Visual_Arts_Committee
2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, October 21, 2009 3:00 pm
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Minutes
Commissioners Present: J.D. Beltran, Greg Chew, P. J. Johnston
Staff Present: Mary Chou, Allison Cummings, Carol Marie Daniels, Marcus Davies, Jennifer Lovvorn, Judy Moran, Kate Patterson, Susan Pontious
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:09 pm.
- Consent Calendar
1. Motion to approve an honorarium payment of $400 to Ms. Justine Topfer to coordinate the opening reception/speaker event for The San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery's exhibition LUX at City Hall in mid-November, 2009. (Note: Ms. Topfer has been the project coordinator of LUX, and was not originally contracted for event coordination.)
2. Motion to approve Music of Change, a 14’ x 70’ tiled mosaic mural on the Fell Street retaining wall between Pierce and Steiner Streets, at the rear of Ida B. Wells High School. The mural will be created by Kid Serve Youth Mural founder Josef Norris and 50 students from Ida B. Wells High School, in collaboration with the Alamo Square Neighborhood Association and the North of Panhandle Merchant’s Association. Work will commence in April 2010 and will be completed in December 2010.
3. Motion to approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection NEVERODDOREVEN, 2009, a carved redwood sculpture by Living Lenses (Louise Bertelsen and Po Shu Wang), located in Courtyard J at Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.
Motion: Approve consent calendar items.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
- Public Art Program Artist Selection Process
Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious presented an initiative to standardize the Public Art Program artist selection process in response to recent inconsistencies noted during Valencia Streetscape Improvement Project artist selection panels. Ms. Pontious outlined changes to the process, including standardized panelist orientation and consistent voting and scoring procedures. In addition, artists will be prepared for the panel process by 1) attending a site orientation with the Public Art Program project manager and representatives from the client agency; 2) meeting with the Public Art project manager and senior registrar to review preliminary design concepts and discuss any concerns about materials; 3) meeting with the Public Art Program project manager to review the panel process; 4) submitting digital versions of all proposal materials to the Public Art Program project manager prior to having them printed and mounted for public view.
Ms. Pontious went on to explain that although these changes present additional up front work for Public Art Program staff, the results will outweigh the extra effort in that before going out for public review all artist proposals will be thoroughly vetted by Arts Commission staff. Projects that have followed this process have been very successful, added Ms. Pontious, with the artists entering the selection process equipped with realistic concepts, budgets and materials.
Commissioner Johnston added that it is also important to have one Commissioner participate in a given selection panel throughout the entire process, allowing them to speak to the Committee with a first-hand knowledge of the process leading up to the final decision. Ms. Pontious agreed and remarked that is also important for Commissioners to participate in selection panels because they are in the unique position to offer the perspective of the Commission, something that is difficult for the staff to achieve.
- Church and Duboce Streetscape Improvement Project
Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn presented details of the Duboce Streetscape Improvement Project, describing the site, streetscape improvements and art opportunities associated with the installation of new Muni Metro rail. Ms. Lovvorn explained that in addition to art opportunities for sculptural seating on both the northwest and southeast corners of the Church and Duboce intersection, funding for artwork to be located at a third site on the southeast corner of Church and Market has been donated by the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefits District.
Ms. Lovvorn announced the results of the second artist selection panel meeting for the Church and Duboce Streetscape Improvement Project, stating that the panel had selected a proposal by artist and architect Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe. She explained that Mr. Suarez-Wolfe’s design of recasting discarded metro rails into a series of steel replicas of domestic chairs was well received by the panelists, as they felt the artist’s concept successfully referenced the site’s transitional location between commercial district and residential neighborhood while remaining visually compatible with the architectural context of the site. Ms. Lovvorn reported that the panel felt that the proposed quantity of art elements would need to be increased to at least eight to make a significant impact at the site and that the issue of chair selection for casting would be an important aspect of the project both in terms of the artwork concept, but also in terms of durability. In response, Ms. Lovvorn will ask the artist to rework his proposal budget and do further research with other fabricators to make sure that he can create a minimum of eight elements for the site. With regard to the artist’s intention to reuse the metal from the salvaged rail, Ms. Lovvorn stated the artist will need to conduct metallurgical tests to determine what the metal is. Based on the results of those tests, the artist may be required to purchase metal which is both appropriate to the fabrication technique and not contaminated to ensure that the artwork will not corrode.
