City and County of San FranciscoSan Francisco Arts Commission

Visual Arts Committee - April 16, 2014 - Meeting Minutes

Visual Arts Committee - April 16, 2014

SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE

Wednesday, April 16, 2014
3 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco, CA 94102

________________________________________

 Minutes

The meeting commenced at 3:03 p.m.

1. Roll Call

Commissioners Present:
President Beltran
Commissioner Keehn, Chair
Commissioner Sklar

Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Chew
Commissioner Silverman

2. Consent Calendar
Action

  1. Motion to approve Justin Hoover, Curator and Gallery Director, SOMArts Cultural Center, as a potential panelist for artist selection panels for Fiscal Year 2013/14.
  1. Motion to approve the Design Development Phase deliverables (artwork renderings) by Clare Rojas for the Central Subway: Chinatown Station Crosscut Cavern Wall.

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

Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar items.
Moved: Sklar/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

3. SFAC Galleries
Meg Shiffler
Action

SFAC Galleries Director Meg Shiffler presented the upcoming City Hall photography exhibition taking place from June 17 – September 19, 2014. The exhibition is curated by Ann Jastrub, Gallery Director of Rayko Photo Center, and features photo-essays about farmers in California’s Central Valley. Ms. Shiffler showed examples of work by the photographers selected for the exhibition: Matt Black, Sam Come, Lou Demattesis, Francisco Dominquez, Kathya Landeros, Ken and Melanie Light, Charlotte Neil, and Mimi Plumb. She noted that the exhibition will represent a mix of established and emerging artists, as well as contemporary and historical photographs. Ms. Shiffler added that the SFAC Galleries will be partnering with the San Francisco Chronicle to include a number of images from their archives used to illustrate articles about the Central valley in the exhibition.

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

Motion: Motion to approve a curatorial honoraria for Ann Jastrub in the amount of $2000 for her work on a City Hall photography exhibition about California’s Central Valley. The exhibition will take place from June 17 – September 19, 2014.
Moved: Beltran/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved.

4. Art Enrichment Ordinance
Susan Pontious
Action

Program Director Susan Pontious presented the proposed revisions to the Art Enrichment Ordinance. Ms. Pontious explained that the incentive to revise the Ordinance is to align it with current practices of the Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program, and allow additional funds to be allocated to conservation and maintenance of artworks. She noted where the ordinance had been revised and gave an explanation for each revision. Ms. Pontious reported that the proposed revisions would be sent to the Board of Supervisors for review in June after they were approved by resolution by the full Arts Commission.

Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny added that the Board of Supervisors has final authority to change the Ordinance after receiving a recommendation by the Arts Commission. He noted that he would represent the Arts Commission at the Board of Supervisors meeting when the item is calendared.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Richard Rothman alerted the Commissioners to a public artwork installed in San Francisco that he believed was not approved by the Arts Commission.

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to recommend the proposed revision to Section 3.19 of the Administrative Code “Appropriation for Art Enrichment of Proposed Public Buildings, Aboveground Structures, Parks and Transportation Projects” to the Board of Supervisors for approval.
Moved: Beltran/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

5. Guy Place Mini Park
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Senior Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn presented the Guy Place Mini Park Public Art Project Outline. Ms. Lovvorn explained that Guy Place is a small plot of land located on Rincon Hill that will be developed into a small park. Through the Art Enrichment budget generated by this park’s development, an artist will be commissioned to design a graphic treatment for the fence panels located at the park’s front façade. She noted that a short list of artists would be selected from the 2013/14 Prequalified Artist Pool and the 2013/14 Two-Dimensional Artwork Registry. The short list will be presented to an Artist Selection Panel. That Panel will select finalists to make proposals for the site, and select one proposal to recommend to the Arts Commission for approval. Ms. Lovvorn noted that the park’s overall design theme was developed with community input and is meant to evoke elements of an Asian meditation garden. She added that the artists selected to create proposals will be instructed to keep within that theme.

Commissioner Keehn offered to serve on the Artist Selection Panel.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Guy Place Mini Park Public Art Project Outline.
Moved: Beltran/Skalr
The motion was unanimously approved

6. Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvements Project
Mary Chou
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou reported that the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvements Project Selection Panel met and reviewed the qualifications of 16 artists selected from the 2013/14 Prequalified Artist Pool.  From that group, the panel selected the following finalists and an alternate to create proposals for the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvements Project: Jenny Heishman, Scott Oliver, and Emily White and Jenna Didier, with Michael Arcega as the alternate. Ms. Chou showed examples of previous work by each of the artists and described their practices. She noted that if approved, the artists would meet with the project team and community representative to receive an orientation to the site and project before developing their concepts. She thanked Commissioner Sklar for her participation on the Panel.

Commissioner Sklar commented on the high caliber of artists that were presented to the Panel for consideration. 

