Cindy

Telegraph Hill – Coit Tower

 Posted by on May 29, 2012
May 292012
 
Telegraph Hill
Coit Tower

To understand Coit Tower you must first understand Lillie Hitchcock Coit.  A nice tale is told here from the Virtual San Francisco History Museum written by: By Frederick J. Bowlen, Battalion Chief, San Francisco Fire Department.

One of the most unusual personalities ever connected with our Fire Department was a woman. She was Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who was destined not only to become a legend but to attain that eminence long before her life ended.

She came to this city in 1851 from West Point, where her father had been an army doctor. Seven years later, when only 15 years old, she began her famous career with Knickerbocker Engine Company No. 5.
One afternoon that pioneer fire company had a short staff on the ropes as it raced to a fire on Telegraph Hill. Because of the shortage of man power, the engine was falling behind. Oh, humiliating and better was the repartee passed by Manhattan No. 2 and Howard No. 3 as the total eclipse seemed to be but a matter of seconds. Then, suddenly there came a diversion. It was the story of Jeanne d’Arc at Orleans, The Maid of Sargossa and Molly Pitcher of Revolutionary fame all over again.Pretty and impulsive Lillie Hitchcock, on her way home from school, saw the plight of the Knickerbocker and tossing her books to the ground, ran to a vacant place on the rope. There she exerted her feeble strength and began to pull, at the same time turning her flushed face to the bystanders and crying: “Come on, you men! Everybody pull and we’ll beat ‘em!”…It continues:When Mrs. Coit died here in July 22, 1929, at the age of 86, she gave practical evidence of her affection for San Francisco. She left one-third of her fortune to the city “to be expended in an appropriate manner for the purpose of adding to the beauty of the city which I have always loved.”For several years after her death, there was question as to the most fitting interpretation of the “appropriate manner” in which to make the memorial. The executors of her will at last determined to erect a memorial tower in honor of this colorful woman.

Coit Tower was built in 1933. The concrete tower was constructed by Arthur Brown Jr., best known for City Hall. The tower is adorned with one simple ornament by Robert Bordman Howard, the phoenix, symbolizing San Francisco’s repeated growth after its many fires.

The structure is made of unpainted reinforced concrete. Contrary to urban legend, the building was not made to resemble a fire hose.

There is a small studio apartment on the second floor of the tower, which was originally used as lodging for the structure’s caretaker.

If you are interested in learning more about Coit Tower, I highly recommend Masha Zakheim’s book Coit Tower, San Francisco Its History and Art

 

 

Lands End – USS San Francisco Memorial

 Posted by on May 28, 2012
May 282012
 
Lands End
48th Avenue Parking Lot

In 1942 the cruiser USS San Francisco attacked a vastly superior Japanese force off the coast of Guadalcanal. It was the most brutal close-quarters naval engagement of World War II. The San Francisco took some 45 direct hits and sustained heavy damage while sinking one Japanese ship and seriously damaging two others (including a battleship). One hundred and six sailors, including Rear Admiral Daniel Callaghan, were killed and 131 more wounded. Despite it all, the San Francisco safely made it back to port. This savage battle is commemorated by an unusual memorial in Land’s End. The USS San Francisco Memorial is oriented toward Guadalcanal, and it eschews the usual symbolic folderol in favor of something far more visceral: a shell-ridden section of the San Francisco ‘s bridge. The site of heavygauge steel perforated like paper captures the fury and horror of that night better than any sculpture ever could.

