November 17, 2010

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

Staff Present: Mary Chou, Aimee Le Duc, Jennifer Lovvorn, Jill Manton, Judy Moran, Susan Pontious, Zoë Taleporos.
Note: All votes are unanimous unless recorded otherwise.

The meeting commenced at 3:04 p.m.

1. Consent Calendar

1. Motion to approve the following arts professionals as potential panelists for the 2011 Prequalified Artist Pool selection panel: Lucinda Barnes, Chief Curator, Berkeley Art Museum; Jennifer Easton, Public Art Project Manager, San Jose Public Art Program; Steven Huss, Cultural Arts Programs Coordinator at City of Oakland; Mark Johnson, Director, San Francisco State Gallery; Carrie Lederer, Director, Bedford Gallery; Ellen Oh, Director, Kearny Street Workshop; Mary Rubin, Public Art Project Manager, San Jose Public Art Program; Dara Solomon, Contemporary Jewish Museum; Stephanie Syjuco, artist; Maysoun Wazwaz, Exhibitions Program Manager, Southern Exposure; Dominic Willsdon, Director of Education, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

2. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to modify the agreement with Nancy Blum to increase the agreement by $309,904 for a total contract amount not to exceed $330,404 for Design, Fabrication and Transportation of artwork for General Hospital Acute Care Unit: Floor 5.

3. Motion to approve the temporary installation of Kate Raudenbush’s sculpture Future’s Past, at Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley.

4. Motion to approve the temporary installation of Frame by Robert Glass in Lafayette Square Park.

Artist Robert Glass presented his project Frame, proposed for installation in Lafayette Square Park. The project would be constructed of Plexi glass, iron, wire and grease pencils to form a translucent grid on which a viewer may trace the outline of the landscape framed by the sculpture. Mr. Glass explained his intention to capture the view from an elevated section of Lafayette Park where one can see Alcatraz extending to Marin County. By inviting passersby to interact with the piece, Mr. Glass hoped to create a space of reflection through transforming a three dimensional environment into a two dimensional plane.

Mr. Glass, who is currently a graduate student at University of California, Berkeley’s department of Landscape architecture, has the support of Professor Chip Sullivan as well as the Friends of Lafayette Park. He concluded his presentation by asking the Commissioners and Public Art Program Staff if they had any advice regarding the implementation of his project. Program Director Susan Pontious remarked how the proposed design of the sculpture is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). He will have to change the design to include a barrier detectable by cane in order for the work to become ADA compliant.

Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar items
Moved: Johnston/ Chew

2. Central Subway
Judy Moran
Staff Report

Project Manager Judy Moran presented a staff report regarding the Central Subway Public Art Program prepared in conjunction with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (“SFMTA”). Ms. Moran noted that since the Central Subway Project is funded by a grant to the SFMTA from the Federal Transit Authority (FTA), the contract compliance requirements are extremely rigorous. In order to meet these requirements, the artists’ contracts must include the full contract amount required and scope of work needed in order for the artists to complete their projects rather than just for Design Development as previously approved by the Arts Commission. Therefore, Ms. Moran asked for the amendment of the three previous resolutions to now include an increased scope of work and a new total not-to-exceed contract amount.

Motion: Motion to amend Resolution Number 0802-10-214, which authorizes the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a separate Design Development contract with artist Yumei Hou and artist Tomie Arai to each create artworks for the Central Subway Chinatown Station for an amount not to exceed $25,000, to now include the complete scope of work as originally contemplated under the Request for Proposals ("RFP") to include Design Development and Consultation during Fabrication and Installation and to also increase the total contract not-to-exceed amount for each artist’s contract to $400,000.
Moved: Johnston/ Beltran

Motion: Motion to amend Resolution Number 0802-10-215 , which authorizes the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a separate Design Development contract with the artist team of Jim Campbell and Werner Klotz and artist Erwin Redl to each create an artwork for the Central Subway Union Square/Market Street Station for an amount not to exceed $25,000 for each contract, to now include the complete scope of work as originally contemplated under the RFP for Jim Campbell and Werner Klotz' contract to include Design Development and Consultation during Fabrication and Installation, and to include the complete scope of work as originally contemplated under the RFP for Erwin Redl's contract to include Design Development, Fabrication and Consultation during Installation, and to increase the total not-to-exceed amount for Jim Campbell and Werner Klotz’ contract to $400,000 and to increase the total not-to-exceed amount for Erwin Redl’s contract to $700,000.
Moved: Beltran/ Chew

Motion: Motion to amend Resolution Number 0802-10-216, which authorizes the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a separate Design Development contract with artist Tom Otterness and artist Catherine Wagner to each create an artwork for the Central Subway Moscone Station for an amount not to exceed $25,000 for each contract, to now include the complete scope of work as originally contemplated under the RFP the scope of work for Tom Otterness' contract to include Design Development, Fabrication of Molds, Consultation during Fabrication and Installation of Sculptures, and to now include the complete scope of work as originally contemplated in the RFP for Catherine Wagner's contract to include Design Development and Consultation during Fabrication and Installation, and to increase the total not-to-exceed amount for Tom Otterness’ contract to $600,000 and Catherine Wagner’s contract to 400,000.
Moved: Beltran/ Johnston

