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.