HACKETT MILL - VARIETY PREVIEW ROOM - FIVEPOINTS
GALLERY 16 - SPORTS BASEMENT - SOAP - QUEENS NAILS
TIBP - KITSCH - HEART - ARC STUDIOS - MEDICINE AGENCY
04.09.10
(with assistance from Geoff Smith
, Anna Seven
, Neal Strickberger,
Crystal Townsend, Kylea Borges
, Scott MacLeod
and RWM)
***
Hackett Mill Art Dealers and Advisors : Transcendent.
Artists: Joan Brown, Richard Diebenkorn, Al Held, Frank Lobdell, Conrad Marca-Relli, Manuel Neri, Jules Olitski, David Park, Robert Schwartz, Raimonds Staprans, Brian Wall, Emerson Woelffer, Arthur Okamura, Emiko Nakano and Kenzo Okada, Jules Olitski, others.
Comment by AB: Packed grand opening of this art advisory co-captained by Michael Hackett and Francis Mill, and specializing primarily in American, European and Asian works of art from the 1950s and 1960s.
Art by Jules Olitski.
Art by David Park.
Sculpture by Manuel Neri (right).
Art by Al Held (early years).
Art.
Conrad Marca-Relli art.
Relative density.
Lobby of the building (kinda reminds me of a mausoleum).
***
Variety Preview Room : Rudy Rucker - Recent Paintings.
Review by Geoff Smith: This show is a real surprise for me. Rudy Rucker is best known as a writer, particularly of award winning science fiction work and as one of the founders of the cyberpunk literary movement. He was also formerly a professor at SJSU's Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. This show illustrates yet another facet of his highly fertile and creative mind. Although still primarily a writer, Rucker took up painting in 1999 while writing a historical novel about the Flemish master Peter Bruegel. Rucker's work is full of bright colors, "cartoony simplifications, and odd scenarios."
From Wikipedia-- "Rudolf von Bitter Rucker (born March 22, 1946 in Louisville, Kentucky) is an American computer scientist and science fiction author, and is one of the founders of the cyberpunk literary movement. The author of both fiction and non-fiction, he is best known for the novels in the Ware Tetralogy, the first two of which ("Software" and "Wetware") both won Philip K. Dick Awards. Rucker is the great-great-great-grandson of the philosopher G.W.F. Hegel."
Review by Anna Seven: Rudy Rucker, a science fiction writer and artist, exhibits 23 colorful fantastic paintings, many of them illustrations from his books. Rucker began painting in 1999 and has created 66 works since then. All paintings are made in bright color, intuitive style. If you are a fan of science fiction and curious to see how the writer sees creatures of his imagination, you are welcome to come to the closing party here on Saturday, May 22 from 6-10 PM, where Rudy Rucker will read along with author Michael Shea as part of the SF in SF author series.
Review by RWM: Fun and playful images for the whole family. Fantastical scenarios from this fantastical writer, yet not too far out there to be unrecognizable.
Art by Rudy Rucker.
Rudy Rucker, center (photo c/o Geoff Smith).
***
Fivepoints Arthouse : Complex - Or, if a Metaphysician Couldn't Draw, What Would He Think?
Artists: Elizabeth Bernstein, Ryan Hendon.
Review by Geoff Smith: This show at Fivepoints Arthouse is comprised of recent photographs by Elizabeth Bernstein and Ryan Hendon. The show is curated by aptProjects.curatorial, an artistic & curatorial collaborative effort between San Francisco based artists, Jessica Laurent and Erik Parra.
Hendon's work is exquisitely detailed and well composed. The detail derives from the 4 x 5 film format that Hendon uses for most of his work. The composition and content come from his imagination and well-honed sense of balance and perspective. His images are thought-provoking and powerful while retaining a certain sensitivity and delicacy in the captured colors and subject matter.
From Elizabeth Bernstein's artist statement, her work "comes from the most basic elements of daily life... (and) is as much about my ability to reframe a scene in order to reflect my specific point of view, as it is about capturing the reality of my subject's experience."
These two photographers are both actively exploring but with quite different styles and approaches to their work. The show succeeds in contrasting Hendon's work that is more philosophical with Bernstein's work that has a more psychological emphasis.
"Gun Mount" photographs by Ryan Hendon (image c/o Neal Strickberger).
Gun Mount photo by Ryan Hendon closer (image c/o Geoff Smith).
Ryan Hendon and his photography (image c/o Geoff Smith).
Photograph by Elizabeth Bernstein (image c/o Neal Strickberger).
Elizabeth Bernstein photography (image c/o Neal Strickberger).
***
The Imagine Bus Project (TIBP Gallery) : Kachina Doll Exhibition.
