SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 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
Commissioner Silverman

Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Sklar

The meeting commenced at 3:00 p.m.

2.            Public Comment
Discussion

Leslie Pritchett informed the Commissioners of a program initiated by the Oakland Museum of California to use salvaged steel from the Bay Bridge for public art projects.

Richard Rothman suggested that the Arts Commission create a set-aside to maintain murals at Coit Tower.

3.            Consent Calendar
Action

1.            Motion to approve the mural design, Tower, by Mel Waters to be painted on a mural site located at 754 Washington Street. 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, Compassion, Eli Lippert to be painted on a mural site located at 201 Middlepoint Street. The mural is a project of the Arts Commission’s StreetSmARTS Program, funded by the Department of Public Works.

3.            Motion to approve the mural design, Take Flight, by Cameron Moberg to be painted on a mural site located at 2352 Mission Street. The mural is a project of the Arts Commission’s StreetSmARTS Program, funded by the Department of Public Works.

4.            Motion to approve the mural, Discovery 2, by Josh Talbott to be painted on a mural site located at 3600 Mission Street. The proposed mural is 10 feet by 7 feet and will cover three sides of the structure. The project is sponsored by the College Hill Neighborhood Association and will be funded with an Invest in Neighborhoods Initiative Grant from the Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

5.            Motion to approve Jenifer Wofford as a finalist for the Public Utilities Commission Storm Drain Murals Pilot Project due to an approved finalist and the alternate being unable to participate. Ms. Wofford is the next highest ranking candidate recommended by the Public Utilities Commission Storm Drain Murals Selection Panel.

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

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

4.            Central Subway: Union Square/Market Street Station Concourse
Jennifer Lovvorn and Erwin Redl
Action

Senior Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn introduced Erwin Redl who was commissioned to create an artwork for the Central Subway Union Square/Market Street Station Concourse. Ms. Lovvorn showed examples of the artist’s past work as well as an animation of the artist’s conceptual proposal approved in 2010. The artwork consists of multiple LED light panels suspended from the concourse ceiling that will be programed in a multicolored sequence. Ms. Lovvorn noted that the artist’s Design Phase deliverables were approved in 2011, which included the technical aspects of how the panels would be constructed and suspended. She stated that the artist has created the lighting animation sequence as part of his final design deliverables, for which the artist is seeking Commission approval. She introduced the artist to explain his final design further.

Mr. Redl showed additional examples of his previous work and explained the concept behind his design for Central Subway. He showed a mock-up of the LED panels demonstrating their color range and intensity, explaining that he will adjust the lighting program to work well with the ambient light in the station. Mr. Redl presented the proposed lighting animation sequence which will loop approximately every 21 minutes. Commissioner Chew and Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny inquired about the maintenance of the work. Ms. Lovvorn explained that the LEDs will be programmed to turn off when the station is closed, therefore extending their lifespan significantly.

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

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.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

5.            SFAC Galleries
Meg Shiffler
Action

Galleries Director Meg Shiffler presented the work of Sarah Smith who will create an installation at the SFAC Galleries Grove Street Window space in October 2015. Ms. Shiffler stated that Ms. Smith is an established Bay Area artist who has exhibited widely. Her work often references nature and early American folk art. Ms. Shiffler said she was confident in the artist’s ability to activate the entire window installation space in a unique way.

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

Motion: Motion to approve an artist honorarium in the amount of $2,000 to Sarah Smith for the preparation of artwork to be installed at the SFAC Galleries Grove Street Window Installation space in October 2015.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

6.            Central Subway

A. Union Square/Market Street Station Platform
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn presented the Design Development deliverables for an artwork by Jim Campbell and Werner Klotz for the Central Subway Union Square/Market Street Station Platform Level. Ms. Lovvorn reported that the attachment system for the suspended sculpture had been reengineered and refined to have minimal aesthetic impact. She showed drawings indicating the path of the sculpture, and the alternating diagonal cable support system designed to hold the artwork. Ms. Lovvorn noted that the artists will create a mockup of the surface treatment that will be presented to the Committee for approval at a later date.

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

Motion: Motion to approve Jim Campbell and Werner Klotz’s Design Development deliverables: Attachment System Drawings, for the Central Subway Union Square/Market Street Station Platform Level.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

B. Yerba Buena/Moscone Station Head House
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn presented the previously approved Design Development deliverables for an artwork by Catherine Wagner for the Central Subway Yerba Buena/Moscone Station. The artwork consists of several, monumental scale reproductions in stone of the artist’s documentary photographs depicting the building of Moscone Center. The artist intends to etch the images on granite panels that will be installed at various locations at the concourse level in the station.

