City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

October 17, 2012

Visual Arts Committee - October 17, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday October 17, 2012
3:00 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco, CA 94102
________________________________________

MINUTES

The meeting commenced at 3:02 pm. (without audio recording)

1. Roll Call
Commissioners present:
JD Beltran
Greg Chew
Dorka Keehn

Commissioners absent:
Barbara Sklar, Chair
Jessica Silverman

2. Consent Calendar
Action

Public Art Program Director, Susan Pontious announced that Motion No. 1 needed to be removed until further conversation and clarification from the City Attorney could be obtained.
1. Motion to approve an amendment to the Civic Art Collection Guidelines to remove geographic restrictions on Applicant’s eligibility for public art project contracts in compliance with the San Francisco Administrative Code (chapter number to be inserted).

2. Motion to revise Resolution # 0507-12-146 authorizing the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into 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 to read “an amount not to exceed $32,560” due to increased art enrichment funding from the client agency.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar item No. 2.
Moved: Kheen/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

3. All City Canvas Urban Contemporary Art Festival
Kate Patterson and Victor Hugo Celaya
Action

Communications Director, Kate Patterson introduced Victor Hugo Celaya and announced that he is looking for the support and endorsement of the Arts Commission for an event, All City Canvas Urban Contemporary Art Festival, in the fall of 2013. The event will coincide with the timing of The America’s Cup. He exhibited a video (audio recording of meeting commenced here) and then described the success of the event in Mexico City and the desire to have it travel to the city of San Francisco because of the city’s rich muralist history. He noted that San Francisco was the logical next location for the festival because of its connection to Diego Rivera and the current urban art scene. The goal of the event is to build a strong city wide festival by collaborating with the public, private and cultural spheres of San Francisco. The event will spur temporary exhibitions, conferences, and will include visible transformative festivities around the city. Up to this point, his focus has been to visit cultural institutions around the city to gain support, endorse and ask for their participation which will add value to the event as a whole. Celaya noted, the San Francisco Art Institute has already shown interest in helping curate the programming around the event and that he had spoken with private sector developers and has 3 available walls thus far.

Commissioner Kheen expressed a desire to see diverse programming and wanted assurance that not all available city walls be used to leave room for future projects. Ms. Patterson clarified that the event and the art created would produce temporary projects. Commissioners Chew and DeCaigny also expressed their excitement and support but wanted to clarify that none of the Art Commission’s administrative time or budget would be available for this project.

Commissioner Beltran called for public comment. Gwenned Vitello from Juxtopoz Magazine came to endorse the event and cited recent trends and successes of events at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) and the Outside Lands music festival. She further noted that Juxtapoz’s “Street Art” issue had been their bestselling. She feels that Celaya will be able to deliver on this project and come through with adding value to the installations through other programming. She also stated that based on her interactions with him and having seen his work first hand that she is confident that he is prepared and capable of tracking of marketing, business interests, and resident responses. Juxtapoz has no stake in this event but would like to see the event happen.

Marimar Suarez Penalva a representative from the office of the Mexican Consulate and Consulate of Cultural Affairs also offered their support of the event.

Motion: Motion to endorse All City Canvas, an urban contemporary art festival that will bring the best urban artists from around the world to create original site-specific works in San Francisco in the fall of 2013.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 7 TO ITEM 4

4. Public Safety Building: Shimon Attie Artwork
Judy Moran
Action

Project Manager, Judy Moran addressed the Commissioners and informed them that she will be overseeing the Public Safety Building ("PSB") Projects while Project Manager Mary Chou is on maternity leave. Ms. Moran presented the poem, Spiral of Gratitude, written by Shimon Attie and poet Gwyneth Lewis intended to be incised in the glass cylinder of the police memorial in the lobby of the new PSB. She then summarized a meeting she had the previous day with the board of the Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistance Fund (“BALEAF”) regarding their response to the poem. BALEAF, whose approval of the poem text is essential, expressed to Ms. Moran their disappointment in the poem. Although they feel the poem was written with good intentions they were adamant that the poem doesn’t accurately represent the community it was intended to serve. It was BALEAF’s understanding that the poem would directly quote the words and phrases of the survivors as previously given to Attie. Attie is reluctant to write a new poem at this point. He stated he never intended the poem to be literal but instead would be a poetic interpretation of the BALEAF comments. He offered to continue to work on the project

Commissioner Beltran commented that the project is clearly at an impasse. She and the Committee noted that the original proposal from Attie included the use of direct quotes from the BALEAF community. Ms. Pontious stated she and Ms. Moran would work with Attie to move the project forward. If he is not willing to rewrite the poem then a new writer or editor could be commissioned to edit the original text for the memorial. The Committee unanimously agreed the priority was to please BALEAF and the expectations of the community that the artwork serves.

