SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, July 20, 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:
President Beltran
Commissioner Chew
Commissioner Keehn, Chair

Commissioners Absent:
Commissioner Silverman
Commissioner Sklar

The meeting commenced at 3:08 p.m.

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

Commission Keehn announced the Item 6 would be moved to Item 5.

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

3.            Public Comment
Discussion

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

4.            Consent Calendar
Action

1.            Motion to approve Design Development and Construction Document deliverables for the mural by Jason Jägel for the Balboa Pool Improvement Project.

2.            Motion to approve revised place names (part of Design Development deliverables) for Scott Oliver’s Points of Departure artwork for the Masonic Avenue Streetscape Improvement Project.

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

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

THE FOLLOWING ITEM MOVED FROM ITEM 6 TO ITEM 5

5.            St. Mary’s Square Extension Proposed Artworks
Susan Pontious
Discussion

Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious reported on two permanent public art projects that will be accessioned into the Civic Art Collection: a sculpture by Sarah Sze organized by the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco (“CCC”); and a Comfort Women Memorial organized by the Comfort Women Justice Coalition (“CWJC”). Ms. Pontious explained that both projects are slated for installation at St. Mary’s Square Extension, a site owned by a private developer that will come under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department (“SFRPD”). Ms. Pontious noted the close proximity between the two artworks, which potentially could be problematic. She explained how Sarah Sze’s project has already been designed for that particular location which would make it difficult to relocate. The Comfort Women Memorial project has yet to select an artist which allows more flexibility in its location. However, the location of the Comfort Women Memorial has been approved by the developer, and is supported by the Mayor and the SFRPD.

SFRPD Acting Director of Policy and Public Affairs Alex Randolph shared a letter of support for the Comfort Women Memorial. He stated that the SFRPD does not object to its proposed location.

Since it is unknown how the two sculptures will relate to each other, Ms. Pontious offered two alternative locations for the Comfort Women Memorial within St. Mary’s Square as a point of discussion for the Commissioners: an area outside the Extension that was previously considered by the CWJC; and a planted area within the Extension which has not yet been discussed.

Commissioner Beltran stated that the Committee will look for a solution that honors the impact and power of both artworks.

Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigny noted that placing the Comfort Women Memorial outside the Extension would situate it on public property. And while this may be the best aesthetic solution, he acknowledged that it would require a lengthier approval process than if placed in the Extension.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment.

Seven members of the public spoke in support of the Comfort Women Memorial being located at St. Mary’s Square Extension.

Commissioner Keehn clarified that the value of the Comfort Women Memorial was not being questioned by the Committee. Their role is to consider how the location of both artworks impacts their aesthetics. She asked Arts Commission staff review the locations with CCC and CMJC and return to the Committee with a recommendation.

6.            Oak Plaza Art Canopies
Jill Manton with Jared Press, Program Manager for Build:Public
Action

Director of Public Art Trust and Special Initiatives Jill Manton provided a brief overview of a public art project proposal for One Oak, a new residential tower being developed to open in 2019. She clarified that while One Oak is a private development, the proposed artwork encroaches on public property. Ms. Manton introduced Michael Yarney of Build:Public and artist David Delgado to explain the proposal in further detail.

Mr. Yarney showed images of the plaza space and explained how the canopies were a required architectural detail to help shield the high wind volume at that location. He explained the desire to elevate the functional canopies into something artistic and exciting by commissioning David Delgado and Dan Goods from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory to create their design.

Mr. Delgado showed preliminary design drawings for the canopies whose forms are inspired by blades of grass moving in the wind. Mr. Delgado explained that the canopies will be wind-activated kinetic sculptures varying in shape and height along the plaza. He noted that the design was still in development.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the project proposal concept for Oak Plaza Art Canopies. The project is sponsored and developed for One Oak, a new residential tower by: Build:Public; Snøhetta; David Delgado and Dan Goods; and artists from the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The project’s 1% for Art fee will be utilized to convert approximately 16,000 square feet of the Oak Street public right-of-way between Franklin Street and Van Ness Avenue into a new public pedestrian plaza with art canopies. The art canopies will be free-standing trellis-like structures with cantilevered segments, supported by vertical columns. Approval is given pending review of final designs.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

7.            645 Texas Street
Jill Manton with Jessie Stuart of Truman Properties
Action

Ms. Manton presented introduced Jessie Steward of Truman Properties and artist Joel Pratt to present a long term temporary art installation at 645 Texas Street. She noted that while the project is supported by private development, it will be installed on public property at the corner of 22nd and Mississippi streets. Ms. Manton explained that the developer will enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arts Commission to provide for the long term maintenance, repair, graffiti removal and deinstallation of the work. Ms. Stewart and Mr. Pratt presented a design overview of the new building and the proposed teak wood sculpture.

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

Motion:  Motion to approve the installation of a long term temporary artwork by Joel Pratt at no cost to the City to be located at 645 Texas Street to be sponsored by Trumark Properties.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED

8.            Moscone Parking Garage
Jessica Shaefer, Sites Unseen, Inc.
Action

Presentation of the revised mural designs by Barry McGee for the Moscone Parking Garage.

Motion: Motion to approve modifications to the previously approved untitled mural designs by artist Barry McGee, to be painted and installed on seven locations (under Resolution No. 0404-16-100) at the Moscone Parking Garage located at 255 Third Street. Modifications include the addition of mural designs at the top and lower portions of the Third Street side of the tower at Third and Clementina streets.

9.            Rossi Pool
Marcus Davies
Action

Project Manager Marcus Davies presented the public art project outline for Rossi Pool. He pointed out the location for the artwork and explained that the opportunity was best suited for a two-dimensional artwork design translated into permanent material such as tile mosaic or aluminum. Commissioning an artist to paint directly on the wall with a durable paint would also be an acceptable approach. Mr. Davies noted that the artist selection will draw from the 2015/16 Prequalified Artist Pool with a panel to determine the project finalists taking place in August.

Commissioner Beltran volunteered to serve on the panel.

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

Motion: Motion to approve the public art project outline for Rossi Pool.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

10.          Coronado Playground
Jennifer Correia
Discussion

Project Manager Jennifer Correia reported on the demolition and reinstallation of tiles for the mosaic mural artwork, Raizes/Roots, 2000 by Eduardo Pineda and Ray Patlán at Jose Coronado Playground. She noted that the repair was monitored by the original artists who were pleased with the results.

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

11.          New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

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

12.          Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:32p.m.

ZT 7/29/2016

 

Notices

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

For assistance, please notify Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

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，Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

Materiales traducidos y servicios de interpretación están disponibles para usted de manera gratuita.

Para asistencia, notifique a Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.

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 Zoë Taleporos, zoe.taleporos@sfgov.org, 415-252-3215.