Visual Arts Committee - March 21, 2018 - Minutes

Meeting Date: 
March 21, 2018 - 3:00pm
Location: 
401 Van Ness Avenue
Room 125
San Francisco, CA 94102
SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
3 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125
San Francisco, CA 94102
________________________________________
 
Minutes
 
Visual Arts Committee Members:
JD Beltran, President
Dorka Keehn, Chair
Abby Sadin Schnair
Jessica Silverman
Barbara Sklar 
 
1. Call to Order, Roll Call, and Agenda Changes
 
Commissioners Present:
President Beltran
Commissioner Schnair
Commissioner Silverman
 
Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Keehn
Commissioner Sklar
 
The meeting commenced at 3:01 p.m. 
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
2. General Public Comment
Discussion 
 
Ann Treboux submitted the following written statement:
 
“IN 2015, BARBARA SKLAR MADE A CLAIM AGAINST ME THAT HAD NO EVIDENCE OR MERIT AND WAS BASED ON SLANDER. AT HEARING, SKLAR CHANGED HER TESTOMONEY THREE TIMES. DWIGHT MOORE LIED IN SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND THE CASE WAS VACATED ON APPEAL.
 
BARBARA SKLAR TRIED TO SWAY RICK SWIG OF THE BOARD OF PERMITS AND APPEALS IN A RECORDED CONVERSTATION PRIOR TO THE HEARING IN 2017. THE SFAC LOST.
 
BARBARA SKLAR IF YOU ARE GOING TO WASTE OVER $10,000 OF TAXPAYERS MONEY ON YOUR PERSONAL FEARS-AT LEAST SPELL MY NAME RIGHT.
 
PUBLIC COMMENT IS A FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT AFFORDED TO ALL PEOPLE.”
 
Commissioner Silverman called for further public comment. There was no public comment.
 
3. Consent Calendar
Action
 
1. Motion to approve the mural design of The Conductor’s Path by artist Allison Tinati (also known as Hueman). The painted mural will be on the exterior walls on Hickory Alley between Van Ness Avenue and Franklin Street, on the south façade of 131, 145, 149, 155 and 159 Fell Street. The mural will also include the east and west façade of 145 Fell Street. The painted mural will measure approximately 20 ft. x 35 ft., 55 ft. x 40 ft., 20 ft. x 28 ft., 20 ft. x 28 ft. and 20 ft. x 28 ft. The east façade at 145 Fell Street will measure approximately 35 ft. x 25 ft. and the west façade will measure approximately 35 ft. x 25 ft. The project is funded by the Community Challenge Grant and is sponsored by Build Public on behalf of The Friends of Hickory Alley; the painted mural will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The approval is pending CAPA and VARA waivers for artwork placed on private property.
 
2. Motion to approve the mural design of Tenderloin in Motion by artist Twin Walls Mural Co. (artists Elaine Chu and Marina Perez). The painted mural will be on construction barricades on the entire block of Turk Street between Mason and Taylor Streets on the south side of the street. The painted mural will measure approximately 8 ft. x 300 ft. This temporary mural project will be installed for two years. The project is funded by the Office of Economic and Workforce Development and Group i and is sponsored by CounterPulse; the painted mural will not become part of the Civic Art Collection. The approval is pending a signed CAPA and VARA waiver for artwork placed on private property.
 
3. Motion to rescind the following resolutions due to a clerical error with the payment amounts:
 
RESOLUTION NO. 0108-18-017: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to pay each of the following artists an honorarium of up to $5,000 for the development of a proposal for Building 1 Plaza for the Treasure Island Art Program: Ai Wei Wei, Pae White, Chakaia Booker and Ned Kahn (alternate).
 
RESOLUTION NO. 0108-18-018: Motion to pay an honorarium of up to $5,000 each to Ai Wei Wei, Antony Gormley and Jorge Pardo for the development of a proposal for Waterfront Plaza for the Treasure Island Art Program.
 
