall art enrichment budget increase of approximately $60,000 due to the addition of the Potrero Branch, the seventh branch eligible for art enrichment, and an increased budget for the Richmond Branch.
   Moved: Rinder/Zhao
9. Moscone Center
   Public Art Program Director Jill Manton gave an update on the Diller + Scofidio project at Moscone West.  She stated that she recently discovered that there has been an inordinate amount of wear and tear on the motion system’s wheels.  She explained that Hunt Construction fabricated the armature and installed the entire motion system, including the screen and the armature.  After the system was installed, it was discovered that the bearings lacked a certain precision, and so Sheedy Crane was hired to make those repairs.  Ms. Manton explained that Sheedy Crane did not properly secure the armature while it was being repaired, and unfortunately there was an accident in which the armature fell a number of feet.  Ms. Manton presented pictures of the system after the accident.  She explained that Pol-X West (the system engineer) inspected the system after the accident and said that there was no visible damage, but the only way to know for certain would be to disassemble the entire system. 
   
   Ms. Manton stated that it was not until the system started running on a regular basis two years after the accident that we discovered that it wasn’t working properly.  She stated that the City Attorney has reopened the claim against Sheedy Crane’s insurance company.
   
   Commissioner Hunter asked if there is any reason that the artists should be held accountable.  Ms. Manton stated that the problems started with the imprecise construction.
10. Octavia Boulevard
    Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported that the Planning Department informed her that there is $50,000 available for the Arts Commission to use for temporary public art on Hayes Green.  This money is the result of a penalty that was paid by a developer.  Based on the popularity of the David Best “Temple” on Hayes Green, the community asked the Planning Department that these funds be used for more temporary art projects.
11. New Business
    Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported that Sculpturesite Gallery, a new sculpture gallery opening on Third Street, would like to donate a percentage of their sales to restore or adopt a few public art pieces around the city.  Ms. Manton will be making a recommendation to them of five sculptures, from which they will select the one to be restored.
    
    In addition, Frey Norris Gallery is interested in holding a benefit to raise funds for the Arts Commission that will support a temporary public art piece in Union Square.  
    
    Ms. Manton reported that the new Central Subway is on hold.  She stated that this may have a major impact on our program.  We will have to analyze how this will affect our cash flow.  She added that, on the other hand, the Arts Commission just got approval from the Public Utilities Commission to distribute the RFP for the arts master plan, so soon we will have some new projects.
    
    Ms. Manton reported that the Joseph Lee Recreation Center, home of the Dewey Crumpler mural, will not be destroyed.  The Department of Public Works examined the wall where the mural is located and found that it is in good shape, and therefore the mural will stay.  She added that the mural is in decent condition, but could use some restoration.  The Arts Commission will try to raise the funds for restoration. 
    
    Regarding Richard Newirth’s recent email to Commissioners about upcoming Arts Commission initiatives related to the Earthquake Centennial, Ms. Manton reported on upcoming relevant Public Art Projects.  She stated that there will be an Art on Market Street temporary project by Epiphany Productions entitled “Lotta’s Opera.” This will be a theatrical journey along Market Street through a brief period in San Francisco history starting in 1875 at Lotta’s Fountain and ending in 1910 at the Palace Hotel. There will also be an Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series by Abner Nolan, who will create posters using historical photographs from the 1906 earthquake juxtaposed with front pages from newspapers published the day before the earthquake.  Finally, the Arts Commission is collaborating with the Exploratorium on “A Trip Down Market Street 1905: A Centennial Celebration,” which will include a screening in Justin Herman Plaza of the original 1905 film and new commissioned films about Market Street. 
    
    Ms. Manton stated that the Mayor has also expressed an interest in having the Arts Commission produce an additional temporary project related to the Centennial.  Ms. Manton has done some preliminary research on possible artists such as Janet Cardiff and Cai Guo-Qiang and will submit a proposal to the Mayor.  Due to the increasing number of new temporary projects, Ms. Manton recommends that the Arts Commission develop guidelines, processes and policies for them. 
    
    Ms. Manton added that she recently discovered that an independent organization, the Centennial Alliance, has been endorsing temporary public art projects but has not been in contact with, nor received approval from, the Arts Commission.  Ms. Manton has asked her staff to call the Centennial Alliance to get clarification.  Commissioner Hunter suggested that there be a high level meeting to address this issue.  Mr. Newirth stated that the Centennial Alliance is coordinating with the Mayor’s Office of Protocol and he heard from the Mayor’s Office that the Arts Commission does not need to be involved.  Ms. Manton expressed concern that if we are not in communication with the Centennial Alliance, we might encounter similar problems to those which occurred related to World Environment Day and the Department of the Environment.  Mr. Newirth stated that this issue will be addressed at the next Executive Committee meeting.  He added that Commission President P.J. Johnston is aware of the issue and is involved with the Mayor’s Office of Protocol.
    
    Ms. Manton concluded her report by stating that the Mayor is also interested in commissioning a major artwork in honor of the centennial.  The budget could be as high as $5 million.  She said that it may be possible to have an artist selected by April 2006, but the project could not be completed in such a short period of time.  Mr. Newirth stated that because the funding for this is uncertain, the Arts Commission would need a guarantee of funding by next April to continue with the project.
12. Old Business
13. Adjournment
    As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
    Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Associate
    Approved by Nancy Gonchar, Deputy Director

9/1/2005

Notices
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