­­SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, March 18, 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 (arrived at 3:07 pm)
Commisioner Sklar

The meeting commenced at 3:01  p.m.

2. Public Comment

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Richard Rothman expressed his desire for the Arts Commission to exhibit artworks from the Civic Art Collection in conjunction with San Francsico History Expo next year and that he has historical photos of the Richmond District in Supervisor Eric Mar’s office.

Paula Datesh stated she had been harassed and filed a police report that resulted in a restraining order against an individual.

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM #16 TO ITEM #3

3. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Public Art Project
Jill Manton
Action

Jill Manton presented an overview of the selected finalists for the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Public Art Project and the results of the selection panel summary. She noted that the project will be the first project of the Public Art Trust. The following artists were selected: James Carpenter, Ned Kahn and Joseph Kosuth. There will be an orientation held in early May for the finalists, after which, one artist will be selected as the finalist to create one proposal. It was noted that all of the finalists have had previous successful examples of work that kept historical and buildings and facades intact.

Beltran noted that artworks by Ned Kahn and James Carpenter are already in the collection.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected finalists: James Carpenter, Ned Kahn and Joseph Kosuth for the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Public Art Project as recommended by the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Public Art Project Art Selection Panel.
Moved: Silverman/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS AMENDED.

Motion: Motion to pay an honorarium in the amount of up to $2500, plus reasonable travel costs to the following artists: James Carpenter, Ned Kahn and Joseph Kosuth to develop proposals for the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium Public Art Project.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

4. Jeremy Fish, SF City Hall Centennial Exhibition
Meg Shiffler, SFAC Galleries Director
Action

Galleries Director Meg Shiffler presented the work of the Bay Area artist Jeremy Fish the proposed artist for a Centennial exhibition at City Hall. Jeremy Fish will produce roughly 100 original illustrations featuring San Francisco landmarks in his signature style. Ms. Shiffler stated she is concurrently working to obtain City Hall approval so that prior, Fish produce the artworks while onsite as the San Francisco City Hall Centennial Artist in Residence.

She also stated that Mr. Fish’swork may be eventually be available for sale through Upper Playground, or that some of the products created may eventually become available for sale when the new galleries space when it opens at the Veteran’s War Memorial later this year. Ms. Shiffler hopes that the artist will draw a younger audience to City Hall.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS AMENDED

Motion: Motion to approve an honorarium in the amount of $7,000 to Jeremy Fish for the development of new artwork for an exhibition for the SFAC Galleries’ Art at City Hall program set to open on November 4, 2015.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM #8 to Item #5

5. Office of Chief Medical Examiner
Mary Chou
Action

A. Exterior Artwork

Project Manager Mary Chou presented the artist Richard Deutsch’s conceptual proposal for an exterior artwork at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (“OCME”), as recommended by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Selection Panel. The proposal is for a large abstract stainless steel sculpture with shapes referencing sails of a boat.  Ms. Pontious stated the architectural firm was also pleased with the selection.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.  Paula Datesh commented that the artwork didn’t relate to the environment or activity of the building and that both artworks being commissioned for the building should relate to each other. She stated something that references a bird, such as a heron, should be considered.

Motion: Motion to approve the selected artist Richard Deutsch and his conceptual proposal for an exterior artwork at the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, as recommended by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Selection Panel.
Moved: Silverman/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with artist Richard Deutsch for an amount not to exceed $210,000 for design, fabrication, transportation and consultation during installation of an exterior artwork for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Moved: Silverman/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

B. Interior Artwork

Ms. Chou presented artist Ann Gardner’s conceptual proposal for an interior artwork at the OCME. She explained that while the panel recommended her proposal, the client had serious concerns with the proposal. She introduced Medical Examiner Administrator Christopher Wirowek to explain staff’s concerns to the Committee. He stated that he and staff feel the glass tiles may psychologically reference broken glass from a motor vehicle accident and the juxtaposition between the blue and yellow panels not only representing night and day, but heaven and hell and religious connotations. He stated that although he though her work was beautiful, the OCME was not the appropriate place for the work. He requested that the other proposals be reconsidered for the interior space.

Commissioner Keehn called for Public Comment.  Paula Datesh stated that she also agreed Ann Gardner’s piece was inappropriate for the location.

No action was taken. The Committee requested that the Selection Panel reconvene and reconsider the proposal appropriateness to the site.  Ms. Chou will report back at a later date

6. Revised Civic Art Collection Guidelines 
Susan Pontious, Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Director
Action

Ms. Pontious presented the completed draft revision of the Civic Art Collection Guidelines.Most notably, the revisions reflect the incorporation of recent changes to Section 3.19 of the Administrative Code regarding Art Enrichment. The draft also incorporates the Public Art Trust. Additionally, revisions were made to the selection process to bring into alignment with City contracting procedures. Loan policies were also added to the guidelines. Finally, some reorganization and streamlining of the document.