RESOLUTION NO. 0108-18-019: Motion to pay an honorarium of up to $5,000 each to Hiroshi Sugimoto, Chakaia Booker and Andy Goldsworthy for the development of a proposal for Yerba Buena Hilltop Park for the Treasure Island Art Program.
 
4. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to pay each of the following artists an honorarium for the development of proposals for the Treasure Island Art Program:                              
Building One Plaza Artists                             
Ai Wei Wei, Represented by Haines Fine Arts LTD, $3,000 
Chakaia Booker, $3,826 
Pae White, DBA Pae White Studio, Inc., $3,700 
 
Waterfront Plaza Artists                
Ai Wei Wei, Represented by Haines Fine Arts LTD, $3,000 
Antony Gormley, Represented by White Cube Limited, $7,500 
Jorge Pardo, DBA Jorge Pardo Sculpture LLC, $3,725 
                              
Yerba Buena Island Hilltop Park Artists                    
Hiroshi Sugimoto, DBA Door Four LLC, $4,652 
Chakaia Booker, $3,826 
Andy Goldsworthy, Represented by Haines Fine Arts LTD, $5,183 
 
5. Motion to rescind the following resolutions due to a schedule change:
 
RESOLUTION NO. 0108-18-015: Motion to approve the display of a sculpture entitled Squared by artist Charles Gadeken in Patricia’s Green for a period from January 2018 through January 2019, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to execute a loan agreement with the artist for $45,000 inclusive of honorarium, loan fee, engineering, insurance, transportation, installation, deinstallation and periodic maintenance of the work during the term of its display, pending approval from the Recreation and Park Commission.
 
RESOLUTION NO. 0108-18-016: Motion to approve the display of a sculpture entitled Tara by artist Dana Albany in Patricia’s Green for a period from January 2019 through January 2020, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to execute a loan agreement with the artist for $20,000 inclusive of honorarium, loan fee, engineering, insurance, transportation, installation, deinstallation and periodic maintenance of the work during the term of its display, pending approval from the Recreation and Park Commission.
 
6. Motion to approve the display of a sculpture entitled Squared by artist Charles Gadeken in Patricia’s Green for a period from May 2018 through May 2019, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to execute a loan agreement with the artist for $45,000 inclusive of honorarium, loan fee, engineering, insurance, transportation, installation, deinstallation and periodic maintenance of the work during the term of its display, pending approval from the Recreation and Park Commission.
 
7. Motion to approve the display of a sculpture entitled Tara by artist Dana Albany in Patricia’s Green for a period from May 2019 through May 2020, and to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to execute a loan agreement with the artist for $20,000 inclusive of honorarium, loan fee, engineering, insurance, transportation, installation, deinstallation and periodic maintenance of the work during the term of its display, pending approval from the Recreation and Park Commission.
 
8. Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to increase Michelle Fleck’s contract from $6,720 to $13,440 (an increase of $6,720) to produce a StreetSmARTS Mural at 285 Bartlett Street, to cover two sides of the building flanking the entryway instead of one as accounted for in the original agreement.
 
9. Motion to retroactively approve Erica Deeman, artist, as a panelist for public art selection panels for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year.
 
10. Motion to approve the following arts professionals as panelists for public art selection panels for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year:
Indira Allegra, artist and independent curator
Jacqueline Francis, Chair, Visual and Critical Studies, California College of the Arts
Ajuan M. Mance, Professor, English, Mills College; artist
Karen Mar, Architect, YAMAMAR
Dorothy Santos, independent writer, editor and curator
Karen Seneferu, professor, artist and curator
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
Motion: Motion to approve consent calendar items.
Moved: Schnair/Beltran
The motion was unanimously approved
 
4. SFAC Galleries 
 
SFAC Galleries Director Meg Shiffler requested to proceed with Item #4B first. Commissioner Silverman stated Item #4A was moved to follow Item #4B.
 
