Visual Arts Committee - September 17, 2014 - Meeting Minutes
SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
3 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco, CA 94102
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Minutes
1. Roll Call
Commissioners Present:
President Beltran
Commissioner Chew
Commissioner Sklar
Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Keehn, Chair
Commissioner Silverman
The meeting commenced at 3:16 p.m. In Commissioner Keehn’s absence, Commissioner Sklar chaired the meeting.
2. Consent Calendar
Action
1. Motion to approve the destruction of Carlos Loarca’s painted mural, Untitled, 1979, sited at the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts, second floor gallery located at 2868 Mission Street in San Francisco. The mural is scheduled for demolition during the renovation of the second floor gallery, following the expiration of a 90 day notice period in which the artist or a party authorized by the artist is given opportunity to remove and relocate the artwork.
2. Motion to approve the mural design, Shades, by Anthony Kraus to be painted on a mural site located at 1157 Post Street. The mural is a project of the Arts Commission’s StreetSmARTS Program, funded by the Department of Public Works.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar items.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved.
3. Fiscal Year 2015 Grove Street Window Installations
Meg Shiffler
Action
SFAC Galleries Director Meg Shiffler presented the work the artists selected to create new projects for the SFAC Galleries’ Grove Street Window Installation Site during Fiscal Year 2015. The first artist is Michael Arcega who will display his work Baby (Medium for Intercultural Navigation), a hand-made Pacific outrigger canoe. The work will be on display from September 18 – November 30, 2014. Ms. Shiffler presented the previous work of Matthew Gottschalk, Jeremey Mende, and Elisabeth Higgens O’Connor who have been commissioned to create new work for the site. Ms. Shiffler noted that the previously approved installation by Lisa Ostapinski and students at the Chinese American International School in Hayes Valley has been cancelled. She then announced the hire of curator Kevin Chen who will be assisting the SFAC Galleries in organizing exhibitions at City Hall and the Grove Street Window Installation Site.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve artist honoraria payments in the amount of $2,000 each to Michael Arcega, Matthew Gottschalk, Elisabeth Higgins O’Connor, and Jeremy Mende, for new commissioned installations in Fiscal Year 2015 at the SFAC Galleries Window Installation Site.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion: Motion to approve an honorarium payment in the amount of $5,500 to Kevin Chen for his curatorial work on upcoming SFAC Galleries exhibitions at City Hall and the Grove Street Window Installation Site. Exhibitions supported by this curatorial honorarium include, but are not limited to: Pirkle Jones 1938 – 1993 (City Hall); Michael Arcega – Baby (Medium for Intercultural Navigation) (Grove Street); Roger Erickson – Normal (City Hall); and Matthew Gottschalk – New Installation (Grove Street).
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved.
4. Public Utilities Commission Storm Drain Murals
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action
Senior Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn presented the Program Outline for the Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) Storm Drain Murals Pilot Program. Ms. Lovvorn explained that the PUC is initiating a public awareness campaign around the issue of pollution flowing from certain storm drains into the Bay. The plan calls for commissioning an artist to create temporary murals related to the theme on six storm drains in the Mission Bay neighborhood to bring awareness to the issue. The murals will be printed on an heavy duty adhesive material and applied directly to the sidewalk adjacent to the storm drains. The murals are meant to last for one to two years, after which time they may be removed easily. Ms. Lovvorn commented that if the pilot art program were successful, the PUC would continue it and manage it themselves.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve the Public Utilities Commission Storm Drain Murals Pilot Program Outline.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
5. Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project
Mary Chou with Scott Oliver
Action
Project Manager Mary Chou presented the revised conceptual proposal by Scott Oliver for the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Public Art Project. This conceptual proposal was presented to and approved by the Committee at the June 18, 2014 meeting on the condition that the artist address several concerns. In particular, the Commissioners were concerned about the artist’s method of selecting individuals to represent on the posts, and how the height of the artwork would affect the readability of the incorporated text. Ms. Chou presented the artist’s revised concept where each of the three posts will represent a variety of responses from the community based on the following three questions: Where are you going right now? Where were you born? And where do you want to go that you have never been? Ms. Chou noted that the artist plans to solicit responses from the public at the current plaza, and will work with assistants that speak different languages to gather the responses. Mr. Oliver presented a mock-up to scale of the text to demonstrate its legibility. Ms. Chou noted that Arts Commission staff felt the artist addressed the Commissioners’ concerns and had delivered a strong revised proposal.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve revised conceptual proposal by Dennis Scott Oliver for the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 8.A. TO ITEM 6
6. General Hospital Acute Care Building: Emergency Department
Zoë Taleporos
Action
Program Associate Zoë Taleporos introduced artist Jetro Martinez who was commissioned to create a tile mosaic artwork for the entrance to the Emergency Department at General Hospital Acute Care Building. Ms. Taleporos explained that the Commissioners had previously approved the foreground elements of a mock-up, but requested that the artist lighten the background tiles and grout so they appeared more uniform in tone. Mr. Martinez explained that he was working with the tile fabricator to produce additional background samples and showed the Commissioners the selected background tiles. He stated that he felt the new background color allow the foreground elements to stand out while giving the overall piece a handmade feel.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve the mock-up showing the background elements for a mosaic artwork by Jetro Martinez for the General Hospital Acute Care Building: Emergency Department.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
7. Bayview Gateway
Mary Chou
Action
Ms. Chou reported on the results of the Bayview Gateway Public Art Selection Panel. The three finalists for the project (Alice Aycock, Cliff Garten, and Brian Tolle), presented their proposals to an artist selection panel for a gateway artwork for the southeast waterfront area in the Bayview neighborhood. Ms. Chou noted that the panel consisted of an Arts Commissioner, a Port Commissioner, three community representatives, three arts professionals, and a member of the design team. Ms. Chou announced that after the artists presented their proposals, the panelists ranked them in order of preference. The result of the ranking determined that Cliff Garten’s proposal was the preferred choice. Ms. Chou explained how after much discussion, a panelist put forth a motion to not recommend any of the three artwork proposals for implementation. Four out of the nine panelists voted in favor, and the motion did not pass.
