Visual Arts Committee - May 21, 2014 - Meeting Minutes

SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
3 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco, CA 94102

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Minutes

The meeting commenced at 3:04 p.m.

1. Roll Call

Commissioners Present:
Barbara Sklar, Chair
JD Beltran, President (Arrived at 3:13 p.m.)
Gregory Chew
Jessica Silverman

Commissioners Absent:
Dorka Keehn, Chair

2. Consent Calendar
Action 

1. Motion to approve a StreetSmARTS mural design, Jazz in the Fillmore, by Mel Waters painted on a mural site located at 1233-1235 Divisadero Street. The San Francisco Arts Commission will fund the mural’s implementation.

2. Motion to approve a StreetSmARTS mural design, Koi, by Francisco Aquino painted on a mural site located at 2597 22nd Street.  The San Francisco Arts Commission will fund the mural’s implementation.

3. Motion to approve a StreetSmARTS mural design, Believe and Achieve by Shawn Bullen painted on a mural site located at 600 Kearny Street.  The San Francisco Arts Commission will fund the mural’s implementation.

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

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

THIS ITEM WAS MOVED FROM ITEM 4 TO ITEM 3.

3. North Beach Branch Library
Mary Chou
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou presented details about the final installation of Bill Fontana's soundscape artwork Sonic Dreamscape, 2014. The artwork was the last project of the Branch Library Improvement Program of the San Francisco Public Libraries (“SFPL”). The artwork was presented at the opening of the North Beach Branch Library on May 10, 2014. It consists of eight speakers installed along the exterior roof soffits of the library, primarily along Columbus Avenue. The audio programming is comprised of local neighborhood sounds; chiming church bells from Saints Peter and Paul Church, squawking Telegraph Hill parrots, foghorns, café noises and a reading by poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Ms. Chou stated that prior to the opening, volume levels were tested for two weeks. During the testing, the Arts Commission received some complaints from neighbors that the sound level was too loud. The artist made adjustments to the sound levels and there have not been any further complaints. The artist’s intention is that the sound level of the artwork is consistent with the existing ambient noise of neighborhood activity. The audio is played daily, 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment.  Russell Pritchard asked why the artwork is seeking approval after it was already installed. Program Director Susan Pontious explained that there have been a series of approvals of the design of the artwork as it progressed. This is the final approval verifying that the artwork was fabricated and installed as per the approved design, as is required for final payment to the artist.

Commissioner Chew noted that the artwork has received favorable press coverage.

Motion: Motion to approve Bill Fontana's artwork Sonic Dreamscape, as installed along the exterior of the North Beach Branch Library.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved.

THIS ITEM WAS MOVED FROM ITEM 5 TO ITEM 4.

4. Arelious Walker Stair Replacement Project
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented images of the Arelious Walker Stairway Replacement Project commissioned for the Department of Public Works (“DPW”). The completed artwork, Flights of Fancy, 2014, by the artist team Colette Crutcher and Aileen Barr consists of handmade tiles installed on the risers of 87 steps that extend uphill from Innes Avenue to Northridge Road in the Bayview neighborhood. The tiles are a combination of handmade tiles and mosaics with decorative patterns drawn from various cultures: Adinkra cloth from Ghana, Native American painted pottery, Central American woven patterns, Japanese and Indonesian fabrics, Middle Eastern tile patterns, and paisley designs from India.

Ms. Chou further explained that the tiles had been made with the help of neighborhood children, at two community workshops that were held at the Willie Mays Boys and Girls Club. The final installation had been managed by the DPW with the help of The San Francisco Conservation Corps. The dedication will take place in late June.

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

Motion: Motion to approve Colette Crutcher and Aileen Barr's mosaic artwork Flights of Fancy, as installed on the risers of the Arelious Walker Stairway.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved.

President Beltran arrived at 3:13 p.m.

THIS ITEM WAS MOVED FROM ITEM 3 TO ITEM 5.  Commissioner Chew recused himself.

5.      Lawrence Ferlinghetti, by Dina-Angel Wing
Susan Pontious

Program Director Susan Pontious discussed a proposed gift from the artist, Dina Angel Wing, of a bronze bust of Lawrence Ferlinghetti. The artwork is currently on temporary display in the reading room of the North Beach Library through May 30, 2015. Ms. Pontious stated that the artist will seek approval to gift the artwork to the Civic Art Collection (“CAC”) if the artist can secure compensation with private funds. If funds are not secured, the artist will remove the artwork at the end of the display period.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the temporary display of a bronze sculpture bust of poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti by Dina-Angel Wing in the Ferlinghetti Reading Room of the North Beach Library from May 10, 2014 until May 30, 2015.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved.

6. Art on Market: Kiosk Poster Series - Anthony Discenza
Justine Topfer
Action

Project Manager Justine Topfer presented Anthony Discenza’s final designs for his Art on Market Kiosk Poster Series, The City as Museum: Highlighting Works from the Civic Art Collection. Mr. Discenza selected 36 works from the Civic Art Collection and will highlight each on its own poster. The poster format resembles a museum catalog card, stating the artist, title, year, descriptive text and location of the artwork. Each poster will have a unique solid color background.

