City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

July 17, 2013

Visual Arts Committee - July 17, 2013
SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
3 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:
JD Beltran, President
Gregory Chew
Dorka Keehn

Commissioners Absent:
Barbara Sklar, Chair
Jessica Silverman

In Commissioner Sklar’s absence, President Beltran chaired the meeting. President Beltran noted Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer Rebekah Krell was in attendance due to Director Tom DeCaigny’s absence. 

2. Consent Calendar
Action

1. Motion to retroactively approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork Hawk V 4/6, 2007, by Gwynn Murrill. The artwork is a patinated bronze sculpture, 24 inches x 7-1/2 inches x 12 inches, mounted on a limestone base, 52 inches x 9 inches x 11 inches. The artwork was approved for purchase for the San Francisco Zoo (Resolution No. 0806-07-214) and approved for fabrication and transport to the San Francisco Zoo (Resolution No. 0806-07-215).

2. Motion to retroactively accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork What is Missing?, 2008, by Maya Lin. The artwork is a mixed-media sculpture, 102 inches x 128 inches x 230 inches, consisting of a large bronze cone lined with reclaimed redwood that contains a single channel video screen with audio, 28-1/4 inches x 54 inches. The artwork was commissioned for California Academy of Sciences and is on permanent display on its East Terrace. The final design was approved (Resolution No. 0504-09-122) and dedicated on September 17, 2009.

3. Motion to retroactively approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork Time to Dream, 2008, by Amana Brembry Johnson. The sculpture and base measure 52 inches high x 72 inches diameter and consists of a figure made of basalt stone seated on a circular bench base made of basaltic clay and concrete with glass, travertine and marble mosaic tiles.  The artwork was commissioned (Resolution No. 0507-07-137) for and is on permanent display at the Joseph P. Lee Recreation Center. The artwork was dedicated on November 18, 2008.

4. Motion to retroactively approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork Woman with Birds, 2005, by Michael Carey. The artwork consists of a 72 inch tall patinated cast bronze human figure atop a COR-TEN steel obelisk, 84 inches x 25-1/2 inches x 25-1/2 inches, mounted on a cement base, 38 inches by 38 inches.  The artwork was commissioned for and is on permanent display at the J.P. Murphy Clubhouse (Resolution No. 0503-04-108). The artwork was installed in 2009.

5. Motion to approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection the artwork Domestic Seating, 2012, by Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe. The artwork consists of nine bronze sculptures: four “Wooden Chairs”, each measure 46-3/8 inches x 20 inches x 20 inches; three “Leather Chairs”, each measure 38-1/2 inches x 20 inches x 20 inches; and two “Rocking Chairs”, each measure 39-1/2 inches x 20 inches x 29-1/2 inches. The artwork was commissioned with funds for the Church and Duboce Streetscape Improvement Project and is on permanent display at the intersection of Church and Duboce Streets. 

6. Motion to approve the following list of arts professionals as potential panelists for upcoming public art selection panels in Fiscal Year 2013/2014 including the Phelan Loop Public Plaza, Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit, Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco International Airport, Port Department projects, Park and Recreation Department projects, and others as needed: 

