SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
3 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125
San Francisco, CA 94102

________________________________________

Minutes

 

Visual Arts Committee Members:
JD Beltran
Gregory Chew
Dorka Keehn, Chair
Jessica Silverman
Barbara Sklar

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

Commissioners Present:
Commissioner Chew
Commissioner Keehn, Chair
Commissioner Silverman
Commissioner Sklar

Commissioners Absent:
President Beltran

The meeting commenced at 3:04 p.m.

Commissioner Keehn announced that Item #6 was tabled. Item #10 and Item #9 were moved to follow Item #4 before continuing with Item #5.

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

2.            Public Comment
Discussion

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

3.            Consent Calendar
Action

1.            Motion to approve the untitled mural designs, by artist Aileen Barr, for Tunnel Top Park. The mosaic murals will be installed along both the North seating wall (15 in. by 44 ft.) and the South seating wall (15 in. by 66 ft.),  located within Tunnel Top Park at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue. The project is funded with a Community Challenge Grant and is sponsored by the Tunnel Top Steering Committee; the mosaic murals will not become part of the Civic Art Collection.

2.            Motion to approve the mural design based on an artwork, S. P. Tunnels, 1935 by Charles Surendorf. The artwork will be reproduced by the artists Eli Lippert and Monica Magtoto, with approval from the Surendorf Foundation. The painted mural will measure approximately 8 ft. by 11 ft. along the South side wall, located within Tunnel Top Park at 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue. The project is funded with a Community Challenge Grant and is sponsored by the Tunnel Top Steering Committee; the painted mural will not become part of the Civic Art Collection.

3.            Motion to approve the completed installation of the artwork entitled Shadow Kingdom, 2015, by Adriane Colburn at Daggett Park on 16th Street between Hubbell and 7th streets.

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

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

4.            Newsom Bust
Action
Jim Abrams, ArtCare Board Member

Commissioner Keehn recused herself as a board member of ArtCare. Commissioner Sklar chaired Item #4.

ArtCare Board Member Jim Abrams presented the design of a bust of Gavin Newsom by artist Bruce Wolfe. The bronze bust will be installed on the Mayor’s Balcony at City Hall, next to three currently installed busts. Mr. Abrams reported the $91,000 slated for the project will be for creating the artwork and fund its maintenance.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the design of a bust of former mayor Gavin Newsom, a proposed gift to the City by ArtCare, a non-profit organization.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was approved by: Sklar/Silverman/Chew

Originally Item #10, moved to Item #5.

5.            Civic Center Plaza
Jill Manton
Action

Commissioner Chew recused himself for Item #5 because the Asian Art Museum is one of his clients.

Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives Jill Manton introduced a project by artist Freeman Lau of Hong Kong. The project consists of bamboo lanterns covered with colored exterior of waterproof cloth featuring medallions with names of historic Chinese families. The project will be installed at Civic Center January 17 through March 10, 2017 and will occur simultaneously with Chinese New Year. The lanterns will be placed throughout the central decompressed granite area of the plaza from Polk to Larkin streets sides of Civic Center. The lanterns will vary in theme and scale. The lanterns will come partially fabricated and artisans from Hong Kong will weave the baskets in public as part of a public program.

Commissioner Keehn asked if it will require security, especially at night. Ms. Manton answered that yes, security is built into the budget and will provide what is necessary for the safety of the artwork. She also mentioned that the artwork is not climbable. This public program is sponsored entirely with private funds.

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

Motion: Motion to approve temporary sculpture exhibition in Civic Center Plaza in collaboration with the Asian Art Museum featuring work by artist Freeman Lau for a period from January 17th – March 10, 2017 at no cost to the City with all funds provided by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, pending approval from the Recreation and Park Commission.
Moved: Sklar/Silverman
The motion was approved by: Sklar/Silverman/Keehn

Originally Item #9, moved to Item #6.

6.            Transbay Transit Center
Jill Manton
Action

Ms. Manton presented the contract with KiboWorks for the final design, fabrication, transportation and mounting of the Jenny Holzer artwork at the Transbay Transit Center. In July, the Commission voted to modify the Intergovernmental Agreement with the Transbay Joint Powers Authority to authorize the Commission to manage the fabrication contract for the Jenny Holzer LED art project at the Transbay Transit Center. In September, the Transbay Joint Powers Authority approved the contact with Jenny Holzer for her services relative to the final design, provision of text and supervision of fabrication and installation. That contract specifically named KiboWorks as the fabricator approved by the Holzer Studio. The contract states the total amount not to exceed $725,000.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the contract with KiboWorks for the final design, fabrication, transportation and mounting of the Jenny Holzer artwork at the Transbay Transit Center for a total amount not to exceed $725,000.
Moved: Silverman/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

Originally Item #5, moved to Item #7.

