September 18, 2013

The meeting commenced at 3:09 p.m.

1. Roll Call

Commissioners Present:
Barbara Sklar, Chair
Gregory Chew
Dorka Keehn

Commissioners Absent:
JD Beltran, President
Jessica Silverman

2. Arelious Walker Stair Replacement
Mary Chou, Aileen Barr
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou presented the conceptual design for an artwork for the Arelious Walker Stair Replacement. The artwork will be a mosaic tile mural installed on the risers of the stairs. The design will weave together various decorative patterns drawn from the cultural heritage of the Hunters Point District including: African, Native American, Pacific Islander, Asian, and Latin American. Both artists, Colette Crutcher and Aileen Barr, were in attendance and presented some preliminary tile selections that will be used in the mosaic.  Three tile-making workshops, for local youth and residents, will take place at a Boys & Girls Club in November where the community will have the opportunity to participate in decorating the tiles.  

The Committee shared their approval and felt it would be representative and culturally inclusive of the entire neighborhood.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables by Colette Crutcher and Aileen Barr for artwork for the Arelious Walker Stair Replacement Project.
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

3. Public Safety Building: Community Plaza – Paul Kos
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented the paint color selected by the artist Paul Kos for the arch of the bell in his artwork, All is Well, for the Public Safety Building; Community Plaza. The red-oxide color selected will match the exposed beams of the new building and the brick on the neighboring fire house. She stated that Staff had also reviewed and approved of the color selection.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the revised Final Design deliverables, which include a brick-red color for the arch of the bell, for the artwork by Paul Kos for the Public Safety Building: Community Plaza.
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

President Beltran arrived at 3:20 p.m.

4. Southeast Community Facility 
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented the selected finalists; Kipp Kobayashi, John Pugh, Ron Moultrie Saunders, and T.W. Five for the Southeast Community Facility (SECF) Public Art Project. Commissioner Sklar, who had served on the selection panel, commented on the architectural challenges of this project and that she felt the selected artists all have site-specific capabilities. She furthered, there will be many ways for the artists to reinvigorate the space with an expected budget of $100,000.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected finalists Kipp Kobayashi, John Pugh, Ron Moultrie Saunders, and T.W. Five, for the Southeast Community Facility Public Art Project. 
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

5. SOMA West McCoppin Hub
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented the design revisions to Rebar Art and Design Studio’s artwork, Handsignals, for SOMA West McCoppin Hub. The artwork is inspired by and incorporates pedestrian signal lights. The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (“SFMTA”) had requested that the artist reconsider the placement and color of some of the icons in order to minimize the possibility of any confusion with functioning signal lights. The revisions included: changing the color of the walking people to red, changing the color of the bike signal to orange, and changing both the symbol and color of the handshake icon. She stated that Staff, Rebar, and SFMTA had all reviewed and approved of the presented revisions.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the revised Final Design deliverables, which includes a revision of the order and color of icons, for the artwork, Handsignals, by Rebar Art and Design Studio for the SOMA West McCoppin Hub Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

6. Bayview Gateway 
Mary Chou
Discussion

Ms. Chou requested that a Commissioner participate in the Bayview Gateway Public Art Selection Panel that will take place in December.  President Beltran volunteered to sit on the panel.

7. Central Subway

A. Pagoda Theater Construction Barricade Temporary Art 
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Senior Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn presented the project outline for a temporary art project on the construction barricades surrounding an empty lot at the former site of the Pagoda Palace Theatre on Columbus Avenue. The site will be associated with the construction of the Central Subway and at the request of Mayor’s Office and neighborhood groups, provisions for a mural program to take place on the planned barricades were requested. The proposed project outline is based on the previously approved Central Subway: Chinatown Station Construction Barricade Temporary Art Project.  The project provides that an artist will be contracted to create a design that will be produced into a vinyl, covering plywood barricades 16 feet high by 200 feet long. The production and installation of the vinyl will be contracted separately with a fabricator with an estimated budget of $15,000 to $20,000.