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On 12 & 13 November 1942
In the most savage naval engagement
at close quarters in history
The United States Navy decisively
turned back the enemy at Guadalcanal
In memory of
Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan
and the men of the U.S.S. San Francisco
who there gave their lives
for their country and for freedom
13 November 1992
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IN SALUTE
TO THE OFFICERS AND MEN LIVING AND DEAD ON THE
U.S.S. “SAN FRANCISCO”
A WARSHIP NAMED FOR THE CITY, WHICH, THOUGH SORELY WOUNDED, EMERGED TRIUMPHANTLY FROM THE BATTLE OF GUADALCANAL, NOVEMBER 12-13 1942,AFTER INFLICTING HEAVY LOSSES ON THE ENEMY.
“A very powerful Japanese force was moving at night toward our positions in the Solomon Islands. The spearhead of the force that we sent to intercept the enemy was under the command of Rear Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan. He was aboard the leading ship, the cruiser SAN FRANCISCO + + The San Francisco sailed right into the enemy fleet— right through the whole enemy fleet—her guns blazing. She engaged and hit three enemy vessels, sinking one of them. At point blank range she engaged an enemy battleship–heavily her superior in size and firepower. She silenced this battleship’s big guns and so disabled her that she could be sunk by torpedoes from our destroyers and aircraft ++ The SAN FRANCISCO herself was hit many times. Admiral Callaghan, my close personal friend, and many of the gallant officers and men gave their lives in this battle. But the SAN FRANCISCO was brought safely back to port by a Lieutenant Commander (*), and she will fight again for our country ++ The Commander of the Task Force of which the SAN FRANCISCO was a part, has recommended that she be the first of our Navy’s vessels to be decorated for outstanding service. But there are no citations, no medals, which carry with them such high honor as that accorded to fighting men by the respect of their Comrades-in-Arms. The Commanding General of the Marines on Guadalcanal, General Vandergrift, yesterday sent a message to the Commander of the Fleet, Admiral Halsey, saying “We lift our battered helmets in admiration for those who fought magnificently against overwhelming odds and drove the enemy back to crushing defeat”++ Let us thank God for such men as these. May our Nation continue to be worthy of them, throughout this war, and Forever.
 The Honored Dead
Death of a Sailor
Reinhardt J. Keppler
Died serving his country
fighting raging flames to save
ourship, USS San Francisco
at midnight, Nov. 12,13, 1942
Honored by surviving crew members
May 29, 2000
The children of many of the men on the USS San Francisco have commemorated the men and their deeds on a website.  It covers the history of the ship, as well as the Battle of Guadalcanal.  It is well worth the time to go through its many pages.

The Fillmore Center – Hard Bop

 Posted by on May 27, 2012
May 272012
 
The Fillmore Center
Western Addition
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Hard Bop by John Atkin
Hard bop is a style of jazz that is an extension of bebop (or “bop”) music. Hard bop incorporates influences from rhythm and blues, gospel music, and blues, especially in the saxophone and piano playing.
In 1942, during World War II, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which relocated all interned people of Japanese origin to internment camps throughout western United States. The vacant homes in the Fillmore attracted African Americans migrating northward to work in the shipyards, as well as musicians, and artists. Soon, many nightclubs (the likes of Leola Kings Bird Cage, Wesley Johnson’s Texas PlayHouse, Shelton’s Blue Mirror, and Jacks of Sutter) were opened, bringing major musical icons to the neighborhood including Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, and Billie Holiday.
The artist, John Atkin, has made a three minute video about the construction of the piece, and the ideas behind it.



 

Fort Mason – Wind Arrows

 Posted by on May 26, 2012
May 262012
 

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Sailboat wind indicators mounted at on 3-foot intervals on a flagpole at the east end of Fort Mason illustrate how the laminar flow of wind changes with the height.  This variation is often more complex and dramatic than expected.  Along the San Francisco shoreline, for example, the difference of only 20 feet in altitude may mean a 90 degree difference in the wind direction.

This is part of the Outdoor Exploratorium.  It was created in partnership with GGNR (Golden Gate Recreation Area) and the Fort Mason Center.  The interactive exhibits are designed to help visitors notice the subtle phenomena of the outdoors.

The Exploratorium is our museum of science.  It was founded in 1969.

 

Performing Arts Parking Garage – Dancing in the Curve of the World

 Posted by on May 25, 2012
May 252012
 
Civic Center
Performing Arts Garage
Gough and Grove Streets
 
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Dancing in the Curve of the World by Josef Norris
Josef Norris is responsible for the murals at Kid Power Park. This piece, done in 2003 was paid for by the San Francisco Arts Commission’s Cultural Equity Fund and the Neighborhood Beautification Fund.


