4. Civic Art Collection

A. Removal of Valencia Street Posts by Michael Arcega
Jennifer Doyle Crane

Project Manager Jennifer Doyle Crane presented the material concerns necessitating the immediate and temporary removal of the four Valencia Street Posts by Michael Arcega, formally located between 16^th St. and 19^th St. on Valencia St. in the Mission. In March 2020, approximately one month after a site visit, one street post had fallen down and was removed from Valencia St. by the Department of Public Works (DPW). The remaining three posts were accessed by DPW engineers, who confirmed they all had extensive wood rot at the base and were then removed due to public safety. The metal tops of the posts were detached from their wooden posts and are now in an art storage facility, awaiting conservation and will remain there until a new installation site is identified and plans for reinstallation can be made.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Public Comment:
Ms. Rasheed asked if there is a plan to reinstall the Valencia Street Posts.

Motion: Motion to retroactively approve the removal from public display Valencia Street Posts by Michael Arcega due to public safety concerns, as allowed per the Policies and Guidelines of the Civic Art Collection, Section 7.2.1, Provisions for Emergency Removal.
Moved: Schnair/Musleh

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

B. Removal of Movement: The First 100 Years, by Man Lin Choi
Jennifer Doyle Crane

Ms. Crane presented the condition and current location of Movement: The First 100 Years by Man Lin Choi. SFAC staff worked with ARG Conservation Services (ARG/CS) to remove the monument from Sue Bierman Park on May 2, 2020 due to recurring and constant vandalism. The artwork has since been conserved and will remain in storage until a new site for installation is identified.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

Motion: Motion to retroactively approve the removal from public display Movement: The First 100 Years by Man Lin Choi, located in Sue Bierman Park, for conservation and eventual relocation, as allowed per the Policies and Guidelines of the Civic Art Collection, Section 7.3.3: The condition or security of the work cannot be guaranteed and the Arts Commission cannot properly care for the work.
Moved: Shiota/Beltran

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Muslehm Schnair, Shiota, Walker

C. Removal of Christopher Columbus by Vittorio Di Colbertaldo
Allison Cummings

Senior Registrar Allison Cummings presented the public safety concerns necessitating the immediate removal of Christopher Columbus by Vittorio Di Colbertaldo, formally located in the rotunda of the parking lot of Coit Tower/Pioneer Park at 1 Telegraph Hill Blvd. Ms. Cummings stated that the statue had been extensively vandalized on Indigenous People’s Day in 2019 and subsequently vandalized on multiple occasions the week of June 8, 2020. Staff began an evaluation process, assessing options on how to best engage the community regarding concerns about the monument. However, over the weekend of June 11–12, 2020 protest flyers circulated online with a call to action for protestors to remove the statue on Friday, June 19. Early Thursday, June 18^, 2020, SFAC quickly removed the statue, under the direction of Mayor London Breed, in the interest of public safety.

Commissioner Keehn asked Ms. Cummings to state the cost of the removal and storage of the statue. Ms. Cummings responded that the cost is approximately $110,000, which includes the removal of the artwork, preparing the artwork for storage, transportation to the storage facility, and one year’s worth of storage at $500 per month.  

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

Motion: Motion to retroactively approve the removal from public display Christopher Columbus by Vittorio Di Colbertaldo due to public safety concerns, as allowed per the Policies and Guidelines of the Civic Art Collection, Section 7.2.1, Provisions for Emergency Removal.
Moved: Beltran/Musleh

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Walker

Commissioner Shiota was offline due to technical difficulties at 3:33pm and did not vote on this item.

D. Relocation of Stiff Loops IV by Gerald Walberg
Allison Cummings

Ms. Cummings presented the relocation of the Gerald Walberg sculpture Stiff loops IV, 1974 at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, necessitated by the construction of the new UCSF Research Building. Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital is bearing the cost of the relocation. SFAC staff consider the new site to be superior, as the work is now in a highly trafficked area and will be more easily be viewed by visitors and hospital staff. 

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

Motion: Motion to approve Stiff Loops IV by Gerald Walberg as re-installed at Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, in the location between Bldgs. 1-10.
Moved: Musleh/Ferras

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

E. Civic Art Collection Capital Budget Allocation for FY21
Allison Cummings

Interim Director of Cultural Affairs Rebekah Krell informed the Committee that the City is facing $1.7 billion budget deficit in the current and following years. The City’s focus is on preserving jobs and preserving essential City services to vulnerable populations and as a result, this has lead to the Capital Allocation for Infrastructure cost to be much lower than prior years.  