3. Valencia Streetscape Project
Mary Chou

Project Manager Mary Chou presented the completed artwork Valencia Street Posts, a series of four posts topped with a Victorian-inspired sculpture, by the artist Michael Arcega installed on Valencia Street between 16th and 19th Streets. Ms. Chou noted how the posts were accented by a Victorian rug pattern sandblasted into the nearby pavement. She remarked that the sandblasting was conducted by the Department of Public Works (“DPW”) who will also assume responsibility for the maintenance of the pavement. Ms. Chou explained the intention of Mr. Arcega to inspire the community to use the posts to promote local activity. She then showed photographs that demonstrated the project’s success shortly after installation.

Ms. Chou reminded the Commissioners that the artist’s original design had included a base attached to each wooden post. She explained that the artist had ordered the bases with the intention of cutting them down to allow for more community use of the posts. Once received, it was apparent that the bases were made from a material that did not allow for modification and the bases were returned to DPW. Both the artist and staff support the revised design of the artwork as installed, without the base. She concluded her presentation by requesting the approval of the revised design and the inclusion of the artwork into the Civic Art Collection.

Motion: Motion to approve the revised design of the artwork, Valencia Street Posts by artist Michael Arcega, consisting of four wood utility posts each topped with a steel, aluminum and copper Victorian-inspired sculpture with an enamel finish, located along Valencia Street between 16th and 19th Streets.
Moved: Beltran/ Chew

Motion: Motion to accept into the Civic Art Collection an artwork titled Valencia Street Posts, by artist Michael Arcega, consisting of four 10-foot-high wood utility posts each topped with a Victorian-inspired ornamental crown of steel, aluminum and copper, each approximately 4 feet high by 2 feet by 2 feet, installed on Valencia Street between 16th and 19th Streets.
Moved: Beltran/ Johnston

4. Church & Duboce Streetscape
Jennifer Lovvorn

Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn reported on the conceptual design of an artwork by Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe for the Market Street and Church Street location associated with the Church and Duboce Streetscape Improvement Project. Ms. Lovvorn explained that artwork for the Market Street location was added to the original project scope through a donation of funds by the Castro/Upper Market Community Benefit District. This companion artwork is meant to act as a landmark or gateway into the neighborhood’s residential area and is intended to be conceptually and visually consistent with the artworks that the artist proposed for the intersection of Church Street and Duboce Avenue. Ms. Lovvorn presented images of the artist’s design for that intersection which consists of cast metal replicas of domestic seating representing the diversity of the neighborhood residents.

Ms. Lovvorn presented imagery of the conceptual design for a vertical painted steel sculpture for the Market Street location. The artwork design consists of an elongated gateway inspired by the neighborhood’s historical light fixtures as well as a nearby church steeple.  Director of Programs Jill Manton asked if there would be DPW work going on in the neighborhood at the time of the project’s installation that would allow the sculpture’s footing to be incorporated into existing site work. Ms. Lovvorn replied that DPW would be conducting work in the area at the time of installation, but not on the artist’s proposed site for the artwork. Commissioner Johnston remarked that he was familiar with the site where the DPW would be working and thought the Market Street and Church Street location would be better for the artist’s work. Ms. Lovvorn stated she would ask the artist to produce studies for both locations to be presented to the Visual Arts Committee at a later date.

Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual design of an artwork by Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe for the Market Street and Church Street location associated with the Church and Duboce Streetscape Improvement Project.
Moved: Johnston/ Chew

THIS MOTION WAS TABLED

5. Sunset Playground
Jennifer Lovvorn

Presentation of Construction Documents Phase deliverables by Bryan Tedrick for artwork for Sunset Playground.

Motion: Motion to approve Construction Documents Phase deliverables (final design of sculptural artwork elements, project budget, surface treatment samples, fabrication mock up, and structural engineering) by Bryan Tedrick for Sunset Playground.

6. Fulton Playground
Jennifer Lovvorn

Ms. Lovvorn presented the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables by Moto Ohtake for artwork for Fulton Playground. Ms. Lovvorn began by reminding the Commissioners that Fulton Playground spans an entire block of a residential area in the Richmond District. She displayed the site plan for the renovated Fulton Playground and stated that Mr. Ohtake’s artwork will be installed in a planter that is prominently located between the eastern park entrance and the historic club house at the edge of the garden. Ms. Lovvorn stated that the artist is known for his kinetic sculptures that make use of wind and he will be employing the same style in his artwork for Fulton Playground. Ms. Lovvorn presented the artist’s conceptual design for the sculpture along with a diagram that detailed how each separate part moved. She also showed a video of the artist’s design mock-up outdoors and activated by wind. The Commissioners were pleased that the artwork would be able to make use of the site’s plentiful winds.

