June 16, 2010

Commissioners Present: JD Beltran, Greg Chew, Lorraine Garcia-Nakata, PJ Johnston, Barbara Sklar.

Staff Present: Eleanor Beaton, Allison Cummings, Carol Marie Daniels, Marcus Davies, Jennifer Lovvorn, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Genevieve Masse, Kate Patterson, Susan Pontious, Zoe Taleporos.

Also Present: Regina Almaguer, Shelby Campbell, Bill Fontana, Ed Harrington, Brian Millman, Mary Muszynski and Kathryn "Jovi" Schnell.

Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.

The meeting commenced at 3:01pm.

1. 525 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) Building: Interior Lobby
Jill Manton, Regina Almaguer

Director of Programs Jill Manton introduced Ed Harrington and Shelby Campbell from the PUC to the Commissioners and thanked them for attending the meeting. Ms. Manton and Consultant Regina Almaguer then presented the design of a water wall by artist Ned Kahn for the interior lobby of the PUC Building at 525 Golden Gate Avenue. Ms. Almaguer explained the artist’s concept of working with light, power and water to create an enclosed, backlit wall utilizing a polycarbonate panel system reinforced by stainless steel rods to be installed along the building’s stairwell. The water wall is designed to encase both sides of the stairwell with hidden pumps underneath to circulate the water. Ms. Almaguer further explained that the project will require minimal maintenance as the design allows access to the lighting and water pump systems that will be maintained by the building staff. Commissioner Beltran raised issues surrounding the potential for water leakage and residue build up within the structure. Ms. Manton replied that the artist is in the preliminary design phase and will work with a conservator to address these issues before entering into fabrication.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to approve contract budget of Ned Kahn for design of artwork for the interior lobby of 525 Golden Gate Avenue, PUC Building, in an amount not to exceed $300,000 pending approval by the client agency, the PUC.
Moved: Beltran/ Chew

2. 525 Golden Gate Avenue, PUC Building: Exterior Facade
Jill Manton, Regina Almaguer

Ms. Manton and Ms. Almaguer presented of the design of the light-emitting diode (“LED”) wall, Firefly, by artist Ned Kahn for the exterior facade of the PUC Building at 525 Golden Gate Avenue. Ms. Almaguer described the project as a lattice grid system made up of five inch polycarbonate squares that move in the wind. The panels reflect sunlight during the day and are illuminated at night to emulate the light of a firefly. Ms. Almaguer explained that each panel contains an imbedded magnet that adheres to the building. Low voltage electricity will run along the building support beams to activate the magnets which, in turn, activate a system of LED lights. Ms. Almaguer presented images of the PUC building to indicate the placement of Firefly along its sloping exterior lined with wind turbines. Mr. Harrington from the PUC commented that the project will be visible from both the building’s lobby and staircase creating a dramatic visual effect.

Ms. Manton ended the presentation by commenting on the PUC building’s association with light and power and how the artist’s design complements and enhances that concept. Commissioner Garcia-Nakata added that she has a particular interest in buildings that make use of natural resources and is delighted to see this project move forward. Commissioner Chew agreed stating that this project takes advantage of one of San Francisco’s micro climates, thus representing the city in a new and unique way.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Ned Kahn for design of artwork for the exterior facade of 525 Golden Gate Avenue, PUC Building, in an amount not to exceed $1,137,000 pending approval by the client agency, the PUC.
Moved: Beltran/ Sklar

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to modify existing contract with Ned Kahn to increase scope of work to include the fabrication of interior artwork as well increase the budget to include the fabrication and installation of the exterior artwork for total not to exceed $1,462,000 pending approval by the client agency, the PUC.
Moved: Beltran/ Sklar

3. 525 Golden Gate Avenue, PUC Building: Grand Stairway
Jill Manton, Regina Almaguer

Ms. Manton and Ms. Almaguer introduced the artist Bill Fontana who had created a design proposal of a sound installation for the Grand Stairway of the PUC Building at 525 Golden Gate Avenue. Ms. Manton reported that she received news of a possible infeasibility of the project after the agenda had been published and that there will be no action taken at this time. She then explained to the Commissioners that Mr. Fontana would present his project with the understanding that its location in the PUC building will be changed pending approval of a new proposal.

Mr. Fontana presented his original proposal that included speakers placed in the Grand Stairway of the PUC Building. He explained how he recently learned of a fire code that demanded the Stairway be designed as a fire exit route. With the new design, the option of powering speakers in the Stairwell is eliminated. Mr. Fontana stated that he is open to finding a new location for the work within the building as well as working with a structural engineer to make his current proposal compliant to reside in the Stairway.