Ms. Cummings presented the proposed budget allocation from the city’s capital fund for Civic Art Collection maintenance and care for Fiscal Year 2021. As of February 2020, staff anticipated total funding at $936,227. As a result of the city’s budget deficit, staff now anticipates total funding at $111,227. This is a difference of $825,000 and decrease of 88%.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

F. Golden Gate Park Monuments, Music Concourse
Allison Cummings

Ms. Cummings presented the status report on condition of Civic Art Collection monuments located in the Music Concourse after the protests that occurred on June 19, 2020.  The bronze statues of the Padre Junipero Serra (1906), General Ulysses Simpson Grant (1908), and Francis Scott Key (1887) monuments were toppled and defaced by a group of demonstrators on Friday night, June 19, 2020. Their remaining pedestals along with a number of other monuments and public cultural ephemera in the Golden Gate Park Music Concourse were also vandalized. Additional Civic Art Collection works that were defaced include Leonitus (Roman Gladiator) (1881), The Cider Press (1892), Goethe and Schiller (1901), Miguel Cervantes (1916), the Rideout Fountain (1923), and Father William D. McKinnon (1927). The Sphinx sculpture and the Pool of Enchantment, which are under the jurisdiction of the Fine Arts Museums, San Francisco, were also vandalized.

The bronze sculptures are stored safely in an undisclosed and secure fine art storage facility. The Padre Junipero Serra and General Ulysses Simpson Grant bronzes appear to have minimal structural damage. The Francis Scott Key sculpture appears to have sustained significant structural damage. SFAC staff continues to work with conservators to assess and cost potential conservation work on these objects. Their disposition will be evaluated as a part of the larger assessment of the Monuments and Memorials in the Civic Art Collection.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Public Comment:
John P. Christian, Executive Director of the Archdiocese of San Francisco Real Property Support Corp. submitted the following public comment:

“We are all very saddened by the destructive events, which occurred last month in and around the Music Concourse in Golden Gate Park. As a fourth-generation native of The City, I have always swelled with pride whenever I find myself in that area. Years ago, before traffic restrictions were imposed, I would “cut through” the park just to see the Academy of Sciences, the de Young, the Music Concourse, the Japanese Tea Garden, and all the other unique, beautiful features of Golden Gate Park.

“The level of destruction, previously unimaginable, is now a sobering reality. I wish all of the Arts Commission staff the very best as you begin the long restoration process.

“In regards to the statue of St. Junipero Serra, which was among several statues which were toppled and defaced, we understand it has been removed by Park & Rec and the Arts Commission for safekeeping. I am heartened to read that the statue, which was sculpted by Douglas Tilden and gifted to the City by the Native Sons of the Golden West, was not defaced and desecrated beyond repair. On behalf of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, I am authorized to pursue an acquisition of the fallen statue, if such an opportunity exists, and presuming the statue is relatively intact. This is a serious expression of interest. If the City of St. Francis no longer sees fit to erect, and protect, the statue of St. Serra, we are prepared to engage in a conversation to explore a transfer of this artwork to the Archdiocese, which will conserve the statue and place it at another site. We presume we will have as many questions as the Arts Commission may have, as we pursue this dialogue. One obvious question, for all concerned, is whether the Native Sons of the Golden West has any reversionary rights should the City wish to relinquish the gift.

“This is a unique situation, and I admit I’m now familiarizing myself with the myriad of de-accession policies. These are unprecedented times. My hope in supplying this comment is to solicit appropriate direction. At the very least, I’d be grateful for an opportunity to view the statue so I know what we’re getting into.”

Sarah Madland, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, at the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department, thanked SFAC staff for their partnership, expertise and professionalism in responding to the incidents at Golden Gate Park.

G. Monuments and Memorials
Allison Cummings

Commissioner Keehn explained that, at the Mayor’s directive, SFAC staff will be working in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and the Human Rights Commission in a multi-phase approach to evaluate monuments and memorials. The first phase will focus on 94 monuments and memorial in the Civic Art Collection. There will be priority given to monuments that have had a negative community response in other cities, such as Christopher Columbus statues. The evaluation will include a cost analysis, detailing the price of remove and store the artwork. There will be a series of public meetings, giving the community the opportunity to engage on the future of monuments and memorials in the City.

Ms. Madland noted that many of the monuments and memorials being discussed are on Rec and Park property and the Department is excited to participate in the process. She also noted that there are a few monuments and statuary that are ​on their property that are not part of the Civic Art Collection ​but hope to use the framework developed in this group to asses them, as well.

Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious announced that the list of monuments and memorials, associated research, and historical information will be published on the San Francisco Arts Commission website.

