SAN FRANCISCO ARTS COMMISSION
VISUAL ARTS COMMITTEE
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
3 p.m.
401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 125
San Francisco, CA 94102
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Minutes

 

Visual Arts Committee Members:
JD Beltran, President
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 Sklar
Commissioner Silverman

The meeting commenced at 3:01 p.m.

Commissioner Keehn announced that Item #4 was tabled.

Commissioner Keehn stated that for Item #3, the Comfort Women Memorial Design, the Commission would exclusively focus on the approval of the sculpture design, not the text that would appear on the plaque of the memorial.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was not public comment.

2.            Public Comment
Discussion

Commissioner Keehn stated that public comment for Item #2 would be limited to two minutes.

Ann Treboux submitted the following written statement:

“PUT STEVE POGNI ON THE JAN. 11, 2017 STREET ARTIST AGENDA.

I CAN’T ATTEND AND LIKE MANY –DO NOT BELIEVE A WORD LAZAR SAYS.

POGNI DOESN’T MAKE THE OVER 300 MASKS HE SELLS AND COMPLAINTS MADE ABOUTHIM [sic] OVER 11 YEARS HAVE GONE UNNOTICED. I ATTENDED THAT MEETING. SINCE THEN, POGNI HAS RETALIATED ON ME. I DID A PUBLIC RECORD SEARCH AND FOUND POGNI’S WORKER CLAIMS I DID SOMETHING TO HIM. WENT TO THE STREEET ARTIST OFFICE LAST WEEK. LAZAR DID NOT WANT TO BE BOTHERED. ANN TRICKEY SCREAMED AT ME. POGNI’S OTHER WORKER, SOUGHT ME OUT 2 BLOCKS AWAY TO SHOUT AT ME. TWO DAYS AGO. I WAS HARASSED BY POGNI AT THE TELEGRAPH AVE FAIR. THERE NEED TO BE A MANAGER AT THE PLAZA. LAZAR ISN’T TALKING TO PEOPLE AND THOSE HE CLAIMS TO TALK TO, “ALL THE TIME” HAVEN’T SPOKEN TO HIM IN YEARS.”

Richard Rothman stated that he hoped the Arts Commission could find funding to help conserve the murals at 45 Onondaga Avenue and at George Washington High School.

3.            Comfort Women Memorial Design Approval
Susan Pontious and Comfort Women Memorial Project Managers Daniel Neil and Jocelyn Zanzot
Action

Civic Art Collection and Public Art Program Director Susan Pontious introduced the Comfort Women Memorial Project Managers Daniel Neil and Jocelyn Zanzot, who presented the sculpture design proposed by Steven Whyte for the Comfort Women Memorial at St. Mary’s Square. Mr. Neil stated how this is the only monument of victims and survivors of sexual violence in the Bay Area. The project managers next presented the maquette of Steven Whyte’s sculpture for the Comfort Women Memorial, titled Column of Strength.

Ms. Pontious stated that the decision on the exact siting of the sculpture has not been decided yet.

Commissioner Keehn asked if the three female figures are life size. Mr. Neil stated the size of the figures would be 5 feet 2 inches tall. Ms. Zanzot further explained that the total height would be 10 feet total and 36 inches in diameter.

Commissioner Beltran asked if Mr. Whyte intended to make the sculpture base COR-TEN steel and the figures bronze. Mr. Neil confirmed this was correct.

Ms. Zanzot stated that they were seeking approval to move forward with the complete composition, which now includes a grandmother figure. The intent is to present a full cycle of the Comfort Women history by portraying a survivor along with the victims.

Ms. Pontious asked how tall the grandmother figure was intended to be, and Commissioner Beltran asked if the grandmother figure would be on a base. Ms. Zanzot said the figure will be life size (about 5 feet 4 inches), and it will not be on a base.

Commissioner Chew asked for the project’s current budget. Mr. Neil stated $140,000 has been approved for the three figures on the pedestal. The grandmother figure is an additional $65,000. The Comfort Women Justice Coalition is seeking to raise these additional funds.

Commissioner Keehn asked if COR-TEN steel tends to change color as it ages. The project managers introduced artist Steven Whyte to explain the choice of COR-TEN steel. Mr. Whyte stated that COR-TEN steel is strong, practical, and this particular type of steel will develop its characteristic rust patina very rapidly, but then will stabilize. The first part of the patina process would be to artificially induce the process with vinegar and other chemicals that will instantly cause the metal to develop a rust patina. Finally, a retardant will be applied so the metal does not continue to rust.

Commissioner Keehn asked if anti-graffiti coating will be applied to sculpture. Ms. Pontious deferred this question to Civic Art Collections Project Manager Jennifer Correia. Ms. Correia stated that the Arts Commission will be involved in the process for choosing an anti-graffiti coating.