Ms. Moran continued to present the new design elements that could be approved and the Commissioners decided to revise the motion. Design elements included larger 11” black letters incised into a concrete wall behind the glass cylinder in the main PSB lobby entrance. Commissioner Beltran commented she hopes that the wall text is is visible form the street.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve the 11” wall text “Look Up Their Courage Shines” behind the cylinder, pending approval of BALEAF, and the back wall design for the Shimon Attie artwork to be installed in the Public Safety Building.
Moved: Chew/Kheen
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 4 TO ITEM 5

5. Central Subway: Yerba Buena/Moscone Station – Ticketing Hall Wall
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Project Manager, Jennifer Lovvorn presented the Yerba Buena/Moscone Station Ticketing Hall Wall Panel Meeting One Summary and images of artwork by the five artist finalists; Kota Ezawa, Amanda Hughen and Jennifer Starkweather, Jim Isermann, Leslie Shows, and Pae White. She noted that although it isn’t required by the Arts Commission guidelines to bring the finalists before the full Arts Commission for vote she was doing so to remain FTA compliant and therefore asked for a motion to approve the finalists. Commissioner Beltran noted that she had served on the panel with Janet Bishop and Catherine Wagner.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the following finalists for the Central Subway: Yerba Buena/Moscone Station Ticketing Hall Wall as recommended by the Yerba Buena/Moscone Station Ticketing Hall Wall Selection Panel; Kota Ezawa, Amanda Hughen and Jennifer Starkweather, Jim Isermann, Leslie Shows, and Pae White.
Moved: Kheen/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 5 TO ITEM 6

6. SFO Airport, Terminal 3, Boarding Area E
Susan Pontious
Action

Public Art Program Director, Susan Pontious presented Amy Ellingson’s final design and requested to increase contract for mosaic artwork in Boarding Area E in Terminal 3 at San Francisco International Airport. She mentioned that the Airport panel on which both Commissioner Kheen and Beltran served on the selection panel and had asked for minor modifications to the design and will revised one last time therefore the design will need approval once more. However, Ms. Pontious is putting the motions forth for approval due to timing in order to able to move forward with the design phase of Ms. Ellingson’s contract and lock in Mosaika’s tile pricing.

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

Motion: Motion to increase Amy Ellingson’s contract for her mosaic artwork (10 feet high by 117 feet long) in Boarding Area E in Terminal 3 at San Francisco International Airport from $15,000 to a new contract amount not to exceed $438,550 for completion of the design development, fabrication, transport and installation phases.
Moved: Kheen/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

Ms. Pontious presented the proposal by Merge and mentioned that the San Francisco Airport Steering Committee had approved and had extensive conversation about the development of this piece and that she was working with the artists. Both Commissioner Kheen and Beltran mentioned again that they also served on the selection panel and had asked for modifications to the design.

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

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Merge, for an amount not to exceed $50,000, for conceptual design through construction documents for a suspended sculpture incorporating light for Boarding Area E in Terminal 3 at San Francisco International Airport as recommended by the San Francisco International Airport Public Art Selection Panel.
Moved: Chew/Kheen
The motion was unanimously approved

Ms. Pontious presented the conceptual proposal by Eric Staller that the San Francisco Airport Steering Committee had approved. She shared that it was similar to another installation Staller had done called Magic Garden. Ms. Pontious shared the floor plan and exhibited that the piece had changed and that the artwork would also have elements on the wall as well as the floor. The artwork consists of interactive spinning discs that will be inset into the floor and wall and all will have a light component. Ms. Pontious further shared that she and the artist are working with the designer Gensler and making this piece into an entire environment. Commissioner Beltran noted that she and the steering committee were very excited about the artwork and would be enjoyed by both children and adults alike.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the design concept by Eric Staller for the Children’s Play Area in Boarding Area E, and authorization for the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an Agreement with Eric Staller for an amount not to exceed $25,000 for conceptual design through construction documents as recommended by the San Francisco International Airport Public Art Selection Panel.
Moved: Kheen/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 6 TO ITEM 7

7. SFO Airport, Terminal 3, Non-secure Connector Site
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented the proposal by Val Britton and collaged image of and imaginary map that will be translated into glass layers. The artist would be capturing the collage look of the original work with various treatments and techniques of the glass. The work was presented and reviewed by the airport steering committee and requested that the Committee approve the design as well as the contract.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Selection Panel’s recommendation of Val Britton’s proposal for a design executed in laminated glass for the wall in the non-secure connector between Terminals 1 and 2 at San Francisco International Airport as recommended by the San Francisco International Airport Public Art Selection Panel.
Moved: Chew/Kheen
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to Authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Val Britton for an amount not to exceed $244,000 to design, fabricate and transport an artwork created in laminated glass panels for the non-secure connector between Terminals 1 and 2 at San Francisco International Airport.
Moved: Chew/Kheen
The motion was unanimously approved

