SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
3 p.m.
25 Van Ness Avenue, Suite 70
San Francisco, CA 94102

________________________________________

 Minutes

1.            Roll Call

Commissioners Present:
President Beltran
Commissioner Chew
Commissioner Keehn, Chair

Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Silverman
Commissioner Sklar

The meeting commenced at 3:01 p.m.

2.            Public Comment
Discussion

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

3.            Consent Calendar
Action

1. Motion to approve the mural design, Obamas, by Mel Waters to be painted on a mural site located at 4744 Third Street, San Francisco. The mural is a project of the Arts Commission’s StreetSmARTS Program, funded by the Department of Public Works

2. Motion to approve the mural design, FLIGHT, by Ian Ross to be painted on a mural site located at 860 Innes, San Francisco. The mural is a project of the Arts Commission’s    StreetSmARTS Program, funded by the Department of Public Works.

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

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

4.            Central Subway: Chinatown Station – Clare Rojas
Justine Topfer
Action

Project Manager Justine Topfer presented the final design and construction documents for a tile mosaic artwork by artist Clare Rojas for the Central Subway: Chinatown Station Crosscut Cavern Wall. Ms. Topfer introduced Arianne Gelardin, Ms. Rojas' assistant, to provide an update on the design process. Ms. Gelardin explained that the scale of the tiles has been adjusted from 12” to 16.” She noted that a fabricator will be responsible for printing on the tile, and that the design is inspired by fabric samples sourced from a variety of places including the Asian Art Museum and the Rhode Island School of Design. Ms. Gelardin added that the artist is currently working with Gensler to design the mounting system.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Construction Document Phase deliverables by Clare Rojas for the Central Subway: Chinatown Station Crosscut Cavern Wall.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITME WAS TABLED

5.            Central Subway: Chinatown – Tomie Arai
Mary Chou
Action

Presentation of revised conceptual designs for Tomie Arai’s artwork for the Chinatown Central Subway Station.

Motion: Motion to approve the revised conceptual design for Tomie Arai’s artwork for the Chinatown Central Subway Station.

6.            Central Subway: Fourth and Brannan – Moto Ohtake
Mary Chou
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou presented the final design for a sculpture by Moto Ohtake for a platform at Fourth and Brannan for Central Subway. Ms. Chou reviewed the artist’s conceptual design, noting comments from the Artist Selection Panel to integrate the connecting sleeve so the sculpture appears more seamless. Ms. Chou showed an updated design to illustrate how the artist will paint the connecting sleeve to appear uniform and integrated with its supporting poll.

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

Motion: Motion to approve final design of Moto Ohtake’s artwork for Central Subway: Fourth and Brannan.
Moved: Beltran Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

7.            Alameda Creek Watershed Center
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented the final design for the entryway artwork by Mark Brest van Kempen for the Alameda Creek Watershed Center. Ms. Chou noted that the artist originally proposed gabion to hold the materials in the sculpture in place, but has now changed this to glass. In doing so, the artist may fill the structure with a greater variety of materials. Ms. Chou also explained that instead of showing a direct representation of what is underground, the artist plans to represent the earth at different elevations along the watershed. She explained that the height of the sculpture is anticipated to be 15’ above ground level, but will not be finalized until it is engineered. She pointed out that the trapezoidal form will be supported by three poles and that the sculpture will be lit from underneath.

Commissioner Keehn stated the design of the support poles did not seem resolved. The Commissioners stated that they would like to see the final design of the support poles and engineering of the glass before approving final design.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED 

Motion: Motion to approve final design of entryway artwork by Mark Brest van Kempen for the Alameda Creek Watershed Center.

8.            Office of Chief Medical Examiner
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou reported that the Artist Selection Panel for the interior artwork at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner was reconvened at the request of the Commissioners. The panelists reviewed the artwork proposals and reevaluated them with more emphasis on the criteria of appropriateness to project site. As a result, the Panel selected artist Merle Axelrad’s proposal.

Ms. Chou noted that since the artwork will take the form of a fabric collage, it will need a protective frame or case. The artist had originally proposed dividing the composition into a diptych, but the Panel had concerns about dividing the artwork in half. The artist was using the diptych format so she could use a specific type of Plexi glass material for the framing case. This particular brand provides a quality of UV resistance and clarity, but is limited in size availability. Ms. Chou stated that in response to the Panel, that other types of framing materials will be researched so that the artwork may be executed as a single piece.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected artist Merle Axelrad and her conceptual proposal for an interior artwork at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, as recommended by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Selection Panel.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with artist Merle Axelrad for an amount not to exceed $75,000 for design, fabrication, transportation and consultation during installation of an interior artwork for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

9.            Balboa Pool
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented the public art project outline for Balboa Pool. She noted that the artwork opportunity has been identified as a 13’ high by 37’ wide wall at the end of the pool. The artwork could be fabricated in tile mosaic or possibly cut metal. Ms. Chou stated that a Selection Panel for this project will be held in early June to select finalists. The Panel will reconvene at the end of September to select an artwork proposal.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the public art project outline for Balboa Pool.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