Ms. Lovvorn explained that the artist originally intended to also locate an etched stone panel at the station entryway on the surface level; but this site is no longer optimal as its sightline would be obscured by Roxy Paine’s sculpture on the station’s entry plaza. As a result, the Ms. Wagner’s entryway artwork has been changed to glass and relocated to the glass curtain wall next to the station entrance. Ms. Lovvorn noted that the artist proposes to fabricate the entryway artwork in laminated laser etched glass l. She showed glass samples to demonstrate the artists working direction. Director DeCaigny and Commissioner Keehn asked for further explanation regarding the maintenance of the glass. Ms. Lovvorn stated that the etched surface of the glass will be placed on the internal layer of the laminated glass unit and added that she will ask the artist to produce a maintenance plan to present to the Committee at a future meeting.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS REVISED

Motion: Motion to approve Catherine Wagner’s revised Design Development documents and glass sample for the Head House of the Central Subway, Yerba Buena/Moscone Station. The approved revision includes the proposed change of location and materials of the entry way art panel. That panel will now be executed in glass as part of the entry way glass curtain wall.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

7.            Moscone Expansion Project: Howard Street and West Bridge Sculptures
Marcus Davies
Action

Project Manager Marcus Davies reported that the selection panel for the Moscone Expansion Project met recently to decide on finalists for the Howard Street and West Bridge sculpture opportunities. He noted that the panel consisted of a wide array of stakeholders that included representation from the major cultural institutions neighboring the project sites. For the Howard Street sculpture, the panel selected Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Nancy Rubins, and Yinka Shonibare (with Urs Fisher as an alternate) as finalists. For the West Bridge sculptures, the panel selected Olaf Breuning, Mark Dion, and Peter Shelton, (with Liz Glynn as an alternate) as finalists. He then showed images of past work of all the finalists and explained that proposals would be developed in the coming months.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected finalists Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Nancy Rubins, and Yinka Shonibare (with Urs Fisher as an alternate) for the Howard Street Bridge Sculpture Opportunity, and Olaf Breuning, Mark Dion, and Peter Shelton, (with Liz Glynn as an alternate) for the West Bridge Sculpture Opportunity as recommended by Artist Selection Panel for the Moscone Expansion Public Art Projects.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to pay an honorarium between $2,000 and $5,000, per the project Request for Qualifications/Proposals, to the following artists for the Moscone Expansion Public Art Projects: Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Nancy Rubins, and Yinka Shonibare (with Urs Fisher as an alternate) for the Howard Street Bridge Sculpture Opportunity, and Olaf Breuning, Mark Dion, and Peter Shelton, (with Liz Glynn as an alternate) for the West Bridge Sculpture Opportunity.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

8.            Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project
Mary Chou
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou presented the place names for Scott Oliver’s artwork Points of Departure, for the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project. Ms. Chou reminded the Commissioners that the artwork consists of three sculptures inspired by signposts, all depicting answers to the following questions: Where are you going right now? Where were you born and when? Where do you want to go that you have never been? Ms. Chou explained that the artist recently went to the project site and collected answers to these questions from the community by way of a survey, and has settled on a selection of answers to include in the artwork. Ms. Chou read a sample of the chosen texts.

Director DeCaigny and Commissioners Silverman and Keehn asked for clarification on the artwork’s color. Commissioner Silverman stated that the color gradient on the green signpost made the text hard to read. She added that having three different color schemes for each signpost did not appear cohesive. She suggested that the signposts be unified in their color scheme, noting that the multicolored signpost was the most successful. President Beltran agreed, suggesting that the artist consider two white signposts and one multicolored.

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

Motion: Motion to approve place names (part of Design Development deliverables) for Scott Oliver’s artwork Points of Departure, for the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

9.            Guy Place
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented the final design by Adriane Colburn for a painted cut metal fence at Guy Place. Ms. Chou showed images of the artist’s conceptual proposal, noting how the top lines were designed with a strict geometry. She explained that the selection panel wished to see the artist address this as she developed her deign. Ms. Chou showed the artists’ final design indicating how the top lines were now more irregular. She also pointed out that the imagery had been refined to depict a map of Rincon Hill.

