SFMOMA Artists Gallery : 30th Anniversary Show; U.S. Politics and War.

Artists for U.S. Politics and War: Steven Allen, John Yoyogi Fortes, Michael Moore, Paula Moran, Tim Svenonius.

Review and images by Julia Haas: A selection of art exclusively by Bay Area artists-- 80 in all-- who've been represented by the gallery at one time or another during the past 30 years. Options include photography, painting, sculpture and installation. While mostly traditional in content, the exhibit provides a sufficient glimpse into their stable. The popular dollar bill sculpture and photography (upstairs) are worth a browse.

Upstairs at the Artists Gallery is "U.S. Politics and War," a collection of drawings, paintings and ceramic work addressing various aspects of the US involvement in Iraq. Humorous, dead-pan and affordably priced ($50 for a Michael Moore).

Wanna help identify artists? Please email me .

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The Presidio of San Francisco : Andy Goldsworthy - Spire (sculpture in progress).

Review by R.W. Miller: Rising above some recently planted trees near the Presidio's Arguello Gate, Andy Goldswothy's wooden sculpture "Spire" argues for our place in the natural scheme. One may remember from the documentary film "Rivers and Tides" Goldsworthy's re-affirmation of our place in the natural world, hence also our "handy work," with his celebration of the historic forest at the Presidio.

Goldsworthy has his followers as well as colleagues in the city who make the same argument by cherishing non-indigenous species like pigeons, South American parrots and ornamental plants, in the process also asserting their desire to protect life in its many forms. This "new" shared "epiphany" runs counter to environmentalists with similar goals, who point out that human beings are different than the other creatures on the planet. For example, we have technology, a written language, and chain saws. We plant trees and build structures.

Goldsworthy and fans do not appear to recognize that Nature can be contrasted with technology, with a definition similar to wilderness, in the interest of protecting the other wild creatures on the planet. Birds and trees may be considered exceptions for The Environmental Movement which seeks not to forget it's preservationistic roots. Rather than more trees in the forest, those who seek to recreate the lost habitat of the peninsula may have created another native plant patch, something more like the roof of the new Academy of Sciences or the hills surrounding Sutro Baths. Forests inspire while habitat restoration recreates.

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