VISUAL
ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
Notices
Explanatory documents are available for public inspection and
copying at the Arts Commission office, 25 Van Ness Ave, Ste 240,
San Francisco CA 94102 during regular business hours. Tel:
415-252-2594.
Minutes
Commissioners Present
Stanlee Gatti, Ralph Guggenheim, Barbara Stauffacher Solomon,
Dugald Stermer; Absent: Dede Wilsey.
Staff Present
Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs; Nina Dunbar,
Rupert Jenkins, Anna Kvinsland, Debra Lehane, Jill Manton, Judy
Moran, Susan Pontious, Kristen Zaremba.
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded
otherwise.
The meeting commenced at 3:11 p.m.
- Consent
- Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection two works by
Gwynn Murrill titled Cougar III, 1996-2002, cast bronze,
edition 7 of 9 and Tiger 2, 2002, cast bronze, edition 1 of 6
purchased for the San Francisco Zoo.
- Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection a work by
Vito Acconci titled Light Beams for the Sky of a Transfer
Corridor, 2002, multiple unit installation commissioned for the
San Francisco International Airport.
- Motion to modify contract with Genevieve Baird by extending
Contract POAR02000025-01 to December 31, 2002 and increasing
the contract by an amount not to exceed $10,000 for a total
contract amount of $60,000.
- Motion to approve the mural design by lead artist Ellen
Rodgers and SOMARTS/Mural Resource Center, at Marshall School,
1571 15th Street, funded by Neighborhood Beautification.
- Authorization to approve the following additional artist
selection panelists for the Recreation and Parks Department
Projects: Heidi Hardin, Jeannene Przyblyski, Rene' Yanez, Kate
Randall, Mark Brest Van Kempen, Keiko Nelson, and Lizzetta
Lefalle-Collins.
Motion: Motion to move the
consent calendar item.
Moved: Stermer/Gatti
- Collections
Civic Art Collection Program Director Debra Lehane briefly
reported that stabilizing of the Garfield Monument and cleaning of
the Dewey Monument will both occur next month. Additionally, Ms.
Lehane reported that the carousel at the zoo would be finished by
the end of July. The refurbished carousel was a great success at
the re-opening of the zoo last month.
- Gallery
Gallery Director Rupert Jenkins reported that there are two
upcoming openings: one at City Hall on July 18 and one at the
Gallery on July 26. The show at City Hall features paintings by
artists from Peru, selected works by two artists from the San
Francisco Arts Commission slide registry, artwork by Samoan youth,
and Insights 2002, an annual award exhibition sponsored by the
Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired. The
Murphy and Cadogan Award Exhibition will open at the gallery on
July 26. This exhibition features work by 18 award recipients
working in video, painting, photography, sculpture and
installation. The Murphy and Cadogan fellowships in the Fine Arts
are annual awards sponsored by the San Francisco Foundation to
assist students in funding their final year of graduate
studies.
Mr. Jenkins reported on the recent problems related to lighting
artwork exhibitions at City Hall. During periods of energy crisis,
non-essential lights are turned off. This is particularly
problematic in the basement where artwork exhibitions are
displayed. Mr. Jenkins reported that he is currently negotiating
with the new Building Supervisor to restore lighting in general
areas where artwork is displayed.
Mr. Jenkins reported that the gallery plans on hosting a
fundraiser where a series of limited edition collector boxes by
eighteen Bay Area, mid-career artists will be priced to sell to
collectors of Contemporary Art. The gallery hopes to raise
$15,000, and all of the proceeds will support artist program
initiatives at the gallery. Mr. Jenkins said that he hopes to
launch the fundraiser the first week of November with a party and
raffle. He asked that the Commissioners support the effort by
outreaching to collectors or other people that they know who would
be interested in the fundraiser.
Mr. Jenkins said that the jury for the upcoming Construct 2
exhibition convened and selected two artist exhibitions out of 90
proposals submitted. One exhibition will be by the collaborative
team of Leondardogillesfleur. Their proposed exhibition will be a
performance piece where monitors in the gallery will project the
artists performing acts and actions on the second to fourth floors
of the Herbst Theater building. The other exhibition will be by
Heine Kang who proposes to do an architectural rendering of the
space using light and dark. In the past, Kang's work has dealt
with light and dark using light sensitive materials.