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

Motion: Motion to approve final design for Adriane Colburn’s fence design for Guy Place.
Moved: Silverman/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

10.          Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series

A. 2015 Series – Kelly Inouye
Justine Topfer
Action

Project Manager Justine Topfer presented the six final designs by Kelly Inouye for her Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, Iconic City Hall. Ms. Topfer explained that the artist’s series consists of watercolors depicting movie scenes featuring City Hall. The series will be on view from September 2015 to January 2106. President Beltran added that the City Attorney was currently being consulted the fair use of the poster imagery. Director DeCaigny said the findings would be reported on at the full Arts Commission meeting of August 3, 2015 under Visual Arts Committee Reports.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the final poster designs for Kelly Inouye’s Art on Market Kiosk Poster Series, Iconic City Hall, September 14, 2015 – January 4, 2016, pending final copy editing review of poster text by staff.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

B. 2016 Series – Finalists
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented the selected finalists for the 2016 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series: Lauren Bartone, Taraneh Hemami, Scott Oliver and Tracey Snelling. She noted that each artist will be asked to develop proposals in response to the theme of Utopian Visions: the Changing Face of Market Street. She thanked Commissioner Chew for participating on the selection panel.

Motion: Motion to approve the following finalists for the 2016 Art on Market Street Kiosk Posters Series as recommended by the Art on Market Street Selection Panel: Lauren Bartone, Taraneh Hemami, Scott Oliver and Tracey Snelling.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

11.          Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented Jorge Pardo’s conceptual design for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit. She described the work as a series of three steel sculptures whose forms reference redwood trees. The work will be installed at the three most prominent stations along the transit route and will be internally illuminated at night. Ms. Topfer noted that the artist is considering two options for his material: painted steel; or corten steel. Commissioner Silverman commented that she preferred the corten steel option.

Director DeCaigny commented that the organic form of the sculptures created a contrast to the existing architectural and urban elements along Van Ness Avenue, and raised the issue that they may be competing. He encouraged the artist to examine the relationship between his design and these elements going forward.

President Beltran suggested elevating the sculptures to at least 20 feet high to give them more presence.

Director DeCaigny raised the issue of maintenance, concerned that trash and debris would collect in the base of the sculpture. He encouraged Ms. Topfer to explore a maintenance agreement with the Department of Public Works as a possible solution.

President Beltran left the meeting at 4:21 p.m.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables by Jorge Pardo for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to increase Jorge Pardo’s contract from $25,000 to $830,000 (an increase of $805,000) to include Design Development, Construction Documents, Fabrication, Transportation and consultation during Installation, for the Van Ness Avenue Bus Rapid Transit due to a contract modification to increase the artist’s scope of work.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

12.          17th Street and Folsom Park
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented the Final Designs for artworks at 17th Street and Folsom Park by Carmen Lomas Garza. She explained that initially, the artist was commissioned to create four design elements for the park. However, due to value engineering the overhead shade structure was no longer a viable art opportunity. Ms. Topfer showed the Final Designs for the three remaining opportunities that will be fabricated in painted steel.

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

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

13.          San Francisco International Airport

A. Terminal 3 East: Departures – Vanessa Marsh
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented the six images selected for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East, Departures by Vanessa Marsh. She explained that originally the artist was commissioned to reproduce the images on aluminum. This was to mitigate potential damage to original artworks from excessive sun exposure. However, the light levels in Terminal 3 are not nearly has high as once anticipated, opening up the option to purchase the artist’s original artwork. She stated that Public Art staff felt it was a better choice for the Civic Art Collection, and for the viewer experience.

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

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with artist Vanessa Marsh for an amount not to exceed $15,600 for the purchase of 6 editioned photographs from the Everywhere All at Once series, for installation at San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

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

Ms. Topfer presented the six images selected for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East, Departures by Sanaz Mazinani. She explained that the Arts Commission will be purchasing the artist’s original work as opposed to reproducing images on aluminum for the same reasons stated in the item above.

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

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with artist Sanaz Mazinani for an amount not to exceed $15,000 for the purchase of 6 editioned photographs from the Forever in the Sky series, for installation at San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 3 East.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

14.          General Hospital Acute Care Building

A. Floor 2 – Lena Wolff
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn presented the completed artwork by Lena Wolff as installed at General Hospital Acute Care Building: Floor 2. She noted that the three tile mosaic artworks were based on the artist’s collage drawings featuring plant life and animals interacting. The work is installed on the floor focused on maternal and child health.

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

Motion: Motion to approve three completed mosaic artworks as installed by Lena Wolff for the General Hospital Acute Care Building, Floor 2: Tree of Life (5 feet 6 inches tall by 6 feet 3 inches wide); Quail and Monkey Branch (5 feet 6 inches tall by 9 feet 5 inches wide); and Circular Path (5 feet 6 inches tall by 7 feet 3 inches wide), all 2015.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

B. Surgery Waiting Room – Paul Kos
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn presented the completed artwork by Paul Kos as installed at General Hospital Acute Care Building: Surgery Waiting Room (Basement 2 Level). The video based artwork depicting trees is meant to provide a calming effect for visitors in a room without windows.