Commissioner Beltran stated that former Commissioner Simon Frankel asked to be considered for the task forces due to his expertise in art law. 

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Public Comment:
Call-in user suggested that community members should be on the task force and that the Committee should come up with criteria to determine not just why a memorial was created but also research the person being memorialized. 

Barbara Mumby, who was involved in the removal of the Early Days statue, has been developing criteria for the removal of monuments and offered her expertise to the Committee.

Lava Thomas’s public comments are as follows:

“I’d like to address the 2019 RFQ for a Sculpture to Honor Dr. Maya Angelou for the San Francisco Main Library. First, I’d like to commend the SFAC staff for their professionalism during that process last year.

“When the Visual Arts Committee failed to approve, under political pressure, the selection of my proposal in the 2019 RFQ for a Sculpture to Honor Dr. Maya Angelou, it upheld practices that are rooted in institutional racism. My proposal was selected, almost unanimously, by a panel that included a critical mass of Black women artists and arts professionals in a process that was transparent and democratic. My proposal was grounded in an ethos of inclusion and Black Aesthetics, followed the project and legislative guidelines which have “statue” crossed out and “artwork” written in its place.

“Supervisor Catherine Stefani then demanded that the project be closed, calling for a traditional statue and weaponizing a European convention of statuary to reject my work by insisting that Dr. Angelou be honored “in the same way that men have historically been elevated in this city”—the very same men whose monuments embody white supremacy in monuments that have recently been toppled and removed. Stefani’s manner during the meeting was rude and arrogant, and she left the VAC meeting before I and the other Black women in attendance had an opportunity to voice our concerns. This public display of disrespect and public rejection of Black women’s intellectual and creative labor is an affront to myself and the other Black women who were present.

“How does the Visual Arts Committee, the Arts Commission, Supervisor Stefani and the SF Board of Supervisors plan to take steps toward restorative justice for the harm caused to black women . . .”  Ms. Thomas’s comments ended after her two minute allotment.

5. 2021 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series
Craig Corpora

Program Associate Craig Corpora presented the selected finalist for the 2021 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series as chosen on Tuesday, July 14, 2020. The finalists are: Kimberley Arteche, Katie Dorame, Crystal Herman, Packard Jennings, Skywatchers, and Lindsay Stripling.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Public Comment:
Ms. Rasheed inquired when the Committee will address Lava Thomas’s previous comments.

Angela Hennessy stated that she, Lava Thomas and other Bay Area artists have been requesting more information on the Maya Angelou Sculpture project.

Crystal Adams and Joe Lawton asked about the total number if submissions to the 2021 Art on Market Street Kiosk Poster Series RFQ.

Anne Trickey submitted the following public comment: 

"My name is Anne Trickey, a staff member, but today I am speaking as a member of the public. I want to propose that we can hold more than one idea in our minds as we discuss the intersectionality of our work. I am excited about this topic of Imaginary Monuments for the Future and the artist pool looks excellent. But there is some cognitive dissonance when we are discussing new monuments while Lava Thomas, a local Black woman artist who imagined a new monument for our future, is being cut off in this meeting after her top scoring design was denied the Maya Angelou commission due to political intervention by Supervisor Stefani, the Mayor and City Hall. If the Arts Commission truly wants to engage in a public process about our current and future monuments, this Committee must address the harm it caused and continues to cause Lava Thomas."

Motion: Motion to approve the following finalists for the 2021 Art on Market Street Kiosk Posters Series, as recommended by the Artist Review Panel: ABD/Skywatchers (Deidre Visser), Kimberley Arteche, Katie Dorame, Crystal Herman, Packard Jennings, and Lindsay Stripling.
Moved: Walker/Shiota

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Muslehm Schnair, Shiota, Walker

6. Southeast Treatment Plant Construction Fence
Jackie von Treskow

Project Manager Jackie von Treskow presented the final design of Sirron Norris’s artwork for the Southeast Treatment Plant Construction Fence along Evans Ave. between Phelps St. and Rankin St. in Bayview-Hunters Point. The artwork will be 400 ft. long installed on the 600 ft. long construction fence and will be on display for one year beginning in August 2020.  Ms. von Treskow informed the Committee that Mr. Norris engaged the Bayview-Hunters Point community in developing an artwork concept and design that represents their neighborhood’s history accurately and proudly.