Regina Almaguer, arts administrator; 
Michael Arcega, artist; 
Lucinda Barnes, Chief Curator and Director of Programs and Collections, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive;
Joseph Becker, Assistant Curator of Architecture and Design, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; 
Dena Beard, Assistant Curator, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive;
Janet C. Bishop, Curator of Painting and Sculpture, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art;
Elisheva Biernoff, artist; 
Cath Brunner, Public Art Program Director, 4Culture; 
Timothy Burgard, Curator-in-Charge of American Art, Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco; 
Abby Chen, Program Director, Chinese Culture Center;
Kevin Chen, Program Director, Intersection for the Arts; 
René de Guzman, Chief Curator, Oakland Museum of California; 
Joseph del Pesco, Director, Kadist Art Foundation, San Francisco;
Apsara DiQuinzio, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art and Phyllis C. Wattis MATRIX Curator, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; 
Jennifer Dunlop Fletcher, Acting Head of Architecture and Design, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; 
Jennifer Easton, Senior Project Manager, Public Art, City of San Jose;
Amy Ellingson, artist; 
Maya Emsden, Deputy Executive Officer, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro); 
Courtney Fink, Executive Director, Southern Exposure; 
Christian L. Frock, Director, Invisible Venue; 
Rupert Garcia, artist; 
Gary Garrels, Elise S. Haas Senior Curator of Painting and Sculpture, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; 
Jeanne Gerrity; Curatorial Associate, Contemporary Jewish Museum;
Barbara Goldstein, Principal at Barbara Goldstein & Associates, Creative Placemaking and Public Art Planning; 
Susan Gray, Creative Services Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transport Authority; 
Stephanie Hanor, Director, Mills College Art Museum; 
Glen Helfand, independent writer, critic, curator, and educator;
Dana Hemenway, artist; 
Kendal Henry, Artist/Public Art Consultant in Residence at Maribyrnong City Council; 
Betti-Sue Hertz, Director of Visual Arts, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts;
Katie Hood Morgan, Interim Exhibitions Coordinator, Walter and McBean Galleries; 
Heather Holt Villyard, Executive Director, ArtSpan; 
Valerie Imus, Exhibitions and Programs Manager, Southern Exposure; 
Mark Johnson, Director, San Francisco State University Fine Arts Gallery; 
Ned Kahn, artist; 
Brooke Kellaway, independent curator; 
Lex Leifheit, Executive Director, SOMArts Cultural Center; 
Constance Lewallen, Adjunct Curator, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive; 
Christina Linden, independent curator; 
Patricia Maloney, Director, Art Practical;
Hesse McGraw, Vice President for Exhibitions and Public Programs, The San Francisco Art Institute;
Chuck Mobley, Director, SF Camerawork; 
Judy Moran, arts administrator; 
Leigh Markopoulos, Chair, California College of the Arts Graduate Program in Curatorial Practice; 
Katya Min, Curator of Public Programs, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts; 
Ceci Moss, Assistant Curator, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts; 
Ellen Oh, Program Administrator, Institute for Diversity in the Arts at Stanford University; 
Amy Owen, Curator, di Rosa;
Marc Pally, Public Art Curator and Artistic Director, Glow;
Matthew Passmore, artist; 
Maurizzio Hector Pineda, independent curator; 
Renny Pritikin, California College of the Arts Faculty; 
Lawrence Rinder, Director, Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive;
Rebeka Rodriguez, Program Director: Education & Community Engagement, Intersection for the Arts; 
Jerome Reyes, artist; 
Mary Rubin, Project Manager, Public Art, City of San Jose;
Karen Tsujimoto, Curator, Contemporary Jewish Museum; 
Maysoun Wazwaz, Program Manager, Mills College Art Museum;
Xiaoyu Weng, Curator of Asia Programs, Kadist Art Foundation, San Francisco; 
Shelly Willis, Interim Executive Director/Art in Public Places Director, Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission; 
Dominic Willsdon, Leanne and George Roberts Curator of Education and Public Programs, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; 
Jenifer Wofford, artist; 
Tanya Zimbardo; Assistant Curator of Media Arts, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

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

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

3. SFAC Galleries
Aimee Le Duc
Action

Galleries Manager Aimee Le Duc presented the artwork and resume of Sabine Reckewell. Ms. Reckewell will develop a linear graphic installation, Dual Inclination, comprised of colored ribbons spanning across the gallery and tacked to opposing walls at the SFAC Galleries’ Window Site on Grove Street in the fall of 2013. Ms. Le Duc and Galleries Director Meg Shiffler had visited the artist’s studio and noted that they both enjoyed her minimalist approach to her artwork and felt that the work will be a nice contrast to recent installations that had taken place in Galleries’ Window Site.