Ms. Pontious stated that the Collections team is concerned about the possibility of electrolysis between the two metals; they will ask the artist to work with a conservator to ensure that the two materials have a buffer between them. Ms. Pontious also said that COR-TEN steel tends to bleed a little and may stain paving. Mr. Whyte replied that he will be installing a drip tray at the bottom of the sculpture to eliminate any staining on the plaza.

Mr. Whyte stated that the sculpture will have internal support, designed to hold the weight of the bronze and COR-TEN steel sculpture.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was not public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the sculpture design of the Comfort Women Memorial, designed by Steven Whyte, an intended gift to the City by the Comfort Women Justice Coalition for installation in St. Mary’s Square Extension. Design approval is exclusive of plaque or other signage text. The value of the gift inclusive of artist fees and fabrication cost is estimated to be up to $205,000.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS TABLED
4.            Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture – MoreLab
Aleta Lee and Matthew Passmore
Action

Presentation of the final design for a sculpture entitled, Tied/Untied by MoreLab, for the Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture.

Motion: Motion to approve a temporary sculpture installation, titled Tide/Untied, by artists MoreLab. The sculpture will be comprised of COR-TEN steel rail which will stand at 15-1/2 ft. by 13-1/2 ft. by 34 ft. and will be on exhibit at the entrance of Fort Mason Center for a duration of seven years, commencing July 2017 through July 2024. The artwork is commissioned by Fort Mason Art and Culture Center and will not become part of the Civic Art Collection.

5.            Rossi Pool
Marcus Davies
Action

Project Manager Marcus Davies reported that the proposal by Owen Smith was recommended for the Rossi Pool Improvement Project by the project selection panel. Mr. Davies reported that the panel reviewed proposal by three artists: Kelly Ording, Lordy Rodriguez, and Owen Smith. The project will have a budget up to $58,250.

Mr. Davies stated Mr. Smith is considering either C&G cut metal or a wooden paneling system for the mural. The choice of materials will be resolved during design development.

As a member of the selection panel, Commissioner Beltran mentioned the panel unanimously enjoyed Mr. Smith’s work and image of people swimming at Rossi Pool. Commissioner Beltran also stated that the panelists appreciated Mr. Smith’s approach to having cut-outs of the material to give the image a three-dimensional sculpture effect. Mr. Davies reported that Mr. Smith was receptive of the panel’s request that the figures be more diverse in their representation.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was not public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve the selected artist Owen Smith for the Rossi Pool Improvement Project as recommended by the selection panel.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to enter into contract with Owen Smith for design and construction documents of an artwork for the Rossi Pool Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $58,250.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

6.            Westside Pump Station Reliability Improvements Project
Mary Chou
Action

Project Manager Mary Chou presented the public art project plan for the Westside Pump Station Reliability Improvements Project. Ms. Chou stated that the improvements will include a new building on the corner of Sloat Boulevard and Great Highway, right next to the San Francisco Zoo. Currently at that corner, there is an existing three-piece sculpture by Mary Fuller McChesney titled Earth, Air, Sea (Accession Number 1986.1). The Public Utilities Commission (“PUC”) will remove the artwork and resite it near the current location.

Ms. Pontious introduced the Arts Commission’s new liaison with the Public Utilities Commission, Blair Randall.

Commissioner Beltran commented that the corner of Sloat Boulevard and Great Highway is a very visible location and great opportunity for new artwork.

Ms. Chou explained that the existing sculpture by Mary Fuller McChesney will be relocated to a planter along Sloat Boulevard: The abstracted animal forms provide a connection to the San Francisco Zoo, which is adjacent to the site. The primary opportunity for the new artwork will be the three sides of the upper-portion of a new tower structure on the Great Highway. This site will allow for high visibility for people traveling north and south along the Great Highway.

Ms. Chou stated that the goal of the project will be to create an artwork that will enhance the architecture of the building and its relation to the site, connecting the PUC’s mission to provide high quality, efficient, and reliable waste, water, and power services to the city in a manner that considers the best interests of its neighbors. Another goal of the project is to have the artwork appreciated from a distance. The art budget for the new artwork is $136,000. The artists will be selected from the Prequalified Artist Pool. Ms. Chou requested an Arts Commissioner to sit on the panel. The first panel may start as soon as the end of January.

Commissioner Beltran stated she would sit on the panel.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was not public comment.

