SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
3 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125
San Francisco, CA 94102
________________________________________

MINUTES

 

Visual Arts Committee Members:
JD Beltran, President
Mary Jung
Dorka Keehn, Chair
Jessica Silverman
Barbara Sklar

1. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Agenda Changes

Commissioners Present:
JD Beltran, President 
Mary Jung
Dorka Keehn, Chair
Jessica Silverman

Commissioners Absent:
Barbara Sklar

The meeting commenced at 3:08 p.m.

Commissioner Keehn announced that Item #5 would be tabled and remainder of the agenda to be heard in order.

2. General Public Comment
Discussion

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

3. Consent Calendar
Action

1. Motion to approve the artwork designs for a project entitled Art Wraps for the Heart of the Tenderloin. The project consists of artist-designed vinyl wraps to be installed on twenty existing San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) traffic control signal boxes and 22 Department of Public Works (DPW) trash cans, in various locations throughout the Tenderloin neighborhood beginning in the fall of 2017, for an expected duration of five years. The artists selected for the project are: Nico Berry; Sylvester Guard Jr.; Lisa Hoffman; Alan Khum; Piper Lewine; Christopher Stoke; and Deirdre Weinberg. The project is funded and sponsored by the Tenderloin Housing Clinic, with additional funding from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and Community Development and Shorenstein LLC. The artwork and the designs will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. Final approval is pending approval by the SFMTA.
2. Motion to approve Sirron Norris’ Final Designs for the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center Pediatric Emergency Department Mural and Exam Room Art Project.
3. Motion to approve Bernadette Jiyong Frank, artist, and Arianne Gelardin, Curator, StoreFrontLab & Parlor, as panelists for public art selection panels for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year.
4. Motion to retroactively approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection, the artwork Handsignals, 2014 by MoreLab. The sculpture is a standing light fixture which playfully recasts the function of pedestrian traffic signal. On the south facing light modules, the signal lights are colorful symbols inspired by the local neighborhood, while the north face of the modules spell “McCoppin” in bright yellow cast aluminum lettering. The image modules blink on and off in a slow, never-ending sequence. The artwork measures 24 ft. by 3 ft. x 2 ft. and is comprised of steel, polycarbonate, Tnemec paint, LED lights, and a sequence controller. The final installation of the artwork was previously approved by Resolution No. 0908-14-218; located at SOMA West McCoppin Hub at the intersection of McCoppin and Valencia streets.
5. Motion to retroactively approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection, the artwork The Swimmers, 2008 by artist team Steve Gillman and Katherine Keefer. The artwork is comprised of two large banks of clerestory windows of laminated glass with a digitally printed interlayer. Each window features an image of a neighborhood child swimming at the pool. Both windows are comprised of eight smaller glass panels (78 in. by 46 in.), each window with an overall dimension of 120 in. by 198 in.; located at Coffman Pool, 1701 Visitacion Avenue.
6. Motion to retroactively approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection, the artwork Dahlias, 2013, by Colette Crutcher. The artwork is comprised of flower imagery fabricated in galvanized iron lacework, incorporated along fence panels at the corners of 38^th and 39^th avenues at Cabrillo Avenue, with an overall dimension of 121 in. by 299 in. at 38^th Avenue; and 121 in. by 222 in. at 39^th Avenue. The final installation of the artwork was previously approved by Resolution No. 0915-15-246; located a Cabrillo Playground, 853-38^th Avenue.
7. Motion to retroactively approve and accept Boedekker’s Blooming Bounty, 2014 by Amy Blackstone. The artwork is comprised of flower and grass imagery, hand-fabricated in steel as fence panels, with an overall dimension of 74 in. by 302 in. (74 in. by 75 in. each). The fence panels are on the perimeter of the park at the corner Eddy and Jones Street, at Father Alfred E. Boeddeker Park, 246 Eddy Street.
8. Motion to retroactively approve and accept, Ship Shape Shifting Time, 2012 by Nagasawa Nobuho. The artwork pays homage to the World War II “Liberty" cargo ships. The sculptural representation of the ship’s bow and stern, along with the shape of the paving, trace the ship’s actual built dimensions (50 ft. high x 441.5 ft. long x 35 ft. wide). The historic cast iron bell and docking cleats complete the installation along with accompanying text (“Time Shifts Shape Ships Through the Waterways Listen!”) that is sandblasted in concrete pavers. The artwork materials include painted galvanized steel, steel cables, concrete, cast iron cleats and bell, sandblasted concrete pavers and lighting. The sculpture is located adjacent to the Municipal Railway Maintenance Facility on Islais Creek, at the end of Indiana Street in the Bayview district.
9. Motion to approve the completed sculptural installation entitled Archipelago, 2015 by Anna Valentina Murch as installed. The installation is comprised of: three steel benches; six circular steel benches, each formed of two halves surrounding a planter designed to contain an olive tree; two semicircular steel benches; an illuminated steel cage lantern; and four arced granite benches; with an additional six accompanying planters also designed to each contain an olive tree. All of the components are located within the plaza of the Acute Care building at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.
10. Motion to approve and accept into the Civic Art Collection the sculptural installation entitled Archipelago, 2015 by Anna Valentina Murch. The installation is comprised of: three steel benches; six circular steel benches, each formed of two halves surrounding a planter designed to contain an olive tree; two semicircular steel benches; an illuminated steel cage lantern; and four arced granite benches; with an additional six accompanying planters also designed to each contain an olive tree. All of the components are located within the plaza of the Acute Care building at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital.