- Union Square
Project Manager Nina Dunbar reported that unfortunately,
because of a change order (which was not the fault of the artist
or the Arts Commission), the red granite bases for R.M. Fischer's
light fixtures will not be installed in time for the grand opening
of Union Square on July 25th. Ms. Dunbar said that the pieces will
have covers over them for the opening, and signage will indicate
what the light fixtures will look like and where they will go. Ms.
Dunbar reported that the bases and fixtures will be installed in
September, and that there may be a special joint dedication for
Fischer's work as well as the Dewey monument, which is scheduled
to be cleaned and restored by then.
- Moscone Center Expansion Project
Director of Public Art Jill Manton reported on the status of
the project by Diller & Scofidio at Moscone Center. Ms. Manton
said that the lower track under the soffit has been installed, and
the Arts Commission is paying to have a survey done to make sure
that everything was installed and aligned properly. Ms. Manton
explained that Hunt Construction, and not Pol-X, is now
fabricating the job. Hunt has not yet finalized their bid for the
project.
Ms. Manton said that the artists have approached Moscone for an
additional $100,000 for a 12mm screen instead of an 18mm screen.
The 12mm screen is of higher quality, it's brighter, and will have
a longer life then the 18mm screen. Moscone told Diller &
Scofidio to wait and see how much the track armature would cost
before they could commit to the more expensive screen. The artists
have also requested more time for video production. Ms. Manton
said that they have until the grand opening of the facility in
March, 2003, although she will push to have the video production
done before then.
Ms. Manton reported that she is ready to enter into contract for
$836,000 with Multimedia, the LED manufacturer and installer. The
contract will included a nine year extended parts warranty, but
does not include diode replacement. She predicts that the diodes
will have to be replaced after 90,000 hours, or ten years. An AV
consultant named Merric Andriansen to do the AV cabling and
design.
Ms. Manton concluded her report by saying that if the Arts
Commission can't obtain a waiver of sales tax from the State Board
of Equalization, the additional cost will have to be paid out of
the contingency. She will talk to the Arts Commission's City
Attorney about the possibility of taking this as an appeal to
state court. Ms. Manton mentioned that the original law didn't
anticipate the way in which public art is done today.
Commissioner Guggenheim requested that Ms. Manton further
investigate what is entailed in replacing the diodes in the large
LED screen. Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon asked if the images
would be updated and changed on a regular basis. Ms. Manton
replied that she hopes to develop an arrangement with Moscone and
the Arts Commission where the screen will only be used for art
projects, and stay consistent with the project's premise.
- Airport
Project Manager Susan Pontious told the Commissioners that the
Arts Commission receives approximately $22,000 in interest from an
airport art enrichment fund which is set aside in a maintenance
reserve to be used for the cleaning and conservation of artwork at
the airport. Ms. Pontious explained that the Airport is now
expecting the Arts Commission to store artwork removed for
remodeling for around $12,000 a year and maintain lighting for
artwork for around $16,000 a year, as well as clean and conserve
the artwork. Considering the present financial situation, Ms.
Pontious said that she can not clean and conserve the artwork, and
store and light the artwork. Ms. Pontious explained that the
lighting originally designed and installed by the airport's
architect and their consultants only lasts 3,000 hours per lamp.
Replacement lamps in Boarding Area G cost $100 each.
Ms. Pontious proposes replacing the expensive light fixtures with
more affordable florescent fixtures and light bulbs that have
20,000 hours. The one-time expenditure of $70,000 for hardware and
fixtures (there is no labor estimate yet) would pay for itself in
13 months in the money that it would save over the present
lighting system. Ms. Pontious explained that there is a surplus of
airport art enrichment funds that can be used for one-time capital
investments such as this.
As a follow up from the last meeting, Ms. Pontious reported that
"Ying and Yang", a sculpture by the late Robert Arneson, is still
in storage. However, Ms. Pontious, Ms. Manton, and Richard
Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs, met with representatives
from the Publicity Company Brown & Collins. Together they are
in the process of coming up with a plan for relocating the
sculpture to another public location within the city. One
possibility is Justin Herman Plaza at the Embarcadero.
- Laguna Honda Hospital
Ms. Pontious showed architectural drawings of the aqua-therapy
center that will include two pools. The architectural plans for
this facility include two large tile walls, one 16' x 40' and the
other 14' x 40'. The scope of this project is for an artist to
develop a tile design that can be executed and installed by the
building General Contractor within the existing construction
budget. The artist's fee of $10,000 is for tile design,
construction specifications, and construction consulting services
only.