Mr. Harrington additionally stated that the Stairway was originally designed to be entirely open but, due to fire codes, has been redesigned as an enclosed space. He commented that it might be beneficial to Mr. Fontana’s project to relocate it for desired effect and that he would be happy to work with the artist to determine an alternate location.

Commissioner Garcia-Nakata thanked Mr. Fontana and the staff of the PUC for attending the meeting and stated that there would be no action taken at that time. She stated that the project will be presented at a later date with a motion for the approval of the design and honorarium once feasibility issues were worked out the PUC and the San Francisco Fire Department.

THIS MOTION WAS CANCELED
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to pay an honorarium of $5,000 to Bill Fontana for preliminary design and feasibility study for a sound based artwork for the Grand Stairway at 525 Golden Gate Avenue, PUC Building.

4. Richmond Branch Library
Judy Moran

Project Manager Judy Moran presented images of Scott Donahue's installed artwork, Touching Earth, for the Richmond Branch Library. Two of the artists’ sculptures have been installed in the pathway to the Ninth Avenue entrance to the Richmond Branch Library. Ms. Moran described the sculptures as vessels with epoxy bronze domes depicting maps of the Bay Area; one map is current, the other is from 150 years ago. Ms. Moran further explained how the design includes small oval medallions depicting various modes of Bay Area transportation throughout history. She concluded her presentation by stating that the project has the ability to reach a broad public and that she is very pleased with the work

Motion: Motion to approve the installed artwork, Touching Earth, by artist Scott Donahue, consisting of two vessel-shaped concrete and bronze epoxy sculptures, located on either side of the pathway to the Ninth Avenue entrance of the Richmond Branch Library.
Moved: Beltran/ Chew

Motion: Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection an artwork titled Touching Earth, by artist Scott Donahue, consisting of two vessel shaped sculptures molded out of concrete, each covered with an epoxy bronze relief map of the Bay Area, each approximately 35 inches high by 50 inches wide at the top, 35 inches wide at the bottom, and imbedded with small porcelain enamel ovals with images of various modes of transit, installed on either side of the pathway to the Ninth Avenue entrance of the Richmond Branch Library.
Moved: Sklar/ Beltran

5. Central Subway
Judy Moran

Ms. Moran presented the recommended proposal for the Central Subway Temporary Art Program’s Chinatown Pilot Project for 2010 – 2011: The Chinatown Journey, a two year multi-artist, multimedia art project proposed by the Chinese Culture Center. Ms. Moran reported that the Temporary Art Program for Central Subway is funding projects in each of the three main station neighborhoods with the pilot project to take place in Chinatown. Ms. Moran went on to explain how an initial selection process had previously taken place wherein the proposal, The Chinatown Journey, proposed by the Chinese Culture Center, was selected. However, a technical error was identified in the initial Request for Proposals regarding the prohibition of geographic restrictions on applicants for federally funded projects, such as Central Subway. Ms. Moran reported that the Request for Proposals was then revised to eliminate any geographic restrictions, and reissued. The selection panel was reconvened and the proposal made by the Chinese Cultural Center was selected for a second time.

Motion: Motion to rescind Resolution Number 0301-10-084 to approve The Chinatown Journey, a two year multi-artist, multimedia art project proposed by the Chinese Culture Center for the Central Subway Temporary Art Program’s Chinatown Pilot Project for 2010-2011, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the Chinese Culture Center for an amount not to exceed $80,000 to implement the project. Motion rescinded due to a technical error in the first Request for Proposals regarding geographic application restrictions which required the reissuing of the Request for Proposals and a new selection process.
Moved: Beltran/Sklar.

Motion: Motion to approve a grant for The Chinatown Journey, a two year multi-artist, multimedia art project proposed by the Chinese Culture Center for the Central Subway Temporary Art Program’s Chinatown Pilot Project for 2010-2011, as recommended by the Central Subway Temporary Art Program Chinatown Project Selection Panel, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the Chinese Culture Center for an amount not to exceed $80,000 to implement the project. The second Request for Proposals process resulted in the selection of the same organization (the Chinese Culture Center) as the first Request for Proposal process requiring a new resolution.
Moved: Chew/ Beltran

6. Sterling Park
Jill Manton

This item has been removed.