10.          Moscone Center: Removal of Existing Civic Art Collection Artwork
Marcus Davies/Susan Pontious
Action

Project Manager Marcus Davies presented Map No. 33, a site-specific installation artwork by Hung Liu. The piece will need to be removed and altered as a function of the Moscone Convention Center expansion project. Mr. Davies explained that elements of the artwork are painted directly on a wall slated for demolition and that the artwork will have to be removed to storage after being thoroughly documented in situ. Mr. Davies added that a yet-to-be-determined location for reinstallation may be identified, although the piece will not be returned to Moscone Convention Center.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the partial alteration and removal to storage of Map No. 33, 1992 by Hung Liu, a room sized installation consisting of a large scale painted recreation of an 1939 map of San Francisco in acrylic directly on the wall, with oil on canvas panels, glazed ceramic tiles, and cased artifacts (SFAC Accession Number 1992.1), currently located in Moscone Center South.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

11.          Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant: Removal of Existing Civic Art Collection Artwork
Allison Cummings/Susan Pontious
Action

Senior Registrar Allison Cummings presented Calypso, a painted steel sculpture by Joseph Slusky located at the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant. Ms. Cummings noted that the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (“SFPUC”) has requested that the Arts Commission remove the sculpture from its current site and investigate other possible display locations within the SFPUC system. Ms. Cummings noted that it is preferable that the artwork be relocated to a place where it will be more accessible to view, such as a lobby of a public building, and discussed possible relocation sites. She stated that while a relocation site is being identified, the artwork will be removed and stored.

The Committee discussed a preference to identify a relocation site before the removal of an artwork.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS AMENDED, TO CORRECT CLERICAL ERROR OF ACCESSION ID

Motion: Motion to approve the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission request to remove to storage Calypso, 1984 by Joseph Slusky, a 123 in. x 104 in. x 144 in. acrylic lacquer paint on steel sculpture (SFAC Accession Number 1985.15), currently located at the Harry Tracy Water Treatment Plant in San Bruno.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

12.          San Francisco International Airport: Removal of Existing Civic Art Collection Artwork
Anne Marie Purkey Levine/Allison Cummings
Action

Project Manager Anne Marie Purkey Levine presented Dancing on the Brink of the World, a large scale found metal collage on wood panel wall installation by Tony Berlant at the San Francisco International Airport, Boarding Area B. The piece will need to be removed to storage as a function of the reconstruction of Boarding Area B. Ms. Purkey Levine noted that the work will remain in storage at the Airport for up to five years until a new location is identified.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the removal to storage of Dancing on the Brink of the World, 1987 by Tony Berlant, a 14 ft. by 42 ft. found metal collage on wood panel wall installation(SFAC Accession Number 1987.15) currently located at San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 1, Boarding Area B.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

13.          San Francisco General Hospital: Removal of Existing Civic Art Collection Artwork
Jenn Doyle Crane/Allison Cummings
Discussion

Ms. Cummings discussed the temporary removal and future disposition of Roof Mural, 1974 by Gerald Concha, a 25 ft. x 10 ft. mosaic mural (SFAC Accession Number 1977.57) located on the roof of the mechanical building in courtyard 3 of SFGH to allow for necessary roof repair. Program Associate Jenn Doyle Crane stated she is preparing a cost benefit analysis of the artworks preservation vs. destruction. She noted that appraisals, rigging, and conservation costs are being gathered. A staff report and recommendation will be presented to the Committee at a later date.

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

14.          Palega Recreation Center Outdoor Sculpture Update
Marcus Davies
Discussion

Mr. Davies discussed the current status of Zephyros, by Rebar Art + Design Studio installed at Palega Recreation Center. Mr. Davies explained that the artwork is making unacceptable levels of noise in high wind conditions. Mr. Davies reported that a visual assessment was performed by an engineer from the Department of Public Works and it was confirmed that the artwork poses no imminent threat. However, Mr. Davies will be working with the project team to mitigate the noise concern by refabricating parts of the sculpture’s internal mechanics.

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

15.          New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

President Beltran informed the Committee about Art Market, an art fair taking place April 29 – May 3, 2014.

Ms. Pontious announced she is speaking on an ArtCare sponsored panel, Public Art in Action: Beyond Beautification taking place on May 2, 2014 at the Festival Pavilion at Fort Mason.

Ms. Pontious noted that the dedication of Paul Kos’ artwork at the Public Safety Building will take place on April 16, 2015.

16.          Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:02 p.m.

ZT 4/28/2015, 4:35 p.m.

Notices

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.

Ang mga materyales na nakasalin sa ibang wika at ang mga serbisyong tagapagsalin sa wika ay walang bayad. Para sa tulong, maaring i-contact si a Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.