Originally Item #4B, moved to Item #4A
A. Exhibition at San Francisco City Hall (title to be determined)
Meg Shiffler
Action
 
SFAC Galleries Director Meg Shiffler presented the next City Hall exhibition opening in May 2018. Ms. Shiffler stated that independent curator Ann Jastrab will curate the exhibition. With her previous experience as the former Gallery Director at RayKo Photo Center, Ms. Jastrab has curated some of the Arts Commission’s most popular City Hall exhibitions including McNair Evans: In Search of Great Men and The Valley/El Valle: Photo-essays from California’s Heartland
 
The exhibition will focus on Manifest Destiny, the 19th Century doctrine or belief that the expansion of the United States through the American continents was both justified and inevitable. Ms. Jastrab is interested in subverting the inherent masculinity of Manifest Destiny through the work of ten diverse women photographers. Each of the artists photographs the West in unique and interesting ways. 
 
Ms. Shiffler stated that the gallery will not be commissioning new work for the exhibition, but will be providing larger honoraria to the artists to cover printing and framing costs. The exhibition opens in May 2018 and may stay open for up to a year.
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
Motion: Motion to approve a curatorial honorarium in the amount of $5,000 to Ann Jastrab for the research and development of an SFAC Galleries’ exhibition (title to be determined) at San Francisco City Hall opening in May 2018. 
Moved: Beltran/Schnair
The motion was unanimously approved
 
Motion: Motion to approve artists’ honoraria for participation in an SFAC Galleries exhibition at San Francisco City Hall opening in May 2018. The following artists will receive the following amounts to fund the research and development of artwork for exhibition: Mercedes Dorame ($2,600), Donna J. Wan ($2,000), Greta Pratt ($1,900), Mimi Plumb ($2,500), Kari Orvik ($1,800), Christa Blackwood ($1,800), Jennifer Little ($1,700), Ingeborg Gerdes ($1,800), Tomiko Jones ($1,900) and Kathya Landeros ($2,000).
Moved: Beltran/Schnair
The motion was unanimously approved
 
Originally Item #4A, moved to Item #4B
B. Neighborhood Arts Program 50th Anniversary Exhibition
Meg Shiffler
Action
 
Ms. Shiffler introduced guest curators Kevin Chen and Jaime Cortez to present on the Neighborhood Arts Program (“NAP”) 50th Anniversary exhibition scheduled for the SFAC Main Gallery from April 27 through June 9, 2018. The curators introduced themselves, providing a brief history of their curation and teaching experiences in the Bay Area.
 
Mr. Chen started the presentation by sharing the working title, PowerNAP, which may change in the days to come after the meeting. Mr. Chen said that the research process for this exhibition started at the beginning of January 2018. The intent of the exhibition is to illuminate the history and the impact of the NAP that continues to this day. The exhibition will feature artwork from over 20 diverse Bay Area contemporary artists of different generations, and over 200 historical NAP posters. The exhibition will highlight how the NAP championed the philosophy of supporting arts across the city in culturally, racially, and economically diverse settings, an idea that still informs the work of the Arts Commission today. 
 
Mr. Cortez further explained the NAP’s powerful legacy and their strong relationships with the Arts Commission, neighborhood activists, and other established groups in San Francisco. These groups united to create the cultural centers that still exist today, and the exhibition will honor the six cultural centers’ contributions to the city. Mr. Cortez shared that the curatorial team met with the leaders of the cultural centers to discuss NAP artists who exemplify the spirit, ethos, and excellence of the program. The curators were able to narrow down the final list of artists, both historic and contemporary. The exhibition also includes Native American artists, with support from Native American Arts and Cultural Traditions Grants and other Arts Commission grants. The exhibition will display three generations of drawings, prints, paintings, objects, and video. The exhibition will also feature newly commissioned work from Bay Area artist Veronica De Jesus. 
 
