Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present:
Leonard Hunter, Jeannene Przyblyski, Lawrence Rinder, Dede Wilsey
Absent: Pop Zhao
Staff Present:
Nancy Gonchar, Jennifer Lovvorn, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Richard Newirth, Susan Pontious, Meg Shiffler
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:03 p.m.
- Public Comment
Eula Walters, founder and representative of the “Citizens for Open Space and to Retain the Vaillancourt Fountain” addressed the Commissioners. She requested that the Commissioners reverse their decision approving the location of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Memorial Monument behind the Vaillancourt Fountain. She stated that this is her favorite fountain and the back of it is even more beautiful than the front. She stated that the proposed monument is to be 75 feet long, which would block the view of the fountain to pedestrians and motorists traveling along the Embarcadero. She added that due to the number of pigeons in the area, the monument will need to be cleaned frequently. She also objects to a war-themed artwork being placed in an area where children play.
- Consent
1. Motion to approve the design by Alexander MacLeitch for a sculpture (revised per Arts Commissioners’ recommendations) to be located on the sidewalk at the Patson Building at 275 Sacramento.
2. Motion to approve the concrete integral color samples proposed by artist Vicki Saulls to be used in the fabrication of a sea turtle sculpture, a pelican sculpture and three hermit crab sculptures for the Koret Children’s Quarters.
3. Motion to approve the temporary loan of the jewelry collection, in part or in whole, to the San Francisco International Airport Museums program for exhibition, under terms to be negotiated by Arts Commission staff with the Airport.
The following motion was removed from the consent calendar:
4. Motion to approve the following pool of potential panelists for artist selection for the Public Art Program: Hung Liu, artist; Ned Kahn, artist; Daniell Cornell, curator; Leah Levy, art consultant/curator; Regina Almaguer, art consultant; Squeak Carnwath, artist; Constance Lewallen, curator; Wang Po Shu, artist; and Arnold Kemp, curator.
5. Motion to approve replacement plaque design for the Leonidas sculpture in the Golden Gate Park Music Concourse.
Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
Moved: Wilsey/Rinder
Regarding the motion that was pulled from the Consent Calendar, Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she has reservations about having consultants as panelists because there is a potential conflict of interest. Public Art Program Director Jill Manton pointed out that Leah Levy and Regina Almaguer do not represent artists. Ms. Levy is a curator who manages public art projects for private clients and she is also the Executor of the Jay DeFeo Estate. Ms. Almaguer is a consultant to private developers and other municipalities. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that having consultants on the panel does not widen the perspective, but duplicates the knowledge of the Project Manager.
Commissioner Hunter stated that there should be more artists on the panels.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that she would like to have oversight on the selection of each project panel, rather than establishing a qualified pool of panelists.
Commissioners recommended revising the motion to be specific to the San Francisco International Airport project and to include the following artists: Hilda Shum, artist; Linda Geary, artist; Kota Ezawa, artist; and Enrique Chagoya, artist.
The following motion was revised:
Motion: Motion to approve the following pool of potential panelists for artist selection for the Secure Connector at San Francisco International Airport: Hung Liu, artist; Ned Kahn, artist; Daniell Cornell, curator; Squeak Carnwath, artist; Constance Lewallen, curator; Wang Po Shu, artist; Hilda Shum, artist; Linda Geary, artist; Kota Ezawa, artist; and Enrique Chagoya, artist.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
- Gallery Report
Gallery Director Meg Shiffler presented the schedule of exhibitions through next summer.
The current exhibition in the Gallery is “Immediate Future: The 2006 Murphy & Cadogan Fellowships in the Fine Arts.” Ms. Shiffler stated that it has been incredibly rewarding to undertake this exhibition. The gallery has renewed its agreement with the San Francisco Foundation to continue presenting the annual fellowship award exhibitions through 2009.
The Gallery has initiated an annual print award. This year the award went to Ala Ebtekar, who will work with Trillium Press on the production of a print that will be available at the November 9th fundraiser, “Commission ’06: Remix.”
At the fundraiser, individual artworks from prior years’ box collections will be offered for sale. Following the fundraiser event, the artwork will remain on display through December 16.
Ms. Shiffler stated that normally the Windows exhibitions relate to the Gallery exhibition, but during the fundraiser that space will be given over to a University of San Francisco installation art class who will be doing four site-specific installations.
The January show, “Supply and Demand” is being curated by the Gallery Manager. It features two young artists who have propelled themselves into the national spotlight by working with corporations. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that there should be some critical engagement related to the exhibition’s concept. Commissioner Hunter stated that he is interested in the ways in which this exhibition might be anthropological.