Ms. Pontious reported that artist Cliff Garten is still working on
the hand rail design for the Link Building and two resident
floors. It has been a challenge due to ADA codes. For example, the
handrail can not extend more than 4 inches off the wall, and the
grip must be between 1 ¼" and 1 ½" in diameter. Mr.
Garten's technical drawings are now going to OSHPD (the state
agency that regulates hospitals) for review. Ms. Pontious hopes
that they will give a favorable reaction to Mr. Garten's
innovative design. Mr. Garten is still working on the shapes of
the handrail, conducting research on manufacturing and
engineering, and creating a full-scale mock-up of his design.
Ms. Pontious shared with the Commissioners Mr. Garten's design
concept for the glass curtain wall of the Link Building. Mr.
Garten proposes to use several types of glass, including
transparent, translucent, and opaque. Different glass will be used
according to different functions of the hospital. Mr. Garten will
use opaque glass in the areas that must remain private, and
transparent or translucent glass in semi-private or public areas.
Mr. Garten is playing with opacities and text to produce a quilt
like quality within the glass.
Motion: Motion to approve commission
of an artist to develop a tile design for the Laguna Honda
Hospital pool with a budget not to exceed $10,000 for design.
Moved: Stauffacher
Solomon/Stermer
The following motion was
removed:
Motion: Motion to approve Cliff
Garten's design concept proposal for the Link Building glass
curtain wall.
Motion: Motion to approve the
completion of the Design Development phase of Cliff Garten's
design contract for the link building and two resident floors.
Moved: Stauffacher
Solomon/Stermer
- Zoo
Ms. Pontious reported that the zoo had its grand opening. Gwyn
Murrill's sculptures were installed just in time, and "Split
Mound" by Jud Fine and Barbara McCarren was not complete due to a
delay in the receipt of the granite base. However, the opening was
a successful event and the Arts Commission was mentioned in the
dedication ceremony, thanked in promotional materials, and the
artwork "Split Mound" is featured on the new zoo map. Ms.
Murrill's "Tiger" sculpture is quite popular with children who
crawl on it and have their picture taken next it. There will be a
separate dedication for the sculptures in September.
- Cesar Chavez Bicycle Overpass Project
Ms. Manton reported that two encroachment permits are needed:
one for the sculpture's base, and one for the sculpture. The
permit for the base was just approved. Ms. Manton said that even
though the artist requested that CalTrans allow for the artwork to
be sited near the traffic median, they disapproved of his request.
The sculpture will be installed in the originally proposed
location adjacent to the bicycle overpass.
Ms. Manton said that she has seen the work, and it is coming along
great. Ms. Manton said that the head of the mythological human and
bird-like Aztec figure is especially wonderful.
- Embarcadero art Ribbon Project
Project Co-Manger Kristen Zaremba showed images of damaged
bollards while Ms. Manton explained the proposed modifications to
the Art Ribbon Sculpture along the Embarcadero at Piers 7, 27, 23,
and 26-30. Ms. Manton explained that substantial money and time
have already been spent to patch, repair, and replace the fiber
optic, glass block and concrete damage on these raised elements,
caused by vehicles and skateboarders. As the affected bollards are
continually subject to repeated damage, Arts Commission staff are
recommending that they be demolished and replaced with the flat
sidewalk detail used throughout the Ribbon. The artists, including
Commissioner Stauffacher-Solomon, have agreed to the proposed
modifications. The funding for the work, which would come from the
original art project's intact contingency, must be released by the
San Francisco County Transportation Authority. Ms. Manton
explained that she has been requesting the money for years, but
that the funds had not been released to date due to unfinished
accounting business at the Department of Public Works. Recent
public requests to the Transportation Authority have prompted them
to agree to a meeting to discuss the matter, and Arts Commission
staff are currently scheduling a meeting with representatives from
both agencies as well as the San Francisco Port Authority.
Furthermore, as suggested by the Port, a public hearing has
tentatively been scheduled for September 19 to hear the comments
of skateboarders and other Embarcadero users before any
modifications are implemented. There are a total of fifteen
bollards along the two-mile stretch of the Embarcadero being
considered for removal.
