Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present:
Leonard Hunter, Jeannene Przyblyski, Lawrence Rinder
Absent: Dede Wilsey, Pop Zhao
Staff Present:
Carol Marie Daniels,Nancy Gonchar, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious, Ellen Shershow, Dana Hemenway
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:07 p.m.
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Consent Calendar
1.Motion to approve the final fabrication and installation of artist Vicki Saulls’ pre-cast concrete sculptures of a Sea Turtle, Pelican and three Hermit Crabs in the Koret Children’s Quarter, formerly known as Children’s Playground, at Golden Gate Park.
2.Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection artist Vicki Saulls’ pre-cast concrete sculptures of a Sea Turtle, Pelican and three Hermit Crabs in the Koret Children’s Quarter, formerly known as Children’s Playground, at Golden Gate Park.
3. Motion to approve the final fabrication and installation of artist Gerald Heffernon’s sculpture Rabbinoid on Cell Phone in Pine Lake Park.
4. Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection artist Gerald Heffernon’s sculpture Rabbinoid on Cell Phone in Pine Lake Park.
5. Motion to approve the final fabrication and installation of artist Wang Po Shu’s Ghinlon/Transcope, installed at twelve locations along Octavia Boulevard from Market Street to Patricia’s Green.
6. Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection artist Wang Po Shu’s Ghinlon/Transcope, installed at twelve locations along Octavia Boulevard from Market Street to Patricia’s Green.
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
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Gallery Report
Arts Commission Gallery Manager Dana Hemenway reported on Our World : From the Document to the Expressive Image, an exhibition at City Hall, July 12–September 21, 2007.
Our World opened on the ground floor of City Hall on Thursday, July 12, 2007. The artist’s reception will take place on Tuesday, July 31, 2007. This juried exhibition was coordinated in partnership with PhotoAlliance, and was curated by PhotoAlliance Executive Director Thom Sempere, PhotoAlliance Founder and Board President Linda Connor, and independent art consultant and PhotoAlliance Board Member Ann Burle Veh. All thirty-two artists in the exhibition are Bay Area photographers.
Motion: Motion to approve an honorarium in the amount of $675 to Thom Sempere for his role as a juror for the Our World exhibition at City Hall, July 12–September 21, 2007.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
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Broadway Streetscape
Project ManagerTonia Macneil reported on the Broadway-Columbus plaza and Brian Goggin’s sculpture, The Language of Birds. Ms. Macneil stated that artist Brian Goggin and his co-producer Dorka Keehn have raised $30,000 in donor funds for this project, which are now held by the City in an interest-bearing account. The original funding is provided by the art enrichment allocation from the Department of Public Works. These two combined fund sources will allow Mr. Goggin to produce 11 of the originally proposed 23 ‘Bird-Books’. Mr. Goggin and Ms. Keehn would like to install a donor plaque as part of the artwork, in addition to the required Arts Commission signage. The Commissioners determined that the attribution plaque is not artwork and that a single plaque should be produced that would incorporate the donor names and Arts Commission signage.
The discussion continued regarding the issues raised in terms of donor funds. The Commissioners stated that additional funds raised for the project should provide for additional “Bird-Books” rather than reimbursing the artists for other costs and fees. The Committee agreed to approve the plaque text, but not the plaque design, and asked that the plaque be reworked by staff and presented to the Committee at a future meeting.
This motion was continued to a future Visual Arts Meeting
Motion: Motion to approve attribution plaque for installation at Broadway-Columbus plaza as part of Brian Goggin’s sculpture, The Language of Birds.
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Junipero Serra Playground
Project ManagerTonia Macneil presented alternate proposals for artwork at Junipero Serra Playground and reported on the two community meetings that had taken place since the first proposal by Bean Finneran was approved in May 2007. pending color revisions. At the first community meeting, those present had been unanimous in their discomfort with the proposal. The artist presented a second proposal at a subsequent public meeting on July 12, and the reaction was very different. Several preferred the original design, several liked both, and several were undecided. Ms. Macneil asked for guidance from the Commissioners, who stated that they preferred the original proposal. As a result, no motion was required to proceed with the project.