7.            Moscone Expansion, Howard Street
Marcus Davies
Action

Project Manager Marcus Davies supported a conference call with Artist Christine Corday as she presented her design revisions for a large-scale sculpture at Moscone Center to Commissioners. The design revisions focus on the cuts in the artwork, a request from the Commissioners at a previous Committee Meeting. The new design will render both of the cut ends with textures so it would deter skateboard use.

Commissioner Chew asked what the space between the arc is and Ms. Corday responded that it is accessible according to the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) at 53 inches.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the Design Development Deliverables by Christine Corday for the Moscone Expansion Howard Street Project.
Moved: Silverman/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED
8.            Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital
Zoe Taleporos
Action

Presentation of the selected artist and proposal for the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Pediatric Mural and Exam Room Project as recommended by the selection panel.

Motion: Motion to approve the selected artist [to be announced at meeting] and proposal for the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Pediatric Mural and Exam Room Project as recommended by the selection panel.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with artist [to be announced at meeting] for an amount not to exceed $30,000 for design, fabrication, transportation and installation consultation of the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital Pediatric Mural and Exam Room Project.

9.            Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Building
Mary Chou
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou presented Norie Sato as the selected finalist for the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Building. Ms. Chou reported that the panel interviewed five artists: Norie Sato, Mildred Howard, Christian Moeller, Ron Moultrie Saunders, and Catherine Widgery. The project will have a budget up to $1,000,000. Ms. Chou stated the panel liked how Ms. Sato integrates designs and imagery into walls, creating layers of meaning and different experiences for viewers, and her engagement with the community in the development of her work.

As a member of the selection panel, Commissioner Keehn mentioned Ms. Sato’s ability to work with diverse elements and materials, as well as engage with the local community.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the selected artist Norie Sato for the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Building as recommended by the selection panel.
Moved: Chew/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Nori Sato for design and construction documents of an artwork for the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Headworks Building in an amount not to exceed $90,000.
Moved: Sklar/Silverman
The motion was unanimously approved

10.          San Francisco International Airport
Susan Pontious
Action

Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious presented the project outline and proposed method for two-dimensional art and sculpture for San Francisco International Airport. Ms. Pontious presented the background of the project and how the existing collection at the Airport and how it has developed over time. She described the various art opportunities to add to the Airport’s collection of discrete works of two-dimensional and sculptural works. Ms. Pontious recommended that under this program, works selected should complement or strengthen specific areas of the collection, and/or represent new trends and artists contributing to the ongoing narrative of Bay Area art. While the backbone of the SFO collection should continue to be made up of Bay Area artists, it should continue to also represent artists from greater California and the nation so that local artists are seen in context of a broader artistic dialogue.

Ms. Pontious proposed to go forth with this project by taking a very conscious and curatorial approach, looking for very specific work. She recommends asking curators representing different museums and demographics in the Bay Area to review the collection and make recommendations moving forward to the display and growth of the collection. Each curator will be paid an honorarium of $1,500. Suggested curators are:

Lawrence Rinder, Director of the Berkeley Art Museum;
Lizzetta La Falle Collins, Independent Curator;
Renee de Guzman, curator, Oakland Museum of Art;
Renny Pritikin, Chief curator, Jewish Museum of Art;
Janet Bishop, Chief Curator, San Francisco Museum of Art; and
Amy LeDuc, Independent Curator

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

Motion: Motion to approve the project outline and proposed method of selection for discrete works of two-dimensional art and sculpture for San Francisco International Airport.
Moved: Silverman/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

11.          St. Mary’s Square Extension Art Projects
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented the art projects for St. Mary’s Square Extension. Commissioner Keehn pointed out that discussion was not about the artists or the aesthetics of the artworks but the discussion of the site location for two sculptures. Ms. Pontious stated that there are two sculptures that are on private property that will be transferred to the Civic Art Collection. The two artworks come from different sponsors. The first artwork is funded by 500 Pine Street Development Company as a result of the 1% for art coming from private development. The developer contracted with the Chinese Culture Center (“CCC”) to select and implement the artwork using a panel system to select three finalists. The first artist selected was Sarah Sze, who withdrew from the project after the site conditions for the project changed. The CCC decided to offer the project to the second finalist Shin Gray Studio.

