April 18, 2012

The meeting commenced at 3:01 p.m.

1. Roll Call

Commissioners Present:
Barbara Sklar, Chair
JD Beltran
Greg Chew

Commissioners Absent:
Dorka Keehn
Jessica Silverman

2. Consent Calendar
Action

1. Motion to approve Gays Without Borders to shroud the Harvey Milk Bust at City Hall for International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, May 17, 2012.

2. Motion to approve the following arts professionals as potential panelists for the Art on Market Street Selection Panel: Ellen Oh, Program Administrator, Institute for Diversity in the Arts, Stanford University; Julio Morales, Adjunct Curator, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts; Courtney Fink, Executive Director, Southern Exposure; Maysoun Wazwaz, Program Manager, Mills College Art Museum; Kevin Chen, Program Director, Intersection; Jenifer Wofford, artist; Thien Pham, artist; Packard Jennings, artist; Helena Keeffe, artist; Stephanie Syjuco, artist.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar items.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS SEVERED FROM THE CONSENT CALENDAR

Motion:Motion to approve the final designs for Celebrating Bay Area Arts poster series by artist Paul Madonna for the Art on Market Street Program 2012/2013, which includes a total of 36 posters installed in 18 bus shelters on Market Street between Embarcadero and 8th streets from June 11, 2012 to September 3, 2012.

Project Manager Mary Chou presented the final designs for Celebrating Bay Area Arts poster series by artist Paul Madonna for the Art on Market Street Program 2012/2013. She noted that the imagery for the posters was presented and approved at the March 2012 Visual Arts Committee (“VAC”) meeting, but changes to the artist’s text had been made since that time. She presented a staff report that indicated the revisions to the text. Ms. Chou reported that she was working with Mr. Madonna to obtain permissions from artists quoted in several of the posters. As part of this process, staff contacted the San Francisco Opera to assist with contact information for the two opera singers referenced in one of the posters. Ms. Chou explained that the San Francisco Opera requested a revision to the text of the poster, which consisted of eliminating the first sentence of the text. Ms. Chou also stated that the City Attorney has advised her to contact the Keith Haring Foundation and the artist Rigo to obtain permissions to use images of their artworks in the poster series. She said this may delay the project by a couple of weeks.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve the final designs with revised text for Celebrating Bay Area Arts poster series by artist Paul Madonna for the Art on Market Street Program 2012/2013, which includes a total of 36 posters installed in 18 bus shelters on Market Street between Embarcadero and 8th streets from June to September 2012.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS CANCELLED

3. Temporary Public Art Project –Eddy Street near Larkin Street
Jill Manton with artist Ben Davis
Action

Presentation of a temporary public artwork by artist Ben Davis for Eddy Street near Larkin Street scheduled for approximately mid-May 2012 through mid-August 2012.

Motion: Motion to approve temporary installation of artwork on non-living palm tree at Eddy Street near Larkin Street by artist Ben Davis for a duration of approximately three months from mid-May 2012 through mid-August 2012.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

4. Moscone West
Jill Manton
Action

Motion: Motion to approve a contract not to exceed $29,000 with Scott Minneman for maintenance work on the Facsimile art project at Moscone West.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

5. Public Safety Building – Police Memorial
Mary Chou
Action

Presentation of revised designs by Attie Art Projects LLC (aka Shimon Attie/Scott Attie) for the police memorial artwork at the new Public Safety Building.

Motion: Motion to approve revised designs by Attie Art Projects LLC (aka Shimon Attie/Scott Attie) for the police memorial artwork at the new Public Safety Building.

6. Public Safety Building – Fire Station
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented the revised designs by Merge Conceptual Design for the fire station artwork at the new Public Safety Building. She introduced Rhab Boughn from the San Francisco Fire Department (“SFFD”), present at the meeting, as well as Franka Diehnelt of Merge Conceptual Design, present via teleconference. Ms. Chou explained that Merge Conceptual Design had returned to an earlier design concept based on the City’s cisterns system after several rounds of design reviews. Ms. Chou described the design proposal which includes a recessed area based on the curved floor and ceiling of cisterns, and sculptural elements in the form of measuring sticks which display information about the various cisterns located around the City. Ms. Chou said the artists are also proposing small strips of LED lighting to illuminate the measuring sticks at night. She said the proposal was presented to the project team and Chief Joanne Hayes-White of the SFFD who were all supportive of the design.

Mr. Boughn commented that the SFFD is happy with the revised design. He stated that he admired the efforts of Merge Conceptual Design for continually producing creative design proposals. Mr. Boughn noted that the design may interfere with some of the utilities in the area, but felt this could be resolved.

Commissioner Beltran expressed concern that the recessed area would be used by skateboarders.