Ms. Macneil stated that the clubhouse building where the artwork will be located has two entrances. The front entrance looks out over the playground, while the back entrance is one more commonly used by community members. For this reason, several members of the community felt that the artwork should be placed at the back entrance. Community member Annette Litle submitted her written comment regarding the location of the artwork, indicating her preference for the art elements to be placed at the back entrance, because of its proximity and visibility to the publics use of the site.The Commissioners discussed the placement of the artwork, and whether there was sufficient funding to install artwork in two places. The Commissioners agreed that the artwork should be placed in its original location facing the playground, but that if funding allowed, the same theme might be repeated on another part of the building. They asked that the artist propose additional elements for different parts of the building, provided there is sufficient funding to do so.
The motion was cancelled, as the artwork had been approved at a previous meeting.
Motion: Motion to approve one of several alternative proposals for artwork at Junipero Serra Playground as outlined in the Staff Report.
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Harvey Milk Center for Recreational Arts
Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented the design development documents for the Harvey Milk Recreational Arts building. Ms. Macneil reviewed the layout and structure of the building, and stated that digital photography facilities would be added, though the Center will remain committed to the upkeep of the ‘wet’ darkroom.
Ms. Macneil then introduced the artist team of Susan Schwartzenberg and Michael Davis. Ms. Schwartzenberg and Mr. Davis began with a general overview of the building. They stated that the Center had been committed over many years to its photography, performance and fabrication studios, and that as a result, the Center is filled with a wonderful collection of photographs and other graphics as well as handmade dolls and costumes.
The artists stated that the building is composed of four discrete centers of activity, each of which correspond to the locations they selected for artwork. Site one, at the entrance to the Photo Center, is meant to reflect the history of the use of the center. The artists are working with the Clarence Towers, the Photo Center’s director of 30 years, to collect photos from former users. They hope to draw include images from the photo collection at the Center as well, which includes photographs of celebrities who spent time in San Francisco, such as George Harrison and Janis Joplin.
Site two, on the large east-facing wall of the building, is the point of contact between the Center and users of Duboce Park. The wall will include ‘shadow’ text. The text will be painted the same color as the building, so that it will appear and disappear based on the sun’s location and visibility. This text is a quote taken from one of Supervisor Harvey Milk’s speeches, and reads, “…the American dream starts with the neighborhoods.” Site three is in the main lobby on the first floor which serves the daytime stroller crowd as well as youth and adults en route to rehearsals in the Center, among other groups. This site will include a collage of images of Harvey Milk integrated into the glazing in the east window wall, as well as a sculpture that includes a camera obscura. This camera obscura speaks to the relationship between the interior and the exterior of the building. Finally, site four is the hallway leading to the elevator and will address the recognition and interpretation of the Center’s impressive collection of objects and artifacts, possibly including dolls that were handmade for the 1939 World’s Fair. Items from these collections will be encased in framed vitrines that will line the elevator hallway leading to the performance areas of the Center.
The artists stated that they wished to address the Commissioners’ concerns that the design proposal lacked a cohesive element; the artists felt strongly that the nature of the Harvey Milk Center was one of numerous discrete recreational activities and they wanted this to be reflected in the arts elements. Ms. Schwartzenberg and Mr. Davis stated that these four arts elements find cohesion in that they form a narrative of the center.
The discussion continued regarding the various elements of the proposal. Commissioner Hunter stated that all four elements seem to be about lionizing Harvey Milk, or freezing a moment in time, and that there is a sense of objects and concepts being enshrined. Commissioner Hunter explained that he believes this adds depth and cohesion to the proposal. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she particularly likes the selection of the Harvey Milk quote on the exterior of the building; which is a wonderful way to commemorate Supervisor Milk.
Motion: Motion to approve the design development of artwork by Susan Schwartzenberg and Michael Davis for Harvey Milk Center for Recreational Arts.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
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Laguna Honda Hospital
Project Manager Susan Pontious reported on the color samples for the Takenobu Igarashi sculpture in the Laguna Honda Hospital atrium. Ms. Pontious distributed the color samples and explained that the piece will be fabricated from powder-coated aluminum.