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. SFAC Galleries
Meg Shiffler
Action

Associate Curator Jackie Im presented details of an upcoming exhibition entitled An Idea of Boundary, for the SFAC Main Gallery. Opening in the September 22, 2017 through January 20, 2018.  An idea of a boundary will be an exhibition that explores the way boundaries are created and space is negotiated by exploring the underlying human acts that propel the demarcation of space. Ms. Im presented images and background information about the artists to be included in the exhibit: Patricia Boyd, Mildred Howard, Hannah Ireland, Dionne Lee, Park McArthur, Gina Osterloh, Davina Semo, and Nicole Wermers.

The Committee noted it was wonderful to see an all women show curated by women.

Commissioner Silverman stated that she represents the artist Nicole Wermers and recused herself from voting and left the room.

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

Motion: Motion to approve artist honoraria payments for the research and development of works in the SFAC Main Gallery exhibition, An Idea of a Boundary (opening September 22, 2017): A.K. Burns $600, Patricia L. Boyd $500, Mildred Howard $400, Hannah Ireland $2,500, Dionne Lee $1,500, Park McArthur $400, Gina Osterloh $400, Davina Semo $2,000, Nicole Wermers $400.
Moved: Beltran/Jung
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED

5. Dogpatch Arts Plaza Temporary Public Art Project
Jill Manton and Jared Press of Build Architecture
Action

Presentation of temporary art project proposed for Dogpatch Arts Plaza.

Motion: Motion to approve the temporary sculpture installation of Centaur, by Laura Kimpton and Antonio Ruperto.  The project is funded by ArtSpan and Build Public; and is sponsored and will be maintained by the Friends of Dogpatch Plaza. The sculpture will be on view for one year beginning August 2017 in Dogpatch Arts Plaza; pending procurement of all necessary approvals for installation from Public Works.

Commissioner Silverman returned to the room.

6. Haifa/San Francisco Sister City Temporary Public Art Project at Pier 27
Jill Manton and Dana Blecher
Action

The Director of Public Art Trust and Special Jill Manton introduced a project of the San Francisco/Haifa Sister City Committee being jointly undertaken in conjunction with the San Francisco Arts Commission and the Consulate General of Israel to the Pacific Northwest. The tower installation, PointOfView, designed by Morelab in collaboration with Israeli artist Saron Paz, will connect the Sister Cities of San Francisco and Haifa though an interactive sculptural installation featuring identical “lighthouse” towers to be placed on similar shoreline sites in each sister city, equipped with a 360 degree camera on top. Through the means of a customized periscope integrated into the tower at ground level, visitors to each site will view live feed of the other’s world across the oceans. The tower will be located at Pier 27 for a period of six months to a year and may be extended upon Port approval commencing in late July, 2017.

Commissioners discussed if the project needed Arts Commission approval with the Ports jurisdiction of the site. Ms. Manton explained that the project was initially City funded with the Mayor’s office having provided a preliminary design fee for the proposal and therefore requires Arts Commission approval.

The Committee also discussed the materials of project and the aesthetic choices. Ms. Manton noted that the treatment of the top portion has since been reconsidered to have more directional pointed top.Also noted were concerns regarding accessibility in and around the base of the towers and if the design met Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) requirements.The Committee decided to provide conditional approval of the project with the understanding that these issues will be reviewed and approved by staff so that the project can proceed on schedule. The tower is being fabricated in Israel and is intended to be installed and on view for the Israeli Mayor’s visit at the end of July.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS AMENDED

Motion: Motion to provide conditional approval of the design of a temporary sculpture installation entitled Point of View, by Morelab. The artworks purpose is to commemorate the San Francisco-Haifa Sister City relationship and will be placed on Port property at Pier 27 from July 24, 2017 through July 24, 2018, pending procurement of all necessary approvals from the Port, as well as final review by Arts Commission staff for ADA issues, safety and aesthetics.
Moved: Beltran/Jung