8. Art on Market Street Poster Series 2012/13
Zoe Taleporos (on behalf of Justine Topfer)
Action

In the absence of temporary Project Manager Justine Topfer, Program Associate Zoe Taleporos presented the draft for the last installment of the Art on Market Street Poster Series 2012/13 by Christina Empedocles. The drafted poster featured an image from the documentary, Following Sean. The Arts Commission staff concerns were voiced, stating that it looked like a missing child poster. Ms. Taleporos also mentioned that the text on the piece is rather long and that Ms. Topfer would like the Committee to consider editing. Commissioner Chew requested clarification of what the documentary was about and Ms. Taleporos explained it was an independent documentary that followed the life of a young boy who grew up in a Haight-Ashbury hippy crash pad and who was later interviewed as an adult to see how his life turned out.

Commissioner Beltran raised further concern about the imagery stating that it wasn’t as an iconic nor well known choice as the previous posters and it had changed the direction of the series. Ms. Taleporos mentioned that the artist was trying to fulfill a previous recommendation from the Committee to include more contemporary and independent films. The Committee commented that there are more well-known choices. Ms. Taleporos stated the artist’s first choice was The Times of Harvey Milk by Rob Epstein which had previously been approved by the Committee, but the artist was nervous about the timeline and securing permissions for that film. Commissioner Beltran offered that Rob Epstein was her friend and may be able to assist the artist Ms. Taleporos shared that the artist would also be willing to use the any of the following films; The Conversation by Francis Ford Coppola, Invasion of the Body Snatchers by Philip Kaufman, or Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner by Stanley Kramer. Commissioner Kheen offered to help pursue the permissions for Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner if need be. Ms. Taleporos noted that Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner had not been previously approved by the Committee. Commissioner Beltran stated that the Comitteee recommends the artist continue to pursue the permissions for The Times of Harvey Milk. And, if the permissions for that file were difficult to obtain, the artist should pursue Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, The Conversation, or Invasion of the Body Snatchers.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

Motion: Motion to approve the draft poster design by Christina Empedocles for the Art on Market Street Poster Series 2012/13.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 11 TO ITEM 9

9. Murals at 934 Brannan Street
Robynn Takayama
Action

Program Manager Robynn Takayama presented images of the decaying murals; Artifact, by Johanna Poethig and Buffalo Sky by Fran Valesco. She explained that during routine maintenance, the stationary engineer found that the flaking paint from the decaying murals were plugging the gutters. Upon further investigation of the building, it was also found that to “stop water infiltration into the structural members of the building’s exterior” they would need to power wash the walls which would further destroy the murals. It would become cost prohibitive to maintain the exterior of the building and preserve the murals.

Commissioner Kheen clarified that there are two issues; the clogging of the drains and water infiltration into the building. Director, Tom DeCaigny confirmed and further stated that he had spoken with Lex Leifheit, the executive director of SOMArts Cultural Center and said that renovations to the entrance of the building are part of a larger project that included close to $1M in ADA barrier removal from the Mayor’s Office of Disability. Commissioner Chew asked if the artwork would eventually be replaced. Ms. Takayama and Director DeCaigny further explained that after the repairs, SOMArts would initiate a community process but that first capital planning repairs would need to be completed. The repairs will also include a new entry structure that would be ADA compliant. Therefore, a new and appropriate artwork may be selected in the future but not at this time.

Commissioner Kheen left at 4:01pm and the motion was tabled due to lack of quorum. Director DeCaigny commented that it would be fine not to move the motion today because we are within the 90 day phase and no legal action could be taken until the artists are properly notified. Ms. Takayama informed the Committee that she had contact info for both artists and that they would be properly noticed within the time period.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

Motion: Motion to approve the destruction of Johanna Poethig’s painted mural, Artifact, and Fran Valesco’s mural, Buffalo Sky, located at 934 Brannan Street, following the expiration of a 90 day notice period in which the artist or a party authorized by the artist is given the opportunity to document, remove, and relocate the artwork.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 12 TO ITEM 10

10. Geneva Mission Excelsior Sculpture Project
Carol Marie Daniels
Action

Ms. Pontious asked that even with the lack if a quorum that this agenda item be changed to a discussion item. Project Manager, Carol Marie Daniels introduced the item as informational presentation. Ms. Daniels began by informing the Committee that Mayor Ed Lee and City Administrator Naomi Kelly announced that the Excelsior Action Group (“EAG”) received a $45K grant through the Community Challenge Grant program which provides matching grants to community groups to make greening and beautification improvements in the city’s neighborhoods. EAG is 10 year community based organization under the fiscal sponsorship of Bay Area Community Resources, Inc. EAG successfully completed two art projects approved by the Commission in 2011 and 2012.

