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Meeting Information



Visual_Arts_Committee

2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 

VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70


Minutes

Commissioners Present:
Jeannene Przyblyski, Lorraine Garcia-Nakata, Alexander Lloyd, P.J. Johnston
Absent: Dede Wilsey

Staff Present:
Luis Cancel, Mary Chou, Allison Cummings, Marcus Davies, Tonia Macneil, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious

Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.

The meeting commenced at 3:06 p.m.

  1. Consent Calendar

    1. Motion to accept the Visitacion Valley Branch Library selection panel's recommendation of the following artists as finalists for the Visitacion Valley Branch library project and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to pay each of the artists or artist teams an honorarium in the amount of $500 for the development of a site-specific proposal for the project: Johanna Poethig, the artist team of Fran Martin and Jim Growden, the artist team of Mark Grieve and Ilana Spector, and an alternate, Amy Trachtenberg.

    2. Motion to accept the Ortega Branch Library selection panel's recommendation of the following artists as finalists for the Ortega Branch Library project and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to pay each of the artists or artist teams an honorarium in the amount of $500 for the development of a site-specific proposal for the project: Sheila Ghidini, Gerald Heffernon, Wowhaus, and an alternate, Seyed Alavi.

    3. Motion to accept the Bayview Branch Library selection panel's recommendation of the following artists for the Bayview Branch Library project and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to pay each of the artists or artist teams an honorarium in the amount of $500 for the development of a site-specific proposal for the project: Marion Coleman, Mildred Howard, Ron Moultrie Saunders, and an alternate, Amy Trachtenberg.

    Motion: Motion to adopt the consent calendar items.
    Moved: Johnston/Lloyd

  2. California Street Steps Proposal
    Public Art Program Director Jill Manton provided an update on the proposal by the Friends of Lincoln Park for the beautification of the California Street Steps. She stated that all the costs associated with the implementation of the proposal will be raised privately. The Friends will also repair the existing condition of the stairway before the installation of the tiles. After completion of the project, the Recreation and Park Department has agreed to repair the concrete steps. The Friends have pledged to raise an additional $45,000 for the maintenance reserve, which will be used exclusively by SFAC. She stated that the motion associated with this proposal is one for support rather than acceptance so that the Friends can begin their fundraising in earnest. Ms. Manton stated that this would be a beautiful enhancement to Lincoln Park at no cost to the City. Commissioners expressed their support for the project.

    Motion: Motion to approve the proposed design for the beautification of the California Street Steps and to support the intent of the gift to the City, pending ability of Friends of Lincoln Park to raise funds for the implementation and maintenance of the artwork.
    Moved: Johnston/Garcia-Nakata

  3. Public Utilities Commission ("PUC") Funding
    Ms. Manton stated that she will present this item during the next Visual Arts Committee meeting.

  4. Transbay Transit Center Public Art Program
    Ms. Manton provided an update on first meeting of the Transbay Art Steering Committee, which includes Maria Ayerdi-Kaplan, Executive Director of the Transbay Joint Powers Authority ("TJPA"); Fred Clarke, Principal of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects; Luis Cancel, Director of Cultural Affairs, San Francisco Arts Commission; Jeannene Przyblyski, San Francisco Arts Commissioner; and Blake Summers, Director and Chief Curator, San Francisco Airport Museums. She stated that the meeting agenda included establishing art program objectives, selecting potential sites and opportunities for Phase I, discussing the Arts Master Plan development process, and reviewing the artists selected through an invitational call. Ms. Manton explained that the focus during Phase I will include three main artworks to be commissioned for the rooftop park, the Grand Concourse, and the sculptural light columns. From a review of 32 artists, the following nine were selected for interviews: Chakaia Booker, Julie Chang, Jamie Carpenter, Timothy Hawkinson, Jenny Holzer, Christian Moeller, Ernesto Neto, Erwin Redl, and Do Ho Suh. Ms. Manton explained that the project is currently in design development and construction should begin in 2010. She also stated that there will be a Phase II of the project, which will include the commissioning of artworks for the underground platforms, passenger lobbies, waiting rooms, pedestrian entrances, and other opportunities.

    Mr. Cancel expressed his excitement about the design of the new transit center and the impact it will have in the neighborhood. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that Mr. Clarke was enthusiastic about the selection of artists and open to considering a variety of approaches to the artwork for the new center.

