September 19, 2012

The meeting commenced at 3:07 p.m.

1. Roll Call

Commissioners Present:
Barbara Sklar, Chair
JD Beltran
Greg Chew
Dorka Keehn

Commissioners Absent:
Jessica Silverman

2. Consent Calendar
Action
Explanatory Documents: Draft of revised Civic Art Collection Guidelines
Presentation Time: Approximately 1 minute

1. Motion to approve an amendment to the Civic Art Collection Guidelines to include Resolution NO.0507-12-142 and Resolution NO.0507-12-143.

 

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

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 12 TO ITEM 3

3. SFO Airport, Boarding Area E
Susan Pontious
Action

Program Director Susan Pontious introduced Claudia Reisenberger of Merge Conceptual Designs to present the conceptual design for a light sculpture for Boarding Area E at the San Francisco International Airport. Ms. Reisenberger explained they were developing a lighting project that would mostly be viewed during the day due to the limited number of nighttime flights at that boarding area. She said they wanted to create a light installation for a brightly lit space, which would address the large scale of the site, and create atmosphere and ambience. She presented Merge’s design which is comprised of hollow stainless steel spheres suspended above the seating area. The interior rims of the spheres are lined with LED light strands that create the illusion of a dimensionless space when viewed from below. Each sphere will be programed to respond to the amount of light in the space, creating an ever-changing atmospheric effect. Ms. Reisenberger explained that they are currently identifying fabricators and experimenting with prototypes in their studio.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design for a light sculpture by Merge for Boarding Area E at San Francisco International Airport.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was approved by Beltran/Chew
Keehn abstained from voting

4. SFAC Gallery
Meg Shiffler
Action

Gallery Director Meg Shiffler introduced Gallery Manager Aimee LeDuc to present the artists for the exhibition Nothing to See Here at the San Francisco Arts Commission (“SFAC”) Gallery. Ms. LeDuc explained that all four artists were California based photographers whose work explores overlooked or underappreciated landscapes. She noted that that these artists represent a trend of emerging photographers inspired by the New Topographics Movement. She then described the work of the four artists included in Nothing to See Here: Nicole Jean Hill; Jin Zhu; Johnna Arnold; and Joshua Band. The Commissioners responded favorably to the exhibition concept and the work presented.

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

Motion: Motion to approve artist honorarium payments in the amount of $1,000 each to the following artists for their newly commissioned work for the exhibition Nothing to See Here at the SFAC Gallery: Nicole Jean; Hill; Jin Zhu; Johnna Arnold; and Joshua Band.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

5. Central Subway: Moscone/Yerba Buena Station Sculpture Opportunity
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn presented the finalists as selected by the Moscone/Yerba Buena Station Sculpture Selection Panel. Ms. Lovvorn explained that a Call for Artists was issued requesting artists and galleries to submit available sculpture for purchase. She added that if an artist or gallery did not have an available sculpture, they had the option of submitting past work to be considered to make a proposal for a new work at the site. Ms. Lovvorn reported that an Artist Prequalification Panel had reviewed 154 applicants and selected 18 to be included on a short-list. That short-list was reviewed by a separate Artist Selection Panel, who selected artists Charles Ray and Roxy Paine to create proposals. She noted that the Panel is also considering the purchase of an existing sculpture by Sol LeWitt. She thanked Commissioners Keehn and Silverman for their efforts in recruiting artists to apply to the call.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the following short list for the Central Subway Moscone/Yerba Buena Station Sculpture Opportunity as recommended by the Prequalification Panel: Michael Arcega; Lawrence Argent; Alice Aycock, Ball-Nouges Studio; Cecil Balmond; Chris Burden; Linda Fleming; Annie Han and Daniel Mihalyo; Mark Handforth; Sol LeWitt; Donald Lipski; Roxy Paine; Jaume Plensa; Charles Ray; Kent Roberts; Tony Smith; May Sun; and Pae White.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to approve the following finalists for the Central Subway Moscone/Yerba Buena Station Sculpture Opportunity as recommended by the Moscone/Yerba Buena Station Sculpture Selection Panel: Sol LeWitt; Roxy Paine; and Charles Ray.
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

