'Temporary' Public Art Seeks Another Six Month Extension From SF

"The six-month extension must be approved by the Visual Arts Committee, the full Arts Commission and then Recreation and Parks. Both the Feb. 18 Visual Arts Committee meeting and the full Arts Commission meeting on March 2 will provide opportunities for public comment on the proposal. A spokesperson confirmed that Recreation and Parks does not incur any costs from the installation of R-Evolution. In a presentation created by Building 180 and the Big Art Loop for next week's meeting, R-Evolution is framed as a convenient placeholder until Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park renovations begin. Recreation and Parks currently lists that project's construction start date as "TBD.""

"Other arguments to extend the sculpture's stay include a form of advertising for the Big Loop itself. "Extending the current installation sustains momentum while encouraging artists to submit proposals for future opportunities, rather than pausing activity at the site," the presentation reads. Surveys undertaken by Building 180 and the Big Art Loop show 85% of respondents support extending the artwork's installation. The presentation does not detail how many people were surveyed."

Approval of a six-month extension for the R-Evolution sculpture requires sign-off by the Visual Arts Committee, the full Arts Commission, and Recreation and Parks. Public comment opportunities are scheduled at the Visual Arts Committee meeting on Feb. 18 and the full Arts Commission meeting on March 2. Recreation and Parks will not incur costs from the installation. Building 180 and the Big Art Loop frame R-Evolution as a placeholder until Embarcadero Plaza and Sue Bierman Park renovations begin; Recreation and Parks lists that project's construction start date as "TBD." Advocates say extension sustains momentum, advertises the Big Loop, and encourages artist proposals. Surveys by Building 180 and the Big Art Loop show 85% support, with respondent totals unspecified. The Visual Arts Committee meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in City Hall room 416.

Read at Kqed