City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

November 15, 2012

Visual Arts Committee - November 15, 2012
SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Thursday, November 15, 2012
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco, CA 94102
________________________________________

Minutes

The meeting commenced at 3:02 p.m.

1. Roll Call

Commissioners Present:
Barbara Sklar, Chair
Greg Chew
Dorka Keehn
Jessica Silverman joined 3:06 p.m.

Commissioners Absent:
JD Beltran

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 3 TO ITEM 2

2. Public Safety Building: Police Memorial
Judy Moran
Action

Senior Project Manager Judy Moran presented the new draft of a text developed by writer Margo Perin to be incorporated into the Public Safety Building police memorial artwork’s glass cylinder. Ms. Moran explained that the project artist Shimon Attie had originally developed a poem for the glass cylinder that was not received well when presented to the Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (“BALEAF”). She noted that BALEAF approval of the text is required for this project. Ms. Moran made clear that the artist selected Ms. Perin to write a new poem on his behalf based on her extensive experience working with law enforcement agencies. She noted that Ms. Perin proceeded to work closely with members of BALEAF to develop a poem they felt represented their perspective as survivors. The artist plans to work with a graphic designer to integrate Ms. Perin’s text into the glass cylinder.

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

Motion: Motion to approve a new draft of the text developed by Margo Perin with Shimon Attie, Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (“BALEAF”) and Arts Commission staff to be permanently incorporated into the Public Safety Building police memorial artwork by Shimon Attie and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to approve the final draft of the text.
Moved: Silverman/Keehn
The motion was unanimously approved

Ms. Moran reported that the Arts Commission had recently passed a resolution to increase Shimon Attie’s contract amount to allow for fabrication cost. She requested that the motion be rescinded and replaced with a motion to increase Mr. Attie’s contract amount to cover the cost of fabrication, transportation and consultation during installation of his artwork.

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

Motion: Motion to rescind Resolution No. 1001-12-285 to increase Attie Art Projects LLC (aka Scott/Shimon Attie) contract for a police memorial artwork in the lobby of the new Public Safety Building from $342,500 to the new contract amount not to exceed $392,500 for continuation of fabrication.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

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

Motion: Motion to approve an increase in the total contract amount for Contract DPAR12000057 for Attie Art Projects LLC (aka Scott/Shimon Attie) for the design, fabrication, transportation and consultation during installation of a police memorial artwork in the lobby of the new Public Safety Building from $342,500 to a total amount not to exceed $700,000 to cover the costs of fabrication, transportation and consultation during installation of the artwork and to provide an additional $3,000 for writer Margo Perin, a subcontractor to Attie Art Projects LLC, who has created a new text for the police memorial artwork.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS PARTIALLY MOVED FROM ITEM 5 TO ITEM 3

3. Central Subway
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn requested that Central Subway artwork commissions be limited to one per artist or artist team. She explained that there was overlap between the finalists for the current opportunities and felt the art program would be stronger with a diversity of artists among the three stations.

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

Motion: Motion to limit the number of permanent Central Subway artwork projects for which an artist or artist team may be selected to one.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

4. SFAC Gallery
Meg Shiffler
Action

SFAC Gallery Director Meg Shiffler reported on the upcoming exhibitions at the Main Gallery and City Hall: Conversations 6, and Escape. She explained that Conversations 6 will be the last exhibition in the Main Gallery before it is relocated. Ms. Shiffler described the exhibition as a pairing between a local artist and a non-local artist. She said the exhibition aims to contextualize the Bay Area art community within the larger scope of the art world. She added that Conversations has had five previous iterations at the SFAC Gallery. She noted that the series began when she first became the Director of the SFAC Galleries, and felt it was appropriate as a final exhibition. For Conversations 6, local artist Jason Hanasik will be paired with Dutch artist Berndnaut Smilde.