Motion: Motion to approve color samples (Drylac color RAL 1000) for Takenobu Igarashi sculpture.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
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San Francisco Zoo
Project Manager Susan Pontious reported on artwork at the San Francisco Zoo. On May 16, 2007, the Commission had approved the purchase of a suite of six prints by artist Isabella Kirkland for the Zoo, but the Zoo had later rejected this work. The Zoo Director indicated that he would prefer to use funding to install work in the Zoo playground. Ms. Pontious stated that artist Gwynn Murrill would be an excellent candidate, as two of her bronze sculptures are already installed at the Zoo and are extremely popular. The Zoo is amenable to this idea.
Motion: Motion to approve the possible purchase of a Gwynn Murrill sculpture for the San Francisco Zoo.
Moved: Hunter/Rinder
Motion: Motion to approve the purchase of one of the following sculptures by Gwynn Murrill: Binturong I ($20,000); Hawk V ($29,000); Eagle III ($34,000) or Bronze Tropical Bird ($14,000).
This Motion was amended to read:
Motion: Motion to authorize the Interim Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Gwynn Murrill to fabricate and transport Hawk V ($29,000) for the San Francisco Zoo.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
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Collections
Project Manager Susan Pontious reported on the approval of contracts and purchase orders in regards to conservation, maintenance and repair on works of art in the City’s collection and for the transport and storage of artwork. Ms. Pontious explained that this motion would operate in a similar manner to the previous Resolution No. 0205-01-063 which authorizes the Director of Cultural Affairs to make payments to a wide variety of vendors, including artists, contractors consultants, printers, graphic designers, photographers, signage fabricators and photo labs. This new motion would go a step further by including conservators and art technicians. This motion would therefore allow the agency to make payments in a quicker and more efficient manner.
Motion: Motion to authorize the Interim Director of Cultural Affairs to take action, without a resolution of the full Commission, on the following items: Approve contracts or purchase orders with conservators, art technicians, or other qualified contractors for the purposes of performing conservation, maintenance and repair on works of art in the City’s collection; and approve contracts with art service providers for the transport and storage of artwork.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
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McLaren Park
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the McLaren Park selection panel’s recommendations of the following three artists as finalists for the McLaren Park project: Lorna Jordan, Gloria Bornstein and Mark Brest van Kempen; and of the team of Susan Schwartzenberg and Peter Richards as an alternate.
Ms. Manton showed images of all three finalists’ work, along with a recent site profile created by Susan Schwartzenberg for another project at Lake Merced. She stated that Lorna Jordan has declined the project opportunity due to other commitments. Therefore, the artist team of Susan Schwartzenberg and Peter Richards will become finalists. The Commissioners agreed that this is a very strong and diverse group of finalists. Commissioner Hunter requested that he be invited to the first orientation meeting for the McLaren Park finalists.
Motion: Motion to accept the McLaren Park selection panel’s recommendation of the following artists as finalists for the McLaren Park project: Gloria Bornstein, Mark Brest van Kempen, and the alternate team of Susan Schwartzenberg and Peter Richards; and to authorize the Interim Director of Cultural Affairs to pay each of the artists or artist teams an honorarium of $1,000 for the development of a site-specific proposal for the project.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
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Randall Museum
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the upcoming jury panel for the Randall Museum Art Project. The Commissioners approved of the names already put forward, and added several additional names.
Motion: Motion to establish a jury pool for the Randall Museum Project to include the following individuals: Randall Museum Trustee Rebecca Woodson, Randall Museum Director Chris Boettcher, a staff representative from the Recreation and Park Department, Walter Kitundu, Peter Richards, Pamela Winfrey, Deborah Cullinan, Mark Brest van Kempen, Ray Beldner, Ann Trinca, Stephanie Johnson, Craig Nagasawa, Safi Jiroh, Sonia Manjon, and other artists to be named at meeting.
Names added at Visual Arts Committee meeting: Ted Purves, Emily Keeler, a staff representative from 826 Valencia, and Eduardo Pineda.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
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San Francisco General Hospital
Project Manager Carol Marie Daniels stated that staff has been preparing to do an inventory of the City’s art collection at the San Francisco General Hospital.
Images of the hospital’s collection of artwork have been posted to flickr.com. Flickr.com is ideal in that the hospital staff can easily access it and view images. In addition, the viewer can leave comments in regards to specific images. The hope is that hospital staff will navigate through flickr.com, and leave comments in the space provided, giving Arts Commission staff clues as to the whereabouts of specific objects. Ms. Daniels explained that once this phase is complete, Arts Commission staff will visit the hospital and do a physical search of the building.