6. Central Subway: Prequalification for 2-D Opportunities at Chinatown Station, Union Square/Market Street Station and Moscone/Yerba Buena Station
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn reported that the Central Subway Prequalification Artist Selection Panel reviewed 290 applications for 2-dimensional architecturally integrated artwork opportunities at the three Central Subway stations: Chinatown Station Crosscut Cavern Wall Project; Union Square/Market Street Station Art Glass Project; and Moscone Station Ticketing Hall Wall Project. She explained that the panelists numerically scored each applicant based on the advertised criteria, which produced a list of 27 artists who scored within a competitive range. Ms. Lovvorn added that the panel then assigned those 27 artists to short-lists for each of the three opportunities. Those short-lists will be reviewed by three separate Artists Selection Panels who will select finalists to make proposals for the sites. She presented a packet which contained the short-lists as well as every applicant’s numeric score.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the following short list of artists for the Central Subway Chinatown Station Crosscut Cavern Wall Project as recommended by the Central Subway 2-D Projects Prequalification Panel: Shimon Attie; Hung Liu; Lisa Blatt; Sun/Erenberg Team (SET); Diane Andrews Hall; Cheonea Kim; Bovey Lee; Niana Liu; Mike Mandel; Lordy Rodriguez; Clare Rojas; Jovi Schnell; Jennifer Starkweather and Amanda Hughen; Mark Dean Veca; Pae White; and Imin Yeh.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to approve the following short list of artists for the Central Subway Union Square Station Art Glass Project as recommended by the Central Subway 2-D Projects Prequalification Panel: Tim Bavington; Lisa Blatt; Randy Colosky; Amy Ellingson; Diane Andrews Hall; Jim Isermann; Cheonea Kim; Bovey Lee; David Maisel; Clare Rojas; Leslie Shows; Jennifer Starkweather and Amanda Hughen; and Pae White.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to approve the following short list for the Central Subway Moscone Station Ticketing Hall Wall Project as recommended by the Central Subway 2-D Projects Prequalification Panel: Shimon Attie; John Bankston; Hung Liu; Lisa Blatt; Randy Colosky; Amy Ellingson; Kota Ezawa; Diane Andrews Hall; Mildred Howard; Jim Isermann; Niana Liu; David Maisel; Mike Mandel; Lordy Rodriguez; Clare Rojas; Jovi Schnell; Leslie Shows; Owen Smith; Chris Sollars; Jennifer Starkweather and Amanda Hughen; Mark Dean Veca; Pae White; and Imin Yeh.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

7. Public Safety Building – Police Memorial
Mary Chou
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou explained that the artist Shimon Attie is moving forward with fabrication for his Police Memorial artwork at the new Public Safety Building. She reported the Mr. Attie is currently working with a poet to draft the text that will be inscribed on the artwork’s glass cylinder. Ms. Chou noted that the text will be vetted through members of the Bay Area Law Enforcement Assistant Fund as well as staff of the San Francisco Police Department before presentation to the Visual Arts Committee (“VAC”) for final approval. Ms. Chou explained that Mr. Attie’s contract is being modified in stages as the project progresses and the total amount of the approved artwork budget is $800,000. She asked for an increase in the artist’s contract to continue fabrication.

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

Motion: Motion 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/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

8. Public Safety Building – South Plaza
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou reported that the artist Paul Kos is continuing fabrication of an artwork for the South Plaza of the new Public Safety Building. She explained that the major component of the artwork, a large bell, will be fabricated by a foundry in France. She noted that the foundry was currently making the mold for the bell, but will soon begin fabrication of the bell. She noted that Mr. Kos’ contract is being modified in stages and the total amount of the approved artwork budget is $1,000,000. She asked for an increase in his contract to proceed with fabrication of the bell.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to increase Paul Kos’s contract for an artwork in the South Plaza of the new Public Safety Building from $300,000 to a new contract amount not to exceed $450,000 for completion of construction document phase and continuation of fabrication phase.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 10 TO ITEM 9

9. Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series 2013/14
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou reported that the 2013/14 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series Artist Selection Panel met, reviewed six conceptual proposals, and selected three artists to implement their designs: Sanaz Mazinani; Lordy Rodriguez; Mark Ulriksen; with an alternate Susie Cagle.

Ms. Chou described the proposal by Lordy Rodriguez who will be creating six posters, each representing a different neighborhood in the form of a map. Each neighborhood will be depicted as its own country and will take inspiration from things such as local color schemes, business signs and clothing. Ms. Chou presented the artist’s past work to demonstrate how he appropriates imagery.

Ms. Chou described the proposal by Mark Ulriksen who will create six posters depicting San Franciscans engaged in various physical activities around the City. She noted that the artist is best known for his illustrations for the cover of the New Yorker, and that the panel had responded favorable to humorous elements in his drawings.

Ms. Chou described the proposal by Sanaz Mazinani who will create six posters that pair images from the Occupy Movement with those from historical social movements that took place in the Bay Area. She noted that from afar, the posters will look like rich patterns, but are readable when viewed up close. Ms. Chou added that the artist plans to have an online component that gives more information about each poster and source imagery. Ms. Chou explained that the panel had some concerns about the focus on the Occupy Movement and suggested the artist make one poster per social movement instead of combining the historical ones with the Occupy Movement. She said that this is agreeable to the artist and the designs will be brought to the VAC for review as they develop.