Mr. Chen included that there will be an incredibly rich sampling of the NAP historical posters on display at the exhibition. The posters are produced from NAP’s Print and Design Services, part of the Support Services for the Arts. 
 
President Beltran asked what year the Neighborhood Arts Program started. Mr. Chen said the NAP started in 1967. 
 
Mr. Cortez stated that the curatorial team wanted the poster display to maximize the space and the curators plan to show up to 200 posters to give a sense of the flourishing artist and community activity that came about as a result of support from the NAP. Mr. Cortez said they had just confirmed the addition of artwork made by children involved in the Youth Art Program at the Bayview Opera House.
 
Commissioner Schnair asked how the exhibition will be displayed in the gallery. Mr. Chen shared that due to the large amount of artwork that will be installed, they will be using temporary walls to create more linear wall space. 
 
President Beltran asked if there would be a catalog to document the exhibition. Ms. Shiffler stated no, there is not going to be a catalog but the exhibition will be photographed, as photography is part of the protocol for every SFAC Galleries exhibition. Ms. Shiffler stated that the budget as well as the staff capacity does not allow for the development of a catalog. President Beltran and Commissioner Schnair agreed to work together to find a way to create a publication for the exhibit. Mr. Chen also commented that three individuals will be commissioned to write about the impact and history of the NAP as part of the exhibition’s brochure that will be available in the SFAC Main Gallery.
 
Ms. Shiffler noted that this exhibition is partially funded by the Arts Commission’s Community Investments Program, as part of cross-programmatic collaboration. 
 
Ms. Shiffler made a final comment stating that she will be adding individuals to the list of artists receiving honoraria. This addition will be submitted to the April 2, 2018 Full Arts Commission agenda or the April 18, 2018 Visual Arts Committee agenda.
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
Commissioner Silverman proceeded with an amendment to the motion, acknowledging Ms. Shiffler’s comment that additional artists will received honoraria for their participation in the SFAC Galleries Neighborhood Arts Program 50th Anniversary exhibition. The artists and honoraria amounts will be announced at a later date.
 
Motion: Motion to approve artists’ honoraria for participating in the SFAC Galleries Neighborhood Arts Program 50th Anniversary exhibition. $2,000 to Veronica De Jesus for newly commissioned works. $400 to each of the following for loaning existing works: Enrique Chagoya, Lenore Chinn, Juan Fuentes, Orlando de la Garza, Katie Gilmartin, Aron Kantor, Việt Lê, Elizabeth Maynard, Geri Montano, Joe Ramos and Rene Yañez, plus additional artists to be announced at a later date.
Moved: Beltran/Schnair
The motion was unanimously approved
 
5. Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series
 
A. 2018 Series 
Zoë Taleporos
Action
 
Project Manager Zoë Taleporos presented the final designs by Rodney Ewing for the 2018 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series. Mr. Ewing’s artwork is based on the concept of the “10-card,” a form that agencies use to record fingerprints and other information. Mr. Ewing uses the “10-card” as a way of reconstructing the system of identification to tell the story of people coming to San Francisco to seek refuge. Mr. Ewing connected with local organizations such as La Raza Centro Legal and Immigrant Legal Resource Center to interview people willing to share their stories for the poster series. All of the final designs were screen-printed and the colors derive from the flags of individuals’ native homeland. The text on the posters is from the interviews conducted by Mr. Ewing.
 
President Beltran stated the Mr. Ewing’s incorporation of text is great. Ms. Taleporos said that while the imagery creates an immediate visual impact, the text will bring in the viewer to further explore the artwork.
 
Mr. Ewing’s posters are scheduled to be installed in May 2018.
 