Western Addition – Blues Revolution Part II

 Posted by on May 24, 2012
May 242012
 
The Western Addition
Post and Steiner
Hamilton Pool and Rec Center
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The Blues Revolution Part II by Santie Huckaby
This is Part II of the Blues Revolution.  You can see Part I here.  Santie Huckaby was born in Ohio, and has spent 40 years in San Francisco working as a professional musician, sign painter and muralist. Included in his resume is the Rosa Parks mural, (at the Rosa Parks Elementary School in San Francisco) which was awarded best mural of 1997. He is currently an artist in residence at Hunter’s Point Shipyard, artist in residence at the Bayview Opera House, an art teacher with the Carver Mural Program in San Francisco and continues his vocation as a sign painter.

Christopher Columbus

 Posted by on May 23, 2012
May 232012
 
Coit Tower
Telegraph Hill
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Columbus by Vittorio Di Colbertaldo – 1957

This statue of Christopher Columbus sits in the center of the parking lot for Coit Tower. The figure of Columbus, the famous Italian explorer, gazes out over San Francisco Bay standing on a concrete pedestal in the center of a circular flower bed, bordered by a marble ring. Dedicated on October 12, 1957, the newspapers of the time recorded that “Singers, sailors from American and Italian navies, and spectators stood in reverent silence as 12-foot statue of Christopher Columbus is unveiled today on Telegraph Hill. The sculpture piece was the work of Italy’s Vittorio de Colbertaldo. Columbus Day weekend will be highlighted here tomorrow with a parade.”

Little is known of Count Vittorio di Colbertaldo (Forlì 1902- Verona 1979), other than he was a member of, and official sculptor of Il Duce’s bodyguard.

One stone on the ring to the left of Columbus is from the dedication ceremonies and includes a message from Pope Pius XII reading:

PRESENTED TO THE PEOPLE OF SAN FRANCISCO
BY THE COLUMBUS MONUMENT COMMITTEE
WITH GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
TO ALL THE DONORS
WHO MADE THIS MEMORIAL POSSIBLE
INCLUDING THE CITY OF GENOA
FOR THE DONATION OF THE PEDESTAL
AND THE MARINI FAMILY
FOR THE GIFT OF THE MARBLE RING
VITTORIO di COLBERTALDO
DESIGNER and SCULPTOR

June 18, 2020

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 22, 2012
May 222012
 
Fort Mason
Notice the QR code on the front
Biked by Eddy Joaquim

“Biked is a hybrid seat/bike rack with QR codes leading to bicycling maps of the area.”

Eddie Joaquim is a product of the many countries he has lived in. An photographer with an architectural background he is a very unique individual.

QR Code (abbreviated from Quick Response Code) is the trademark for a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) first designed for the automotive industry. More recently, the system has become popular outside of the industry due to its fast readability and large storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be made up of four standardized kinds (“modes”) of data (numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, Kanji), or through supported extensions, virtually any kind of data.
Invented by the Toyota subsidiary Denso Wave in 1994 to track vehicles during the manufacturing process, the QR Code is one of the most popular types of two-dimensional barcodes. It was designed to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.

Formerly confined to industrial uses, they have in recent years become common in consumer advertising and packaging, because the dissemination of smartphones “has put a barcode reader in everyone’s pocket” for the first time. As a result, the QR code has become a focus of advertising strategy, since it provides quick and effortless access to the brand’s website

Western Addition – The Blues Evolution

 Posted by on May 21, 2012
May 212012
 
The Western Addition
Post and Steiner
Hamilton Pool and Rec Center
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The Blues Evolution by Santie Huckaby Part I
Sponsored by the Blues R&B Foundation.

The Blues and R&B Foundation has this to say about the mural.

We’ve received a lot of wonderful comments and support from the community concerning our mural. What has particularly stood out to us is the way it affects the youth that pass by all of the time, they look and ask questions. We’re on first name basis with many students that pass by.

The mural represents unity and strength of accomplishments to those who work hard at anything they choose to do. It also shows the dues that were paid by artist for the next generations of artist. However, what’s even more great is that most of the artist on the walls has come from our beautiful city, San Francisco or Bay Area. What a great legacy to pass on to our youth giving them a sense of pride and confidence to last them their lifetime, but also the older generation, being able to remember their part in that struggle that opened doors for many today! A piece of history that should be passed on.

The purpose of this mural and two book project is to educate our youth and enjoyment for those who are interested. With the books, it will pass on information from the pioneers of music. We will tell the story of those who are still alive, but also comments from family members whom represent the artist that have passed on.