Commissioner Beltran, who served on the Selection Panel, clarified the panel’s response by stating that it may be premature to give the Occupy Movement as much weight and importance as historical social movements since its impact is still unknown.
Ms. Chou then presented the work of alternate Susie Cagle who proposed six posters featuring different neighborhoods and less-told stories of San Francisco. Ms. Chou explained that the panel suggested that the artist simplify the layout and focus on a central story as opposed to multiple anecdotes.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the kiosk poster proposal by artist Lordy Rodriguez for the 2013/2014 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist to develop and complete six unique poster designs for an amount not to exceed $8,000.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to approve the kiosk poster proposal by artist Mark Ulriksen for the 2013/2014 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist to develop and complete six unique poster designs for an amount not to exceed $8,000.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to approve the kiosk poster proposal by artist Sanaz Mazinani for the 2013/2014 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist to develop and complete six unique poster designs for an amount not to exceed $8,000.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

10. Art on Market Street Poster Series 2012/13
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented two additional poster designs by Christina Empedocles for the last installment of the Art on Market Street Poster Series 2012/13. Ms. Chou explained that Ms. Empedocles is the final artist in this year’s Poster Series. She reminded the Commissioners that they had approved three mock-ups in June for the series which focuses on San Francisco films. She showed the final two mock-ups which depict the films Dirty Harry and THX1138. She noted that the artist has chosen to represent violence or dark themes in the films through images of distressed paper.

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

Motion: Motion to approve two additional poster designs by Christina Empedocles for the Art on Market Street Poster Series 2012/13.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS MOVED FROM ITEM 9 TO ITEM 11

11. Port Pier 92
Mary Chou
Discussion

Ms. Chou gave an update on the Port Pier 92 Public Art Project and presented the three finalists: Ball-Nogues Studio; Christian Moeller; and Haddad-Drugan.

Ms. Chou described the work of the Los Angeles based artist team Ball-Nogues stating that their studio often explores the intersection of ephemeral art and architecture. Their concept for Pier 92 is to create an artwork out of fabric, netting or other lightweight material.

Ms. Chou explained that the Seattle based team Haddad-Drugan is interested in creating an LED illuminated graphic that explores the transformation of the neighborhood. She noted that the panel liked this concept and also that the work would have both a day and night presence.

Ms. Chou stated that Los Angeles based artist Christian Moeller works in a variety of mediums. She noted that the panel responded favorably to a work he did in San Jose made of chain link fence that depicted hands from people in the community.

Ms. Chou explained that Public Art staff will begin working with the artists to develop conceptual proposals.

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

12. General Hospital
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious gave an update on Rupert Garcia’s mosaic murals at General Hospital. She reported that the project architects have increased the size of one artwork wall which impacts the artist’s design. Ms. Pontious requested approval for an increase in the artist’s contract to all enlarge his design and accommodate the change in architecture. She noted that the artist’s imagery would remain the same. Ms. Pontious explained that the requested contract increase exceeds the budget amount, but noted that the contingency could supply the needed funds. Director of Cultural Affairs, Tom DeCaigny asked if other projects were leaning on the contingency. Ms. Lovvorn replied that the other General Hospital projects were on budget and felt this project could spend the contingency. She added that the artist design was meant to be architecturally integrated, and that aesthetic intention would be compromised if the artwork remained at its current scale.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve an increase in Rupert Garcia’s contract to design, fabricate and install two mosaic murals at General Hospital from $307,312 to $365,929 due to an increase in the fabricator’s price.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

13. Public Comment
Discussion

There was no public comment.

14. New Business and Announcements
Discussion

Ms. Pontious introduced two new staff members: Jennifer Doyle Crane and Justine Topfer. She explained that. Ms. Crane will be splitting her time between Public Art and the Civic Art collection, working primarily with Ms. Lovvorn and Senior Registrar Allison Cummings. Ms. Pontious announced that Ms. Chou will be going on maternity leave and will be temporarily replaced by Justine Topfer.

Ms. Pontious stated that she consulted the City Attorney’s office about a recent Request for Proposals summited to the Human Rights Commission for (“HRC”) review. She explained that HRC advised her that it was in violation of the San Francisco Administrative Code to limit applicants geographically. She noted that the City Attorney’s office has confirmed this. She added that this will change the Public Art Program’s practices considerably and the Civic Art Collection Guidelines will have to be amended.

15. Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:19

ZT 10/1/12

JDC 11/06/12 - adopted minutes posted
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