Commissioner Przyblyski expressed concern in regards to this plan. She stated that it may not be wise to conduct an asset search on a completely uncontrolled public website. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that, further, hospital staff is often overworked, and would not have the time to peruse a website such as flickr.com. The Committee unanimously decided that flickr.com is not the appropriate venue on which to do an asset search of this magnitude and asked staff to consider another approach. Ms. Daniels was praised for her work in placing the San Francisco General Hospital Collection online.
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Public Art Reports
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the Moscone Center West meeting with engineers and the proposed course of action to resolve problems with the Diller + Scofidio artwork.
Ms. Manton stated that Commissioner Hunter had joined her at this meeting along with a Department of Public Works engineer, the project engineer and an outside consultant. The meeting focused on a proposed pivot bearing and whether such a modification would resolve the technical problems. The four engineers reached a consensus about a number of changes to be incorporated into the new bogie redesign. This was an extremely productive meeting, and Ms. Manton is confident that the remaining technical issues will be resolved. Pol-X will prepare a redesign based on a written summary of the meeting which will be distributed to all of the participants.
Ms. Manton then reported on the Moscone Recreation Center, including the ‘climbability’ of Brian Goggin’s proposed sculpture and the current status of interaction with the Recreation and Park Department. Ms. Manton believes that Brian Goggin has sufficiently demonstrated that the modified tripod leg design is not climbable. In an effort to reach a compromise with the Recreation and Park Department, she has proposed moving the sculpture to another location within the recreation center complex. Mr. Goggin is amenable to this new location, but the Recreation and Park Department staff says that they still have safety concerns. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she did not necessarily support a different site and would review this matter with Interim Director of Cultural Affairs Nancy Gonchar and senior staff at the Mayor’s Office. After further discussion, Ms. Manton moved on to the Academy of Sciences project.
Ms. Manton reviewed the two pieces proposed by artist Maya Lin for the Academy of Sciences. The first artwork, entitled Missing, is a low video table, approximately 10’ x 6,’ covered in architectural glass, which features an LED video whose content is based upon extinct or endangered species. The second artwork is a suspended wire landscape sculpture to be installed on the west terrace. This artwork will be based upon the topology of the Bay during the Gold Rush, pre-sedimentation state. Ms. Manton stated that the scientists at the Academy have been extremely helpful to the artist with information pertinent to both projects.
Ms. Man ton reported that she and Ms. Lin had conducted a site visit of the Academy of Sciences Golden Gate Park location. Although the building is still under construction, the visit was very helpful. Ms. Lin identified a site on the east terrace for the video artwork; she may also consider relocating the video from the exterior east terrace to the interior piazza of the building, lessening issues ensuing from having to weatherproof and vandal-proof her artwork. The Academy of Sciences is near completion and will have a private donor opening in August of 2008, with the public opening scheduled for late September, 2008.
Lastly, Ms. Manton reported on the Percent -for-Art in Private Development. The current legislation requires that private developers in the C-3 District spend 1% of their building costs for on-site public art work. The proposed change would give developers more options for the 1% requirement, which is consistent with what Commissioner Wilsey had previously proposed. The options include: 100% to either a public art trust or art at the building site, or 50% for on-site art with 45% going into the public art trust. The public art trust, to be expended at the Art Commission’s discretion, would be used for new permanent and temporary public art in the C-3 District and for maintenance of art in the C-3 District. While the Arts Commission believes that it is essential that a percentage of the public art trust be spent on maintenance, the Planning Department staff has expressed concern or opposition to this idea. Ms. Manton has proposed placing a cap on the total amount to be allocated for maintenance from the 1% generated by a single construction project. The on-site art would also be subject to the Arts Commission’s approval. Ms. Manton concluded by stating that maintenance is a critical issue for many cities across the United States. As one of the oldest public art programs, San Francisco would be a leader in identifying a creative solution for this problem.
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PUC Various Art Endeavors
This report was continued to the next meeting.
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New Business
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Old Business
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Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Submitted by Ellen Shershow, Public Art Program Associate
Approved by Nancy Gonchar, Director of Cultural Affairs
ES 8/1/2007
Notices
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 240, San Francisco, CA 94102 during regular business hours. INFO: Ellen Shershow (415) 252-2594.
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