The spring exhibition, “JPG,” is inspired by the publication “JPG Magazine,” which features work by amateur photographers. The images included in the publication result from a call for submissions that has been publicized on the internet. Ms. Shiffler would like to make the show as accessible as possible and may work with PhotoAlliance to organize a related a panel discussion or symposium.
Ms. Shiffler briefly mentioned some other exhibition concepts that are still being developed.
Based upon the modeling of pairing a nationally recognized artist with a local artist, she is considering a “Conversations” exhibition that would pair Jillian McDonald and Mark Lee Morris, or Tiffany Bozic and Walton Ford.
Ms. Shiffler has been working with Kevin Chen from Intersection for the Arts on an exhibition about performance and activism in San Francisco. This show would highlight how artists today create political work that is much different from political art of the past. It is more personal and subversive.
She stated that the exhibition “Bay Area Conceptual Art, Past and Present” would be co-presented with another arts organization. Commissioner Rinder stated that if this exhibition is to be historical, it would need to be comprehensive.
She is considering an exhibition featuring the work of Ellen Lake and Graciela Carrillo. Filmmaker Lake met the older artist Carrillo when she was volunteering in a women’s shelter. The exhibition would feature films Lake has made about Carrillo as well as Carrillo’s work.
Ms. Shiffler is interested in hosting the work by international artist Beat Streuli, who does video and photography. His video work features the life of a city, which plays back at a slow pace. Commissioners Przyblyski and Rinder suggested that this exhibition would be appropriate for co-sponsorship with either California College of the Arts or the San Francisco Art Institute.
For City Hall, Ms. Shiffler stated that she is continuing to present the same type of exhibition as the former Gallery Director had programmed. For the North Light Court, she would like to install banners.
She concluded her report by stating that she will present the Gallery mission statement at the January Visual Arts Committee meeting.
- Collections Policy Discussion
Deputy Director Nancy Gonchar stated that she would like today’s discussion to address various Collections issues, such as policy and mission, maintenance, and restoration. She reported that a conservative estimate on the value of the Collection is between $25 and $30 million. The City allocates $15,000 annually for maintenance of artwork in the Collection and makes an additional allocation each year for the restoration of one monument.
Public Art Program Deputy Director Susan Pontious distributed a report prepared by consultants Architectural Resources Group on the current condition and associated costs for maintenance of the monuments on Market Street. Commissioner Hunter noted that the report indicates that it would take the equivalent of one full time worker to keep the monuments along Market Street maintained.
Regarding the staff composition of the Collections Team, Commissioner Przyblyski stated that because Ms. Pontious’s salary is entirely paid out of Percent-for-Art funds, the Public Art Program loses staff time when she works on Collections projects. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the Mayor funded the Public Art Program Director’s position, and it is important that he see results. She acknowledged that the entire staff is overextended, but noted that the Public Art Program is suffering. She stated that the staff is very competent, but that doing the work without administrative funding makes the need for a staff person less obvious. She stated that the Collections Program has dire needs with regard to maintenance and registration. She suggested that some of the Board of Supervisors’ special allocation be spent to hire consultants to help with Collections issues.
Director of Cultural Affairs Richard Newirth stated that he will be meeting with Commission President PJ Johnston next week to come to a resolution regarding the additional funding received as part of this year’s budget. He stated that the Board of Supervisors is treating the funds as an increase to the Arts Commission’s budget, while the Mayor’s Office considers it a one-time allocation. Mr. Newirth stated that the needs of the Collections have been registered.
Commissioner Przyblyski noted that there are pending Public Art projects to administer, but staff time is being diverted to Collections work. She stated that it is important for the Public Art Program to be working to its fullest. She added that it is also an important duty of the Arts Commission to look after the Collection. She suggested that this year the Arts Commission advocate for the restoration of a staff position for this program. She also noted that the Arts Commission needs a press relations staff position.
Mr. Newirth stated that one of the new positions he would like to propose is an external affairs position, which could deal with press relations.
Ms. Gonchar noted that the funding for the Public Art Program Director position was a one-time allocation from the Hotel Tax Fund and that a different source of funding will have to be identified for this position in the future.
Commissioner Wilsey suggested that the Arts Commission recruit interns and volunteers to deal with some of the Collection’s inventory and registration work.
Commissioner Rinder stated that the care of the patrimony of the City is the responsibility of all of City government. He thinks that it would not be unreasonable to ask the Board of Supervisors to approve the funding of one full-time person for the inventory and oversight of $25 to $30 million worth of artwork.