The proposed sculpture, Ever Upward, will be created by artists; Isis Rodriguez and Jason Gilmore. The sculpture will serve as gateway to the Excelsior neighborhood. Ms. Daniels then introduced Nicole Agbayani, Corridor Manager of the Excelsior Action Group and Isis Rodriguez, the artist who designed the sculpture.

Ms. Agbayani explained that the installation of the sculpture would be a continuation of a neighborhood revitalization effort and would be the first artwork in the project. The community design process to mark the gateways began in 2009. In May 2010 EAG held a community workshop with an open forum where images and themes for the sculpture were discussed. Then conceptual design was presented at five publically noticed meetings in July 2012. At the final meeting the community voted on the name of the artwork and selected the title Ever Upward. She further noted that the project has gained support of the residents, District 11 Supervisor John Avalos and the Economic Workforce Development committee, as well as local youth centers and non-profits.

The artist Isis Rodriguez was also present and informed that her concept sculpture of the phoenix rising would symbolize the rebirth of the immigrant population of the Excelsior District and the materials had been chosen for their decorative quality and durability.

The artists propose to donate the completed sculpture as a gift to the Civic Art Collection (“CAC”) but have been informed by staff that a moratorium on accepting new gifts remains in place. Commissioner Beltran asked about materials maintenance plan and cost would affect the acceptance into the CAC. Ms. Pontious explained that the artists or sponsoring organization would need to enter in MOU and would need to determine the maintenance endowment it would come back for approval before final acceptance to the CAC or the other option would be to accept the sculpture as long term temporary work and the Arts Commission would only approve location and installation of the piece on public property and if would remain the property of the artists and the CAC wouldn’t accept stewardship of the piece. Ms. Pontious further noted that until CAC inventory project was complete that we can’t yet commit to acceptance and for any new accession at this time.

Commissioner Beltran continued and stated that because of the lack of the quorum but no decision could be made and should explore this item at a future VAC meeting. The Committee ended by urging the artists to prepare a maintenance budget and Director DeCaigny offered that in the meantime the Committee could present the sculpture in the VAC report at the next Full Arts Commission meeting on November 5th, 2012 and expedite the approval of the design and location of the sculpture but would defer the acceptance into the CAC.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

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.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 9 TO ITEM 11

11. Mission Playground
Marcus Davies
Action

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

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.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 10 TO ITEM 12

12. Sunset Playground
Marcus Davies
Action

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

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.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA

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

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.

14. 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 Beltran called for public comment.

Richard Rothman from City Guide thanked the Committee and Arts Commission and Senior Registrar, Allison Cummings and Director DeCaigny for their commitment and attention to the preservation of Coit Tower. He is pleased that the Arts Commission and and the Department of Parks and Recreation are in communication. He asked and hopes there will be on ongoing maintenance plan and inspections of the mural. He also hopes that the Mother’s Building at the San Francisco Zoo could be restored too if not with District money than private donors. Commissioner Beltran thanked him for his comments.

Director DeCaigny gave an update for the record that in addition to the one time conservation of Coit Tower, there will be dedicated funds and a six month inspection and ongoing resources to maintain the murals. The Civil Grand Jury Oversight Committee are working out and MOU with Department of Parks and Recreation regarding the care of the murals and the building, Supervisor Chew as asked to see the report and the specifics will be worked out in time for the full review by the whole San Francisco City Board of Supervisors’ next meeting.

Ms. Pontious addressed the comment about Mother’s Building and informed the Committee that she had previously looked into the restoration of the murals on the building. It is unclear if the building is owned the by the zoo or if it is in the purview of the Department of Park and Recreation or the Zoological Society. Until the building is architecturally conserved the Arts Commission can’t help and there may be no way to conserve the murals because of the level of deterioration of the building itself.

15. New Business and Announcements
Discussion

Commissioner Beltran called for new business announcements. Director DeCaigny announced that based on the Civil Grand Jury report pertaining to new accessions and existing artworks of the CAC and in anticipation of the new fiscal budget cycle, he and the staff are responding and defining funds; in terms of need, conservation, or maintenance. Further, that the staff is also taking in to account the use of bond funding versus the 2% from San Francisco Art Enrichment Ordinance and defining the restrictions: clarifying and documenting what funds can be used and how. He discussed the need and desire to clearly articulate how the Arts Commission looks at budgets making sure the Commissioner’s and public will be well informed by the Arts Commission staff.

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

16. Adjournment
Action
The meeting adjourned at 4:35pm.

JDC 10/23/12
JDC 11/06/12 - adopted minutes posted
JDC 11/07/12 - added Language Access Ordinance requirements

______________________________________
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For assistance, please notify Jenn Doyle Crane (415)252-2586, jennifer.crane@sfgov.org.

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