San Francisco Art Scene

SF Bay Area Climate Action Promise. ARE YOU IN?

Sketchers at the intersection of art + science at the Inaugural 2018 Global Climate Action Summit, captured individuals’ stories to share. The Sketching Climate Change Stories Popup Exhibit held at the Jewish Museum of Contemporary Art in San Francisco was one of the 325 Affiliate Climate Action Events happening around the Greater San Francisco Bay Area Sept. 8 -15, the week of the summit.

Sketched by Vivian Aldridge

According to artist and SF Sketcher Vivian Aldridge, the sketchers explored how Climate Change was affecting people’s lives and through words and images conveyed their message for others. “Being part of a team that interviewed and sketched climate change activists was extremely rewarding because I knew  viewers could learn from the sketches, discuss issues, and feel motivated to make changes in their own lives.”

Bay Area urban sketching groups joined together to document the Global Climate Change Summit and the people who came to it. Their portraits tell the stories of how individuals and their communities have been affected by climate change and how they’re working on solutions.

Check out all the sketchers’ stories of people who are concerned and engaged in Climate Change.

Read highlights of the summit.

More about urban sketching

Urban sketchers’ work is similar to that of court artists or reportage illustration around the world. They bring an extra dimension, a different, more personal voice—instead of taking a photo, the sketcher’s work develops out of the interaction between artist and subject. Sketchers can also be less visible and less intrusive than cameras, sitting quietly in a corner observing and synthesizing rather than pushing in to snap the moment. Sketches can illuminate the convergence of art and journalism and make an impression in the public’s mind in ways that a narrative or even a photo may not do. (websiste)

The main groups involved are the SF Bay Area Urban Sketchers, a chapter of the international Urban Sketchers organization, with 220 chapters around the world, and SF Sketchers, a San Francisco-based meetup group with nearly 3,000 members. They have sketched individuals and communities gathering at different forums, locally and globally. Some of their work has recently been displayed at a UC Berkeley’s Department of Anthropology show ‘This is What Democracy Looks Like’.

Sketched by Vivian Aldridge

By |2018-09-28T14:20:32-07:00September 28th, 2018|0 Comments

SFO Museum Presents: The Mysterious Talking Board: Ouija and Beyond

The Mysterious Talking Board: Quija and Beyond exhibit will run from Oct. 22, 2016 through May 7, 2017, at San Francisco International Airport in Terminal, 2 beyond security. This exhibition was made possible by generous loans from Eugene Orlando of the Museum of Talking Boards and Robert Murch of the Talking Board Historical Society. The exhibit features Ouija boards and a host of other talking boards from the late 1800s to today.

According to the world’s foremost collector, historian and expert on Ouija and Talking Boards Robert Murch, “The makers of the first talking board asked the board what they should call it; the name Ouija came through and, when they asked what that meant, the board replied, Good luck.” (smithsonianmag.com)

ouija-05_1The board had the numbers 0-9 with the alphabet above that row, yes and no in the top corners and good-bye on the bottom. A heard shaped wooden object – a planchette – which had a small window in it, was used to move around the board. You need two people to play. Both of you would place the tips of your fingers on the planchette and ask a question. Mysteriously the planchette would move by itself and point to letters, spelling the answer.

Our grandmother would tell us the Ouija Board was the mouthpiece of the devil. Though we thought it was a fun game at first, we then began to believe we were really talking to some spirits. We used the board to solve so-called mysteries in our town.

And then we became obsessed with it. Of course, the Ouija board was taken away from us and that was the end of our detective work a la Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. But the history shows the board game caused curiosity, fear and decision-making dependence.