The Committee expressed their approval of the concept and the diverse range of artworks selected.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. Madeline Behrens-Brigham suggested a QR code that links to more information about the artwork also be included at the bottom of each poster. President Beltran urged staff to look into the possibility of adding it to the design.

Motion: Motion to approve the final poster designs for Anthony Discenza’s Art on Market Kiosk Poster Series, The City as Museum: Highlighting Works from the Civic Art Collection, July 14 – October 3, 2014, pending final copy editing review of poster text by staff.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved.

7. Unity Plaza Historic Photography Public Art Project
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer gave an overview of the selection panel results of the Unity Plaza Public Art Selection Panel held on May 6, 2014. The panel selected Wowhaus, an artist duo based in Oakland. The panel felt this team would have the ability to synthesize social history and networks into a tangible permanent public art project.

She reminded the Committee that the project was in addition to the artist-designed paving being implemented throughout the plaza by Kelly Ording. The community and project team had requested this artist-led community-engagement project to create a permanent display of historic photographs of the neighborhood. It will be sited within the Ocean Ave Public Plaza.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected artist collaborative, Wowhaus, for the Unity Plaza Historic Photography Public Art Project as recommended by the Unity Plaza Public Art Selection Panel on May 6, 2014.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Wowhaus for an amount not to exceed $15,000 for the design of a public artwork at Unity Plaza.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.

8. San Francisco International Airport

A. Airport Commission
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Ms. Pontious reported that the both Airport Art Steering Committee and Airport Commission had approved all the selections for Terminal 3 East and Terminal 2 Secure Connector Site as previously selected through the Arts Commission.   However, The Airport Art Steering Committee recommended that the location originally slated for artworks by both Vanessa Marsh and Sanaz Mazinani be dedicated to all of the Forever in the Sky Series, by Sanaz Mazinani. The licensing agreement with Sanaz Mazinani was previously approved for three images from the series but will be increased to include the licensing agreement for an additional three images. A new location for Vanessa Marsh’s artworks will be selected at a future date.

B. Terminal 3 East: Departures – Sanaz Mazinani
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented all six images from the Forever in the Sky Series, by Sanaz Mazinani.

President Beltran asked what the size of the finished works would be. Ms. Topfer replied that the images each image be reproduced on an aluminum panel, 30 inches x 30 inches.

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

Motion: Motion to approve and increase the licensing agreement, previously approved in Resolution No. 0505-14-128, by $4,500 to reproduce three additional artworks from the Forever in the Sky Series: Bayview, Sutro, The Richmond (for a new total of $9,000 for the licensing of six artworks).
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved.

Commissioner Silverman recused herself from Item 9.

9. Broadway Chinatown Streetscape
Marcus Davies
Action

Project Manager Marcus Davies presented the finalists selected for the Broadway Streetscape Improvement Project by the selection panel held on May 9, 2014.  The three finalists are Michael Arcega, Michael Bartalos, Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe, with Johanna Poethig as an alternate. It was noted that all of the finalists have had previous commissions with the City and are diverse in their artistic style.

Mr. Davies stated the next steps included a project orientation for the artists. At the orientation the group will explore the site and observe the flow of pedestrians.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the following finalists and alternate for the Broadway Chinatown Streetscape Improvement Project as recommended by the Broadway Chinatown Streetscape Improvement Project Artist Selection Panel: Michael Arcega, Michael Bartalos, Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe, and alternate Johanna Poethig. 
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED

10. Central Subway: Union Square/Market Street Station Concourse
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action
Explanatory Document: Construction Document Phase Deliverables – Artwork Installation Mock-up and LED program animation
Presentation Time: Approximately 5 minutes

Presentation of Construction Document Phase deliverables (Artwork Installation Mock-up and LED program animation) by Erwin Redl (dba Paramedia LLC) for the Central Subway Union Square/Market Street Station Concourse.

Motion: Motion to approve the Construction Document Phase deliverables (Artwork Installation Mock-up and LED program animation) by Erwin Redl (dba Paramedia LLC) for the Central Subway Union Square/Market Street Station Concourse.

11. Patricia’s Green Temporary Art Installation
The project was previously reviewed at the Visual Arts Committee Meeting on April 16, 2014.

A. Mark Baugh-Sasaki
Jill Manton, Mark Baugh-Sasaki
Action

Russell Pritchard and Madeline Behrens-Brigham, co-founders of the Hayes Valley Art Coalition (“HVAC”) reminded the Committee of proposal presented in March for the temporary art installation of a sculpture by Mark Baugh-Sasaki mid-June or July 2014 through May, 2015, at Patricia’s Green. The sculpture proposal, entitled Transformations, is comprised of an abstracted geometric steel framework encasing large concrete masses from demolished constructions sites.   