Ms. Taleporos stated that the San Francisco Chronicle released an article about the 2018 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series. The article featured information about the current poster series theme, Sanctuary City, as well as featured images from the posters currently on view by Miguel Arzabe.
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
Motion: Motion to approve Rodney Ewing’s six final designs for the 2018 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series.
Moved: Beltran/Schnair
The motion was unanimously approved
 
B. 2019 Series 
Zoë Taleporos
Action
 
Ms. Taleporos presented the project outline for the 2019 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series. The overarching theme is 24/7, focusing on the constant activity on Market Street. The non-stop transit, arts and culture, protest and civic engagement, and residential and business activity on Market Street will provide artists with subject matter to engage in next year’s theme. Ms. Taleporos stated the 24/7 theme is a return of the series’ original focus on Market Street and transit.
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
Motion: Motion to approve the project outline for the 2019 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series.
Moved: Beltran/Schnair
The motion was unanimously approved
 
6. Ambulance Deployment Facility
Jenn Doyle Crane
Action
 
Project Manager Jenn Doyle Crane presented the selected finalists for the Ambulance Deployment Facility Public Art Project. Ms. Crane stated that this will be second opportunity to select an artist for this project after a request by the Fire Department at the February 21, 2018 Visual Arts Committee meeting to revisit the selection process. 
 
The artist selection panel met on March 19, 2018, where panelists were given an overview of the art opportunity on the exterior gate. The panelists were presented with qualifications from 24 artists and selected five artists and an alternate. The artist selection panel selected artists Michael Arcega, Michael Bartalos, Amos Goldbaum, Eric Powell, Catherine Wagner, and alternate Adam Feibelman.
 
Ms. Crane thanked President Beltran for serving on the panel. Ms. Crane stated that artist Catherine Wagner declined, allowing for Adam Feibelman the opportunity to create a proposal for the Ambulance Deployment Facility. 
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
Commissioner Silverman proceeded with an amendment to the motion, acknowledging that Ms. Wagner declined the opportunity, making Mr. Feibelman the fifth finalist for the Ambulance Deployment Facility Public Art Project.
 
Motion: Motion to approve Michael Arcega, Michael Bartalos, Adam Feibelman, Amos Goldbaum and Eric Powell as finalists for the Ambulance Deployment Facility Public Art Project as recommended by the artist selection panel.
Moved: Beltran/Schnair
The motion was unanimously approved
 
7. San Francisco International Airport 
 
A. Terminal 1, Boarding Area B, Holdroom 10 – Jason Jägel
Jenn Doyle Crane
Action
 
Ms. Crane presented the updated conceptual design by Jason Jägel for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1, Boarding Area B, Holdroom 10. Mr. Jägel was originally selected to create a proposal for a Terminal 1 Bulkhead opportunity but due to architectural changes the selected work has since moved to a new location, Holdroom 10. 
 
The new location had required the design to be slightly adjusted to accommodate the new dimensions of the holdroom wall. The artist selection panel had also advised Mr. Jägel to adjust the imagery for one of the spiritual figures central to the original composition.  President Beltran sat on the panel and agreed that Mr. Jägel had greatly improved the imagery by adjusting the figure in the new revision.
 
Ms. Crane stated that the palette will remain similar to the original design and that she will return to the Committee with material samples as part of the design development process at a later date. The artist will be working with Mosaika to translate the original painting into a mosaic.
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
Motion: Motion to approve the Conceptual Design (revised design and location of artwork) by Jason Jägel for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1, Boarding Area B, Holdroom 10.
Moved: Beltran/Schnair
The motion was unanimously approved
 
B. Terminal 1 Central, AC-06 Project – Emily Fromm
Susan Pontious
Discussion
 
Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious presented the in progress design drawings by artist Emily Fromm for the San Francisco International Airport: Terminal 1 Central, AC-06 Project. Ms. Pontious stated that the artist selection panel felt that Ms. Fromm’s artwork would best be presented as a combined image as opposed to four separate works. Ms. Pontious presented a combination of Ms. Fromm’s drawing of San Francisco’s Castro and Embarcadero neighborhoods, as well as a combination drawing of the Haight-Ashbury and North Beach neighborhoods. She placed the images side by side with a small gap in between to show the potential installation layout.
 