  5. Lake Merced Temporary Art in Natural Settings
    Ms. Manton introduced artist John Melvin to present a new proposal for the Lake Merced Temporary Art in Natural Settings Project, as the previous proposal could not be implemented due to engineering constraints. Mr. Melvin stated that the artwork will be situated in the North Lake and is based on birds and the themes of identity, ecology, urbanization, and place. The proposal consists of a series of open containers, individually tethered to anchors on the bottom of the lake, constructed of PVC pipe, and wrapped in day-glow orange construction temporary non-biodegradable safety netting. Mr. Melvin stated that he will work closely with the Golden Gate Audubon Society ("GGAS") and the Natural Areas Program ("NAS"), and coordinate the installation schedule with the Dragon Boat Society and neighboring schools like Lowell High School in order to organize educational programming.

    In response to questions from Commissioners, Mr. Melvin stated that he would conduct tests with the materials and work closely with GGAS in order to ensure that the temporary installation will not harm or disturb the nesting patterns of birds. He also stated that he would approach construction companies to use recycled materials for his project. Commissioner Johnston suggested working with the San Francisco Dump and the Department of the Environment to access the recycled materials. Ms. Manton stated that the timeframe for the installation could range from one to six months. Mr. Melvin stated that the Lake Merced Task Force is supportive and receptive of projects that bring more attention to Lake Merced.

    Motion: Motion to approve the preliminary proposal by John Melvin for Lake Merced, pending approval from the Public Utilities Commission's Natural Areas Program and the Lake Merced Task Force.
    Moved: Johnston, Garcia-Nakata

  6. Moscone Recreation Center
    Ms. Manton introduced artist Kent Roberts to present his artwork proposal for the Moscone Recreation Center. Ms. Manton explained that Mr. Roberts was invited to redevelop his proposal for the site. Project Manager Regina Almaguer stated that pending approval from the Visual Arts Committee regarding the revised proposal, the Arts Commission will arrange another community meeting and have the proposal on display for public comment. Mr. Roberts presented a model of a stainless steel sculpture in the form of a ship with waves made of concrete pavers, located on the grassy area of Moscone Recreation Center between Francisco and Bay Streets. Ms. Manton explained that this will be the first public art project commissioned by the City in the district.

    In response to questions from Commissioners, Ms. Almaguer stated that the Arts Commission has been in contact with the Recreation and Park Department regarding this project. Mr. Roberts stated that issues of safety were addressed in the design of the sculpture: the spacing between the ribs of the sculpture would not allow people to get stuck between the ribs and the lack of horizontal structures would prevent people from scaling the work. Ms. Manton stated this project would require stamped and signed drawings from engineers to ensure the stability of its installation. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that it was a lovely proposal which takes into account the history of the site. Ms. Manton stated that she would show the proposal to Dennis Kern, Director of Operations of San Francisco's Recreation and Park Department.

    Motion: Motion to approve the design development of the artwork proposal by Kent Roberts for Moscone Recreation Center.
    Moved: Lloyd, Johnston

  7. San Francisco International Airport - Terminal 2
    Susan Pontious presented Norie Sato's design for the glass facade screen of Terminal Two at San Francisco International Airport. She stated that the Airport Commission passed a resolution that approved the selection of artists for Terminal Two. The artwork design consists of digitized images that resemble clouds on laminated glass. The work will be fabricated by Franz Meyer Glass of Germany. Ms. Pontious also reported on the installation of a new plaque honoring former Airport Commissioner William Coblentz. She stated that the Arts Commission has managed the production of two honorary plaques for the Airport in the past.

    Motion: Motion to approve the Selection Panel recommendation of Norie Sato's design for the glass facade screen for Terminal Two at San Francisco International Airport and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist for an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 to design, fabricate, transport and install the artwork.
    Moved: Garcia-Nakata, Lloyd

    Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural affairs to enter into an agreement not to exceed $20,000 with Daub Firmin Studios to design and fabricate a plaque honoring former Airport Commissioner William Coblentz for San Francisco International Airport.
    Moved: Johnston, Lloyd

  8. Laguna Honda Hospital
    Ms. Pontious presented the revised designs of the murals by artist Owen Smith for the lobby of Laguna Honda Hospital. The original design consisted of images of men working on the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge. Ms. Pontious stated that she was concerned that there were no images of women in the design and asked the artist to revise his design. The proposed revision consists of an image of John Muir walking in the woods on the left-side panel, and an image of a farmer's market scene with both men and women on the right-side panel; the center panel would remain the same as in the original design, with images of men working on the Golden Gate Bridge. Commissioners responded that they did not find the revised narrative as compelling as the original and it actually seemed more cliché with the women depicted in the marketplace. Commissioners agreed not to approve the revised lobby mural designs and to continue the project with the original design.