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

Motion: Motion to approve artist honoraria payments in the amount of $3000 each to Jason Hanasik and Berndnaut Smilde for their contributions to Conversation 6, an upcoming SFAC Main Galleries exhibition.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

Ms. Shiffler reported that the upcoming exhibition at City Hall will be a juried exhibition exploring how photography relates to the idea of escape. She explained that the SFAC Gallery has partnered with the Photo Alliance to jury the exhibition. The exhibition will feature the photographers Alice Shaw, Rebecca Horne, and David Gardner along with artists selected from the jury process.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve artist honoraria payment in the amount of $700 each to Alice Shaw, Rebecca Horne, David Gardner for their contributions to Escape, an upcoming SFAC Galleries exhibition at City Hall.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

5. General Hospital Acute Care Unit: Plaza
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Senior Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn presented the final design of Anna Valentina Murch’s artwork for General Hospital Acute Care Unit: Plaza. Ms. Lovvorn explained that while the final design was previously approved by the Arts Commission, the in-grade lighting scheme proved too complex to implement. Ms. Lovvorn said that in response, the artist developed a new concept of placing the lighting inside metal rings attached to the circular planters, which will cast light down illuminating areas around the artist designed plaza elements. She requested approval of this design change and an increase in the artist’s contract to cover subsequent costs.

Commissioner Keehn commented that she could not tell what the design changes would look like based on the artist’s renderings presented at the meeting.

Commissioner Sklar recommended the motions be tabled until additional renderings could be shown to the Committee.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

Motion: Motion to approve the final design of the plaza artwork elements of the Construction Document Phase by Anna Valentina Murch for General Hospital Acute Care Unit: Plaza, which includes additional light ring elements to be produced through the artist’s contract.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

Motion: Motion to rescind Resolution Number 0912-11-206 authorizing the Director of Cultural Affairs to increase the agreement with Anna Valentina Murch by $575,512 for a total contract amount not to exceed $620,512 to add fabrication, transportation and consultation during installation of artwork to the scope of work for General Hospital Acute Care Unit: Plaza.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to increase the agreement with Anna Valentina Murch by $781,800 for a total contract amount not to exceed $826, 800 for the additional scope of work of fabrication, transportation and consultation during installation of artwork including additional light ring elements for General Hospital Acute Care Unit: Plaza.

THE FOLLOWING IS A CONTINUATION OF ITEM 3

6. Central Subway
Judy Moran
Action

Ms. Moran presented the five finalists recommended for the Crosscut Cavern Wall artwork for the Central Subway Chinatown Station: Hung Liu, Clare Rojas, Jovi Schnell, the artist team of Jennifer Starkweather and Amanda Hughen; and Pae White. Ms. Moran described the artwork opportunity as an 18’ x 36’ wall visible to those ascending or descending the station by elevator or escalator. She noted that this artwork location is an opportunity for an artist to translate a two-dimensional artwork into permanent materials. Ms. Moran stated that the Artist Selection Panel met on October 19, 2012 and reviewed the work of 16 semi-finalists. From those 16, five artists and artist teams were selected by the panel as finalists to create proposals for the site. She described the past work of each finalist and noted that an artist orientation will scheduled for the end of January 2013.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the following five artists as selected by the Chinatown Crosscut Cavern Wall Artist Selection Committee for the Crosscut Cavern Wall, and to approve an honorarium payment of $2,000 to each finalist for preparation of a proposal for this art opportunity: Hung Liu, Clare Rojas, Jovi Schnell, the artist team of Jennifer Starkweather and Amanda Hughen; and Pae White.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

7. 2012/13 Art on Market Street Poster Series
Justine Topfer
Action

Project Manager Justine Topfer presented the mock-up poster design, The Times of Harvey Milk, and five final poster designs by Christina Empedocles for the last installment of the 2012/13 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series entitled The City on Film. Ms. Topfer explained that while one of the final designs was slightly incomplete and The Times of Harvey Milk was still in the mock-up phase, she requested final approval of all designs in order to keep within the project timeline. Ms. Topfer noted that the artist’s final drawings were executed in a highly realistic style and resembled the mock-ups almost exactly. She said she was confident the artist would deliver what was expected of the two outstanding artworks.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS CANCELLED