We’re trying to implement programs within the SF Unified school district and we have the support of the individual SF Park and recreation sites to have afterschool programs teaching what were writing about even more. Any monies raised from the book will go into a fund to keep these projects going in the school system so it won’t affect any budgets and we will give scholarships to those who would like to further their crafts. We will also be giving instruments to student/adults that need them. These afterschool programs and seminars etc. will be free to the public. An incentive to promote unity and confidence in individuals giving them a positive outlook no matter what their circumstances may be.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 20, 2012
May 202012
 
Fort Mason
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Cirrus by Jeremy Alden
“Through use of materials and form Cirrus investigates and celebrates dualities: of earth and sky, power and beauty, time and change.”
 J Alden Design is dedicated to provocative product, ceramic and furniture design with work ranging from mass-produced products to commissioned pieces for private and public collections.

 

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 19, 2012
May 192012
 
Fort Mason
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Listen to Jimmy 1953 by Seam Studio
“The year is 1953…the place Fort Mason: U.S. Army Port-of Embarkation (1909-1962). Take A SEAT on the footlockers of WWI/WWII/Korean-War soldiers…SIT on transport boxes for goods+ammo…imagine yourself here listening to 1940s/1950s music assigning vocal memory of the once bustling military activity deploying hundreds of Jimmy’s loaded with supplies.
SEAM studios is headed by Topher Delaney, world renowned Landscape Designer.  It is Seam Studios that is responsible for coordinating, and putting on this amazing event.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 18, 2012
May 182012
 
Fort Mason
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Life in a Small Place by Paul Zengyu Discoe
“Life in a Small Place is a concrete box with trees growing out of its top.  These trees will grow and change as the chair ages and blends with its legs.”
Founded in 1988, Joinery Structures is a design-build studio and mill specializing in custom projects that integrate sustainable wood practices, innovative design, and precision craftsmanship.
Founder and principal, Paul Discoe, is a renowned Japanese master builder and Zen Buddhist teacher. Paul studied architecture as a Buddhist temple builder in Kyoto, Japan for five years during the 1970s. Upon returning to the United States, Paul founded Joinery Structures to continue pursuing his passion for Asian architecture. By personally training his team in Japanese techniques and representing the architectural process as an embodiment of Zen practice, Paul has helped introduce Asian architecture to the Western world.
Please visit their website, their work is absolutely breathtaking.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 17, 2012
May 172012
 
Fort Mason
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Seat 8 by Joel Cammarata
“Serpentine bike rack conforms to the existing loading dock providing seating and tables for public interaction.”
According to Joel Cammarata’s Etsy site:  I am an architecturally trained designer, woodworker, father, and husband using small amount of spare time and garage space to create pieces of furniture, accessories and other objects in the hopes of making extra money to pay for preschool for another month.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 16, 2012
May 162012
 
Fort Mason
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Sent Forth by ARUP + Jefferson Mack Metal

“A stranded time ship plays centuries of soundscapes revealing histories of the area”.

Sent Forth is conceived as a time-travelling airship which has been collecting audio recordings of San Francisco across the centuries. Recently, the airship has become stuck at Fort Mason Center. As it attempts to revive itself, visitors will hear fragments of collected soundscapes revealing histories of the area, both composed by the malfunctioning ship and influenced by the surrounding environment.

The piece includes a unique ‘Solid-Drive’ sound system which relies on the shape and materiality of the artwork to re-produce a sonic composition written by Shane Myrbeck of Arup’s San Francisco office. Site weather conditions will choreograph changes in light and sound. The design and fabrication of the piece is the work of Jefferson Mack, artist, blacksmith and master metalworker, who collaborated with Arup in development of the piece. Other support for Sent Forth was provided by BBI Engineering, SoundTube, Bruck Lighting, Van Bebber Bros, and Extron.

Arup is a lighting and acoustical consulting company, their team consisted of Josh Cushner, Kurt Graffy, Toby Lewis, Shane Myrbeck and Michael Whiteman.