Commissioner Chew stated he is often asked the reason why the public is not allowed inside the Galleries’ Window Site location. President Beltran explained that the SFAC Main Gallery moved to the Veteran’s War Memorial building due to the necessity of an earthquake retrofit and an estimated three million renovation isn’t feasible in the near future. Site specific programming will continue indefinitely for public viewing from the street window of the Galleries’ Window Site.

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

Motion: Motion for the approval of $2,000 honoraria payment to artist Sabine Reckewell for her installation at the SFAC Galleries’ Window Site in the fall of 2013.
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

4. San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 3, Non-secure Connector Site
Justine Topfer, Val Britton
Action

Project Manager Justine Topfer introduced the artist, Val Britton. Ms. Britton shared design developments from her recent trip to Franz Mayer of Munich, Inc. for her 9-1/2 feet x 55 feet laminated glass artwork for the San Francisco International Airport (“SFO”), Terminal 3, Non-secure Connector Site.

Ms. Britton presented a glass sample that replicated a section of her original artwork. She described various technical applications that Franz Mayer had developed specific to her work and stated that she felt the techniques successfully mimicked the hand-drawn, layered qualities of the original artwork. Program Director Susan Pontious also pointed out that due to weight considerations of the artwork, the installation grid will have vertical rather than horizontal divisions and will also add to the aesthetic success of the piece. The committee discussed their approval and Ms. Britton stated she will continue to tweak some of the colors throughout the fabrication phase with Franz Mayer.
 
President Beltran called for public comment. There was no public comment.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve Val Britton’s final designs for the Design Development and Construction Document Phases and to enter into the Fabrication Phase for her project at San Francisco International, Terminal 3, Non-secure Connector Site. 
Moved: Chew/Keehn
The motion was unanimously approved

5. San Francisco International Airport: Boarding Area E
Marcus Davies
Discussion

Project Manager Marcus Davies presented final designs for an artwork by Eric Staller for the Children’s Area at SFO, Boarding Area E.  The design comprises twelve glass motorized circles that have spiral graphic patterns that spin in conjunction with an internal light feature. The work will be fully integrated in the surrounding environment with a similarly patterned terrazzo floor leading to nine of the circles that will be embedded flush to the floor, leading to three more that will be embedded flush in the facing wall.

Mr. Davies presented a video of the motorized prototype spinning with sample color choices for the lighting sequence. The prototype was made by the principal of Rocket Science, JW Nickels, who will continue to work on the programming, motorization, light color and sequencing throughout the fabrication. President Beltran asked if the sequencing will also be interactive or solely programmed. Ms. Pontious explained the piece will be programmed until the necessary developments for interactivity can happen in situ.

Mr. Davies stated that he will bring the final lighting sequence back to the Committee for review.  

President Beltran called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve the Construction Document Phase deliverables (final design drawings and sculpture mock-up) to enter into the Fabrication Phase for an artwork by Eric Staller for San Francisco International Airport, Boarding Area E, Children’s Area. 
Moved: Chew/Keehn
The motion was unanimously approved

6. Public Utilities Commission: Southeast Community Facility
Susan Pontious
Action

 
Ms. Pontious presented images and the project outline for an art program at a Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) building, the Southeast Community Facility (“SECF”), at the corner of Phelps and Oakdale Boulevard.  The existing building is going through a renovation and is producing funds through the Art Enrichment Ordinance. This will be the first project under the new Memorandum of Understanding with the PUC.

Ms. Pontious presented images of possible two-dimensional site locations. She stated the project will be challenging due to the scale of the existing and mostly cement architecture and it may be possible for the selected artist to work with a design team to also develop sculptural elements related to the café seating and to work with interior designer to develop color schemes. Ms. Pontious plans to post the Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”) by the end of month so that it could be possible to have an artist in contract by December. However, she is awaiting the final budget from the PUC before posting. The budget is roughly estimated between $200,000 to $300,000. 