The motion was unanimously approved

7. Visitation Valley School
Susan Pontious, Aileen Barr, Colette Crutcher
Action

Program Director Susan Pontious introduced the project team Colette Crutcher and Jenni Webber who presented the designs of proposed mosaic tile artworks for Visitation Valley School. The project includes three distinct areas: a sculptural “lizard” bench; mosaics on either side of the main entrance, and a garden designed amphitheater with mosaic backed seating. All of mosaics will be completed by artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher with input and garden designs for the surrounding amphitheater by Jeni Webber. The project is community driven, funded with a Community Challenge Grant and sponsored by SF Clean City.

As Ms. Crutcher discussed the designs for the main entrance, she expressed her interest in trying to find additional grant funds in order to fully restore the existing historical tile and mosaic work of the front steps. Commissioner Keehn suggested that she bring the project to ArtCare for consideration of additional funds to aid in the restoration.Director Tom DeCaigny clarified that the San Francisco Unified School District would be charged with the ultimate care of the mosaics and that the project will not be entering the Civic Art Collection.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the mural designs entitled Transformative Art for Well-Being, by artists Aileen Barr and Colette Crutcher. The project consists of three mosaic tile artworks referred to as follows: A “lizard bench” (8 ft. by 4 ft. by 4ft wide);  “amphitheater benches” (overall  2.5 ft.. by 31 ft. by 34.5 ft.);  and the “entrance”, adding four mosaic flourishes flanking either side of the entrance. All of the works will be installed beginning September, 2017 and located at Visitation Valley Elementary School, 55 Shwerin Street. The project is funded with a Community Challenge Grant and is sponsored by SF Clean City; the mosaic artwork will not become part of the Civic Art Collection.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman

The motion was unanimously approved

8. Moscone Expansion Project - Paseo Mural
Marcus Davies
Action

Project Manager Marcus Davies presented the selected finalists for the Moscone Expansion Paseo Mural Project which include artists: Brian Barneclo, Alicia McCarthy, and Kelly Ording.  He noted that this will be the 4^th and final commission selected for the Moscone Expansion Project. The project has been designated as a large scale mural opportunity to be painted directly on an exterior stucco wall, located above a pedestrian walkway on Third Street, connecting the main Moscone building to the ballroom behind it. The maximum project budget is $200,000.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the following finalists for the Moscone Expansion Paseo Mural Project as recommended by the Moscone Expansion Paseo Mural Project Selection Panel: Brian Barneclo, Alicia McCarthy, and Kelly Ording.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

9. Traffic Company and Forensic Services Division
Marcus Davies
Action

Mr. Davies presented the selected artist, James Isermann for the Traffic Company and Forensic Services Division Public Art Project. The artist will design and fabricate a sculptural project to be located in the approximately 6,000 square foot plaza fronting the building at the intersection of Evans at Toland Streets. The total budget for the project is $1,225,000.   He also noted it will be in proximity of the new Norie Satoe artwork in development for the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant.

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

Motion: Motion to approve James Isermann for the Traffic Company and Forensic Services Division Public Art Project as recommended by the Traffic Company and Forensic Services Division Artist Selection Panel.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

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 James Isermann for an amount not to exceed $1,125,000 for design, fabrication, transportation, and consultation during installation of an artwork for the Traffic Company and Forensic Services Division Public Art Project.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved            

10. Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant (SEP) – Headworks Building
Mary Chou with Artist Norie Sato
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou along with the artist Norie Sato (via phone) presented the conceptual artwork design for the façade of the Headworks Building at the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant (“SEP”).  The artist designed a 30 ft. by over 350 ft. façade that begins at the corner of Evans and Rankin, and continues east along Evans. The perforated steel screen will feature sculptural three-dimensional fins that curve and undulate in a wave- like pattern referencing the concept of the vortex and the process of water treatment. The artist stated the colors are under development with the committee sharing their opinion that the palette should remain reflective and possibly iridescent rather than opaque to retain a more ethereal aesthetic. President Beltran also suggested working on smoothing the transition from the edge of the artwork to the concrete wall of the grit tank building.

Ms. Chou reported that the artist presented her concept to a subcommittee of the Southeast Community Facility on Monday for feedback. She stated that comments included showing more of the people and culture of the Bayview in the work, providing opportunities for local artists and fabricators, and having the artist participate in educational opportunities with local schools. Ms. Chou explained that the artist will consider these comments during design development; and that there will be opportunities to incorporate these recommendations in future projects being commissioned at the plant and the new community facility.