Mr. Newirth added that he is requesting a new development position. If this is approved, the Arts Commission would be in a good position to go after state and federal funds for maintenance of the Collection.
Commissioner Wilsey suggested that the Arts Commission approach a local corporation, foundation or donor to adopt a monument. Mr. Newirth stated that the Arts Commission had an “Adopt a Monument” program years ago.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the Visual Arts Committee will discuss the Collections mission statement at the next meeting.
- Laguna Honda Hospital
Project Manager Susan Pontious reported that there is an artist opportunity in the East Residence at the Laguna Honda Hospital. An artist had not been assigned to this site because it has been unclear until now whether that floor would be eliminated from the construction plans. Consistent with the design of all of the other residential floors at the hospital, this floor has a common area in the center with a nurse’s station and dining area. The artwork would aid in way-finding for the residents and would function as a visual identity for the floor. The size of the work can be no taller than four feet and as wide as 17 feet for the major wall. Although some of the walls can be designed to include a niche for more dimensional work, the artwork to be placed on the short walls would have to be two-dimensional.
Ms. Pontious presented work by the following artists from the Laguna Honda Hospital Artists Pool and asked Commissioners to select an artist: Ann Gardner, Sheila Ghidini, Diane Hall, Gwynn Murrill, Patricia O’Conner, Ann Preston, John Pugh, and Vicki Saulls.
Ms. Pontious stated that the type of artwork that is appropriate for this environment would feature the natural world and vistas. Relief sculpture or work that is tactile and interactive is also fitting.
Ms. Pontious stated that the other selected Laguna Honda Hospital artists are Beliz Brother, Anne Chamberlain, Terry Hoff, Arlan Huang, Owen Smith, Takenobu Igarashi, Lewis deSoto, Merle Serlin and Cliff Garten.
The Commissioners agreed on Diane Hall as the project artist, with Ann Gardner as an alternate.
The following motion was revised:
Motion: Motion to approve selection of Diane Hall and Ann Gardner as an alternate from whom art will be commissioned and/or purchased for the L1 level of the East Residence building, with the option to include the purchase and/or commissioning of artwork for the West Residence Building, should it be constructed.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
- Joseph Lee Recreation Center
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton reported on the selection panel meeting for the Joseph Lee Recreation Center. She stated that Commissioner Hunter was on the panel and there was very good discussion between panelists. Ms. Manton noted that among the finalists, the panel selected a team of artists who are new to public art.
Commissioner Hunter stated that the discussion had to be negotiated as it went along. The community representatives wanted uplifting work. The collaborative team was an unusual but interesting choice. The other two finalists make work that is within a genre that is more accessible to the community.
Motion: Motion to approve the selection panel’s recommendation of the following three candidates and one alternate to develop proposals for the Joseph Lee Recreation Center Public Art Project and to approve the payment of a $750 honorarium to each of the finalists: Ripe Collaborative (Artist Team of Walter Kitundu, Philip Ross, and Adriane Colburn), Amana Johnson, and Diana Pumpelly Bates, or the alternate, Laurel True.
Moved: Rinder/Hunter
- Broadway Streetscape
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton and Project Manager Tonia Macneil gave an update on the progress of fundraising and City approvals for the Broadway Streetscape art enrichment project. Ms. Manton stated that the Civic Design Committee had given Phase II approval to the streetscape design. The artist has procured $25,000 in pledges to be paid on November 1. This will meet the goal for the commissioning of eleven illuminated book sculptures. A request for approval will be placed on the November full Arts Commission agenda. Ms Macneil met with the Fire Department and learned that the cross cabling will not be permitted because it will interfere with access to the building, which will require a design modification by the artist. Ms. Macneil will set up a meeting between the artist and Fire Department staff.
Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the Commission needs to establish a firm policy regarding the augmentation of project funds. Artists must be required to work within the budget they are given. She stated that because the small projects cost so much to manage, we need to again consider how to effect a policy change that will allow for the pooling of funds.
- Art on Market Street Program
This report was continued to the next meeting.
- New Business
- Old Business
Public Art Program Director Jill Manton presented images of the Golden Gateway installation at Hayes Green.
Ms. Manton also gave an update on the Diller + Scofidio project at Moscone West. She stated that the engineering consultants have conducted a load cell test to measure the force or load on the system. She believes that they are close to having enough data to redesign the bogies and the lower soffit wheels. The engineers have determined that the festooning arm is not causing any of the problems. She added that Sheedy Crane has offered to provide two days’ use of their crane, with staff, free of charge.
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Submitted by Jennifer Lovvorn, Public Art Program Associate
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs
10/31/2006
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: 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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