7. Palega Recreation Center
Jennifer Lovvorn

Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn presented the new public art project for the Palega Recreation Center, which will be commissioned in association with the renovation of the site. Ms. Lovvorn described the Palega Recreation Center and Playground, which is located on 5.78 acres in the Portola District in southeastern San Francisco bounded by Hamilton, Silliman, Somerset and Felton streets. She explained that this park is home to a historic Recreation Center built in 1930, two tennis courts, a basketball court, two baseball fields, a soccer field, one basketball court and a children’s playground. Ms. Lovvorn reported that as part of the 2008 Clean & Safe Neighborhood Park Bond Program, the Recreation and Parks Department plans to renovate the recreation center and site. The renovation project (building and site work) will be certified “Silver” as rated by the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (“LEED”) certification system.

Ms. Lovvorn stated that she met with Palega Recreation Center Project Team to explore possible opportunities for artwork, which she presented to the Commissioners. Those opportunities include 1. Sculptural elements and possibly integrated design for the area near the Recreation Center’s northeastern corner where the three main pathways connect;
2. Integrated and/or functional artwork for the sitting area on the north side of the new children’s play area; 3.Artwork that would be located along the new north-south path on the east side of the Recreation Center; 4. Interior tile or mosaic murals for the wall behind three large windows on the Felton Street façade of the historic building and/or for the row of 20 window openings on the western side of the historic building; or 5. Artwork that relates to the environment or nature, reveals ecological systems, and/or is a demonstration or interpretation of environmental sustainability. Ms. Lovvorn stated that the public art project budget would be $190,000 for design, fabrication, transportation and installation of the artwork. She described the proposed artist selection process including artist eligibility, the issuing of a Request for Qualifications, potential selection panelists, and the selection process timeline.

Motion: Motion to approve the public art approach and artist selection plan for Palega Recreation Center as detailed in the Palega Recreation Center Public Art Project Outline.
Moved: Beltran/Chew

Motion: Motion to approve the following arts professionals as potential selection panelists for the Palega Recreation Center Public Art Project: Jennifer Easton, Public Art Administrator, San Jose Public Art; Julia Hamilton, Program Director, Neighborhood Public Art Grant at Richmond Art Center; Carrie Lederer, Curator of Exhibitions & Programs, Bedford Gallery, Walnut Creek; Ellen Oh, Executive Director, Kearny Street Workshop; and Dana Zed, artist.
Moved: Sklar/ Beltran

8. Fulton Playground
Jennifer Lovvorn

Ms. Lovvorn presented the artist selected for Fulton Playground by the Fulton Playground Artwork Selection Panel. Ms. Lovvorn reported that the Selection Panel had met earlier that day and unanimously selected Moto Ohtake, an artist from Santa Cruz, and ranked Michael Carey, a Berkeley based artist, as the alternate. Ms. Lovvorn presented examples of Mr. Ohtake’s kinetic sculptures, which are made of stainless steel and feature wind activated elements mounted on tall stainless steel posts (typically over 13’ tall). She noted that the Recreation and Park Department has offered to provide the base supporting the sculpture which will allow the art enrichment funds to be dedicated entirely to the commissioning of the artwork. Ms. Lovvorn concluded her presentation by stating that the artist will develop a design for the Fulton Playground sculpture, which will be brought to the Arts Commission for review and approval within the next few months.

Motion: Motion to approve the selection of artist Moto Ohtake for the Fulton Playground Public Art Project as recommended by the Fulton Playground Artwork Selection Panel.
Moved: Chew/ Johnston.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Moto Ohtake to commission an artwork for Fulton Playground in an amount not to exceed $38,000.
Moved: Chew/ Beltran

THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEM WAS CHANGED FROM ITEM 10 TO 9
9. Boeddeker Park
Susan Pontious

Program Director Susan Pontious presented the artworks currently residing in Boeddeker Park: Untitled by Anthony Smith; Ark (or Ark San Francisco) by Bruce Hasson; and Redding School, Self Portrait by Ruth Asawa and explained that all pieces will be relocated due to park renovations. Ms. Pontious also presented Flying Dragon-Snake-Monkey-Bird by Johanna Poethig and discussed the possible deaccession of the piece due to its contingency to a wall slated for demolition. Ms. Pontious then introduced Brian Millman from WRNS Studio and Mary Muszynski from Trust for Public Land who presented new plans for the park, the proposed relocation areas for existing artworks and new possible art enrichment opportunities.