Arts and Education Program Manager for the Public Utilities Commission, Blair Randall, stated  an arts master plan is being developed for the site and that community themes will be addressed in the plan. 

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

Motion: Motion to approve Conceptual Design by Norie Sato for the façade of the Headworks Building at the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant (SEP).
Moved: Silverman/Jung
The motion was unanimously approved

President Beltran excused herself from the meeting.

11. San Francisco International Airport

A. International Terminal, Boarding Area G, Gate Room 95 – Alice Shaw
Justine Topfer
Action

Project Manager Justine Topfer introduced the artist Alice Shaw. Ms. Shaw presented the design development documents for her artwork entitled No Other Lands Their Glory Know. The artwork and the title was inspired by a line from the poem “The Redwoods”  by Joseph P. Strauss.  The black and white photographic image of redwood forest with hand-gilded gold sky, will be panelized (20 ft. x 26 ft.); located at San Francisco International Airport, International Terminal, Boarding Area G, Gate Room 95.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the final design development and construction document phase deliverables for Alice Shaw’s artwork entitled No Other Lands Their Glory Know, for San Francisco International Airport: International Terminal, Boarding Area G, Gate Room 95.
Moved: Jung/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

B. Terminal 1, Boarding Area B  – Bulkhead Project
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented and reviewed images of the selected finalists’ artwork being considered for the Boarding Area B, Bulkhead Project. The selected finalists include: Leonardo Drew, Peter Wegner, Yorgo Alexopoulos, Jason Jägel, Alicia McCarthy and Andy Vogt. She noted that all of the artists except Jason Jägel were new to the prequalified pool of artists.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected finalists, Leonardo Drew (Anthony Meier Fine Arts), Peter Wegner, Yorgo Alexopoulos, Jason Jägel, Alicia McCarthy, Andy Vogt as recommended by the San Francisco International Airport, T1, 2-Dimensional Selection panel for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1, Boarding Area B, Bulkhead Project.
Moved: Silverman/Jung

The motion was unanimously approved

C. Terminal 1, Boarding Area B – Hold Room Project
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented and reviewed images of the selected finalists’ artwork being considered for Holdroom 10 and 14. The selected finalists, Emily Fromm, Katie Merz, Dana Hart-Stone, Ranu Mukherjee, t.w. five and Robert Minervini.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected finalists, Emily Fromm, Katie Merz, Dana Hart-Stone, Ranu Mukherjee, t.w. five, Robert Minervini as recommended by the San Francisco International Airport T1, 2-Dimensional selection panel for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1, Boarding Area B, Hold Room Project.
Moved: Silverman/Jung
The motion was unanimously approved

D. Airport Collection Statistic Report
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Ms. Pontious proudly presented the demographics for artists included in the SFO Collection. The final data reflects the current composition of the collection as a whole and as it reflects two distinct collection periods. The first is the period between 1977 and1987, and the second between 1992 and the present.   The reason for comparing these two eras is that in the early ’90s, the Arts Commission adopted new policies and practices for artist selection that aligned with best practices nationally, and tasked staff with a goal of improving racial and gender balance in the City’s collection. Simultaneously, new digital technologies and materials, along with SFAC staff’s significant technical support to artists in the use of these new technologies, expanded the pool of artists whose work could be considered for permanent installation at SFO and elsewhere.  Ultimately, the data  shows that the collection successfully represents similar racial statistics that are in line with the current Bay Area census and has a 50/50 representation of male-to-female ratio.  The data set provided a clear snapshot of the program’s success and notes that the progressive changes that the program has made over the years has provided a clear “before” and “after” comparison.

The Committee congratulated Ms. Pontious.

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

12. New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

Director DeCaigny thanked staff for their successful hosting of Americans for the Arts Conference, 2017.

Director DeCaigny informed Commissioners that staff had been asked to attend a special hearing of the Budget and Finance Committee of the Board of Supervisors at 10:05 a.m. on June 22, 2017. The purpose of the hearing is to review the draft amendment to Chapter 6 of the San Francisco Administrative Code, clarifying the Arts Commission’s contracting authority and how it relates to the installation of permanent artworks. The draft legislation was presented as part of the Mayor’s Budget on June 1, 2017 with questions from the Board of Supervisors. Staff with the advice of Deputy City Attorney Lauren Curry for the Arts Commission and Deputy City Attorney Yadira Taylor for Public Works will be present to answer questions the Budget and Finance Committee may have, hopefully moving the legislation up for full approval by the Board of Supervisors.

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

13. Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

JDC 6/30/17 12:00 p.m.

Notices

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