Mack Metal had a second installation in this exhibit titled “Safe Harbor”.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 15, 2012
May 152012
 
Fort Mason
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Band of Brothers by Malcolm Davis
“A trio of salvaged eucalyptus trunks stand together facing the bay  As sentinels, they reference the function of this site since the Spanish military in the 1700s”.
 Malcom Davis (Architecture) is a Bay Area native with an intimate understanding of its regional building styles and climates. Educated at UC Berkeley, his strong appreciation of the craft of building goes hand in hand with thoughtful stewardship of resources. He takes pride in creative problem solving through simple, elegant solutions. Employing a timeless vocabulary and a restrained palette.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 13, 2012
May 132012
 
Fort Mason
Asana by Christine and James Desser
“This Asana, “seat” in Sanskrit, like a big river rock, offers a comfortable pause for meditation, contemplation or to simply notice what is: the sea, the sky, the air, the sounds, whatever is arising in this very moment.”

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 12, 2012
May 122012
 
Fort Mason
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The James Caird by Lawrence LaBianca and Robert Buckenmeyer

“Bravery and courage saved the open boat journey of Ernest Shackleton and five companions”

The voyage of the James Caird was an open boat journey from Elephant Island in the South Shetland Islands to South Georgia in the southern Atlantic Ocean, a distance of 800 nautical miles. Undertaken by Sir Ernest Shackleton and five companions, its objective was to obtain rescue for the main body of the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914–17, trapped on Elephant Island after the loss of its ship Endurance. History has come to consider the James Caird’s voyage as one of the greatest open boat journeys ever accomplished.

Lawrence LaBianca is a New York City-born sculptor who now makes his home in San Francisco, where he shows with Sculptueresite Gallery. Lawrence creates metal, ceramic, wood, and glass objects and tool-forms that explore our relationship with nature through attention to craft, form, physicality, and the fluidity of the boundaries between these ideals. His work is both abstract and narrative, as the materials with which he works assume new and idiosyncratic identities.

Lawrence holds an MFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts, where he is currently a lecturer in interior architecture.

Chinatown’s Gateway Arch

 Posted by on May 11, 2012
May 112012
 
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Arguably one of the most photographed sites in San Francisco is the Gateway Arch (Dragon Gate) on Grant Avenue at Bush Street marking the entry to Chinatown, dedicated on October 18th 1970. This gate is the only authentic Chinatown Gate in North America. Unlike similar structures which usually stand on wooden pillars, this iconic symbol conforms to Chinese gateway standards using stone from base to top and green-tiled roofs in addition to wood as basic building materials. The gate is based on the ceremonial gates that can be found in Chinese villages, called paifang. The gate is adorned with sculptures of fish and dragons and is flanked by two large lion statues or fou lions, which are meant to thwart evil-spirits. The gate has three passageways. The large, central one is meant for dignitaries while the two smaller passageways are meant for the common people. Taiwan provided materials for the gate, but the design is by Chinese-American architect Clayton Lee, whose design apparently won a contest in the late 1960s. The two-tiered, pagoda-style structure was built according to principles of feng shui, which dictate (among other things) that a city’s grandest gate must face south, and — though somewhat dwarfed by the larger buildings around it — that it does. A wooden plaque hangs from the central archway, on which stand gilded characters rendering a quote from the “Father of Modern China”, the revered revolutionary leader (and one-time Chinatown resident) Dr. Sun Yat Sen:

“ALL UNDER HEAVEN IS FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE”

In China, the lion is regarded as the king of the forests and of the other animals. It has thus long been
used as a symbol of power and grandeur. It is even believed to offer protection from evil spirits. That is
why imposing statues of lions were placed at the gates of imperial palaces, official residences, temples and
tombs. Incense burners and imperial seals were also often decorated with carved lions.

Usually a male lion is on the left with the right paw on a ball – the symbol of unity of the Chinese empire –
and a female lion on the right with a cub under the left paw – a symbol of offspring. Another explanation is that the male is guarding the structure and the female protects those dwelling inside the building.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 10, 2012
May 102012
 
Fort Mason
 
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Case Study #22: Arboreal Thrones by Kristen Franz
A pair of chairs combines site specific lumber and repurposed old chairs, highlighting the juxtaposition of natural and manmade elements.
Kristen has a degree from UC Berkeley, B.A. in Environmental Design

 

North Beach – Ben Franklin

 Posted by on May 9, 2012
May 092012
 
North Beach
Washington Square
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Time Capsule
1979-2979 AD
Dedicated to
The Citzens of
San Francisco
Cal Seltzer
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 Benjamin Franklin – Artist – unknown

This statue of Benjamin Franklin is the earliest – still existing – monument placed in San Francisco. It was originally located at Kearny and Market, but was moved to its present location in 1904.