Motion: Motion to approve Public Art Project Plan for the Westside Pump Station Reliability Improvements Project.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

7.            San Francisco International Airport
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious presented the temporary barricade wall mural opportunity for the San Francisco International Airport, Terminal 1, temporary Boarding Area B. She explained that the opportunity for murals on temporary walls was previously identified as possible project areas and there was a panel that selected four artists to create murals for these walls. Although subsequent changes to the architectural design eliminated the original walls identified, a new wall has been constructed in front of the security check-in area that is a good site for one of these murals. The wall is expected to be in place for two years, and will be available for the mural up to 18 months. Jason Jagel was the artist selected for a similar site nearby and the Commission had approved his contract for $40,000. Ms. Pontious recommended that Mr. Jagel be asked to address this new site, and that his contract be increased to $50,000 to cover the larger scale of this site.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was not public comment.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to increase Jason Jagel’s contract from $40,000 to $50,000 (an increase of $10,000) for the design, fabrication and installation of a barricade wall mural artwork for the San Francisco International Airport: Temporary Terminal 1. The contract amount has been increased to account for a larger scale project than initially anticipated due to design changes with Temporary Terminal 1.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

8.            StreetSmARTS
Susan Pontious
Action

Ms. Pontious requested a blanket resolution that would authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to approve StreetSmARTS murals designs without Resolution by the Full Commission. Ms. Pontious stated that the program is funded through the Department of Public Works for both public and private properties. If a private property owner receives a Notice of Violation for the removal of graffiti on their building, they can instead opt into the StreetSmARTS program and have a mural painted on their property. She said that mural commissions do no exceed $8,000 and it is important to take care of these issues as quickly as possible due to associated fines to the property owner for graffiti on their property.

Director of Cultural Affairs Tom DeCaigney added that the Commissioners will still need to approve the artists from the StreetSmARTS Murals Pool, but the rationale for the expedited process is that graffiti problems and potential fines for private property owners come up rapidly from week to week and can be taken care of faster through this resolution.

Commissioner Keehn asked if anyone is reviewing the murals and the vandalism process. Ms. Pontious stated that the entire process is staff-monitored and Director DeCaigney will approve the decision to move forward as quickly as possible.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was not public comment.

Motion: Motion to authorize the Director of Cultural Affairs to take action, without resolution of the Commission, on the approval of StreetSmARTS mural designs.
Moved: Beltran/Chew
The motion was unanimously approved

9.            Civic Art Collection - Outdoor Sculpture Treatments
Jennifer Correia
Discussion

Project Manager Jennifer Correia presented two conservation projects from Fall 2016. The treated artworks include The Holocaust, 1984 by George Segal (Accession Number 1984.74) located near Land’s End and Saint Francis of the Guns, 1960 by Beniamino Bufano (Accession Number 1969.100) located at the City College of San Francisco.

She reported that staff consulted with George Segal’s foundation regarding the finish for The Holocaust. With a long history of vandalism and weathering of the memorial, there has also been several conservation attempts to restore the sculptures over the years. The treatment was done in situ, where it was cleaned, recoated, and received a heavy wax coating to protect against vandalism.

Saint Francis of the Guns is composed of unknown metal alloy and had unique corrosion patterns. The artwork was cleaned and then finished with a pigmented wax coating.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was not public comment.

10.          Civic Art Collection Year End Program Report for FY16
Allison Cummings
Discussion

Senior Registrar Allison Cummings presented a summary of accomplishments in the Civic Art Collection Program from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. Ms. Cummings began her presentation with a graph that demonstrated the increase in the capital budget allocations for the program over the last few years. The increase in resources has allowed the program to complete more maintenance and conservation projects.

Ms. Cummings stated this past fiscal year, a majority (nearly 75%) of the money was spent on conservation, maintenance, and vandalism abatement.

Commissioner Keehn asked about the vandalism issue. Ms. Cummings stated that vandalism usually occurs in the same places, at the same times of the year. There are spikes in July, August, December, and January for vandalism. Tracking data helps the Arts Commission to be vigilant during these times and be prepared with conservators on standby.

Ms. Cummings presented several Civic Art Collection works (including Fountain of the Tortoises, Lotta’s Fountain, Movement: The First 100 Years, Beethoven, Ashurbanipal, and Native Sons Monument) that have been treated by conservators and showed images of their current state. She mentioned that the Collections team completed 31 separate vandalism abatements. She also discussed the 269 individual artworks accessioned into the Civic Art Collection, the 295 digital archive records created, the relocation of 111 artworks, the collection move and tracking of 1,440 artworks, 212 digital records created for previously uncatalogued objects, the November 2016 organization of archival storage, and the update on moving objects into storage with an anticipated date of April 2017.

Ms. Cummings also mentioned the Governor’s Historic Preservation Award the Commission received for the Coit Tower conservation project.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was not public comment.

11.          New Business, Old Business, and Announcements
Discussion

Director DeCaigny stated the Arts Commission is working with the Supervisor’s Office to identify resources for the conservation of the murals by Bernard Zakheim at 45 Onondaga.  He stated there was a mural assessment at 45 Onondaga by ARG Conservation Services, totaling an estimated $90,000 in conservation treatments. The Arts Commission will support the conservation process of these murals by coordinating with the Department of Real Estate in regards to project funding, as well as inform future tenants of the necessary care of the murals.

Commissioner Keehn called for public comment. There was not public comment.

12.          Adjournment
Action

The meeting adjourned at 4:08 p.m.

AT 01/06/17 9:35 am

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.