Ai Wei Wei among finalists for San Francisco's Treasure Island public art project

A shortlist of high-profile artists, including Ai Wei Wei, Antony Gormley, and Andy Goldsworthy, has been announced by the San Francisco Art Commission as part of the city's $50 million redevelopment plan for Treasure Island and Yerba Buena Island. The selected finalists have been invited to propose artworks for each of these three sites on the island:

• Building 1 Plaza ($1 million art budget): Ai Wei Wei, Chakaia Booker, Pae White with Ned Kahn as an alternate
• Waterfront Plaza ($2 million art budget): Ai Wei Wei, Antony Gormley, and Jorge Pardo
• Yerba Buena Hilltop Park ($2 million art budget): Chakaia Booker, Andy Goldsworthy, and Hiroshi Sugimoto 

In its statement, the San Francisco Arts Commission describes the scope of the project: "The Treasure Island redevelopment project includes over 300 acres of publicly accessible open space, which is the largest allotment of new park lands in San Francisco since the construction of Golden Gate Park in 1871. The Treasure Island Arts Master Plan calls for the majority of the commissioned artworks to be sited within the island’s open spaces, but additional opportunities will provide opportunities to present works at or within historic buildings. The first three projects are expected to be signature monumental artworks located at the Ferry Plaza, Building One Plaza and Yerba Buena Hilltop Park – sites remarkable for their high visibility and panoramic views."

The review panel selecting the artists comprised Arts Commission President JD Beltran; SFMOMA’s Thomas Weisel Family Curator of Painting and Sculpture Janet Bishop; Curator Mika Yoshitake from the Smithsonian’s Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden; Chris Meany, from Treasure Island lead developer Wilson Meany; and President of the Treasure Island Development Authority Board Fei Tsen.

Proposals are expected to arrive in the spring to be placed on public view for commenting on Treasure Island as well as elsewhere in the city.