Ms. Chou stated that Arts Commission and Port staff felt the criteria for an artwork at this site needed to be reevaluated to address the concerns of several panelists as well as community members who commented during the public display of the artwork proposals. Arts Commission and Port staff recommended developing a new set of evaluation criteria and starting a new selection process. The Commissioners agreed with the recommendation.
Ms. Chou explained that once the new criteria were developed, a new panel would be assembled to review the portfolios of artists that responded to the Request for Qualifications issued in September 2013. The panel would then select three artists to make new proposals for the site.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve the selected artist Cliff Garten and the artist’s conceptual proposal for the Bayview Gateway, as recommended by the Bayview Gateway Public Art Project Selection Panel.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously rejected.
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with artist Cliff Garten for the design and implementation of an artwork in an amount not to exceed $445,000.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously rejected.
8. Central Subway: Construction Barricades
Zoë Taleporos
Action
Ms. Taleporos reported on the results of the Central Subway: Construction Barricade Temporary Public Art Projects Selection Panel. Ms. Taleporos explained that 11 artists from the 2013/14 Prequalified Artist Pool had been selected by Arts Commission staff and presented to the panel for consideration. The panel consisted of an Arts Commissioner, the Central Subway Project Director, two community representatives, and an arts professional. After reviewing the portfolios of the 11 shortlist artists, the panel selected Maria Park for the Chinatown Station construction barricades, and Jason Jägel for the Yerba Buena/Moscone Station construction barricades. The projects will be on display from early/mid 2015 to early/mid 2016.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve the following artists for the Central Subway: Construction Barricade Temporary Public Art Projects, as recommended by the Artist Selection Panel: Maria Park for Chinatown Station, and Jason Jägel for Yerba Buena/Moscone Station.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Maria Park for an amount not to exceed $25,000 to design artwork imagery and create production files for the Central Subway: Construction Barricade Temporary Public Art Project for Chinatown Station, which will be on display for one year from approximately early-2015 through early-2016.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved.
Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into an agreement with Jason Jägel for an amount not to exceed $25,000 to design artwork imagery and create production files for the Central Subway: Construction Barricade Temporary Public Art Project for Yerba Buena/Moscone Station, which will be on display for one year from approximately mid-2015 through mid-2016.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved.
9. General Hospital Acute Care Building: Floor 5 – Nancy Blum
Marcus Davies
Action
Project Manager Marcus Davies presented Nancy Blum’s final design for art glass for the fifth floor of the General Hospital Acute Care Building. Mr. Davies showed the artist’s original design and noted how the artist had included additional layering and details. Mr. Davies showed samples from the glass fabricator to demonstrate how the work allows light to pass through, yet maintains opacity to create privacy in patient rooms.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve Nancy Blum’s final design for art glass for the fifth floor of the General Hospital Acute Care Building.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS MOVED TO THE SEPTEMBER 22, 2014 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AGENDA
10. Moscone Expansion: Exterior Artworks
Marcus Davies
Action
Explanatory Documents: Project Outline; Project Website
Presentation Time: Approximately 10 minutes
Presentation of the Moscone Expansion: Exterior Artworks Project Outline.
Motion: Motion to approve the Moscone Expansion: Exterior Artworks Project Outline.