Motion: Motion to approve the draft poster design, The Times of Harvey Milk by Christina Empedocles for the 2012/13 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve the six final designs for The City on Film poster series by artist Christina Empedocles for the 2012/2013 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, which includes a total of 36 posters installed in 18 bus shelters on Market Street between Embarcadero and 8th streets from January 14 to April 5, 2013.
Moved: Keehn/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

8. Philosopher’s Way
Susan Pontious
Action

Program Director Susan Pontious announced that the dedication of Philosopher’s Way at McLaren Park by Peter Richards and Susan Schwartzenberg is on December 1, 2012. Ms. Pontious explained that the completion of this project took longer than expected due to the Mayor’s Office of Disability’s requirement to develop Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) compliant pathways to the artwork. She briefly described the artwork as comprised of various musing stations along the park trails. Ms. Pontious said that Mr. Richards spent a considerable amount of time coordinating an ADA compliant path from the parking lot to one of the musing stations, as well as an additional navigable path to another musing station. Ms. Pontious requested the approval of a payment of up to $4,200 to Peter Richards for development of this ADA access plan.

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

Motion: Motion to approve payment of up to $4,200 to Peter Richards for development of Americans with Disabilities Act access plan for Philosopher’s Way at McLaren Park.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED

9. Geneva Mission Excelsior Sculpture Project
Carol Marie Daniels and Nicole Agbayani
Action

Presentation of final design for Ever Upward, a metal sculpture mounted on a mosaic tile column to be installed at the corner of Geneva and Mission streets by the artist Isis Rodriguez.

Motion: Motion to approve the site and final design of Ever Upward, a 7½ foot metal sculpture mounted on a 6 foot concrete column overlaid with mosaic tile by artist Isis Rodriguez which will be installed at the northwest corner of Geneva and Mission streets.

10. South Sunset Playground
Carol Marie Daniels and Renee McKenna
Action

Project Manager Carol Marie Daniels presented a tile mosaic mural project, entitled Nature Stream, for approval. The mural by Ms. Renee McKenna is sponsored by Art in Every Classroom, Inc.. Ms. McKenna has received permission from the Recreation and Parks Department to create this tile mural at the South Sunset Playground. Ms. Daniels explained that the mural is privately funded and is supported by Supervisor Carmen Chu. She explained that Ms. McKenna’s design had been reviewed by Public Art Program staff who requested a mock-up due to concerns about the proposed fabrication technique. Ms. Daniels presented the mock-up for Committee review. She introduced Abigail Mayer from the Recreation and Parks Department to give an overview of the project. Following Ms. Mayer’s comments the artist, presented her mural design concept and answered questions about the project.

Ms. Mayer reported that over a year ago she received a call from Ms. McKenna who expressed her desire to develop a community project at South Sunset Playground. Ms. Mayer explained that the playground was rebuilt after a fire and the community was interested in a beautification project at that site. She was pleased that Ms. McKenna had enthusiastically initiated a plan for this tile mural including her offer to maintain the work and check for vandalism regularly. Ms. Mayer noted that Ms. McKenna is coordinating the design and fabrication processes with members of the Sunset neighborhood and that a local business will assist with the installation. Ms. Mayer stated that the Recreation and Parks Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg supports this project and is thrilled about the level of community involvement.

Ms. McKenna said that since South Sunset is a barren, urban area, she wanted to bring beauty and color into the neighborhood’s well-used playground. Ms. McKenna described the artwork entitled Nature Stream as two tile mosaics installed along two low walls around the perimeter of the playground’s tennis court. She noted that the two walls measure 68’ and 124’ respectively. The tiles for the artwork will be created by community members ranging in age from two to 92. She explained that the community members will be instructed to create tiles with the theme of sea life in mind. Ms. McKenna noted that the tiles will be gathered, assembled into panels in her studio, and installed in phases. She expects the installation to take about three months in total.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment.