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

Motion: Motion to approve Paul Kos’s completed digital video installation artwork, titled Quaking Aspens, 2015, as installed in the General Hospital Acute Care Building, Surgery Waiting Room (Basement 2 Level).
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

C. Roof Garden – Masayuki Nagase
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn presented the completed carved stone artwork by Masayuki Nagase as installed at General Hospital Acute Care Building: Roof Garden (Level 7). She noted that the stone carving, seating elements, and pavers are integrated to the landscape of the garden which is open to the general public with an area specifically for acute care for the elderly.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the completed carved stone artwork, titled Breath Between Sky and Ocean, 2015, by Masayuki Nagase as installed in the General Hospital Acute Care Building, Roof Garden (Level 7).
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

D. Floor 6 – Arthur Stern
Marcus Davies
Action

Mr. Davies presented the completed artwork by Arthur Stern as installed at General Hospital Acute Care Building: Floor 6.  The artwork consists of stained glass with cut aluminum overlay.

Motion: Motion to approve the completed stained glass and aluminum artwork, titled The Streets and Hills of San Francisco, 2015, by Arthur Stern as installed in the General Hospital Acute Care Building, Floor 6.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

E. Emergency Department Entrance – Jetro Martinez
Zoë Taleporos
Action

Program Associate Zoë Taleporos presented the completed artwork by Jetro Martinez as installed at General Hospital Acute Care Building: Emergency Department Entrance. The tile mosaic artwork is based on traditional Mexican bark paintings, and features various flora and fauna.

Motion: Motion to approve the completed tile mosaic artwork, titled Amate, 2015, by Jetro Martinez as installed in the General Hospital Acute Care Building, Emergency Department Entrance.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 16 TO ITEM 15

15.          2015/16 Prequalified Artist Pool Results
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious presented the 2015/16 Prequalifed Artist Pool selection results. She noted that the Pool was approved by the full Arts Commission on July 6, 2015.  Commissioner Keehn asked if Ms. Pontious could provide an analysis of artist diversity based on commissions that came out of the 2014/15 Prequalified Artist Pool. Ms. Pontious stated that data regarding region, women, and minority artists could be provided. Director DeCaigny added that ACLS Public Fellow Anh Thang Dao-Shah is currently compiling a data collection strategy for the entire agency that will include an in depth analysis of the artist selection process for public art.

16.          Treasure Island Arts Master Plan
Jill Manton
Discussion

Public Art Trust and Special Projects Director Jill Manton presented a preliminary draft of the Treasure Island Arts Master Plan. Ms. Manton stated that in the initial phase, she looked towards comparable programs in other cities to see what she could learn. She stated that she viewed Treasure Island as potential site for arts and culture experimentation, as well as a platform for democratizing the arts. She presented draft objectives, methodology for research and outreach, timeline, and preliminary ideas.

17.          Precita Eyes Mural at Laguna Honda Hospital
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Ms. Pontious reported on a mural proposal by Precita Eyes to be located at Laguna Honda Hospital. She stated that given the prominence of the proposed mural location, she felt it was important for the Committee to receive a presentation. She noted that the mural is not funded by the Arts Commission and will not be part of the Civic Art Collection. She introduced the artists to explain the project in detail. The artists presented the mural design to be installed at the main pedestrian entrance to the hospital, and noted that it celebrates the hospital’s 100 year anniversary. It was designed with community input and with support of hospital administration.

Commissioner Keehn asked for clarification on how the mural was approved and expressed concern that it competed with the Art Enrichment program already at the hospital. Ms. Pontious explained that this is an elective project supported and funded by the hospital. But since it is on public property, it is the jurisdiction of the Arts Commission to approve its design.

Commissioner Keehn asked if the Arts Commission was responsible for maintaining the mural. Ms. Pontious said no.

Director DeCaigny suggested that approval of the item be calendared for a future Visual Arts Committee meeting.

Ms. Pontious recommended that the Arts Commission be contacted earlier in the design process for future murals of similar prominence to avoid potential approval issues.

18.          New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

Ms. Chou gave an update on the sound based artwork by Bill Fontana located at North Beach Branch Library. She stated that she had been receiving complaints about the sound of the artwork entering into the library and across the street. She said that the artist has identified new speakers with more directional sound that could replace the existing speakers. Ms. Chou said she is working with the artist to determine the costs of purchasing and installing the new speakers as well as the modifying the soffit to accommodate the new speakers, which are large in size.

19.          Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 5:39 p.m.

ZT 7/29/2015, 2:00 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.