Artist Sirron Norris spoke briefly about his final artwork design for the Southeast Treatment Plant Construction Fence, and how it illustrates the history of Bayview Hunters-Point through the lens of the community’s ongoing fight for social, racial, environmental justice and in impassioned support of Black voices being listened to.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

Motion: Motion to approve the final design of Sirron Norris’s artwork for the Southeast Treatment Plant Construction Fence along Evans Avenue. Artwork will be on display for one year beginning in August 2020.
Moved: Walker/Schnair

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

7. Golden Gate Park Tennis Center
Aleta Lee

Project Manager Aleta Lee presented the artist’s final imagery and material and fabrication mockup as part of the Construction Document Phase deliverables for the artwork at the Golden Gate Park Tennis Center. The final imagery shows a kaleidoscopic pattern with famous tennis players Alice Marble, Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King, and Roger Federer integrated into design. Artist Sanaz Mazinani chose the figures for their great ability in Tennis, and also, for their respective commitment to bettering the world around them. The artwork will be comprised of 12 in. by 12 in. porcelain ceramic tiles with a glossy finish. Platinum-colored grout will be used between the tiles.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

Motion: Motion to approve artist Sanaz Mazinani’s Construction Document phase deliverables, including final imagery, material and fabrication mockup for the artwork at the Golden Gate Park Tennis Center.
Moved: Schnair/Musleh  

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

8. 49 South Van Ness
Aleta Lee

Ms. Lee presented Emily Fromm’s conceptual proposals for commissioned artworks as part of the 2D art program at 49 South Van Ness. Artist Emily Fromm presented her two conceptual proposals for the 49 South Van Ness commission. The two options are Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood from Bayshore Blvd. and Glen Park neighborhood from Diamond and Chenery. Ms. Fromm stated that the design ideas highlighted more residential areas, where people working at the 49 South Van Ness building would be likely to reside in.

Commissioner Keehn asked the Commissioners for their design preference. The Bayview Hunters Point neighborhood from Bayshore Blvd. was selected by the Committee.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

Motion: Motion to approve artist Emily Fromm and their conceptual proposal for a commissioned artwork as part of the 2D art program at 49 South Van Ness.
Moved: Beltran/Shiota

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Muslehm Schnair, Shiota, Walker

Ms. Lee introduced Val Britton, who presented her conceptual proposals for commissioned artworks as part of the 2D art program at 49 South Van Ness. Ms. Britton discussed Sea Change, which is three works on paper each measuring 36 in. by 36 in., for an overall image size of 36 in. by 108 in. The work draws inspiration from maps and plans of the Bay Area, topography, bike lanes, and photography of the urban environment.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

Motion: Motion to approve artist Val Britton and their conceptual proposal for a commissioned artwork as part of the 2D art program at 49 South Van Ness.
Moved: Ferras/Beltran

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shoita, Walker

9. San Francisco International Airport: C3 Connector Wall
Aleta Lee

Ms. Lee presented the artists review panel summary and the recommended artwork proposals for the SFO C3C Secure Connector Wall. The 150 ft. long wall in Terminal 3 at the San Francisco International Airport will be divided into three equal niched sections and incorporate the designs of three artists. The artists selected are: Kim Anno, Carter-Lynch, and Paul Madonna. 

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment; there was none.

Motion: Motion to approve artists Kim Anno, Carter-Lynch (Stacey Carter), and Paul Madonna and the artwork proposals for the SFO C3C Secure Connector Wall project as recommended by the artist review panel.
Moved: Walker/Beltran  

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Kim Anno for an amount not to exceed $133,333 for the design, engineering, fabrication, transportation and installation consultation of an artwork for the SFO C3C Secure Connector Wall project.
Moved: Walker/Beltran

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Carter-Lynch (Stacey Carter) for an amount not to exceed $133,333 for the design, engineering, fabrication, transportation and installation consultation of an artwork for the SFO C3C Secure Connector Wall project. 
Moved: Walker/Beltran

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Musleh, Schnair, Shiota, Walker

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into a contract with Paul Madonna for an amount not to exceed $133,333 for the design, engineering, fabrication, transportation and installation consultation of an artwork for the SFO C3C Secure Connector Wall project. 
Moved: Walker/Beltran

The motion was unanimously approved
Ayes: Keehn, Beltran, Ferras, Muslehm Schnair, Shiota, Walker

10. New Business, Old Business, and Announcements

Commisstion Keehn called for New Business, Old Business, and Announcements; there was none.

11. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 5:21pm. 

CC 7/29/2020 4:56 PM
approved 8/3/2020

Notices           

Translated written materials and interpretation services are available to you at no cost.

For assistance, please notify Craig Corpora, craig.corpora@sfgov.org, 415-252-2249.

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，Craig Corpora, craig.corpora@sfgov.org, 415-252-2249.​

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita. Para asistencia, notifique a Craig Corpora, craig.corpora@sfgov.org, 415-252-2249.

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