Add to favorites Examiner Bio

You can't always get what you want: Fisher calls a halt to CAMP

 

In a terse and unexpected announcement, Don Fisher, founder of The Gap, announced last week his decision to withdraw a proposal to locate the Contemporary Art Museum of the Presidio (CAMP) at the Main Parade site.

 

 

Meanwhile, groups such as the Presidio Historical Association and Save the Presidio, who have opposed the CAMP site, lauded the surprise move by Fisher. The Sierra Club stated:

 

 

The perfect train wreck seems to have been averted. The all-but-certain legal battle over whether CAMP could be lawfully placed on the Main Parade ground won’t be fought. 

 

What happened to cause this turn of events? 

 

In typical San Francisco fashion, the dispute over CAMP’s location was portrayed as a face-off between a superrich and egotistical capitalist and a group of stubborn historic preservation true believers locked in zero-sum game. Each side became more entrenched and more determined to stop the other; Fisher wanting his museum at all costs and his opponents wanting the Presidio untouched and pristine. And, so, San Franciscans were drawn to one point of view or the other, thinking the opposite view to be horribly flawed. Fisher’s throwing in of the towel is either a sad ending or a great victory, depending on which side you favored. Fisher was simply astute enough to realize that in a court challenge the opponents had the upper hand. But the win or lose mentality, with museum backers shaking their heads and opponents cheering, is a false portrayal.

 

That’s because a process exists whereby ideas like CAMP are to be examined, debated, and weighed impartially. That process was bungled badly and the Presidio Trustees are squarely to blame for it. Without detailing the full litany of goofs, the Presidio Trust was caught off guard by the initial firestorm of opposition to CAMP last year and never gained control of the project or the process. 

 

Your bad, Presidio Trust.

 

Perhaps more importantly now, what is the future of CAMP and the Fisher collection? There are five possible options for the Fisher art collection, each with varying probabilities of success.

 

A new Presidio site for CAMP is proposed. Crissy Field has long been an alternate site and had the Trust pushed for Crissy Field a year ago, chances are the museum would have been underway by now. The bad feelings between all parties mean this location will be a fight too. 30% chance this happens.

 

The art collection is transferred to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). SFMOMA wants Fisher’s art, but up to now Fisher has been unwilling to relinquish curatorial control. SFMOMA has rather coincidentally announced plans for a major expansion that would be a nifty spot for the collection. 50% chance.

 

Another location within the City is found. Parking, traffic, and visitor issues all favor this option. Likely City locations are pretty much South of Market, however, and that means Supervisor Chris Daly, no friend to rich capitalists, has to be on board. 15% chance of this occurring.

 

Fisher takes his collection completely out of San Francisco. Other cities have reportedly recruited Fisher and his art, but Fisher has so far remained steadfast in his desire to leave the collection in San Francisco. 5% chance.

 

Nothing happens. The collection eventually passes on to Fisher’s heirs who keep it locked up or sell it off. 5% chance.

 

Like the song says, you can't always get what you want.  Perhaps if there is some real dialogue (and, yes, compromise) about the Fisher museum, San Francisco might get what it needs.