Motion: Motion to approve Conceptual Design Phase deliverables by Moto Ohtake for artwork for Fulton Playground.
Moved: Beltran/ Chew

7. General Hospital Acute Care Unit – Plaza Artwork
Jennifer Lovvorn

Ms. Lovvorn presented the Design Development Phase deliverables by Anna Valentina Murch for the General Hospital Acute Care Unit Plaza Artwork project. Ms. Lovvorn reminded the Commissioners that Ms. Murch was commissioned to do an artwork in the connecting area between hospital buildings on the campus. Ms. Lovvorn explained that for this project the artist was inspired by rivers and eddies. The artist responded to the site by designing a series of seating elements integrated with landscape architecture, various lighting elements and an illuminated sculptural component meant to act as a beacon. Ms. Lovvorn presented the artist’s design drawings for all of these elements along with a site plan for the elements and lighting studies showing how the illumination would look at night. During the next phase of design the artist will be working with a landscape architect to integrate these elements into the project’s construction documents.

Motion: Motion to approve the Design Development Phase deliverables by Anna Valentina Murch for the General Hospital Acute Care Unit Plaza Artwork project.
Moved: Beltran/ Johnston

8. San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery
Aimee Le Duc

Gallery Director Meg Shiffler was originally scheduled to present the upcoming project with Mr. Daniel Nevers at 155 Grove Street and the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery’s exhibition Isn’t It Obvious? However, due to Ms. Shiffler’s travel plans, Gallery Manager Aimee Le Duc presented in her stead.  Ms. Le Duc described the curatorial premise of Isn’t it Obvious? as based on artists using their practice to be critical of how we consume the banal. Ms. Le Duc then explained the work of the participating artists: Jasmin Lim, Lindsey White, Kristina Lewis, Matthew Kennedy and the team of Brion Nuda Rosch and Chris Sollars. She stated that the artists in the exhibition are critically exploring the way we use objects in everyday life. Ms. Le Duc reported that the Director of Cultural Affairs Luis R. Cancel suggested starting a blog with space for public comment in conjunction with the exhibition to encourage the public to engage in critical dialogue. This is something that the Gallery staff is interested in implementing. Ms. Le Duc then presented the upcoming project by Daniel Nevers at 155 Grove Street, You Cant Stop Progress. Mr. Nevers will create an installation based on objects typically found in home improvement stores, juxtaposing real objects with simulated ones.

Lastly, Ms. Le Duc discussed the upcoming Sister City Biennial: an exchange between The CarriageWorks in Sydney, Australia and the Arts Commission Gallery. Ms. Le Duc reported that the Gallery has chosen the artists Amy Balkin, Sergio de la Torre, and the artist group Rebar to participate in the exchange. The three artists from Sydney have yet to be determined. Ms. Le Duc noted that Justine Topfer will be providing curatorial services for this project.

Motion: Motion for the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contractual relationship with Mr. Daniel Nevers for an honorarium in the amount of $1,200 for the research, development and production of a newly commissioned artwork for the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery’s 155 Grove Street installation space.
Moved: Beltran/ Johnston.

Motion: Motion for the Director of Cultural Affairs to approve an honorarium in the amount of $800 per artist for the following artists: Ms. Lindsey White, Ms. Kristina Lewis, Ms. Jasmin Lim, Mr. Matthew Kennedy, Mr. Brion Nuda Rosch and Mr. Chris Sollars for the research, development and production of newly commissioned artworks for the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery’s exhibition Isn’t It Obvious?
Moved: Beltran/ Chew

Motion: Motion to approve an honorarium of $3,500 to Ms. Justine Topfer for curatorial services on the exhibition Sister City Biennial.
Moved: Beltran/ Johnston

9. Public Safety Building
Susan Pontious

Program Director Susan Pontious reviewed the art opportunities at the Public Safety Building and presented the art program plan and budget. Ms. Pontious first gave an overview of the site, pointing out the interior and exterior space available for artwork. She noted that the interior opportunities would be appropriate for smaller scale projects while larger works would be appropriate in the entry plaza. She remarked that the plaza is zoned for both residential and mixed used and would attract a lot of foot traffic. Ms. Pontious particularly noted a potential site located in the entry plaza that would require a barrier should an artwork be installed there. Ms. Pontious then reported that both the Fire and Police departments were interested in implementing a memorial at this location. Ms. Manton remarked that potentially the memorials could be combined to recognize the services of both departments.

THIS MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve art program parameters for Public Safety Building.
Moved: Beltran/ Johnston

10. New Business

Ms. Pontious reported on her efforts to create a Steering Committee for projects with the Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”). In creating this Committee, Ms. Pontious hopes to implement funding and project projections to help streamline project management. Ms. Pontious requested a volunteer from the Visual Arts Committee to participate in the PUC Steering Committee. Commissioner Garcia-Nakata volunteered for the position.

11. Old Business

12. Adjournment

4:38 p.m.

ZT 11/17/10
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Notices

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