Director Tom DeCaigny noted the moratorium on the gift policy still stands although exceptions can be made by the Commission through resolution.

Commissioner Keehn called for public Comment. Richard Rothman suggested that a memorandum be added to the guidelines to bring the care and maintenance of WPA murals located in properties of the San Francisco Unified School District (“SFUSD”).

Director DeCaigny explained that SFUSD has its own capital allocation and governing body and the artworks do not fall under the charter mandate for care by the Arts Commission. However, the Arts Commission strives to be helpful partners and have historically acted as stewards of the artworks. Senior Registrar Allison Cummings further explained there have been exceptions, such as the murals at George Washington High School . However, as a function of the recent inventory project, it was found that the murals have accession numbers but legal clarification is still being researched to establish clear provenance. It is unclear if the works had been at one time been gifted and accepted into the CAC by SFUSD.

Director DeCaigny further explained that it may be possible for SFUSD to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Arts Commission and provide funding for staff to care for the artworks.

Motion: Motion to approve the Civic Art Collection Guidelines (revision date March 18, 2015).
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

7. San Francisco International Airport: Temporary Boarding Area B
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious explained she had originally assigned budgets to specific sites in the proposed program outline for an art program at San Francisco International Airport: Temporary Boarding Area B. However, she had received news that site opportunities have changed and are still being determined by San Francisco International Airport.

Commissioner Sklar suggested that the temporary artworks being commissioned should be considered for relocation once the temporary terminal is disassembled.

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

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS AMENDED.

Motion: Motion to approve San Francisco International Airport: Temporary Boarding Area B Art Program Outline as sites become finalized.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED

8. Port Pier 27
Mary Chou
Action
Explanatory Document: Project Outline
Presentation Time: Approximately 5 minutes

Presentation of the Public Art Project Outline for Port Pier 27.

Motion: Motion to approve the Public Art Project Outline for Port Pier 27.

9. Alameda Creek Watershed Center
Mary Chou
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou discussed the landscape artwork by Mark Brest van Kempen for the Alameda Creek Watershed Center. She reminded the Committee that the cost estimates previously presented indicated that the project would cost over three times the allocated artwork budget for both the entryway and landscape artworks. The artist was asked to explore significant alterations to his design to see if it would be possible to stay within the allotted artwork budget. The artist proposed several changes, which included shortening the ramp by 30 feet and decreasing the width from 8 to 6 feet. The walls leading down the ramp would change from glass to concrete, with the exception of the last 6 feet that would remain glass. These changes would bring the budget to $500,000, which is still twice the amount of the original budget. Staff’s recommendation is to cancel the project because the aesthetics of the work have been compromised with the proposed changes. They are not confident that even with the changes that the work can be executed within the budget and there is no additional funding available.

President Beltran asked if it would be possible to salvage the opportunity and to ask Mr. Brest van Kempen for a new proposal for the landscape. Ms. Pontious stated that the artist is still working on a commission at the entry to the building, and it was the PUC’s original desire to have the art fund more than one artist. Ms. Pontious asked Commissioners if there was a preference to either continue working with Mr. Brest van Kempen on the landscape proposal, or to consider a new group of artists from the 2015/2016 Prequalified Pool. Commissioners did not express a particular preference. Ms. Pontious stated that staff will consult with the PUC to determine how best to proceed with the funds for the landscape piece.

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

Motion: Motion to reject revised conceptual design and budget for the landscape artwork by Mark Brest van Kempen for the Alameda Creek Watershed Center and cancel project.
Moved: Silverman/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

10. Central Subway: Chinatown Station
Mary Chou
Discussion

Ms. Chou presented the revised conceptual designs for Tomie Arai’s artwork for the Chinatown Central Subway Station.  The feedback from representatives from the Chinatown Community Development Center and the Chinese Culture Center is that the artwork does not feel contemporary and that the overall design was historical in reference and perhaps too narrative. There was consensus among the Committee and staff that the visual treatment of numerous elements were distracting and advised to simplify the design and palette. Ms. Chou stated she would relay that advice to the artist.

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

11. Central Subway: Fourth and Brannan
Mary Chou
Action

Ms. Chou presented the revised budget for Moto Ohtake's artwork for Central Subway at Fourth and Brannan, a pole mounted steel kinetic sculpture. She stated the original contract had been based on conceptual design but there have been increases to costs due to the following reasons: additional engineering costs that included more design work than anticipated increase in the grade of steel increased from 304 to 316, and the requirement to source materials in the United States which is a condition of funding for all federally funded projects.