She ended by stating that community involvement and outreach will be important to the Bayview neighborhood for this project. The Public Art Program will host an artist applicant workshop at the site, in addition to meeting with the PUC board, and building tenants.  

Commissioner Keehn asked who was hired as the PUC art liaison. Ms. Pontious stated Laura Page is the new art liaison. Though her background is not in the visual arts, she has shown great interest in the Public Art Program and attended the Americans for the Arts 2013 Annual Convention and the Public Art Network Preconference this past June. 

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Public Art Program Project Outline for the Public Utilities Commission, Southeast Community Facility.
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

7. Memorial Court
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious gave a brief project update about the construction phase for Passage of Remembrance, the veteran’s memorial, for Memorial Court. She explained the need to increase the scope and amount of Narduli Studios original Agreement to include the purchase and fabrication of the stone for the monument and fountain. She stated that the dollar amount listed in the motion is a placeholder and may need to be slightly revised for the Full Commission meeting in August, she is awaiting the final bids for the stone purchase.

Ms. Pontious also informed the Committee that she will not be in attendance at the Visual Arts Committee (“VAC”) in August and that in her absence she may still need to submit a motion to approve a contract with Pacific Water Art for the onsite construction and installation of the memorial’s fountain feature. 

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

Motion: Motion to authorize modification of the Agreement with Narduli Studios to increase the contract amount from $259,700 to $531,040 and to increase the scope to include purchase and fabrication of the stone for the monument and fountain for Passage of Remembrance, the veteran’s memorial for Memorial Court, and to provide consulting services during site construction and installation by others.
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

8. San Francisco General Hospital: Emergency Room Entry Wall
Zoë Taleporos
Action
 

Program Associate Zoë Taleporos presented the results of the selection panel for the San Francisco General Hospital, Emergency Room Entry Wall Public Art Project.  Ms. Taleporos presented the architectural drawing and explained that there is a 5 feet x 8 feet wall available for a two-dimensional imagery to be translated into permanent materials. She also included a brief overview of the selected finalists; Binh Danh, Lisa Livine, and Jetro Martinez with Kerry Vander Meer as an alternate. The Committee discussed their approval and feeling that the candidates are of high caliber and a nice range of style.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve Binh Danh, Lisa Livine, and Jetro Martinez as finalists with Kerry Vander Meer as an alternate for the San Francisco General Hospital, Emergency Room Entry Wall Public Art Project.
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

9. Phelan Loop Public Plaza
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented an overview of Kelly Ording’s art practice, the selected artist for the Phelan Loop Plaza opportunity, including images of her recent commissions. Ms. Topfer also reviewed the previously approved project outline, explaining that the project is a two-dimensional opportunity that will be integrated into the plaza’s groundwork. 
 
Ms. Topfer stated the artist will have the opportunity to explore various materials such as colored concrete or stones, however, the final choice of material may be dictated storm water management that will need to be considered.  Ms. Topfer and Ms. Ording will coordinate with DPW landscape architect, Jasmine Kaw as she develops her proposal.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected artist, Kelly Ording for the Phelan Loop Plaza public artwork opportunity and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with the artist for an amount not to exceed $18,000 to design an artwork which will be integrated into the paving of the plaza.
Moved: Chew/Keehn
The motion was unanimously approved

10. Fillmore Sculpture Walk
Andrea Baker, Melonie Green of Infin8sync
Action

Andrea Baker was unable to attend and in her absence Director of Communications Kate Patterson reminded the Committee about the Fillmore Sculpture Walk project and their request to temporarily cite three sculptures by Seward Johnson on public property until December 31, 2013. Since the last meeting, the artworks had been sited on private property for the opening on June 27, 2013 but Ms. Baker is seeking permission to have the artworks moved to the original and publically sited plans for the remainder of the exhibit. 