The Committee discussed the possibility of vandalism. Ms. Lovvorn explained that the vinyl will have an ultra-violet graffiti coating that allows for easy chemical wiping and removal of graffiti. She also stated that if a section was to become damaged the fabricator would be able to output patches to cover and replace small sections. Ms. Lovvorn also stated the project is budgeted to replace the vinyl with a  new design on a yearly basis.

Ms. Lovvorn also stated that SFMTA is willing to install some community information signage or graphics on the barricades in the short-term until the Arts Commission’s artist has a final design that is ready to be produced and installed..

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Central Subway: Pagoda Theater Construction Barricade Temporary Art Project Outline for a program of temporary artwork on the construction barricade at the Pagoda Theater site associated with the construction of the Central Subway from approximately mid-2014 - 2017.
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

B. Chinatown Station Construction Barricade Temporary Art 
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn presented the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables by Kota Ezawa for the Central Subway: Chinatown Station Construction Barricade Temporary Art Project. The imagery will run along construction barricades, roughly 150 feet long by 6 to 8 feet tall, on Stockton Street in Chinatown. 

Kota Ezawa’s design concept references a traditional, Asian compositional format by creating a long horizontal image. The imagery will consist of multiple landscapes, inspired by the local scenery, pieced together in a linear format. The images will be unified with a consistent horizon line running the length of the whole artwork. 

Ms. Lovvorn reminded the Committee she is seeking the approval of the artist’s conceptual approach and that the final design would come to the Committee for approval at a later date. She also explained that the barricades are a deliverable of the construction contractor and exact dimensions for this artwork are not available yet.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables (rendering) by Kota Ezawa for the Central Subway: Chinatown Station Construction Barricade Temporary Art Project along Stockton Street to be on display for one year beginning in late 2013 or early 2014 (exact date to be determined).
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

8. San Francisco International Airport

A. Boarding Area E, Children’s Area
Marcus Davies
Action

 

Project Manager Marcus Davies and the artist, Eric Staller, presented the final design drawings for an artwork for the Children’s Area at the San Francisco International Airport: Boarding Area E. Mr. Staller presented a video showing the motion and lighting programming for the artwork. 

Mr. Staller went on to describe the components of the artwork, stating that the glass discs are 66 inches in diameter and that the black spirals on the revolving discs are made of one quarter inch black acrylic. He also explained that he is working toward using interactive sensor technology that will allow the light and motion sequencing to respond to touch.

Director Tom DeCaigny inquired about the long-term maintenance needs of the piece. Mr. Davies explained that the computer hardware will be housed in an accompanying cabinet for easy access and that the glass discs covering the artwork are removable. Mr. Staller also responded, stating that the full spectrum LED lights have a 100,000 hour life span, barring any manufacturer defects, and should last at least seven years if running 24 hours a day. In addition, the motors have self-lubricating gears, making the artwork relatively maintenance-free for years to come. 

Ms. Pontious clarified that the interactive elements will need to be programmed in situ.  She also stated that the glass surfaces can be easily cleaned with typical commercially available cleaners. Director DeCaigny asked if supplemental cooling would be necessary for the electronics of the piece. Mr. Staller replied that there was enough ambient space in the artwork’s housing and that this had been accounted for by the engineer.

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

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

B. Terminal 3, East
Justine Topfer
Action 

Ms. Pontious presented on behalf of Project Manager Justine Topfer. She shared the Project Outline for new artwork opportunities at the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3, East. Ms. Pontious reoriented the Committee to the location of the artworks by Amy Ellingson, located in the Terminal project area and Eric Staller’s artwork in Boarding Area E (“BAE”).  The new opportunities include a pair of gate room walls and a highly visible corner location at the entry of BAE. Ms. Pontious suggested the commissioning of one to three two-dimensional works for the gate room walls and a large landmark sculpture for the corner opportunity.

She also reminded the Committee that there are a number of works form the Civic Art Collection (“CAC”) that will be re-sited in the new terminal including works by Bruce Beasley, Gustavo Rivera, and Raymond Saunders. 