Review and images by Rubina H. Tycoon (elementary school student): This Kachina Dolls Exhibition is brought to us by The Imagine Bus Project (TIBP), an organization that provides art education for elementary school children. These dolls are not ordinary dolls and not only because they are made by kids! Kachina dolls are originally from the Southern West Native Americans' culture.
During the 5 week long project children were offered to identify themselves with animals or creatures whose powers they would like to have. After that students, created papier-mache spirit dolls. Each doll was representing an animal or creature that was representing the person who made it. At least one hundred children joined in to make this gallery of Kachina dolls. As the kids were doing this project, they were writing short stories to go with their dolls. These are stories about spiders, cows, bunnies and other living creatures. I immediately associated Kachina dolls to Pullman's "The Golden Compass" where everyone had his or her own daemon, a spirit animal-guardian. The kids enjoyed doing the Kachina dolls and I think that the dolls are really good. All dolls are dressed and named. The exhibition room is full of intriguing, colorful, funny and cute dolls.
Kachina Doll art by kids.
Kachina Doll art by kids.
Kachina Doll art from The Imagine Bus Project.
Kachina Doll art.
Children make Kachina Doll art.
The Imagine Bush Project Kachina Doll art show.
***
Gallery 16 : Sonny Smith - 100 Records; Überblick - Thomas Heinser.
Review by RWM, images c/o Neal Strickberger: Strange to see our creations-- bridges and roads-- portrayed by Thomas Heinser from such a distant view. From above and captured for the moment they look sterile and odd. Someone from the future or elsewhere may view them as the art of our time. Spanning long distance they do look fragile and transitory, especially during Earthquake weather.
Record album art by Sonny Smith.
Record album art closer by Sonny Smith.
Record album art by Sonny Smith.
Jukebox art by Sonny Smith.
Recording album by Sonny Smith.
Record album art closer by Sonny Smith.
Photography by Thomas Heinser.
Photograph by Thomas Heinser.
***
Gallery del Grotto at Sports Basement , 1590 Bryant Street, San Francisco, CA 94103: Mission Art 2010.
Artists: Alexandra Blum, Gina Contreras, Juan R. Fuentes, Art Hazelwood, Antonio Huerta, Gloria Morales, Richard Nyhagen, Russell Pachman, Patrick Piazza, Ana Hurka Robles, Calixto Robles, Marsha Shaw.
Comment by AB: Group show of works by artists living and working in San Francisco's Mission District.
Art.
Art.
Art.
Art.
Panorama.
***
Soap Gallery : For My Fronds on the Phasebook - Prolegomena into Future Relationships, Featuring Artist Jakub Kalousek.
Comment by AB: Where am I? This one's got me terminally bewildered. According to the proclamation, "Jakub Kalousek creates a meeting place for nature and culture through various objects, from office shredders to vibrating fronds." Unfortunately (I think), I miss the pinnacle of the production-- Kalousek engaging in fisticuffs with a punching bag made out of walnuts (but I got some prime action shots thanks to Scott MacLeod). Woah!
RIP palm frond art by Jakub Kalousek.
Paper shredder art by Jakub Kalousek.
Jakub Kalousek boxing a walnut punching bag (image c/o Scott MacLeod).
Jakub Kalousek boxing a walnut punching bag (image c/o Scott MacLeod).
Vanquished walnut punching bag art by Jakub Kalousek.
The basic idea.
***
Queens Nails Projects : Jennifer Locke - Video Action; Calvin Trezise - Love is Not Enough.
Comment by AB: It's nearly 8:30. The show was supposed to open at 8. The gate is closed; no one is being let in. One of the people waiting gets the attention of this dude inside. He comes to the door and the person waiting asks when the show's gonna open, mentioning that it was supposed to open half an hour ago. The dude at the door looks at him-- not the least bit apologetic-- and rather than answer the question, sees he's holding a beer and tells him it's against the law to drink on the street. Oh. So sorry. I guess you're anointed and we're all assholes. Next.
Who cares.
***
Kitsch Gallery : Ir{rationalist - SFAI Undergraduate Showcase.
Artists: Sam Manera, Natalie Wohlstadter, Sean Kennedy, Marisa Takal, Cat U-Thasoonthorn, Joshua Band, Patrick Regan, Luke Baldwin, Michael Friedman, Benjamin Herdon, Kenny Hurtado, Lili Ishida, Christina Guerreiro, Jehn Howard, Bailey Greenwood, Lana Williams, Terra Haywood, Katherine Monroe, Blaze Gonzalez, Charlene Tan, Susan Wu, Lauren Kronemyer, Geneviene Dupre, Alex Constable, Warren Thomas King, Brooke Bartholomay.