Motion: Motion to approve proposed relocation of existing artworks within the park: Untitled by Anthony Smith; Ark (or Ark San Francisco) by Bruce Hasson; and Redding School, Self Portrait by Ruth Asawa.
Moved: Beltran/ Chew

THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEM WAS CHANGED FROM ITEM 14 TO 10
10. Tutubi Plaza
Eleanor Beaton

Project Manager Eleanor Beaton introduced Kathryn "Jovi" Schnell, the artist who has created a design for a street treatment at Tutubi Plaza, a new pedestrian space planned for Russ Street between Minna and Tehama Streets. Ms. Beaton reported that this work is being done in conjunction with the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency’s Soma Alleyways Improvement Project. Ms. Schnell then presented her design Evolves the Luminous Flora that will encompass a 15 foot wide by 65 foot long area on Russ Street. The design will be fabricated in Streetprint, a new paving treatment that can simulate the look of slate, stone, and other design effects, using an asphalt base.

Motion: Motion to approve final artwork design of Evolves the Luminous Flora, by Kathryn "Jovi" Schnell for Tutubi Plaza.
Moved: Johnston/ Beltran

THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEM WAS CHANGED FROM ITEM 9 TO 11
11. Airport
Susan Pontious

A. Ms. Pontious presented images of B F I L R Y D, a work by Bob Zoell consisting of twenty-six glass panels commissioned for the secure connector between Terminal Three and the International Terminal at the San Francisco International Airport. Ms. Pontious concluded the presentation by stating how the piece is consistently favored by the public as well as Arts Commission staff.

Motion: Motion to approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection, B F I L R Y D, 2010, twenty-six glass panels (eight 5'x10' panels of fritted glass; sixteen 2.5'x10' sandblasted panels, and two 8'x 8' clear glass laminated panels with photographic interlayer) by Bob Zoell, commissioned for the secure connector between Terminal Three and the International Terminal at the San Francisco International Airport.
Moved: Beltran/ Chew

B. Ms. Pontious presented an update on Janet Echkelman’s project at the San Francisco International Airport, Terminal Two. She reported that the artist’s work is being completed within the projected budget. However, Ms. Pontious raised concerns about the addition of a fan element in the artist’s design that may not be necessary for the work to function as kinetic sculpture. Ms. Manton and the Commissioners advised Ms. Pontious to move forward with the project as intended by the artist as long as it stays within budget.

12. Memorial Court
Susan Pontious

Ms. Pontious reported that pool of arts professionals has been developed for the Selection Panel of the San Francisco Memorial Court Veteran’s Memorial Project. Ms. Pontious requested the appointment of a Commission representative to serve on the Selection Panel. The Committee appointed Commissioner Johnston.

Motion: Motion to approve the following pool of arts professionals for the Memorial Court project: Susan Harrison, Program Director, United States General Services Administration; Stanley Saitowitz, architect; Michael Willis, architect; Rupert Garcia, artist; Karen Tsujimoto, Senior Curator, Oakland Museum of California; Helene Fried, independent curator; and Walter Kitundu, artist.
Moved: Beltran/ Chew.

13. Laguna Honda
Susan Pontious

Ms. Pontious reported that the Arts Commission is entering the second phase of identifying two-dimensional artworks for Laguna Honda. A short list of artists is being developed to present to a Selection Panel. Ms. Pontious then requested the appointment of a Commission liaison to serve on the Selection Panel. The Committee appointed Commissioner Beltran.

THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEM WAS CHANGED FROM ITEM 11 TO 14
14. Program Management
Susan Pontious

Ms. Pontious presented a proposal to amend the Public Art Program’s guidelines changing the approach to smaller budget projects and the process of reviewing artist’s preliminary proposals. Ms. Pontious explained that the Public Art Program’s Project Managers and Conservationists have been taking a more active role in vetting artist’s preliminary proposals before they are presented to a panel or to the public for display. She went on to explain how using this system allows for feasibility and aesthetic issues to be addressed early on, thus ultimately strengthening an artist’s proposal. Ms. Pontious then reported a change in artist selection processes to correspond with the size of the project’s budget. The hope is to create a more efficient and economical approach to projects utilizing personnel and other recourses more effectively. Ms. Lovvorn also added that the Public Art Program Staff has been implementing the preliminary proposal review for the past year through the artist’s Memorandum of Understanding and it has proved to be extremely effective.

15. New Business

16. Old Business

Ms. Manton reported that the Recreation and Parks Department has insisted on a temporary fence surrounding Zhang Huan’s sculpture Three Heads Six Arms while multiple city events take place. Ms. Manton also stated that the Arts Commission has hired a private security staff to monitor the sculpture at night.

17. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 5:16pm

MD 6/16/10
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