- King Street Historic and Interpretive Signage Project
Ms. Manton reported on the impact that the Mission Bay
Development by Catellus has had on the King Street Historic and
Interpretive Signage Project. Despite extensive negotiations and
the insertion of appropriate language in the King Street sidewalk
improvement project specifications, Catellus removed the two
pylons and 75 of the 182 bronze plaques between 3rd and 5th
Streets without notifying the Arts Commission. Upon subsequent
inspection of the artwork Ms. Manton and Ms. Zaremba discovered
previously undocumented damage which occurred during its removal.
Staff are currently working without compensation for their own
time to negotiate with Catellus and their contractors for
replacement and refurbishment of the damaged items.
Ms. Manton said that the Historic and Interpretive Signage project
has been an ongoing struggle to maintain. In addition to the
vehicular damage, the King Street pylons were defective, and the
fabricator who originally produced the pylons had promised in
writing to replace the pylons at no cost to the city, but
unfortunately the company went bankrupt before they honored their
commitment. Currently, only one porcelain enamel fabricator,
located in Canada, can produce the pylons. Furthermore, the new
bronze plaque fabricator incorrectly reproduced the missing
plaques in a smaller size due to confusion regarding the original
artwork specifications provided by the artist. Artist Michael
Manwaring's original work was provided on camera-ready boards or
diskette, but now that technology is outdated. Ms. Manton said she
has no alternative but to pay Mr. Manwaring to recreate the
computer files using current technology.
Ms. Zaremba added that the pylons and plaques will be replaced
next winter when street construction on King Street between 3rd
and 4th Streets is complete, but that the artwork reinstalled
between 4th and 5th Streets will need to be monitored and
protected during ongoing construction into 2003.
- Juvenile Hall Replacement Public Art Project
Ms. Manton reported that the Juvenile Hall Replacment Project
team had forwarded a request from Supervisor Sophie Maxwell to the
Arts Commission, requesting that a portion of the art enrichment
money from the new construction project be used to train and hire
at-risk youth to learn art making skills. Ms. Manton explained
that the artists are in the last phases of design for this
project, and that there are no valuable opportunities for youth to
be involved from this point forward. Ms. Manton said that youth
involvement was a very important aspect of this project from the
start. She reminded the Commissioners that the artists had
involved Juvenile Hall youth in on-site workshops as part of the
design of the public art project.
Ms. Manton reported that Mr. Newirth had spoken with Chief
Williams of Juvenile Probation. At the Chief's request, Mr.
Newirth had agreed that the Arts Commission could develop a new
program where at-risk youth could be integrally involved in the
design and fabrication of the art, if additional funding could be
identified. Ms. Zaremba created a set of three youth-centered art
project proposals that were subsequently submitted to Chief
Williams. Mr. Newirth said that Chief Williams was appreciative of
the Arts Commission's willingness to comply with Supervisor
Maxwell's request, and was very receptive to the proposal. Mr.
Newirth said that Chief Williams has not yet responded to the
proposal.
- New Business
Project Manager Tonia Macneil announced that there would be an
artist selection panel for the new Ocean View Recreation Center
the last week of July. She requested that an Arts Commissioner
serve on this panel. Commissioner Stauffacher Solomon said that
she would be willing to serve on the panel.
Ms. Manton said that she and Ms. Macneil would be making a
presentation on the Public Art Program's Programmatic Access
program at the Mayor's Office of Disability meeting tomorrow.
Ms. Manton also announced that Mr. Newirth and the Arts
Commission's City Attorney are currently evaluating making an
amendment to the Administrative Code to give the Arts Commission
the same flexibility as other city departments in choosing
preferred contractors for contracts of less then $25,000.
Currently, the Art Commission is allowed to choose preferred
contractors for contracts of less then $10,000 without a RFP/RFQ
process.
Next, Ms. Manton announced that the Public Art Program is involved
in planning the next Public Art Pre-Conference of the American's
for the Arts next conference in Portland, Oregon in June, 2003.
Representatives from the Public Art Program will lead a session on
artist contracts and artist rights.
And finally, Ms. Manton reported that there are seven upcoming Rec
& Park public art projects, six Library Bond public art
projects, and the public art project for the Octavia Boulevard
Streetscape project was recently announced.
- Old Business
- Adjournment
As there was no further business, the meeting was adjourned at
4:40 p.m.
Submitted by Anna Kvinsland, Public Art Program Assistant
Approved by Richard Newirth, Director of Cultural Affairs,
7/31/02
7/31/02