It is believed that talking boards have their roots in Spiritualism, a belief based on alleged communication with the spirits of the dead.  According to

Even songwriters seemed to be influenced by the Talking Board

Even songwriters seemed to be influenced by the Talking Board

the release, “Spiritualism began to spread in the United States after the Fox sisters, aged eleven and fourteen, claimed to have communed with a spirit through mysterious raps they heard in their Hydesville, NY, home in 1848.  Over the ensuing decades, a number of interesting methods were devised to communicate with spirits.  In 1886, the press reported on a device used by some Spiritualists in Ohio—a talking board with letters, numbers, and a planchette-like device that pointed to the letters.  Spirits could spell out their communications with the living, while the living simply held their hands on the planchette as it moved towards various letters.”

So, if you are traveling from Terminal 2 out of SFO in the next six months, you can get up to speed on the history of talking boards and determine whether or not you want to give it a try! No trips planned? View the online version of the exhibition.

About the SFO Museumimg_ouija_song

SFO Museum was established by the Airport Commission in 1980 for the purposes of humanizing the Airport environment, providing visibility for the unique cultural life of San Francisco, and providing educational services for the traveling public.  The Museum was granted initial accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums in 1999, reaccredited in 2005, and has the distinction of being the only accredited museum in an airport.  Today, SFO Museum features approximately twenty galleries throughout the Airport terminals displaying a rotating schedule of art, history, science, and cultural exhibitions, as well as the San Francisco Airport Commission Aviation Library and Louis A. Turpen Aviation Museum, a permanent collection dedicated to the history of commercial aviation.  To browse current and past exhibitions, research our collection, or for more information, please visit www.flysfo.com/museum

img-announcement-ouija

By |2016-10-20T14:59:02-07:00October 20th, 2016|Tags: , , , |0 Comments

FOG Design + Art Returns to Fort Mason Festival Pavillion Jan. 13-17, 2016

Pair of Stools by Axel Einar Hjorth Nordiska kompaniet, Sweden, ca. 1930 Pine/Hostler Burrows

Pair of Stools
by Axel Einar Hjorth
Nordiska kompaniet, Sweden, ca. 1930
Pine/Hostler Burrows

In the next four days San Francisco becomes the exciting epicenter of art and design, celebrating architecture, modern art and technology & design with dynamic exhibits, unique installations and pop-up galleries. This celebration of innovative design also features presentations and discussions with top gallerists, design dealers, architects and style-makers, from famed art collector Peggy Guggenheim to Northern California’s Woodworking Renaissance of the 1970s.

FOG Art + Design showcases 40 prominent 20th Century and contemporary art and design dealers from the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

FOG Design + Art Schedule:

WED., JAN. 13 5–10pm  Preview Gala benefiting SFMOMA
To attend the FOG Preview Gala, purchase tickets here.  FOG will take place at the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion. Get directions.

More info. about FOG Design + Art 2016

THUR., JAN. 14
11am– 6pm   Open to the public

 Niamh Barry, Walking, IRE, 2015 (Artist pictured with piece) Light sculpture made of hand-formed mirror-polished bronze, black-patinated bronze, glass opal tiles, LEDs 133" L x 84" H x 40.5" D Unique/Todd Merrill Studio

Walking by Niamh Barry, IRE, 2015 (Artist pictured with piece)
Light sculpture made of hand-formed mirror-polished bronze, black-patinated bronze, glass opal tiles, LEDs
133″ L x 84″ H x 40.5″ D
Unique/Todd Merrill Studio

FRI., JAN. 15
9–11am   ArtBites presented by SFMOMA’s Modern Art Council
9am   Breakfast, coffee, and high-design delights by Jane
10am   Panel Discussion
Deconstructing Design: Inside the New SFMOMA
David Brenner, founder, Habitat Horticulture
David Darling, partner, Aidlin Darling Design
Jon McNeal, senior architect, Snøhetta
Moderated by Joseph Becker, associate curator of architecture and design, SFMOMA
To attend ArtBites, purchase tickets here.