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected finalists; Jenny Heishman, Scott Oliver, and Emily White and Jenna Didier, with Michael Arcega as an alternate, as recommended by the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvements Project Selection Panel to develop conceptual proposals for the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvements Project.
Moved: Sklar/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

7. San Francisco International Airport
Justine Topfer
Action

A. Terminal 3 East Departures – Sanaz Mazinani

Project Manager Justine Topfer presented the work of artist Sanaz Mazinani for display at the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East Departures. The works were selected from the artist’s series Forever in the Sky depicting images of various San Francisco neighborhoods arranged into abstracted patterns. The work will be reproduced and printed on 30” x 30” aluminum panels and displayed in a niche above a countertop in the departures area.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve the licensing agreement to reproduce three artworks from the Forever in the Sky series: Mission, Golden Gate Bridge, and City Hall by Sanaz Mazinani for San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East Departures, for an amount up to $4,500.
Moved: Beltran/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

B. Terminal 3 East Departures – Vanessa Marsh

Ms. Topfer presented two sets of three images by artist Vanessa Marsh from the Landscape Series, to be displayed at the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East Departures. The works will be reproduced and printed on 30” x 30” aluminum panels and displayed in a niche opposite the work of Sanaz Mazinani. Ms. Topfer asked the Committee for feedback on which of the two sets of images they preferred. President Beltran noted that she preferred the first set. Ms. Topfer added that both sets will be presented with to the Airport Art Steering Committee for approval.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve the licensing agreement to reproduce three artworks from the Landscape series by Vanessa Marsh for San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East Departures for an amount up to $4,500.
Moved: Beltran/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED

C. Terminal 3 East Departures – Chris Johanson

Presentation of the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables (artwork rendering) for an artwork by Chris Johanson at the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East Departures.

Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables by Chris Johanson for San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East Departures.

D. Terminal 3 East Baggage Claim – Lordy Rodriguez

Ms. Topfer presented six images by artist Lordy Rodriguez from the Strangerhood series, to be displayed at the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East Baggage Claim. She explained that the images were developed for the Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series and will be reproduced and printed on 37” x 68” aluminum panels. The exact location of the panels has yet to be determined.  

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve the licensing agreement to reproduce six artworks from the Strangerhood series by Lordy Rodriguez for San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East Baggage Claim for an amount up to $9,000.
Moved: Beltran/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

E. Terminal 1 Secure Connector – James Melchert

Ms. Topfer presented the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables for a 6’ x 12’ ceramic tile artwork by James Melchert at the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1 Secure Connector. Ms. Topfer presented a rendering of the artwork in situ, noting that it will be installed flush with the wall and inset into a niche to prevent damage. She presented tile samples that showed the artist’s technique and color pallet.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables by James Melchert for a ceramic artwork at San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1 Secure Connector.
Moved: Sklar/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

8. 17th Street and Folsom Park – Carmen Lomas Garza
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables for artworks by Carmen Lomas Garza at 17th Street & Folsom Park. She explained that the artist had been commissioned to create a series of fence designs to be installed at various locations at the park, as well as an amphitheater overhang. Ms. Topfer presented an overview of the park design, pointing out the artwork locations, and presented the artist’s design renderings. The next step in the project is to submit the designs to a fabricator who will work in conjunction with the general contractor to implement and install the artwork.

Director DeCaigny asked Commissioner Keehn if the latest park design had been presented to the Civic Design Review Committee. Commissioner Keehn noted that the park design was still in process and would return to the Civic Design Review Committee for further review. However, the artworks would not be affected by changes going forward. She asked Ms. Topfer if the park would be fully fenced as this was of particular concern to the community. Ms. Topfer said the park would have fencing around its entire perimeter.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables by Carmen Lomas Garza for artworks at 17th Street and Folsom Park.
Moved: Beltran/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

9. Ocean Avenue Public Plaza Historic Photography Project
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented the Public Art Project Outline for the Ocean Avenue Public Plaza Historic Photography Project. She explained that the Department of Public Works and the Municipal Transportation Authority have expressed a desire to display historical photographs collected from community members within the plaza (hereafter referred to as Unity Plaza). This is in conjunction with the public art component of artist-designed street paving. Ms. Topfer stated that three or four artists, with backgrounds applicable to the project, will be interviewed by a Selection Panel. The Panel will select one artist who will work with community members, neighborhood organizations and the project team to design a system of displaying the historic photographs within the plaza.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Public Art Project Outline for the Ocean Avenue Public Plaza Historic Photography Project.
Moved: Beltran/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

10. Living Innovation Zones
Jill Manton, Paul Chasan, San Francisco Planning Department     
Discussion

Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives Jill Manton introduced Paul Chasan from the Planning Department, and Krista Canellakis from the Mayor’s Office of Civic Innovation to present the project Living Innovation Zones (“LIZ”). LIZ seeks to activate public space along the Market Street Corridor by creating partnerships between City agencies and organizations to produce creative projects and innovative technologies. The pilot LIZ project is an interactive, educational installation produced in collaboration with the Exploratorium. The hope is to generate ten LIZ projects total along various locations on Market Street, each installed for a maximum period of two years. Mr. Chasan explained that as some of those projects would be categorized as art or design, he was aware they would need Arts Commission approval prior to implementation. He added that he welcomed the input of the Commissioners and hoped to utilize their expertise in implementing projects in the public realm. Commissioner Keehn encouraged Mr. Chasan and Ms. Canellakis to look to the Commission as a resource.

11. Public Comment
Discussion
There was no public comment.                                      

12. New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

There was no new business, old business, or announcement.

13. Adjournment
Action

The meeting was adjourned at 4:43 p.m.

ZT 5/1/14

 

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost. For assistance, please notify Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

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

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215