The statue is cast iron and sits atop a granite pedestal.

The statue was donated to the city by Henry Cogswell, a dentist whose investments in stocks and real estate during the gold rush made him one of the city’s first millionaires. When it was installed here in 1879, a time capsule was placed under the statue. The capsule, which mostly contained objects from Henry Cogswell, was opened in 1979 and replaced with a new one, to be opened in 2079.

Around the base you will find these words, one on each side; Congress, Vichy, Cal Seltzer. These were all famous Mineral Springs in California. Their purpose is to espouse the virtues of regular drinking water, as Mr Cogswell was a staunch temperance advocate.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 8, 2012
May 082012
 
Fort Mason
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Last Flight by Bicycle Fabrications
“Takes it shape and dimensions from the Saqqara bird, an ancient Egyptian artifact that demonstrates an advanced understanding of aerodynamics”
The Saqqara Bird is a bird-shaped artifact made of sycamore wood, discovered during the 1898 excavation of the Pa-di-Imen tomb in Saqqara, Egypt. It has been dated to approximately 200 BCE, and is now housed in the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. The Saqqara Bird has a wingspan of 7.1 inches and weighs 1.380 ounces. Its function is not understood because of a lack of period documentation.
This installation by Bicycle Fabrications consists of three members: Hank Matheson, Brian Hapgood and Andrey Kobzar.
According to their website:  At Bicycle Fabrications we are dedicated to creating bicycles that are as unique as the people who ride them. We love to take on new, strange and original projects. This allows the customer to have a high level of involvement during the design process of the bike. All members of the Bicycle Fabrications community are active riders and racers, competing on our own products. Which means that all members involved in the build and design process demand the utmost quality and precision, to ensure we achieve the best ride quality possible.
Bicycle Fabrications is a sole-proprietorship owned by Hank Matheson. We frequently use private contractors like Brain Hapgood and Andre Kobzar to help in the construction process.

San Francisco – Hugh Leeman

 Posted by on May 7, 2012
May 072012
 
All Over Town

Hugh Leeman is an amazing individual.  This is taken directly from an article in The Bold Italic.

“His tiny studio is a mess of paints, a collection of floor-to-ceiling portraits, and a charcoal-covered MacBook. With no kitchen or bed in sight, I get the sense he’s focused solely on his mission: photographing, painting, and wheat-pasting the faces of the Tenderloin up around the city. They’ve become his friends, his subjects, and his business partners.

Hugh is quite a character himself. At 18, he grabbed his backpack and traveled the world, hopping trains to see as much as he could. Three years later, he was in the Tenderloin for a six-month stopover. He’s not quite sure why he never left. Inspired by the work that Shepard Fairey and others were doing at the time with wallpaper glue from the hardware store, a world of possibilities exploded in his mind. This self-taught artist had found his medium.”

If you are interested in reading more about the people that Hugh Leeman paints the article is fascinating. Or even easier, watch the video.


Hugh Leeman from Agency Charlie on Vimeo.

 

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 6, 2012
May 062012
 
Fort Mason
SToP by Cary Bernstein
 
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“SToP celebrates the decommissioning of Fort Mason – Swords to Ploughshares.”

Cary Bernstein graduated from Dartmouth College in 1984 with a B.A. in Philosophy and Russian Literature. She received an M.Arch. from the Yale School of Architecture in 1988.

The office of Cary Bernstein Architect is committed to progressive design resulting from thoughtful planning, focused attention to detail and the highest construction standards. Each project is developed in response to the unique combination of client, site and budget without the imposition of a preconceived style or solution. In addition to the promotion of architectural excellence, we offer exceptional service to our clients through all phases of design and construction.

Swords to ploughshares (or swords to plowshares) is a concept in which military weapons or technologies are converted for peaceful civilian applications.
The phrase originates from the Book of Isaiah, who prophesies of a future where there will be peace amongst all humankind:

They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.

The advent of air transportation in the post-war era made Fort Mason obsolete for military use. In the 1960s, the Department of Defense closed the port and eventually decommissioned all of Fort Mason.