11am– 6pm   Open to the public
Presentations–FOG Theater
1pm.   Impolite Wallpaper: Design through an Artist’s Eyes
Beth Katleman, artist
3pm   Visionary Wood: Northern California’s Woodworking Renaissance, 1970-79, with a spotlight on J. B. Blunk, Robert Strini, and John Bauer
John Bauer, sculptor
René de Guzman, senior curator of art, Oakland Museum of California
Mariah Nielson, curator, director, J. B. Blunk Estate
Gerard O’Brien, owner and curator, Reform Gallery and the Landing
Robert Strini, sculptor
5pm  Film Screening: The Incredible San Francisco Artists’ Soapbox Derby with an introduction by director Amanda Pope

Studio Vases by Stig Lindberg Gustavsberg, Sweden, ca. 1955 Glazed Porcelain, embossed patterns Left to right: 18.5” H, 2” H, 22” H/Hostler Burrows

Studio Vases by Stig Lindberg
Gustavsberg, Sweden, ca. 1955
Glazed Porcelain, embossed patterns
Left to right: 18.5” H, 2” H, 22” H/Hostler Burrows

SAT., JAN. 16
11am– 7pm   Open to the public

Presentations–FOG Theater
1pm   Film Screening: Peggy Guggenheim – Art Addict
Introduction by Janet Bishop, Weisel family curator of painting and sculpture of SFMOMA
Screening followed by a conversation with director Lisa Immordino Vreeland
Presented by Christie’s

3pm   Developing the Confidence to Trust Your Instinct: Todd Hosfelt and David Breskin Discuss Collecting
David Breskin, writer, record producer, culture worker
Todd Hosfelt, Hosfelt Gallery

5pm   Site-Specific: Creating an Immersive Moment
Charles de Lisle, designer
Tali Jaffe, executive editor, Cultured magazine
Presented by Cultured magazine

 

SUN., JAN. 17
11am– 5pm.   Open to the public

Presentations–FOG Theater
1pm  The Changing Face of San Francisco’s Art Scene
Alison Gass, associate director for collections, exhibitions, and curatorial affairs, Cantor Arts Center
Jonn Herschend, co-founder, The Thing Quarterly
Deborah Rappaport, co-founder, Minnesota Street Project
Claudia Altman Siegel, Altman Siegel Gallery

More info. about FOG Design + Art 2016

Pictured Above: Concrete Garden Pots from Germany circa 1880, sitting on a 13' long suspended French pine floorboard... On the wall to the left, Club Der Visionare, 2012, oil on canvas by Goran Djurovic... On the wall to the right, Public Viewing, 2012, oil on canvas by Goran Djurovic... In the center of the room, To Honor to Treasure, 2012, cast concrete, antique wooden chair frames by JAMESPLUMB and Chesterfield Table, 2014, cast concrete, oak pew bench, antique chesterfield sofa by JAMESPLUMBObsolete

Pictured Above: Concrete Garden Pots from Germany circa 1880, sitting on a 13′ long suspended French pine floorboard… On the wall to the left, Club Der Visionare, 2012, oil on canvas by Goran Djurovic… On the wall to the right, Public Viewing, 2012, oil on canvas by Goran Djurovic… In the center of the room, To Honor to Treasure, 2012, cast concrete, antique wooden chair frames by JAMESPLUMB and Chesterfield Table, 2014, cast concrete, oak pew bench, antique chesterfield sofa by JAMESPLUMB/Obsolete

By |2016-01-13T14:35:29-08:00January 13th, 2016|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments

After Hours

5bdc26_e8c05ecaa002420285f203df253e1dcd.jpg_srb_p_937_625_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srb It couldn’t get any easier. After the 29th Emeryville Annual Art Exhibit – all you have to do is walk across the street for a bite to eat at The Broken Rack and Honor Kitchen & Cocktails.