Commissioner Keehn expressed her concern about the project and that it came to the Arts Commission and Committee too late to have the aesthetic and decision authority they are charged with.  The Committee further discussed that the evolution of this particular project through the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Office points to a larger issue and the approval protocol lacking between City departments. Ms. Patterson offered to discuss this example with her colleagues at the Mayor’s office. She also explained that historically the Redevelopment Agency isn’t required to seek Arts Commission approval for public property under their purview and it is possible it could be the reason for oversight regarding this particular project. However, she did say that Department of Public Works (“DPW”) permitted the project pending the Arts Commission’s approval.  

Commissioner Chew also asked what the project budget totaled and if the works were commissioned specifically for the exhibit. President Beltran clarified that the artwork already existed and would not become part of the Civic Art Collection (“CAC”). She said it was her understanding that the estimated $800,000 budget included the Jazz Festival and other exhibition costs and that none of the project had been managed by Staff.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve the following three bronze sculptures by Seward Johnson for temporary installation, pending other required city approvals: Waiting to Cross in the public right-of-way in front of Yoshi’s Jazz Club on Fillmore Street; Coming Home at the Fillmore and Turk Street mini park; and Los Mariachis at Steiner Street and Golden Gate Avenue mini park as part of the Fillmore Street Sculpture Walk exhibit from August 5, 2013 until December 31, 2013. The project is sponsored by the Infin8sync.
Moved: Chew/Keehn
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING AGENDA ITEM WAS SEVERED

11. Port Pier 92
Justine Topfer
Discussion

12. Palega Playground
Marcus Davies
Discussion

Mr. Davies gave a project update on the artwork by Rebar Art and Design Studio for Palega Playground. He exhibited a video demonstration of Rebar conducting wind function tests on a sculpture prototype and its rotating blades. He stated the tests resulted will necessitate a slight modification to edge of blades to catch more wind but that the modification will not impact the aesthetic design. The Committee asked what type of steel finish the final artwork would have and Mr. Davies explained that the steel will have a cloudy brushed finish that will reflect atmospheric color changes but not have direct mirror-like reflections.

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

13. SFMTA: VN-BRT
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Ms. Pontious reported that the RFQ for the integrated art program for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit line (VN-BRT) is yielding a good response due to the direct outreach conducted by Staff to roughly 60 artists. Ms. Pontious and Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives Jill Manton had attended a recent design charrette hosted by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (“SFMTA”). SFMTA clarified the terms of their contract with Clear Channel. The agreement for Clear Channel to maintain the current red wave roof of the bus shelters was predicated on the existing agreement and that the shelters were previously approved by the Arts Commission.

Ms. Pontious said the charette attendees discussed their concerns, and a number of people felt that the current design was not appropriate for a major thoroughfare. Commissioner Keehn and Ms. Manton plan to speak with the Mayor’s Office to delve deeper into the possibility of redesign.  Ms. Pontious stated that due to the tight schedule of the project the artist selection process will continue and a motion for approval of an artist will be on the Committee’s August Agenda.

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

14. Collections: Whales
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Ms. Pontious discussed developments about the possible re-siting of the artwork Whales, 1939, by Robert B. Howard at the San Francisco Zoo (“Zoo”). She explained that the sculpture has been in storage for the last eight years at City College and was originally sited in Golden Gate Park. The sculpture had been removed due to the expansion of the California Academy of Sciences.

Ms. Pontious has been speaking with representatives from the Zoo about the Zoo’s expansion plan, which includes a whale observation center. Vice President of Education and Conservation San Francisco Zoo Joe Fitting has proposed that the idea of re-siting Whales at the new center and the idea will be presented to the Zoo’s Board in September. Ms. Pontious also stated that she will proceed with retrieving funds from the Academy of Sciences for the artworks restoration in anticipation of its relocation.

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

15. Public Comment
Discussion 

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

16. New Business and Announcements 
Discussion 

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

17. Old Business
Discussion

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

18. Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:17 p.m.

JDC 7/30/13

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

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

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,Jenn Doyle Crane, jennifer.crane@sfgov.org, 415-252-2586.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Jenn Doyle Crane, jennifer.crane@sfgov.org, 415-252-2586.