Paula Datesh asked if the tiles created by the community that were inserted into the mock-up would be removed and utilized in the final mural. Ms. McKenna said they would.

Motion: Motion to approve the design of a 350 square foot mosaic tile mural entitled Nature Stream by lead artist Renee McKenna to be installed at the South Sunset Playground at Vicente Street and 40th Avenue. The mosaic will run the length of two cement walls on the south side of the playground. The mural is sponsored by Art in Every Classroom, Inc. and supported by District 4 Supervisor Carmen Chu and the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department.
Moved: Chew/Keehn
This motion was unanimously approved

11. Mission Playground
Allison Cummings
Action

Senior Registrar Allison Cummings presented the completed artwork Mission Parade, by Michael Bartalos for Mission Playground. She explained that the artwork consists of ten painted steel fence panels, with the sequence repeated along both the park’s Valencia and 19th street frontages.

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

Motion: Motion to approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork Mission Parade, 2012 by Michael Bartalos, commissioned for Mission Playground. Fabricated from painted steel, the artwork consists of ten fence panels located along the playground’s Valencia Street frontage and ten fence panels on the playground’s 19th Street frontage. The artwork consists of ten unique designs, one per panel, duplicated in the two locations.
Moved: Silverman/Keehn
The motion was unanimously approved

12. Sunset Playground
Allison Cummings
Action

Ms. Cummings presented the completed artwork Pacific Breath, by Bryan Tedrick for Sunset Playground. She explained that the artwork consists of five painted stainless steel panels topping the fence at the Lawton Street entrance to the recently renovated Sunset Recreation Center.

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

Motion: Motion to approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork Pacific Breath, 2012 by Bryan Tedrick, commissioned for Sunset Recreation Center. Fabricated from painted steel, the artwork consists of 5 panels topping the park fence along the playground’s Lawton Street frontage between 28th and 29th avenues.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

13. Fulton Playground
Allison Cummings
Action

Ms. Cummings presented the completed artwork Aero #8, by Moto Ohtake for Fulton Playground. She explained that Mr. Ohtake’s kinetic sculpture is a wind driven system that creates an infinite number of movements in response to changes in weather patterns.

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

Motion: Motion to approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection Aero #8, 2012, a stainless steel kinetic sculpture by Moto Ohtake, commissioned for Fulton Playground.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

14. Public Comment
Discussion

Paula Datesh submitted the following statement to be included in the minutes:

“I do not know Pat Lloyd and was contacted via email by her three years ago. She complained about the screening process of the SFAC and the fact that some Russian permit holders at Justin Herman Plaza were harassing her. She wanted me to make an undercover buy and asked how to get a no contact order in San Francisco. I explained that I was not in the Street Artists Program; was 3,000 miles away and didn’t understand why she was contacting me.

Spoke to [Howard]Lazar about it and sent an email to follow up. Some months later, I noticed lawyers name in the meeting minutes-Erica Johnston. I contacted this person. I asked for the many emails I was receiving to stop. She said she would speak to her client.

Pat Lloyd stated in the Street Artist meeting minutes of November 14, 2012 that I was harassing her. I suggest it was the opposite. Enclosed are a few of the emails that generated on that issue.

Again, I suggest that personal attacks and slander without evidence be disallowed in your public meetings.”

15. New Business and Announcements
Discussion

Ms. Lovvorn stated that the Church and Duboce Streetscape public art project Chairs by Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe will be dedicated on December 8, 2012.

16. Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:10

ZT 11/29/12
JDC 12/14/12 Adopted Minutes Posted

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost.

For assistance, please notify Zoe Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

我們將為閣下提供免費的書面翻譯資料和口譯服務。
如需協助,Zoe Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita.

Para asistencia, notifique a Zoe Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.