The Committee discussed the budget and gave their thoughts how to best allocate the given budget. They suggested spending more on the works in the public right of way, and taking advantage of the sculpture opportunity. Ms. Pontious also stated she would like to support diversity when adding to the CAC and considers this an architectural opportunity as well. She said she would explore these ideas and report back to the Committee at a later date.

Director DeCaigny asked to be reminded of the budget. Ms. Pontious reported that the whole project will generate roughly $1.6 million and there is roughly $800,000 remaining.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3, East Project Outline.
Moved: Keehn/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

9. Vermont Street Stairs
Marcus Davies
Action

Mr. Davies presented the selected artist Brian Barneclo for the Vermont Street Stairs Public Art Project with and alternative selection for Jetro Martinez. Images of past projects were exhibited and included past public and private mural commissions in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Commissioner Chew raised concerns that a retaining wall adjacent to the stairs has since been covered with a mural. The mural had been organized through Community Arts and Education (“CAE”) StreetSmarts Program without coming before the Visual Arts Committee (“VAC”). Ms. Pontious stated this has been a previous, and now growing, concern that policy needs to be developed by Staff and the Commission.

Director DeCaigny stated this policy hasn’t been fully understood and predates his tenure. He plans to meet with Staff about streamlining the policy and procedure for mural approvals. He stated that he would invite Program Director Community Arts and Education Program Judy Nemzoff to the next VAC meeting on October 16, 2013 leading to a Full Arts Commission conversation at the November 3, 2013 meeting. He further commented on the ambiguity of the policy and the definition of a "permanent work" and that murals are not typically accessioned into the CAC. However, if City funds are used, even on private property the Arts Commission must approve it.

Both Ms. Lovvorn and Ms. Pontious also shared concerns of the liability it places on the city, when the murals coming through CAE have not been put through the same scrutiny as those managed by the Public Art Staff, and that the artists have not waived their rights under the California Arts Preservation Act (“CAPA”), or the federal Visual Artist Rights Act (“VARA”). Property owners who have approved murals on their property through StreetSmarts are in all likelihood not familiar with the requirements of these laws.

Director DeCaigny ended by stating there would be a Staff conversation to develop a policy. It would also be under the Arts Commission’s purview to educate other departments relating the liabilities raised by not going through the proper review process and CAPA and VARA waivers. He suggested that Staff should also determine a policy for violations of circumventing the review policy set by the Arts Commission. He stated he would also speak with the City Attorney to explore what kind of recourse can be sought to enforce a review policy.   Currently there is not an enforceable policy in place.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected artist Brian Barneclo for the Vermont Street Stairs Public Art Project as recommended by the Vermont Street Stairs Public Art Selection Panel. 
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with artist Brian Barneclo for design, fabrication, transportation and installation consultation of an artwork for the Vermont Street Stairs Public Art Project in an amount not to exceed $69,600.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

10. 2014/15Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series 
Justine Topfer
Action

Program Associate Zoe Taleporos presented on behalf of Project Manager Justine Topfer. She presented images of the conceptual proposals made by the selected artists; Anthony Discenza, Robert Minervini, and Ranu Mukherjee for the 2014/15 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series. All of the artists had been asked to create a series around the idea “exposed” in response to the Civic Art Collection.

Anthony Discenza proposed a series entitled The City as Museum: Highlighting Works from the Civic Art Collection. Each poster would be in the format of a standard museum plaque, which provides basic information about the artworks to a museum-goers. Discenza proposes to generate a color-coded series of posters, each describing a specific, individual artwork from the Civic Art Collection. In order to adequately represent the range of work in the collection and the extent of its placement throughout the city, Discenza is proposing to create 36 different posters, rather than the usual six, so that each is unique.

Robert Minervini’s proposal will engage with statuary and monuments located in Golden Gate Park. He is interested in uncovering forgotten narratives such as how the statues came to exist, what the historic relevance was to the city and its inhabitants, and what the statues’ relevance might be to a contemporary audience. Upon reviewing the proposal, the panel asked that Minervini’s experiment with incorporating some of the digital source imagery with his painting.