Since the last presentation Mr. Pritchard met with community groups and relayed initial design and safety concerns of the Committee with Mr. Sasaki.  Ms. Pontious stated that staff felt comfortable recommending approval of the installation with the current design revisions, pending permit and structural engineering approvals from Recreation and Parks Department (“RPD”).

The artist Mark Baugh-Sasaki presented images of the revised sculpture design. The revisions included placing larger concrete blocks at the base and steel framework would provide integral strength; both will require less structural engineering. He shared that he felt his sculpture was meant to represent a moment frozen in time; the demolition of the freeway and the changing landscape where the causeway once stood.   

Commissioner Chew asked if there would be pedestal. Mr. Baugh-Sasaki replied that there would not be a pedestal. The sculpture would appear to immerse itself directly into the existing ground surface. The viewer would be able to walk around the sculpture. He provided examples of previous artworks that were constructed in az similar manner; Adaptations, 2009 and Cascade, 2013.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the temporary sculpture installation by Mark Baugh-Sasaki from mid-June, 2014 through May, 2015 pending permit approval from the Recreation and Park Department. The project will be funded privately through the Hayes Valley Coalition at no cost to the City.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED

B. Dennis Gallagher or Dana Albany
Jill Manton
Action

Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives Jill Manton presented two proposals for display at Patricia’s Green in 2016: figurative sculptures by Dennis Gallagher; and a mosaic tiled spaceship sculpture by Dana Albany. She stated the project would be funded using the allocation, of $20,000 a year for four years, made to the San Francisco Arts Commission from Capital Planning 

The Committee expressed design concerns with both proposals and felt that the item could be tabled due the time-frame. The Committee felt there was ample time for Ms. Manton to gauge the community’s approval and garner feedback.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment.

Russell Pritchard stated that it would be the preference of the community that HVAC be given time to also present a proposal for consideration and did not want to see Ms. Albany’s artwork on Patricia’s Green.

Ms. Behrens-Brigham also stated that the HVAC and Hayes Valley Merchant Association were not interested in the proposed installation of Ms. Albany’s work. She expressed concerns, feeling that the Arts Commission was usurping the programming for Patricia’s Green by hearing the motion so far ahead of 2016. She stated it was the desire of the HVAC to continue with programming proposals for Patricia’s Green as they have done since 2007. She requested that community groups be ensured input how funds, allocated from the Hayes Valley Development Impact Fees, be utilized for programming.

Ms. Manton stated it was not the desire of the Arts Commission to usurp the HVAC. She clarified that the Arts Commission is the City entity responsible for administering City funds for arts programming over the two year period. She also clarified that City funds need to go through a competitive process and can’t be gifted to a community organization.

President Beltran thanked Ms. Behrens-Brigham and stated that the purpose of these meetings is to serves the public process and she was glad to hear the community voice represented.

The item was tabled and the motion was not heard.

Motion: Motion to approve the temporary installation of (either proposal by Dennis Gallagher or Dana Albany) in Patricia’s Green beginning June 2016 for a period not to exceed one year. Installation will be funded with $20,000 through the City’s Capital Planning, Hayes Valley Development Impact Fees.

C. David Best
Jill Manton
Action

Ms. Manton requested that the previous approval of an honorarium for David Best to develop a sculpture proposal for Patricia’s Green be rescinded. She asked that the honorarium instead be paid to David Best through the Black Rock Arts Foundation.  Ms. Manton explained it would be timely and convenient to make the payment through the Black Rock Arts Foundation rather than top require David Best to become a City vendor. The Black Rock Arts Foundation (who is already a City vendor) will be contracted to work with David Best to produce the project. This will save administration time as well as make the process easier for the artist.

Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. Ms. Behrens-Brigham affirmed that the community and HVAC are in support of a proposal being developed by David Best .

Motion: Motion to rescind RESOLUTION NO. 0407-14-098: Motion to pay an honorarium of $2,000 to artist David Best for the development of a sculpture proposal for Patricia’s Green to be presented to the Arts Commission, the Recreation and Park Commission and the community for FY 2015-2016 in collaboration with the Black Rock Arts Foundation, with the balance of funding to come from the Black Rock Arts Foundation.
Moved: Silverman/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved.

Motion: Motion to pay an honorarium of $2,000 to Black Rocks Arts Foundation to be paid to artist David Best for the development of a sculpture proposal for Patricia’s Green to be presented to the Arts Commission, the Recreation and Park Commission and the community for FY 2015-2016 using funding from the Hayes Valley Impact Fee allocation received by the Arts Commission.
Moved: Silverman/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved.

12. Public Comment
Discussion

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

13. New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

President Beltran announced the opening an art exhibit of the San Francisco Art Institute’s City Studio program will be held on Saturday May 24, 2014.

Jessica Silverman Gallery will have an opening reception for the artist Ruairiadh O’Connell on Friday, May 23 2014.

14.  Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 3:59 p.m.

JDC 5/28/14

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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.