Ms. Lovvorn concluded by stating that an artwork design for the third site at Church and Market will be addressed by the artist once he is under contract. For this site the stakeholders are encouraging a vertical element to increase visibility from the street. Given the increase in the budget to $120,000, Ms. Lovvorn believes that the expanded project scope can be accommodated and that the project will benefit by economies of scale in the production of the art elements.
Motion: Motion to approve the artwork proposal by Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe as recommended by the Church & Duboce Artist Selection Panel for the Church & Duboce Streetscape Improvement Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe as selected by the Church & Duboce Artist Selection Panel for design, fabrication, transportation and installation consultation for artwork for the Church & Duboce Streetscape Improvement Public Art Project in an amount not to exceed $120,000.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
- Leland Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project
Public Art Program Associate Mary Chou explained details of the Leland Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project and announced that the artist selection panel, which met on October 2nd, picked the proposal by Matthew Passmore/REBAR. The panel included the following participants: Department of Public Works Landscape Architect John Dennis, community members Anne Seeman and Marlene Tran, arts professionals Amy Trachtenberg and Rene de Guzman, and Arts Commissioner Lorraine Garcia-Nakata. Working with a budget of $35,000, Mr. Passmore/REBAR’s design currently consists of twenty poles topped with recycled parking meters coated in red automotive paint that will be donated by the Municipal Transportation Agency. The proposal also includes messages of welcome in different languages inscribed on the individual poles and solar lighting integrated within the meters. She explained that the proposal was inspired by the agricultural history of Visitacion Valley and the nearby Visitacion Valley Greenway.
Ms. Chou explained that the panelists felt that Mr. Passmore/REBAR’s proposal was a strong sculptural statement that was unique and reflected the neighborhood's focus on sustainability. The panel made some recommendations for the artist: to change the color of the meterheads to a more orange-red color so that it does not look like matchsticks, and to further develop the content of the text and locate the text closer to the base of the panel so that the public could create rubbings of the raised text. Ms. Chou also stated that due to anticipated maintenance needs, Arts Commission staff would like to see the proposed solar elements replaced with reflective materials in order to take advantage of existing street lighting.
Ms. Chou concluded by explaining that the artist will also be working with the Department of Public Works in determining the placement of benches along the sidewalk adjacent to the artwork and that the remainder of the project budget will be approved at a later date after Mr. Passmore/REBAR refines the design.
Motion: Motion to approve the artwork proposal by Matthew Passmore/REBAR, as recommended by the Leland Avenue Streetscape Artist Selection Panel, for the Leland Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
THIS MOTION WAS REVISED.
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Matthew Passmore/REBAR for the final design of artwork for the Leland Avenue Streetscape in an amount not to exceed $7,000.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
- Airport Ms. Pontious presented a final design modification to Clare Rojas’ proposal for Boarding Area G at SFO. The change would add a 4” frame around Ms. Rojas’ image. Ms. Pontious stated that because the artist is well within her budget, the overall cost of the project will not be affected by the addition of the frame.
Motion: Motion to approve revised Clare Rojas proposal for Boarding Area G at SFO, which adds a 4" frame around the image.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
Ms. Pontious addressed the Committee regarding the appointment of a new Arts Commission representative on the Airport Art Steering Committee, explaining that the Steering Committee is responsible for the review of artwork within SFO and for mediating any issues that may arise between the Arts Commission and the Airport before a design goes before the Arts Commission.
Both Commissioners Beltran and Chew expressed interest in sitting on the Steering Committee, though Commission Johnston noted that appointment should be at the discretion of Committee Chair Commissioner Garcia-Nakata, who was absent from the meeting. Ms. Pontious agreed to discuss the matter with Commissioner Garcia Nakata upon her return.
- PUC Art Enrichment Grant to Jennifer Alexander
Ms. Pontious introduced artist Jennifer Alexander who presented a proposal for creating a temporary sculpture garden on a plot of land in the Bayview owned by the Public Utilities Commission. Ms. Alexander explained that her project would create a green community space where local artists can show their work. Using recycled and donated materials, the proposed project would include terraced landscaping and native plants, with artwork added over time. All work would be overseen by Ms. Alexander and artists working at The Box Shop, a studio workshop adjacent to the proposed plot. Local artists participating in the project would be responsible for monthly maintenance of the site.
Resident Linda Shaffer offered her support of Ms. Alexander’s project, as did Skot Kuiper, who urged the Committee to explore similar use of other unused parcels whenever possible.
Commissioner Johnston commented that the plot would be a good site for a permanent project. Ms. Alexander responded that the timeframe of her project is intended to be several years, but is subject to impending redevelopment of the area.
