The Trouble with Fort Gay

In case you missed the story earlier this week, an online gamer had his account suspended by Microsoft because they thought he was being offensive when he listed where he lived in his profile. He lives in Fort Gay, West Virginia. When he contacted Microsoft he was unable to convince tech support to just google the town's zip code and see Fort Gay was a real place.

Microsoft has since admitted their mistake, but this brings up a bigger issue. It is shocking how pervasive the gay agenda has worked its way into place names all over America. I made a quick little collage, couldn't resist using extra glitter and found places from Wanker's Corner, Oregon to Fort Dick, California onto the Big Wood River in Larry Craig's Idaho. Just what goes on at the Flaming Gorge in Wyoming? Gay Hill, Texas, Gay, Michigan, Gay, North Carolina, Gays, Illinois and Gay Mills, Wisconsin. I've never been to Bruceville, Indiana, but safe to say they're light in the loafers in that town. And not far from Fort Gay, West Virginia there is Pounding Mill in Virginia and the Pretty Boy Reservoir in Maryland. It's no surprise in the shamefully shaped Florida there is a town called Reddick.

When will the teabaggers do something about this and get rid of all these offensive names? Perhaps they can rename all these salacious towns with names like Reaganville, Reagantown, etc.? At least our children are safe for the moment, as nothing even remotely resembling geography is taught in American schools.

Zine Fest 2010

This weekend's Zine Fest was a great alternative space to find some new art and reminds me why I always looks beyond conventional galleries.

I got a couple of copies of Jesse Reklaw's little book applicant. In his own description: "See what no one was supposed to see again: pictures of hopeful students, accompanied by unflattering, behind-doors quotes from their professors and employers. Distills the essence of a bygone era from a dumpstered stash of confidential biology applicant files circa 1965-1975." Also found some groovy little buttons made out of old MUNI Fast Passes. Was very tempted, and really need to get one of Oakland artist Benjamin Chan's cityscapes.

The next event to watch for is A.P.E. (Alternative Press Expo) coming up in October.

Mapworks: the Map as Art

I have two pieces in a show this month up in Sonoma County.
I will be showing the new piece titled "Surf." This will be the first time this piece will be exhibited.

Mapworks: the Map as Art
Sebastopol Center for the Arts
6780 Depot Street Sebastopol, CA 95472
SCA is located at 6780 Depot Street, one short block north of Hwy. 12, and 2 blocks east of Petaluma Ave.

Exhibition Dates: Sept. 16 – Oct. 23, 2010
Sept. 16. Thursday, 6 – 7:30 pm. Opening Reception

Old Oak Street Fire Station

Today I was walking by and was invited in to look around. The officer from the Sheriff's Office told me if the doors are open, you're welcome to come on in. The building is being restored and eventually will be the HQ for the new Guardians of City Museum which will cover Police, Fire and Sheriff's Dept. History etc. I'm glad this building is being restored and staying in public hands. There are some old fire engines inside, it's pretty cool. The building is in relatively good shape as a new roof was put on some years back, but it prevented a lot of water damage.

The location of the main museum is yet to be determined in either a new or existing structure, probably downtown. Imagine keeping it in the neighborhood though? The tow truck garage on Fell behind the fire station perhaps? Maybe the Harding Theatre? Or imagine a museum where the ARCO station is on Fell and Divisadero.

The old station is across the street from the oldest house (still standing) in San Francisco. Today I learned that house caught fire after the 1906 Earthquake and was saved by the crew from the station. Which also probably saved the neighborhood from fire as well.

From Old Maps to Aviation Charts

Ten years ago I started creating collages made completely from old maps. Eventually I started including nautical charts as well. Now my latest work is incorporating old Jeppesen Aviation Charts.

When I look at the completed piece, I wonder if it more than a coincidence that it's August and the Dahlia Garden in Golden Gate Park is now in full bloom.

Spring 2010: There is now a set of inexpensive art postcards for sale from this series.

When art meets theatre

Yesterday was the 7th Annual San Francisco Theatre Festival. This is becoming one of my favorite local events. It can be a bit overwhelming with so many stages/venues and so many things to choose from. One has to do a bit of research beforehand and figure out what to see in order to have some focus. I arrived about an hour before the plays I wanted to see were scheduled. I knew if I wandered around I'd find a few more things.

For me the day's gem was from a work in progress called Paris Portraits performed by Laura Sheppard from the Mechanic's Institute. Currently it's a one woman show where the author Harriet L. Levy is recalling her experiences in Paris in 1907 with Alice B. Toklas. Levy and Toklas where right in the middle of the Paris art world, meeting Matisse, Picasso, etc. I immediately found myself pulled right into the story. And this was no easy task, it was a crowded space with a lot of background noise on the first floor of SPUR. The modern space also wasn't the best setting. But no matter. I sat their imaging this performance done for select audiences of about 20 in smart Victorian living rooms around San Francisco. I also wanted to be sitting on a divan in the Legion of Honor listening to this story. I think the next time I want to be wearing a period costume.

The festival ended for me catching the tail end of the Thrillpeddler's Pearls Over Shanghai. That was in the Forum space at Yerba Buena. I have seen the show twice and I must say it never sounded better. The acoustics in that space are perfect. I wish I could see the whole show there.

My cool new T-Shirt from Oaklandish

Got my cool new BART Tree T-shirt from Oaklandish today.
Oaklandish is a great organization celebrating their 10th anniversary. They exhibited my Map of San Francisco back in 2004.