The future of Fort Mason, and other former military sites, was the focus of lively debate at the local and national level. In the early 1970s, under the leadership of Congressman Phillip Burton to protect historic sites and make national parks more accessible, Congress established the first urban national park, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA), which includes Fort Mason Center.

Fort Mason Center, a nonprofit organization, partnered with the GGNRA and opened in 1977.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 5, 2012
May 052012
 
Fort Mason
JW4 by J. Weiss Design

“In WWI & WWII, concrete ship building was pioneered in Oakland. Our dry docked SEAT uses a new high-performing concrete that allows for greater, thinner spans.”

Jennifer Weiss has over 18 years of architecture-related experience, including working for the architecture firms Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, KMD Architects, and Levy Design Partners, as well as for the General Contractor Ryan Associates as a construction Project Manager. She earned a Master of Architecture from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts in both Architecture and Art History from Columbia University. Ms. Weiss also studied Architecture and Art History for one year in Paris, France through Columbia University. She has been a member of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design Alumni Council, and has been admitted to the American Institute of Architects as an Associate.

The type of concrete used in this seat is Ductal. Ductal is a proprietary pre-mixed ultra-high performance concrete whose physical characteristics exceed those of common concrete used in the construction of buildings. It is manufactured by Lafarge and Bouygues. Ductal has high compressive strength and flexural resistance compared to other concretes. It also has high durability, abrasion resistance, and chemical/environmental resistances (e.g. freeze and thaw, salt water, etc.). Due to these properties, Ductal can be used in thinner cross-sections and in more varied applications than common concrete. Ductal is almost self placing and is best suited for precast elements or in-situ repair or upgrade works. The constituents of Ductal are cement, fine sand, silica fume and silica flour as a filler, additive and water, using a low water cement ratio and may include high-strength steel fibres or non-metallic fibres.

The Tenderloin – Boeddecker Park

 Posted by on May 4, 2012
May 042012
 
The Tenderloin
Boeddecker Park
Eddy and Jones
Untitled by Anthony J. Smith

This abstract sculpture is a sphere held up by a pair of large hands. Set in niches around the surface of the sphere are fourteen life masks of people who live in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco. The artist’s face and the face of Father Boedekker are also included in the sculpture. The bronze sculpture stands on a low, circular concrete base.

This photo was taken through a fence. Boeddeker park is in one of the most crime ridden areas of San Francisco. The park is not open on the weekends and has very limited hours during the week. There are 3 other sculptures in the park

Father Boeddeker was a Franciscan Priest that started St. Anthony’s Dining Room nearby.

This piece is owned by the San Francisco Arts Commission. It cost $20,000 and was dedicated on the first anniversary of the park: May 16, 1986.

UPDATE 2013 – As of July the park has been completely razed. A new park design addresses community concerns, including improved safety, active and passive recreation opportunities for all ages, and beautification elements. The renovation will replace aging play equipment that is inaccessible and noncompliant with the Americans with Disability Act, a clubhouse with significant visibility issues, and a major lack of green space. The new park will also feature a full-size basketball court, play area, fitness equipment, new large lawn, seating areas, gardening beds and a brand new clubhouse.

Construction is expected to last approximately 18 months.

As I find word of what is to happen to the art I will keep this site updated.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 3, 2012
May 032012
 
Fort Mason
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Flotsam by David Allen

“A transient, contemporary ruin that stimulates the contemplation of forlorn beauty, time, weather, decay and distant shores.”

Again, an explanation for those not up on marine vocabulary, flotsam is the wreckage of a ship or its cargo found floating on or washed up by the sea. Just in case you were wondering Jetsam is unwanted material or goods that have been thrown overboard from a ship and washed ashore.

David runs Artefact in Sonoma, California. At Artefact you’ll find rare antique architectural pieces, decorative objects crafted from salvage, large-scale organic forms and exclusive home décor products. Our offerings include antique furniture, lighting, mirrors, teak outdoor furniture, garden ornaments and sculpture. We produce our own collection of unique gift items and unusual home decorations. We personally travel and gather decorative accessories from the US, Europe and Asia. Closer to home, we include in our collection carefully selected sculpture and paintings from prominent local artists, commissioned pieces and a growing range of pieces designed by founder Dave Allen.