Ranu Mukherjee’s proposal is a series of six posters, each dedicated to one work in the Civic Art Collection. Mukherjee will feature artworks that have become part of, and transformed the places that they inhabit by expanding their functions or suggesting ways of occupying them. The poster designs are collages made from painted, photographic and digital elements. They are unified by the use of a pattern, which represents the multi-cultural nature of the San Francisco public. Upon reviewing the proposal, the panel asked that Mukherjee simplify the use of elements and work with a graphic designer to develop fonts for the text.

The panel also asked that all the candidates provide an additional online component on the Arts Commission website, to further describe the artworks that they selected to highlight from the CAC. All of the final designs will come before the Committee at a later date.
 

President Beltran left the meeting at 4:30 p.m.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual proposal by Robert Minervini for the 2014/15 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: Chew/Keehn
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual proposal by Ranu Mukherjee for the 2014/15 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: Chew/Keehn
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS MODIFIED

Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual proposal by Anthony Discenza for the 2014/15 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 (or more) unique poster designs for an amount not to exceed $8,000.
Moved: Chew/Keehn
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED

11. Brotherhood of Man    
Carol Marie Daniels
Discussion

Project update about the reinstallation of the artwork, Brotherhood of Man by Anthony Stellon, in Franklin Square Park.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 2 TO ITEM 12

12. Accomplishments of the Year
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Ms. Pontious shared a presentation of the Public Art accomplishments of Fiscal Year 2012/13.  She exhibited images and statistics that included: the completion of three Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster series; the completion of 8 Public Art Projects; there are 65 active Public Art Projects; and new Public Art Contracts and Modifications are valued at nearly $4.7 million.

Commissioner Keehn noted that two of the projects: Firefly, 2012 by Ned Kahn; and Domestic Seating, 2012 by Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe, received Americans for the Arts Public Art Network awards.

Director DeCaigny also noted that these facts would be great to present to the Capital Planning Committee alongside some data about our valuation modeling this fall before the budget process. Commissioner Chew said it would also be helpful to include it in the City’s Annual Report by district. Both, Director DeCaigny and Ms. Pontious assured that the information would be included

Director DeCaigny left the meeting at 4:45 p.m.

13. Memorial Court Veterans Memorial
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Ms. Pontious gave a project update on Memorial Court Veterans Memorial. She stated that the memorial has had budget issues. Ms. Pontious stated that she feels the artist, Susan Narduli of Narduli Studios, has worked hard to come within budget. However, if the project cannot be brought into budget, the only value engineering alternative acceptable to the client seems to be eliminating the slope in the memorial and lawn.

However, the artist feels that the experience of walking down the sloped lawn, through the monument, is a key component to her design. Ms. Pontious was interested in soliciting from the Commissioners their response to the possible impact of removing the slope. The Committee recommended that Ms. Narduli should provide the War Memorial with an animation to create a visual experience to better convey the importance of the sloped lawn.

14. Public Comment
Discussion 

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. 

Richard Rothman of City Guides spoke. He praised the Arts Commission for the recently completed projects at Cabrillo Playground. He also thanked the Arts Commission and their help in facilitating conversations with Recreation and Parks Department (“RPD”) for the restoration of Mother’s Building at the San Francisco Zoo. 

Mr. Rothman said he had conversed with Supervisor Eric Mar and he would like to investigate the art collection currently under the purview of the San Francisco Unified School District (“SFUSD”). He stated there was no central listing of their current holdings and that this serves as another example of the unknown assets (of artwork) that the City holds. Mr. Rothman said he plans to help assess and identify what artworks are held by SFUSD.  He suggested that all the artworks, held by any City agency, should come under the care and expertise of the Arts Commission.

15. New Business, Old Business, and Announcements 
Discussion 

There were no announcements made.

16. Adjournment
Action

The meeting was adjourned at 5:03 p.m.

JDC 10/2/13

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.