11. Guidelines for Temporary Art Installations in Civic Center
Susan Pontious
Action
Program Director Susan Pontious presented the draft Guidelines for Temporary Art Installations in Civic Center. Ms. Pontious noted the minor changes that had been made since the draft was presented at the August 20, 2014 Committee meeting. She explained that the draft had been reordered slightly and information about insurance had been incorporated.
Motion: Motion to approve the Guidelines for Temporary Art Installations in Civic Center dated August 8, 2014.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
12. 2014/15 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series
Justine Topfer
Action
Project Manager Justine Topfer presented Ranu Mukherjee’s six final designs for the 2014/15 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, Wild Spicy Growing Gritty Spirited Transmission. Ms. Topfer reminded the Commissioners that the artists for this years’ series were asked to create posters in response to the Civic Art Collection. Ms. Mukherjee’s series feature artworks that transform the site they inhabit by expanding their functions or suggesting ways of occupying them: Michael Arcega’s Valencia Street Posts, Mildred Howard’s Salty Peanuts, Ned Kahn’s Greenhouse Project, Primitivo Suarez-Wolfe’s Domestic Seating, Emmanuel Montoya’s Deities of Knowledge, Culture, and Literature, and Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher’s 16th Avenue Tiled Steps. Ms. Topfer noted that the text included on each poster will be further edited by Arts Commission staff.
President Beltran asked if Ms. Mukherjee had obtained permission from the artists to use images of their artworks. Ms. Topher said she had.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve the final poster designs for Ranu Mukherjee’s 2014/15 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, Wild Spicy Growing Gritty Spirited Transmission, on view December 22, 2014 – March 28, 2015, pending final editing of poster text by Arts Commission staff.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
13. Civic Art Collection Loan to de Young Museum
Allison Cummings
Action
Senior Registrar Allison Cummings reported that the de Young Museum has requested a long term loan of a work in the Civic Art Collection, Keith Haring’s Untitled (Three Dancing Figures), to be displayed approximately three-and-a-half years while Moscone Convention Center South undergoes renovation. Ms. Cummings showed an image of the sculpture in its current location, and an image of the site proposed for its relocation. Ms. Cumming noted that the renovation of Moscone Convention Center South would have prompted the move and possible storage of the sculpture. The exhibition at the de Young coincides with the renovation and creates an opportunity for the sculpture to remain on public display.
Commissioner Chew informed Ms. Cummings that the plinth of the sculpture had been damaged. Ms. Cummings said that would be addressed.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
Motion: Motion to approve the long term loan of Keith Haring’s artwork Untitled (Three Dancing Figures), 1989, a large scale enamel on aluminum sculpture, approximately 10 feet by 12 feet by 18 feet. (San Francisco Arts Commission Accession Number 2001.1) to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco for display at the de Young Museum, beginning in October 2014 to coincide with their exhibition, Keith Haring: The Political Line, and extending to the completion of construction at Moscone Convention Center South scheduled for Spring 2018.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
14. LightRail LED Art Installation on Market Street
Jill Manton, George Zisiadis, Stefano Corazza
Action
Public Art Trust and Special Projects Director Jill Manton introduced George Zisiadis and Stefano Corazza who are proposing a temporary light installation for Market Street called LightRail. She reminded the Committee that the team had previously presented the proposal and have been working to address the concerns raised at that time. She stated that they have obtained a certificate of appropriateness, letters of support from the community, and have produced a budget, maintenance plan, and a light fixture plan. Ms. Manton noted that these materials were reviewed by Commissioner Keehn who felt satisfied with the status of the project. George Zisiadis and Stefano Corazza gave an overview of the project and discussed its progress in terms of interagency coordination, support from the community, fundraising, and design development.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. Simon Bertrang, Project Manager, Department of Public Works, spoke in support of the project. He stated that the project is exciting, and has the potential to bring interest to transit and the revitalization of the Mid-Market area.
Motion: Motion to approve the design of LightRail, a privately funded LED light art project proposed for installation on Market Street from Van Ness Avenue to the Embarcadero for a duration of approximately four years beginning in 2015.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved.
15. North Beach Branch Library
Mary Chou
Discussion
Ms. Chou gave an update on Bill Fontana’s Sonic Dreamscape at North Beach Branch Library. She said she received comments from library users that the artwork could be heard from within the library and was causing a disturbance to them. She stated that she will meet with the artist to address the issue, possibly solving the problem by lowering the high points of the overall audio or reducing the sound in particular locations.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
16. Public Comment
Discussion
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
17. New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion
Ms. Pontious announced that Item 10 would be heard at the September 22, 2014 Executive Committee Meeting. She encouraged the Visual Arts Commissioners to review the explanatory documents to remain aware of the project’s development.
Commissioner Sklar called for public comment. There was no public comment.
18. Adjournment
Action
The meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.
ZT (10/1/14)
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