Review and images by Kylea Borges: This showcase of Art Institute undergraduates brings together fledgling artists of all disciplines, featuring several installation pieces, photography, watercolors, oils, video and beyond. I'm definitely taken with a few specific pieces including the narrative works by Katherine Monroe and Geneviene Dupre in addition to the detailed mixed media work of Susan Wu. Altogether it is a show peppered with artists I hope to see more of in the future.
Art by Warren Thomas.
Art by Susan Wu.
Katherine Monroe art.
Art by Geneviene Dupre.
Photography by Joshua Band.
Art by Charlene Tan.
Video art by Blaze Gonzalez.
Population sample.
***
Heart : Reflections Adrift - Martin Machado.
Review by RWM, images c/o Heart: Captured here is the tough life at sea which will have one reevaluating their understanding of the world and life. The Maritime images are fraught with an historical sense (some history took place out there on the big blue), but allow one to reflect on their associations with the sea. This brings us back to what we have read, and those necessary respites by the shore.
Martin Machado and his art.
***
Arc Studios & Gallery : SOMA Open Studios Preview Exhibition - Opening Reception.
Artists: Janet Seifert, Kristina Quinones, Mirena Rhee, Jack Androvich Robert Vo, Tanya Wilkinson, Liz Mamorsky, Hilary Williams, Aximillion Helga Duson, Ben Needham, Lucky Rapp, Stephen C. Wagner, Susan J. Rippberger, Florence Gray, Richardo Angel Norte, Melissa Wagner, Priscilla Otani, Sarah Beth Goncarova, Jonah Ryan Ward, Lauren Sharp, Heather Sandler, Lisa Lightman, Kathryn Arnold, Greg Nelson, Michel Schorro, Mike Kimball, Sandra Osborne, John Fitzsimmons, Alan Mazzetti, Eric Larson Martine Jardel, Kat Flyn Yrving, Torrealba, John Melvin, Erin Gallup, Rachel Sager, Jerry Veverka, Kirsten Tradowsky, Tom Losch, Marcia Struermer, Nanci Price Scoular, Sandra Yagi, Susan Tuttle, Carolyn Hinman, Watchara Sirisevakul, Brandi Brooks, Karl Roeseler, Kirk Brooks, Erika Meriaux, Kate Handwerger, Kim Uno, William Salit, Linda Colnett, Tama Greenberg, Bernadette Emrick, Laurielu, Khay McBride, Flora Davis, Clair Hardy, Jessica Anne Schwartz, David Molesky, Maja Ruznic, Dimitri Kourouniotis, Salma Arastu.
Comment by AB: Group show of art by "over 65 artists working and exhibiting in San Francisco's diverse South of Market neighborhood."
Art.
Photo in above image closer by John Fitzsimmons (image c/o Geoff Smith).
Egg carton contraption art.
Art by Jerry Veverka (image c/o Geoff Smith).
It was there so I took it.
Art by Erika Meriaux (image c/o Geoff Smith).
Art.
Tunes.
Relative density.
Out front (image c/o Geoff Smith).
***
Medicine Agency : Sean Desmond - Tenderloin Project.
Review and images by Geoff Smith: The Medicine Agency presents the first official exhibition of photographs by San Francisco based photographer Sean Desmond. The show features a collection of 35 photographs from Desmond's ongoing Tenderloin Project, a portrait in film and photography of San Francisco's Tenderloin neighborhood. The show also features collaborative pieces by a variety of artists from the Bay Area and beyond, including Mike Giant, Greg Mike, Mark Bode, Apex, Oliver Black and others.
These images by Sean Desmond reveal a powerful connection between him and his subjects. They reflect the bond of trust that developed based on Desmond's sincerity and the lengthy conversations he had with many in the Tenderloin before documenting these interactions in photographs and video. The images at the gallery and the videos on the Medicine Agency website serve as powerful reminders that we all practice the art of living given the cards we are initially dealt, in combination with the twists and turns of life as time passes by. The subjects come across as intensely human and as revealing a part of themselves we are not normally privileged to see.
Review by Crystal Townsend: The Tenderloin Project at Medicine Agency features photos by Sean Desmond, who is pictured in the photo outside the gallery. The Tenderloin Project utilizes film and photography as well as collaborative projects with other artists to highlight the plight of disadvantaged people living in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. Proceeds from sales benefit charities which assist residents of the Tenderloin. The show is up til May 5th, and will be traveling to Atlanta, Los Angeles and New York after that.
Photography by Sean Desmond.
Sean Desmond (right).
Photograph by Sean Desmond.
Photo in above image by Sean Desmond closer.
Mike Giant/Sean Desmond collaborative signed silkscreen print..
***