The 2010 Globe

Here is is, the new globe for 2010. I made one of these in 2005, I need to make more globes. I really like these.

New Mural in the Lower Haight

A new mural is being installed by San Francisco artist Marina Perez-Wong on Fell and Scott (updates to follow).

An odd window installation at ATA

I just don't know what to make of this one. Even visiting the link on ATA's website leaves me a bit befuddled.

Dan Pillers at Guardino Gallery

San Francisco artist Dan Pillers is back living in Portland. He has a show opening this week at the Guardino Gallery. It runs from May 27 through June 20.

Re-) Claim at SOMArts

Caught a nice show at SOMArts this afternoon that is closing on May 28. The show is collaboration with APICC part of the annual United States of Asian America Festival.

The "official" description is below. I especially recommend checking out Vickie Lew's Mandala (l) and Truong Tran's 900 Cootie Catchers.

Of course I am especially partial to any contemporary work involving a mandala theme.

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(Re-) Claim presents the work of Mark Baugh-Sasaki; Kathy Fuji-Oka; Su-Chen Hung; Christina Mazza; Judy Shintani and Truong Tran in a critical investigation into the discarded objects of the everyday or what gets left behind and the redemptive process that renders an object “fundamentally new.” How does detritus reveal the imprint of its locality and the residue of human lives? This exhibition locates the self in poetic, imaginary as well as ecological modes and gives voice to moments personal and historical by re-framing the present. In a time of frugality and perceived scarcity- the impetus that nothing shall be discarded also includes stories, history, memory and ultimately, our deep interconnections.

The Audio Tour is a Bad Idea

The much hyped Birth of Impressionism opens at the de Young tomorrow. I went to the member's preview today. Timed tickets and it was still impossibly crowded. I'd like to actually see the show. I have to try on a week day first thing in the morning and might have better luck. Adding to the difficulty is the audio tour. I didn't have one, but everyone who did is locked in earphone land and stands there completely unaware of other visitors to the museum. Crammed exhibits and audio tours don't mix.

The best part of the trip was the quiet Fisher Gallery upstairs displaying some older works of Ed Ruscha and a great 1983 photo collage from David Hockney.

SF Fine Art Fair - Why?

Last night I attended opening preview for the SF Fine Art Fair. It was a lovely evening down at Fort Mason with beautiful light. It's always nice taking a trip down there. That alone made it worth going.

As for the Art Fair, I have to ask what was the point of this event? The opening was a well attended benefit, but I am not sure who will be attending over the weekend.

There were about 80 galleries represented, half of the galleries were Bay Area galleries with about 25 being right in San Francisco. Many were the familiar Union Square galleries. For out-of-town collectors, this was a good opportunity to get a survey of the local, high-end gallery scene. Are collectors really traveling to San Francisco for this art fair though?

For locals, there is a chance to get a preview of some "off the beaten path" galleries in San Francisco. For example Art Zone 461 has a booth as does Gallery 16. It was also good to see some nearby galleries represented from places like Oakland and Jay Jay in Sacramento.

There was no representation of local arts organizations (as was done in the previous art fair about 10 years ago). The fair organizers clearly made no provision for local non-profits like ArtSpan and Visual Aid. Of course the galleries paid dearly to have booths. The booths were maxed out and full in an attempt to show as much art as possible. Think craft show, but where most everything is over $1,000. It would have been good to see some space dedicated to showcasing new work. Sadly, there was little to see at the Art Fair to get excited about.

The Surf Shop

Check out The Surf Shop. It's the current show at New People World in Japantown. The show is up until June 16. If you miss it, you'll have to make a trip to Tokyo.

A show that makes me want to visit NYC

Stumbled across a link for a Show called Dead or Alive at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York.

"Dead or Alive will showcase the work of over 30 international artists who transform organic materials and objects that were once produced by or part of living organisms-insects, feathers, bones, silkworm cocoons, plant materials, and hair-to create intricately crafted and designed installations and sculptures."

Work by Nick Cave is enough of an enticement to go, this show is reminding me a I need a New York visit.

Vintage Paper Fairs

Today is another one of Hal Lutsky's Vintage Paper Fairs. I love these things and always find good things to work with. Last year I was so inspired that I ended up creating a series of handmade postcard booklets.

Alan Streets in the Lower Haight

When it comes to out-of-town artists, all the hype in San Francisco has been surrounding Banksy. But there is another visitor working in the streets these days. I keep seeing Alan Streets working in the Lower Haight. Check out his work, it's great.

Millard Sheets show ends May 30

A few years I "discovered" the Pasadena Museum of California Art. Since them I usually find a reason to visit on every Southern California trip.
I saw Millard Sheets: the Early Years this spring. It ends this month and is well worth getting a look at if you're in the L.A. Area. Sheets is a great, yet under recognized American artist in the spirit of Thomas Hart Benton and Edward Hopper.

Three Heads Six Arms at Civic Center

Got a peak this weekend of Zhang Huan's "Three Heads Six Arms" which is now in the Civic Center Plaza. The public dedication is this week. See http://www.sfartscommission.org/

More Photos from the Oakland Museum

The Oakland Museum is Back

I feel like a good friend has come back from a long vacation. The Oakland Museum is back and reopened after it’s remodel. The natural history section is still closed, but art and history are reopened.

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous about the remodel. It was the same feeling one gets if a favorite book is being made into a movie. All you keep asking yourself is, “How are they going to mess it up?”

Last week I got a sneak peak at the member’s preview. It’s fantastic! I was overwhelmed. Sure, over time I might find a few flaws if I look hard enough, but really, I am going to have to look hard.

On Thursday evening, April 29 the museum was crowded with members like myself getting our first look. While I was having fun taking photos and trying to take it all in, what my camera didn’t capture was the look of excitement on so many faces. If there was a Christmas morning for museum nerds, we sure had it that night.

The Oakland Museum is still overlooked in the Bay Area museum world, but it always seems, for those of us who know and love it, we really know what a treasure we have. The one word that captures the renewed museum best of all is - dynamic!

I have to load up the BART ticket and start spending more time taking it all in.

museumca.org