Commissioner Sklar stepped out.

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

Motion: Motion to increase Moto Ohtake’s contract  from $125,000 to $210,000 (an increase of $85,000) for the Central Subway Fourth and Brannan Station due to additional engineering costs, increased steel grade, and the requirement to source materials in the United States for all federally funded projects.
Moved: Chew/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

Commissioner Sklar returned.

13. Central Subway: Construction Barricades
Zoë Taleporos
Action

Program Associate Zoë Taleporos presented the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables, an illustrated figurative rendering, by Jason Jägel for the Central Subway: Construction Barricade Temporary Public Art Project for Yerba Buena/Moscone Station. The barricades will be installed in June, 2015 and on display for one year.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design Phase deliverables (rendering) by Jason Jägel for the Central Subway: Construction Barricade Temporary Public Art Project for Yerba Buena/Moscone Station to be on display for one year beginning in mid-2015 (exact date to be determined).
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

13. Central Subway: Yerba Buena/Moscone Station – Ticketing Hall Wall
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Senior Project Manager Jennifer Lovvorn presented the Design Development Phase deliverables by Leslie Shows for the Central Subway: Yerba Buena/Moscone Station – Ticketing Hall Wall.

Deliverables included glass samples and architectural drawings of the proposed attachment system. She noted that the artist typically works with multiple materials including plexiglass, mylar, paint, mica, crushed glass, mud, ink, sand, and engraved aluminum. The artist’s proposal imagery is based on a photographic image of iron pyrite captured by a flatbed scanner that will be reconstructed in mirrored, painted, engraved and textured glass, and sheet metal. The glass samples were made using a variety of fabrication approaches, trying to replicate the artist’s signature abstracted style with three-dimensional layering of color, mirror and glass, fused pieces, as well as polished stainless steel backgrounds. The artist has developed a plan to segment the main glass imagery into smaller sections whose shapes coincide with smaller parts of the composition. This will result in an assembly of multiple irregular shaped panels making up the full composition. Ms. Lovvorn will bring further developed fabrication samples for review as part of the Construction Document Phase approval process.

The Committee noted that dust and dirt may be a concern on some of the textured pieces. Ms. Lovvorn stated that she will relay these concerns to the artist and ask her to explore alternate fabrication approaches. She added that there will be a maintenance budget for periodic, routine cleaning of the work.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Design Development Phase deliverables (architectural design of panels, attachment system and glass samples) by Leslie Shows for the Central Subway: Yerba Buena/Moscone Station – Ticketing Hall Wall.
Moved: Beltran/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

14. Public Utilities Commission Storm Drain Murals
Jennifer Lovvorn
Action

Ms. Lovvorn presented an overview of the selected finalists for Public Utilities Commission Storm Drain Murals Pilot Project. The goal of the project is to raise awareness of the pollution draining into the bay. The selected finalists are Michael Bartolos, Mona Caron and Kelly Ording, with Jetro Martinez selected as an alternate.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the following finalists for the Public Utilities Commission Storm Drain Murals Pilot Project as recommended by the Public Utilities Commission Storm Drain Murals Selection Panel; Michael Bartolos, Mona Caron, Kelly Ording with alternate Jetro Martinez.
Moved: Silverman/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved

15.  Art on Market St Kiosk Poster Series – Andrea Bergen
Justine Topfer
Action

Project Manager Justine Topfer presented Andrea Bergen’s six final designs for her Art on Market Kiosk Poster Series, Party Animals

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

Motion: Motion to approve the final poster designs for Andrea Bergen’s Art on Market Kiosk Poster Series, Party Animals, June 8 – September 4, 2015.
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

16. Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, 2016
Justine Topfer
Action

Ms. Topfer presented the 2016 Program Outline for the Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series. Artists will be asked to respond to the overarching theme Utopian Visions: The Changing Face of Market Street.  She stated that it was her hope to hear from artists directly about the social and economic transformation of Market Street with the influx of tech companies and the budding arts district. President Beltran stated her hopes for a positive solution minded responses from the applicants. The Request for Qualifications will be posted by end of May with a selection panel in June.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the 2016 Program Outline for the Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series, 2016
Moved: Beltran/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

17. New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

Project Manager Marcus Davies presented a proposed reallocation of funds within the Moscone Expansion Project. The reallocation allows more funding for the Howard North Location in order to allow for a larger signature commission. Staff and the Committee agreed that the new allocation would be appropriate.

18. Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:57 p.m.

JDC 3/30/15
JDC edited 4/2/15

Notices
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.

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 Jenn Doyle Crane, Jennifer.crane@sfgov.org, 415-252-2586.