The Broken Rack Sports Bar & Billiards

Full bar plus 12 beers on tap. Besides 20 pool tables and 8 TVs, they have all kinds of Burgers, Quick Bites such as Chicken Wings and Quesadillas, lots of Salads, Soup, Sandwiches and Fries, Chips, Rings and Things. Wings are tossed in your choice of Buffalo, BBQ or Sweet Chili Sauce Buffalo and BBQ served with Ranch or Bleu Cheese Dressing. Salads include Chicken and Shrimp Caesars, Shrimp and Avocado and even Buffalo Chicken Salad – Buffalo chicken bites on a bed of kale & mixed greens with vegetables, crumbled Bleu Cheese & Bleu Cheese Dressing!
The Broken Rack is located at 3796 Peladeau St. across from the 29th Annual Emeryville Art Exhibition. Phone: 510-652-9808. And the kitchen is open until Midnight on Friday nights!

5bdc26_1329cf8f72cb48d987bbeabf49d5e148.jpg_srb_p_937_703_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srb

Honor Kitchen & Cocktails

Honor Kitchen revolves around its grill, which is right in the middle of the bar. A few fun and delectable suggestions:

  • Bucket O’ Yard Birds –buttermilk fried chicken, macaroni salad, sausage biscuit and house-made hot sauce
  • Bone Marrow Brulee -Yelp reviewers rave about this dish– it’s a must, they say
  • Hand-Cranked Sausages – their in-house butcher grinds and cases their sausages and serves it with house-made mustard
  • Charcuterie & Cheese – basic board includes house-pickled vegetables, house-made white lardo spread, lemon-apricot mostarda, rustic French bread. Then you add Honored Meats & Cheeses of your choice from the menu
  • And there’s the Five Cheese Mac ‘n Cheese with aged Gouda, Cheddar, Gruyere, Jack, Parmesan and bread crumbs.
  • Cocktails include reserve wines and lots of high-end spirits.

Honor Kitchen & Cocktails is located at 1411 Powell Street, at the corner of Hollis Street, in Emeryville and across from the 29th Emeryville Annual Art Exhibit, sharing the Parking lot with the Broken Rack.. Phone: 510.653.8667

 

By |2016-09-30T10:41:12-07:00September 30th, 2015|0 Comments

Preview of Woodcut Print Artist’s Entry

Café, woodcut, 2015, 21" x 23 1/2”  - Linda Lee Boyd

Café, woodcut, 2015, 21″ x 23 1/2” – Linda Lee Boyd

Café, Linda Lee Boyd’s, 2015 entry in the Annual Emeryville Art Exhibit (Oct. 3-25), was inspired by her trips to Paris with her late husband. In 2010 she captured these people in a café near Sacre Coeur, showing the cosmopolitan diversity of the wonderful city of Paris.

Linda is a longtime supporter and board member of the Celebration of the Arts – since 1992 – as an entrant in the exhibit and as a volunteer. According to Linda, “The Annual Emeryville Art Exhibit is a real celebration of the arts of the residents and workers in Emeryville. For me, it’s a chance to exhibit as well as a way to work with the community.” Linda’s woodcuts are in the collection of the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts at the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, the Janet Turner Print Museum in Chico and in the Fetterly Gallery collection at the Vallejo Community Arts Foundation. View more of her work.

“Linda Lee Boyd’s woodcut prints are a continuation of the figurative tradition. The most salient quality of Boyd’s woodcuts, aside from their technical finesse, is their personalness. What we are seeing is the quiet yet studied and thoughtful work of an artist who lives in an ordinary, day-to-day world inhabited by ordinary day-to-day people. Subjects are chosen and then rendered from a time consuming and labor-intensive process of woodblock printing to become anything but ordinary. Boyd’s technical abilities as an artist are readily apparent; her work has been described as ‘sonnets in wood.’ It is perhaps her ability to take her friends and co-workers and create poetry from them that is her highest achievement. “ Daniel Robesky, Curator & Director, Fetterly Gallery, Vallejo, CA

How do you create a woodcut print?

The twitter version: draw on a board, cut away the white areas, ink up the raised areas, put down a sheet of paper and run it through a press. Each color is a separate board. Learn more.

By |2015-08-31T09:24:11-07:00August 31st, 2015|0 Comments

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