Motion: Motion to approve a $25,000 grant from PUC art enrichment funds to Jennifer Alexander to create a temporary sculpture garden using recycled materials on a PUC parcel of land at 970 Hudson Ave.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
- Valencia Streetscape Improvement Project
Ms. Pontious prefaced the discussion by stating that the circumstances surrounding Valencia Street Improvement Project artist selection process are unprecedented in the history of the Public Art Program. To summarize, she explained that an error in scoring during the selection panel necessitated an additional panel which ended in a tied vote, meaning that the Committee must serve as final arbiters in the selection of a proposal by either Brian Goggin or Michael Arcega.
Ms. Pontious began by introducing Mr. Arcega’s proposal, a series of poles topped by Victorian architectural elements intended to serve as a public posting place for fliers and handbills. She pointed out that throughout the panel process Mr. Arcega has worked with his fabricator to address concerns about the durability of his materials, changing elements from wood to steel, and has committed to producing four uniquely designed artworks with a five-color palette within the project budget. Next, Ms. Pontious introduced Mr. Goggin’s proposal, a 49-foot pole intersected midway by a boat form made of steel bicycle forks and frames. Mr. Goggin’s proposal also includes LED lighting elements wired into the electrical grid that would be controlled by push-button features at the base of the pole. A small computer element hidden within the artwork would also produce lighting effects that mimic water.
Commissioner Johnston then explained that because the wining vote would require the majority of the Committee, the three commissioners present would be required to vote unanimously. Addressing Mr. Arcega’s proposal, he readdressed the artist’s adaptation of materials in response to maintenance and budget concerns. Commissioner Johnston also pointed out that the sidewalk treatments shown in Mr. Arcega’s proposal materials should not be considered part of the artwork as they were never approved as part of the project. Regarding Mr. Goggin’s work, Commissioner Johnston voiced apprehension about the work’s size, scale and technical aspects exceeding the project’s $52,000 budget allowance. Commissioner Beltran echoed Commissioner Johnston’s concern, stating that she didn’t believe the budget would allow the maintenance required by the work’s digital components. Commissioner Chew stated that he was in agreement on this point.
Commissioner Johnston asked Mr. Goggin to address the Committee regarding the project budget. Mr. Goggin said that he was committed to being resourceful in producing an end product, despite budget constraints. He also assured the Committee that his past projects have demonstrated that his work stands up to public interaction over time with little maintenance. Regarding the lighting, Mr. Goggin stated that he has received a guarantee from his fabricators that they are willing to complete the work within the existing budget.
Commissioner Beltran restated her doubt that the $52,000 budget was adequate to build what Mr. Goggin had proposed. She also cautioned the Committee against setting the precedent of approving projects requiring artist-matched funds due the resulting lack of control and oversight. Commissioner Chew then asked Ms. Pontious to talk about the administrative budget for the project, to which she replied that the existing budget would not allow administrative costs to cover an increase in the scope of the artwork. Commissioner Johnston asked Mr. Goggin if he could keep the project within the existing budget without requiring additional funding, to which Mr. Goggin replied that he could.
Mr. Arcega then addressed the Committee, explaining his decision to change his materials from wood to metal to address maintenance concerns raised by Arts Commission staff. Commissioner Johnston reminded the Committee that Mr. Arcega’s proposal would be dependant on public interaction and asked them to think about who might be responsible for removing the buildup of flyers posted on the artworks over time.
Commissioner Beltran asked Ms. Pontious to readdress her assessment of the two projects’ administrative costs. Ms. Pontious explained that the resources of the Public Art Program have been recently stressed due to a number of elaborate projects requiring more administrative support than staff has time to offer or the budgets can cover. Citing Mr. Goggin’s previous commission, Language of the Birds, she stated that the project had been significantly over-budget and that additional funding raised by the artist did not include the increased administrative time required by the project’s scope. Commissioner Beltran noted that the administrative budget for the Valencia Streetscape Project would be approximately $4,000.
Jeremy Sugerman, Skot Kuiper, Paula Blacona, Denise Romay, Mark Nassar, Jaime Aragon, and Marlena Byrne all spoke in support of Mr. Goggin’s proposal.