Program Director Susan Pontious said the design had been reviewed by the Mayor’s Office of Disability and the Department of Public Works’ Americans with Disabilities Act Access Coordinator, both of whom had only minor requests to changes in the design. She explained that as the trees have become an integral component of the artwork, Redevelopment Agency representative Kelley Kahn stated that the artists did not have to conform to Mission Bay standards for the trees, and could have more freedom in selecting the number and type of tree for that site. Ms. Pontious noted that the project team discussed the sculptural addition of the measuring sticks at length. Some felt the forms were strong and others felt they were a distraction from the forms of the cisterns. She encouraged the artists to explore other formats to display the information regarding the City’s cisterns or perhaps to decrease the number of measuring stick elements.

Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny thanked Merge Conceptual Design for being flexible during the design process and commended their ability to work with a large number of stakeholders.

Ms. Pontious praised Merge Conceptual Design for developing one creative idea after another. She said she was most excited by the current design and felt it will resonate with the public on many levels.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve revised designs by Merge Conceptual Design for the fire station artwork at the new Public Safety Building.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

7. Art on Market Street Program 2013/2014
Mary Chou
Discussion

Ms. Chou asked a Commissioner to volunteer to serve as a panelist on the 2013/2014 Art on Market Street Poster Series Artist Selection Panel. Commissioner Beltran volunteered.

8. Hamilton Park
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented the design proposal by Johanna Poethig for an artwork at Hamilton Park. She described the proposal as a series of tile mosaics with images based on the theme of “celebrating ability.” The tile mosaics will be circular with a diameter of two and a half feet and explore various abilities such as flexibility, enjoy-ability, responsibility and others. Ms. Pontious reported that she presented this proposal at a community meeting where it was well received.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the design proposal by Johanna Poethig for an artwork at Hamilton Park.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

9. Laguna Honda
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented two new tapestry designs by artist Lewis deSoto for Laguna Honda. Ms. Pontious explained that the new works are part of a series of tapestries depicting scenes from the history of Laguna Honda. One of the new tapestries depicts the ribbon cutting of the hospital’s new building, while the other depicts scenes of resident life from the past year. She noted that 13 tapestries have already been installed in the hospital’s new building. The new tapestries will be installed in the historic building marking the completion of the project.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve two new tapestry designs by artist Lewis deSoto for Laguna Honda.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

10. Earthquake Safety Emergency Response Neighborhood Fire Stations
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented the project overview for the Earthquake Safety Emergency Response Neighborhood Fire Stations Public Art Project. Ms. Pontious explained that a number of fire stations in the City will receive seismic upgrades, while two new fire stations and a fireboat station will be built. She reported that Fire Station 36 will receive upgrades and will generate $36,000 in art enrichment funds which may be used for a mural or tile element on its façade. Ms. Pontious added that a façade treatment may be problematic due to the firefighters’ daily drills performed with ladders hitting the building. She said an applied paint treatment may be the best option for artwork at this site. Ms. Pontious discussed various locations where a tile mosaic or painted artwork could be installed without sustaining damage or interfering with the drills.

Ms. Pontious stated that the stakeholders for these projects have expressed an interest in funding a memorial in the Marina to firefighters that lost their lives in the Loma Prieta earthquake. She stated it was unclear if it is permissible to use these funds for artworks located in areas outside the generating sites. She said that the Commission may have to address this at a later date.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the project approach for a public artwork at Fire Station 36 as part of the Earthquake Safety Emergency Response Neighborhood Fire Stations Public Art Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

11. Blanket Resolutions
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented blanket resolutions No. 0806-07-216 and No. 0205-01-063 and requested that both be modified. Ms. Pontious explained that resolution No. 0806-07-216 allows Arts Commission staff to obtain authorization from the Director of Cultural Affairs to do business with specific types of vendors without approval of the Arts Commission for work performed under $500,000. Ms. Pontious explained that resolution No. 0205-01-063 allows Arts Commission staff to obtain authorization from the Director of Cultural Affairs to receive certain services without entering into contract with a vendor, and to approve certain project related tasks without approval from the Arts Commission. She noted that these resolutions allow for routine work to be performed in a timely, streamlined fashion. Ms. Pontious reported that she consulted with the City Attorney’s office and the Controller’s Office about the changes to the both resolutions.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to modify blanket Resolution #0806-07-216 to read as follows: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs, in consultation with the City Attorney’s Office and the Controller’s Office, and subject to any required approvals from those or other City agencies, to take action, without a resolution from the full Commission, on the following items: Approve contracts, purchase orders or direct payment vouchers up to $500,000 with conservators, art technicians, or other qualified contractors for the purpose of performing conservation, maintenance and repair on works of art in the City’s art collection; approve contracts, purchase orders, or direct payment vouchers up to $500,000 with art service providers for transportation, storage, installation, de-installation of artwork, construction of cases, vitrines and framing, and other similar work related to the care and maintenance of the city’s collection that does not require design approval from the Commission.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to modify blanket Resolution #0205-01-063 to read as follows: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs, in consultation with the City Attorney’s Office and the Controller’s Office, and subject to any required approvals from those or other City agencies, to take action, without a resolution from the full Commission, on the following items: Approve contracts, purchase orders, or direct payment vouchers not exceeding $100,000 for services provided by a wide range of vendors, including but not limited to: 1) artists, contractors, consultants, printers, graphic designers, photographers, signage fabricators and photo labs, whose services do not require design approval from the Commission; 2) approve of contract modifications and additional project expenses not exceeding $100,000 that are within the project budget, but do not require design approval by the Commission; 3) approve start-up of new art enrichment projects, including determination of overall project parameters; 4) approve short listed candidates recommended by Selection Panels 5) authorize entering into conceptual design contracts not to exceed $100,000 with artists to develop site proposals.
Moved: Beltran/ Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