Ms. Pontious asked the Committee what they thought of the small gap between the artwork or if the preferred for Ms. Fromm to combine the two images together. The Commissioners agreed that the small gap works well visually for Ms. Fromm’s two drawings.
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
8. Moscone Expansion, West Bridge – Sarah Sze
Marcus Davies
Action
 
Project Manager Marcus Davies presented design development documents for Sarah Sze’s artwork for the Moscone Expansion, West Bridge Public Art Project. Mr. Davies presented Ms. Sze’s original proposal to the Committee to emphasize changes to the project. The initial proposal presented two large manufactured stone pieces that were located towards the north end of the bridge, followed by a series of five smaller stones towards the south end of the bridge near the carousel, children’s garden and convention facility. The two larger manufactured stones were about 7 ft. tall with cut surface, comprised of small epoxy inserts that create dot matrix-like image of a sunset from Golden Gate Bridge. The sunset imagery was also replicated in the paving as well.
 
The final design eliminates the five smaller stones from the bridge and includes an adjustment to the location of the two larger stones. Structural constraints required they be moved from the original proposal location. The two large stones have shifted towards the south side of the bridge and the building below will provide the weight-baring construction necessary to support the weight of the stones. The new location of the stones also provides safe distance from the bridge’s railing.
 
Mr. Davies shared an image of the material sample from the studio. Future samples will be brought to the Committee for review, ideally at the next Visual Arts Committee meeting on April 18, 2018.
 
President Beltran asked how much the stones weigh. Mr. Davies stated 4,000 pounds each but the amount might change. He also mentioned that they considered using actual stones but they weighed too much for the bridge.
 
Commissioner Schnair asked if the stone has a glossy or matte. Mr. Davies replied that it is a matte finish.
 
President Beltran asked what fabricator is assigned to the project. Mr. Davies said that one has not been selected yet. 
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
Motion: Motion to approve the final design development documents and construction document phase deliverables for Sarah Sze’s artwork, Double Horizon, for the Moscone Expansion, West Bridge Public Art Project.
Moved: Beltran/Schnair
The motion was unanimously approved
 
9. New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion
 
Commissioner Silverman announced that Prototype of Dark Silhouettes, an exhibition featuring artwork by Matthew Angelo Harrison at Jessica Silverman Gallery, was reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle on March 16, 2018. Prototype of Dark Silhouettes is open through April 21, 2018. 
 
Ms. Crane announced that the Civic Art Collection team won a Data and Innovation Award, organized by DataSF and the Mayor’s Office of Civic Innovation, for their work to make the collection publically accessible online on the San Francisco Arts Commission’s website. Director of Communications Kate Patterson and Market Manager Anne Trickey were also honored for their work on the project.
 
Commissioner Schnair announced that April 9, 2018 is the Mayor’s Art Award and ArtCare Lifetime Achievement Award event. The event is hosted by ArtCare and will honor artists Yuan Yuan Tan and Rena Bransten. The evening is an ArtCare Awards Benefit and a fundraiser for the Civic Art Collection. 
 
Commissioner Silverman called for public comment. There was no public comment.
 
10. Adjournment
Action
 
The meeting adjourned at 3:57 p.m.
 
posted AT 3/28/18 12:00 p.m.
approved 4/2/18
 
Notices
 
Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost.
 
For assistance, please notify Alyssa Torres, alyssa.m.torres@sfgov.org, 415-252-2219.
 
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如需協助,Alyssa Torres, alyssa.m.torres@sfgov.org, 415-252-2219.
 
Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Alyssa Torres, alyssa.m.torres@sfgov.org, 415-252-2219.
 
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 Alyssa Torres, alyssa.m.torres@sfgov.org, 415-252-2219.