Commissioner Johnston expressed his opinion that changes in Mr. Arcega’s proposed materials and design compromised the project. He also stated that he did not believe that an admin budget of $4,000 would cover the costs of Mr. Goggin’s project, but if the artist and his collaborators are able to execute the project with the existing budget than his vote would go to Mr. Goggin’s proposal. Both Commissioner Beltran and Commissioner Chew reiterated their doubt that Mr. Goggin’s proposal could be realized within the project budget. Commissioner Beltran asked Ms. Pontious if there were other artworks in the Civic Art Collection that had interactive qualities similar to Mr. Goggin’s proposal. Ms. Pontious mentioned a work at the Airport that was unable to stand up to the level of public interaction it was subjected to. Ms. Pontious concluded by stating that due to the lack of maintenance funds, if either of the proposed Valencia Streetscape artworks are damaged they will most likely remain damaged. Following this, the Committee voted on the two proposals.
Motion: Motion to rescind approval by the Visual Arts Committee on September 16, 2009 of the artist Michael Arcega and his proposal recommended by the Valencia Streetscape Artist Selection Panel for the Valencia Streetscape Improvement Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
Motion: Motion to rescind approval by the Visual Arts Committee on September 16, 2009 to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist Michael Arcega, selected by the Valencia Streetscape Artist Selection Panel, for the final design, fabrication, and transportation of artwork for the Valencia Streetscape Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $52,000.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
Motion: Motion to approve the artwork proposal by Michael Arcega as recommended by the Valencia Streetscape Artist Selection Panel, for the Valencia Streetscape Improvement Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Michael Arcega for the final design, fabrication, transportation and installation consultation of an artwork for the Valencia Streetscape Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $52,000.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
- Recommendation for the De-Accessioning of Jacques Overhoff’s Untitled, 1969, at Anna E. Waden Branch Library
Senior Registrar Allison Cummings reported on the San Francisco Library Commission’s request that the Arts Commission approve the de-accessioning and possible demolition of Jacques Overhoff’s Untitled, 1969, a sculpture located on the exterior of the Anna E. Waden Branch Library in the Bayview. Ms. Cummings explained that the artwork is a 24-foot sculptural intervention in an integral brick wall on the façade of the existing building. Subject to the planned demolition and rebuilding of the library, Mr. Overhoff’s artwork would need to be either moved or destroyed. Ms Cummings explained that over time the art work has suffered several detractors, including the addition of an ADA handrail and a gate that laterally intersects the work. She also provided background information about the artist, who worked in the Bay Area for 35 years and became known for his architecturally integrated work using building materials. Mr. Overhoff currently lives in Germany, but is working on the Doyle Drive Replacement Project in San Francisco. Ms. Cummings added that Mr. Overhoff’s work can be found throughout the Bay Area, and that in addition to the work in question, the Arts Commission’s Civic Art Collection contains two other large sculptural works by the artist.
San Francisco Public Library Chief of Branches Brian Bannon spoke in depth about the new library proposal, stating that it is the result of an involved community process dating back to 2007. Mr. Bannon explained that over the course of a number of community meetings renovation of the existing library structure and relocation of the branch were discussed, but based on community needs a plan to rebuild on the existing lot was approved. The new building will be LEED gold certified and will feature expanded collections space, community and computer rooms, and an interior courtyard. The building’s art enrichment plan will include community-based artists and arts organizations, with one of the projects consisting of a series of history panels on the new building’s façade. Mr. Bannon stated that the possibility of including Mr. Overhoff’s artwork in the new building had been thoroughly explored and that a number of factors proved problematic, including obscured sightlines, incompatibility with the new building’s grade and structure, reduction of programmatic space, and the cost and scheduling impact of the artwork’s structural reinforcement on building construction. Removal and relocation of the artwork within the new building is estimated to cost between $100,000 and $150,000. Mr. Bannon concluded by stating that based on these factors, the San Francisco Public Library recommends that 90 days notice with an option to move the artwork be issued to Mr. Overhoff by the Arts Commission, adding that the artwork will be commemorated in the proposed history panels planned for the new building’s façade.
Library Commission President Jewelle Gomez expressed support for both Mr. Overhoff and his art, but offered her opinion that the work in question was not well-sited in that it has gone largely unnoticed by the community. She also stated that she felt that the benefits of a new library would outweigh saving Mr. Overhoff’s artwork.
City Librarian Luis Herrera stated that he feels that the recommendation to de-accession Mr. Overhoff’s artwork is the right course of action.
Lydia Vincent presented the Committee with a petition in favor of the artwork’s removal signed by 135 residents. Community members Larry Ware, Virgie Newman, Joseph Carullo, Teresa Goines, Jeffery Betcher, Rita Collins, Fran Carter, Lydia Vincent, and Sarah Stangle spoke in support of the artwork’s removal in order to allow construction of the new library as planned, as did Branch Manager Linda Brooks Burton.