12. Cayuga Playground
Marcus Davies
Action

Project Manager Marcus Davies presented the final material and finish sample for Cayuga Playground artwork gates by artist Eric Powell. Mr. Davies clarified that the gate, measuring18 feet high by 13 feet wide, is comprised of tubular shapes that are difficult to galvanize. He stated that various coatings have been explored with the artist who wishes to maintain a painterly quality to the artwork. He explained that the fence will be treated with several layers of varying coats including an applied glaze, and finished with a clear top coat which has been reviewed for durability and approved by Senior Registrar Allison Cummings.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve final material and finish sample for Cayuga Playground artwork gates by Eric Powell.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

13. Boeddeker Park
Marcus Davies
Action

Mr. Davies presented the Boeddeker Park Public Art Program Project Outline, including the recommendation for direct selection of artist Amy Blackstone for art enrichment. Mr. Davies reported that the new park design aims to address community concerns regarding the lack of green space and recreational activities in the Tenderloin neighborhood. Ms. Davies explained that Ms. Blackstone currently has an artwork located at the park, and the community has expressed a desire to see her design expanded. He requested approval of the direct selection of Ms. Blackstone based on community feedback, a $34,000 budget, and accelerated construction timeline of this project. Commissioner Beltran commented that a direct selection made sense in this scenario and felt the artist had a good history of producing artworks.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve Boeddeker Park Public Art Program Project Outline, including direct selection of artist Amy Blackstone for art enrichment.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Amy Blackstone for design, fabrication, transportation and installation of an artwork for Father Alfred E. Boeddeker Park in an amount not to exceed $25,600.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

14. Civic Art Collection
Allison Cummings
Discussion

Ms. Cummings gave a status report on the conservation of Keith Haring’s sculpture Untitled (Three Dancing Figures) located at the corner of 3rd and Howard streets which is scheduled to begin late April 2012. Ms. Cummings stated that she had planned the restoration over the past year with ArtCare and the Keith Haring Foundation who are funding the project. She explained that the sculpture will be entirely deinstalled, moved off-site to be stripped and recoated with a spray application, then reinstalled in June 2012. Commissioner Chew asked about the cost of the project. Ms. Cummings stated that the restoration will be approximately $70,000. She added that her original budget allowed for the repair of scratches only, but the total restoration and repainting of the sculpture was requested and is supported by the Keith Haring Foundation.

15. Veteran’s Memorial
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Ms. Pontious presented a project update on the Veteran’s Memorial at Memorial Court. She reported that the selected artist team (Susan Narduli and Andrea Cochran) had been advised by their attorney not to enter into contract for this project based on the contract’s indemnification clause. She said that she was looking into the possibility of entering into contract with the artist team for the design and contracting separately with the Bureau of Architecture for the implementation of the project. Commissioner Beltran asked if that would reduce the budget for the project. Ms. Pontious replied that it would most likely increase the budget.

Ms. Pontious reported that the design had been reviewed by the Planning Department and the Historic Preservation Committee. She explained that the Planning Department produced a report detailing which elements from the original court design by Thomas Church should be kept. Ms. Pontious stated that some elements that will remain from the original design will affect the new landscape design by Ms. Cochran. She said that once a new contract was negotiated and signed by the artist team, they will begin work on a revised design to allow for certain original elements to remain. Ms. Pontious added that the revised design will be presented to the Planning Department and the Historic Preservation Committee for approval before it is presented to the Arts Commission.

16. Public Comment
Discussion

(This item is to allow members of the public to comment generally on matters within the Visual Arts Committee’s purview as well as to suggest new agenda items for the Visual Arts Committee’s consideration at a future meeting.)

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

17. New Business and Announcements
Discussion

(This item is to allow the Commissioners and Arts Commission staff to introduce new agenda items for consideration at a future meeting, to report on recent arts activities and to make announcements.)

Ms. Pontious announced that Public Art Program staff had conducted portfolio reviews for 20 artists that recently submitted applications for public art projects and were not selected. She said the reviews were very successful and the artists gave positive feedback. She stated that the Public Art Program will continue to conduct these reviews in the future. She added that a workshop for artists on how to prepare a proposal will be offered at the end of May 2012.

18. Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:44 p.m.

ZT 5/2/12
JCD 11/6/12 - adopted minutes posted