A second artwork, a memorial to the World War II Comfort Women is sponsored by the Comfort Women Justice Coalition (“CWJC”). The artist for this project has not been selected yet, but Mayor Ed Lee has given permission to site the work at St. Mary’s Square.

Ms. Pontious asked the Committee to confirm that 1.) Two artworks may exist concurrently in the plaza, and 2.) To approve the conceptual proposal of an artwork titled, Human Being-Being Human by Shin Gray Studio. Ms. Pontious stated that Shin Gray Studio have confirmed that they will address the concerns regarding the size of the sculpture and compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”).

Commissioner Keehn asked about the aesthetics of Human Being-Being Human by Shin Gray Studio since it will be accessioned into the Civic Art Collection. Ms. Pontious stated that it is within the purview of the San Francisco Arts Commission to approve or not approve the design.

Commission Sklar also added that the design of the artwork may need further development.

Commissioner Silverman agreed that the artwork design needs further review and suggested that the artists reconsider the choice of words included in the artwork.

Jenny Leung from the CCC stated that the artwork by Shin Gray Studio is intended to represent community and brotherhood, and welcome people to St. Mary’s Square. She mentioned the artists have approved design changes for the dimensions to be resized. She also mentioned that the words on the figures come from wishes that people leave at temples, therefore connecting the history of the site to the artwork.

Daniel Frattin, the attorney for 500 Pine Street Development Company presented the proposal from the third finalist as a potential option for the project. The Commissioners preferred to move forward with the proposal from Shin Gray Studio.

Commissioner Keehn recommended that the CCC work with Shin Gray Studio to revise their current design or create a new proposal.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve St. Mary’s Square Extension Plaza as the site location for two sculptures proposed as gifts to the city, 1) a sculpture from 500 Pine St. Co., LLC, in satisfaction of Section 429 of the San Francisco Planning Code, and 2) Comfort Women Memorial to be donated by the Comfort Women Justice Committee and funded privately.
Moved: Silverman/Sklar
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING MOTION WAS TABLED

Motion: Motion to approve the conceptual design of a sculpture entitled Human Being-Being Human, by Shin Gray Studio (with modifications proposed by staff), with the intent of accepting the completed sculpture into the Civic Art Collection as a gift from 500 Pine St. Co., LLC in satisfaction of Section 429 of the San Francisco Planning Code. Final acceptance of the gift is dependent of approval of the final design and execution of the artwork, and provision of the required maintenance endowment.

12.          Civic Art Collection

A.            Conservation Repair Design – Abraham Lincoln Brigade National Monument
Jennifer Correia
Action

Project Manager Jennifer Correia presented the conservation repair proposal for Abraham Lincoln Brigade National Monument (2008) by Ann Chamberlain (1951-2008) and Walter Hood at Justin Herman Plaza. In 2008, the monument was designed with 45 onyx panels. As of today, 22 of the 45 panels are either missing or broken. A study was done by ARG Conservation Services, Inc. to look at options to fully replace the panels on the monument with onyx or a comparable material. Laminated tempered glass with printing on the interior was selected as the best material suitable for the monument. Ms. Correia mentioned that SFAC has been in contact with the artist, Walter Hood, reporting that he is amenable to this change in materials. The Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archive is funding this project and Ms. Correia stated that SFAC will be involved throughout the project. Ms. Pontious added that the depth of the new panels is the same size and depth as the existing panels.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the proposed design as an alteration of the original monument, Abraham Lincoln Brigade National Monument, 2008 by Ann Chamberlain and Walter Hood (SFAC Accession No. 2008.3) located on the northeast corner of Justin Herman Plaza at Embarcadero Street.
Moved: Sklar/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

B.            Outdoor Sculpture Assessment
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Ms. Pontious presented the SF Art Conservation assessment of Street Life, 2010 by REBAR, a former collective of artists Matthew Passmore, John Bela, Blaine Merker, and Teresa Aguilara (SFAC Accession Number 2010.6). This artwork was part of a streetscape amendment and cost $30,000 with installation. Coatings that were put on top of the tubes were not high enough performance to withstand environmental conditions causing major corrosion. The sculpture has not withstood the elements and rusting is a serious issue. The interior condition of the tubes is unknown and corrosion is possibly occurring inside. Conservation treatment has been considered and cost estimates are in excess of $60,000. There will be further investigation and reports made in the coming months.

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

13.          New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

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

14.          Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:06p.m.

AT 12/02/2016 4:23pm

Notices

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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.

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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.