Ms. Cummings stated that in considering the recommendation to de-accession the work Arts Commission staff had adhered to all guidelines and performed due diligence by contacting the artist, seeking the professional opinion of a representative of the U.S. General Services Administration, consulting with the City Attorney’s Office, and obtaining an appraisal reflecting the artwork’s current market value. Ms. Cummings also stated that the Arts Commission was unable to identify a suitable site for the artwork’s relocation. She then concluded by stating that following careful research and review of programmatic guidelines Arts Commission staff recommend the artwork be de-accessioned from the Civic Art Collection and subject to destruction should the artist, or another party authorized by the artist, not be willing or able to relocate it, based on the following factors: 1) The integrity of the artwork would be severely compromised is detached from its current site; 2) the cost to the library project of relocating the artwork is not merited by its cultural and aesthetic value; 3) the functional needs of the new library supersede the value of keeping the artwork in place; 4) the Arts Commission’s Civic Art Collection holds two additional large-scale works by the artist, and the artist is also well represented throughout the Bay Area and United States. Ms. Cummings also added that the Arts Commission’s Civic Design Review process has recently been adjusted in order to prevent a similar situation from happening again.
Commissioner Johnston thanked the community for attending the meeting and stated that the artwork no longer functions in its current place and will not work in the new building. He then said that because the Committee should not stand in the way of the new library, the Committee will recommend to the Full Commission the removal and demolition of Mr. Overhoff’s artwork. Commissioner Chew and Commissioner Beltran both added that they look forward to working with the Community in the future.
Motion: Motion to recommend to the Full Commission, at the Library Commission’s request, the de-accessioning from the Civic Art Collection of Jacques Overhoff’s sculpture, Untitled, 1969, located at the Anna E. Waden Branch Library.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
Motion: Motion to approve, at the Library Commission’s request, the demolition of Jacques Overhoff’s sculpture, Untitled, 1969, following the expiration of a 90 day notice period in which the artist or a party authorized by the artist is given opportunity to remove and relocate the artwork.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
- Bernal Heights Branch Library
Commissioner Johnston reminded the public that because the murals to be discussed are not part of the Arts Commission’s Civic Art Collection the process would be different than that of the preceding item. Because the murals are on city property, he explained that the Arts Commission is charged with approving any plan of action that determines whether or not they will be preserved. He then stated that the murals were painted on the façade of the Bernal Heights Branch in 1992, but it is unknown how the murals were approved in the first place.
Ms. Pontious presented the request from the San Francisco Library Commission to approve conservation of the mural by Arch Williams and others on the front façade of the Bernal Heights Branch building and removal of the murals on the sides and back of the building. She also stated that Director of Cultural Affairs Luis R. Cancel requested that the wording of the motion put to the Committee be changed to read “revitalize” rather than “conserve” in order to reflect possible treatment to the murals by someone other than a trained fine arts conservator.
Community members Dan Gleich, Nancy Everett, Jeffery Miller, Ellen Egbert, Rosanne Liggett, and Jane Wattenberg all spoke in favor or removing the murals from all sides of the library building’s façade. Library Commission President Jewelle Gomez explained that the Library Commission felt that keeping the front mural and removing the murals on the building’s sides and back presented a good compromise. She also stated that the plan to have Precita Eyes repaint the front mural would preserve its history and revitalize the building’s façade. Both Mauricio Vela and Luis Aroche spoke out against removing any aspect of the existing murals.
Ms. Pontious reminded the Committee that they can approve the Library’s request, but that the Arts Commission can not compel the Library to remove any part of the mural. Commissioner Johnston reiterated that the murals remain under the jurisdiction of the Library Commission. Commissioner Beltran then read from an October 13, 2009 letter from David Campos to the Library Commission in which Supervisor Campos wrote “I have decided to support the compromise position, which allows for removal of the side murals while preserving the mural on the front of the building.” Commissioner Johnston recommended that the Committee allow the Library to move forward with their process.
THIS MOTION WAS REVISED.
Motion: Motion to approve the request from the San Francisco library Commission to revitalize the mural by Arch Williams and others on the façade of the Bernal Heights Branch building, and to remove the murals on the sides and back of the building due to their deteriorated condition.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
- New Business
There was no new business to report.
- Old Business
There was no old business to report.
- Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 6:02 pm.
MD 10/26/09