Artefact sits on the edge of Cornerstone Gardens.

Cornerstone Gardens is an ever-changing series of walk-through gardens, showcasing new and innovative designs from the world’s finest landscape architects and designers. The first such gallery-style gardens in the United States.

The nine-acre gardens were inspired by the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire in France, Cornerstone Gardens aims to create a cultural and creative haven, celebrating the connection between art, architecture and nature. The gardens contribute to the art, philosophy and future of garden design; they focus on themes and ideas, establishing or uncovering new directions in garden design and art. Continually in a state of evolution, some garden installations will be in place for a season, while others will remain for several seasons.

The Mission – 23

 Posted by on May 2, 2012
May 022012
 
Mission and 23rd
The Mission District
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23 in Binary Code
23 in Roman Numerals
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Mission 23 by Rigo23  –  2003

Mission 23 is a multi-part mosaic tile art piece embedded in the north-east and south-west sidewalks of Mission Street at 23rd Street. On each one of the white squares is a sentence painted in green that provides a fact about the number 23. Each of the large rectangles is a graphic symbol of the number 23, in white against a green background, to mimic a standard street sign, all of 1-inch mosaic tile.

The number 23 holds a special significance for the artist known at the time as Rigo 2002. In addition to being the number of the street where his artwork is located, it is also the street number of his studio and the age at which he moved to the United States.

Rigo noted the importance of the number 23 in natural systems and these facts formed the basis of the four sentences, rendered in English and Spanish, in the sidewalk: “A healthy human being gets 23 chromosomes from the mother and 23 from the father.” “The planet earth spins at a 23 degree angle from its north/south axis.” “The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are roughly 23 degrees north and south of the Equator.” “The number 23 is only divided by itself or one.” The number 23 is described in the giant mosaic as symbols in the six large rectangles. They are shown as Binary code (10111), 23 dots, Roman Numerals, cursive, cross-hatching, and as “= + =” .

Rigo has work all over san francisco.

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Rigo’s work sits on both sides of Mission at 23rd.  This is the north-east side of the street.  I find it appalling that the City of San Francisco’s Art Commission can not at least maintain what art they do know they have. They know of this damage as they have noted that fact on their web page where I found a description of the piece.

This first photo below is upside down because a garbage can is sitting where I would have like to have stood to take the photograph.  It also explains why it is so filthy.  The others are so badly damaged as to either be missing or completely illegible.

As a huge fan of Rigo23, I find it a  shame that this work has been allowed to fall into such complete disrepair.

Fort Mason – SEATS

 Posted by on May 1, 2012
May 012012
 
Fort Mason
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Fender Bender Bench by JC Miller
“Inspired by the materials, colors, and equipment typical of human activity in a marine environment.”
For those not familiar with the term, that orange item is used to keep boats from hitting docks and other boats when moored and is called a “fender”.
J.C. Miller is a Landscape Architect. He opened Miller Studio after a dozen years of professional practice. His project experience includes public parks, historic landscapes, educational environments, civic spaces, and residential gardens.

Chinatown Mural

 Posted by on April 30, 2012
Apr 302012
 
Chinatown
Grant and Sacramento

This mural is by Twick of ICP Crew who had a mural in SOMA that has since been painted over and another one around a Banksy in Chinatown.

According to his Facebook page:  “Twick” is a SF Hip Hop urban legend with many ranks like a general. He is one of the most respected figures shaping the Bay Area graffiti movement from the 80’s to present day. At the age of twelve Francisco (his real name) was inspired by the Chicano writing that decorated the walls of the Mission and his neighborhood. During this time he was introduced to his passion graffiti art. He is a self-taught artist who has been painting the art ever since it arrived in the Bay Area in the early 80’s. With 26 years of experience he uses Graffiti art as a positive tool. With his enduring passion evident through his everyday endeavors, Twick helps to break graffiti’s negative perception by transforming it to be looked upon as imaginative and inspirational works of contemporary art. He is a pioneer of hope and optimism painting murals with powerful images and full of culture. With the Mission and SOMA district walls as his canvas and his efforts to empower the local youth, Twick is dedicated to giving back to the community that raised him. In 2004 Precita Eyes gave him the opportunity to teach a graffiti mural class, Honored and inspired has been teaching youth workshops ever since.

 

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