  9. San Francisco General Hospital
    Ms. Pontious presented the preferred sites for the relocation of two monumental sculptures located at San Francisco General Hospital, due to the construction of the new Acute Care Center. The sculptures include Gerald Walburg's Stiff Loops and Beniamino Bufano's Madonna. Bufano's sculpture would be relocated to the Comfort Garden located South of Building 80 on the San Francisco General Hospital campus. Commissioners agreed on the relocation of Bufano's work to the garden.

    Walburg's sculpture is planned for relocation to the South East corner of the San Francisco General Hospital campus. Commissioner Przyblyski questioned the appropriateness of the proposed site given the monumental size of the sculpture, which was estimated to be about thirty feet wide and eight feet high. Ms. Pontious stated that open space is very limited in the re-design of the campus, and the sculpture would fit in the proposed site and would be angled to coincide with the pathways. Ms. Cummings also stated that the sculpture, unlike in its current location, would be visible from the street as well as from apartments and residences nearby.

    Commissioner Przyblyski questioned if the sculpture in the proposed location would really enhance visitors' experiences at the hospital and asked about other potential sites elsewhere in the City. Ms. Pontious responded that they are working on the tight timeframe as the sculpture has to be removed from its current site by March 1, 2009, and the desire is not to move the sculpture more than once. Commissioners considered placing the work along the waterfront, which would consist of coordination with the Port, or de-accessioning the sculpture, which would involve storing the piece as well as finding a buyer. Ms. Pontious stated that originally the sculpture was intended to be relocated to a mini-park on the General Hospital campus, but the park was then changed to a parking lot. Given that the other options did not seem feasible within the timeframe, Commissioners approved the relocation of Walburg's sculpture to the proposed site on the South East corner of the campus.

    Motion: Motion to approve relocation of Gerald Walburg's Stiff Loops (1978.52) to the South East corner of the San Francisco General Hospital campus.
    Moved: Garcia-Nakata, Johnston

    Motion: Motion to approve the relocation of Beniamino Bufano's Madonna (1974.21) to the garden located South of Building 80 on the San Francisco General Hospital campus.
    Moved: Lloyd, Garcia-Nakata

  10. Art on Market Street Program
    Project Manager Judy Moran requested that this item be postponed to the next Visual Arts Committee meeting in February 2009.

  11. Broadway Streetscape
    Project Manager Tonia Macneil presented images of the completed artwork Language of the Birds by Brian Goggin with Dorka Keehn and the success of the November 23, 2008 unveiling ceremony. Director of Cultural Affairs Luis Cancel announced that he completed a segment with Brian Goggin about the new work for the February 2009 Culture Wire program.

    Ms. Macneil stated that there was an issue with the legibility of the embedded text as the grey of the resin was too similar in value to the grey of the concrete paving. She explained that the technique used by the installer to create the text involved a process of etching and filling the etched portions with very hard resin. Ms. Macneil stated that she believes the error might lie with the contractor the contractor who installed the text or with the contractor who poured the concrete, which came out much darker in color than the approved mock-up. The artists decided to hand-paint the resin text with a black-pigmented lacquer in order to create enough contrast in time for the dedication.  Ms. Macneil stated that she is requesting a motion to approve the artwork with the exception of the paving text because she wants to submit final payment to the artists.

    When asked by Commissioners what solutions were discussed, Ms. Macneil stated that the contractors proposed providing the Arts Commission with enough sealer to protect the text over the next 20 years. Collections Manager Allison Cummings stated that she has not discussed this particular solution yet with the contractors and is not sure what other solutions may exist. Commissioners stated that they would not approve the motion to accept the completion of the artwork because it would release the artists from their responsibility to work with the Arts Commission and the contractor in coming up with a solution to the problem. Commissioner Przyblyski stated that the paving is located in a high traffic area and encourages graffiti, which is a form of public writing, and is consistent with the values of the Beat Culture. Ms. Pontious also stated that a supply of sealer would not be adequate as there will be additional costs, including the labor for applying the sealer. Commissioners agreed to postpone the approval of the completed artwork and its subsequent acceptance into the Civic Art Collection pending resolution of the text and paving issue.

  12. New Business
    There was no new business to report.

  13. Old Business
    There was no old business to report.

  14. Adjournment
    The meeting was adjourned at 4:41 pm.

MC 1/28/2009


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: Mary Chou (415) 252-3215.

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