All of SAN FRANCISCO – Page 35 – Public Art and Architecture from Around the World

Embarcadero – Fly me to the Moon

Posted by Cindy on May 22, 2011

May 222011

Embarcadero at Pier 14 “Raygun Gothic Rocketship” is a temporary art installation on the Embarcadero. The project is sponsored by the Black Rock Arts Foundation, (the Burning Man group), with support from the Port of San Francisco. The rocket ship is a retro-futurist sort of thing, and according to the artists group “A critical kitsch somewhere between The Moons of Mongo and Manga Nouveau”. The piece is the work of dozens of Bay Area artists with three lead artists headed by Sean Orlando. They have a website that is really, really cool. It tells you all about the rocket ship and Continue Reading

Paper in the wind

Posted by Cindy on May 21, 2011

May 212011

I popped into the SF Fine Art Fair that is going on this weekend. This is titled Paperlight Fortress by RISD grad Paul Hayes. He is known for his site specific installations, and this isn’t the first of his I have seen, it was just the first I saw with camera in hand. In Paul’s own words “My installations consist of swarms of crumpled or folded paper suspended on strands of wire. I am most drawn to the patterns of growth in the natural world. I often attempt to compose swarms that suggest motion, force, direction and time.”

Icons of San Francisco – Transamerica Pyramid

Posted by Cindy on May 20, 2011

May 202011

Icons of San Francisco - Transamerica Pyramid

, An iconic image for San Francisco, the Transamerica Pyramid. It was designed by architect William Pereira, and when it was first built it engendered considerable argument. You either hated it or loved it, there seemed to be no in between. Forty Eight stories or 850 feet tall, it was among the five tallest buildings in the world when it was completed in 1972. The Transamerica company was bought out by a Dutch firm, and no longer exists. The Dutch company however, still owns the building. There are so many fascinating facts about this building. The base of the building contains Continue Reading

SOMA – Defenestration

Posted by Cindy on May 17, 2011

May 172011

6th and Howard SOMA AS OF JUNE OF 2014 DEFENESTRATION HAS BEEN REMOVED Defenestration is at 6th and Howard Street in San Francisco. Not only is it about two blocks from my house but I also had the privilege of working with its artist Brian Goggin (before this installation) through a charitable organization LEAP, which brings art and architecture into schools. So, I was very happy to see that it has had a face lift. Defenestration literally means “Throw out of a window”. This installation was done by Brian and well over 100 volunteers. It is on the site of Continue Reading

Presidio Habitats – Digger Bee

Posted by Cindy on May 6, 2011

May 062011

I did not find this “habitat” interesting for the art, but rather for the bee itself. I had never heard of a digger bee, and I am sure many others have not either. These bees are solitary creatures and dig a small network of tunnels under ground. At the end of each tunnel, they place one egg and pollen, often shaped like a ball, for the developing bee. There are several thousand species of digger bees worldwide. The artist, Amy Lambert, recreated these pollen balls and place “stories” on them. I chose the photo above, only because it Continue Reading

Presidio Habitats – Black Tailed Jack Rabbit

Posted by Cindy on May 5, 2011

May 052011

Presidio Habitats - Black Tailed Jack Rabbit

I did this one backwards. I started at the finish, and felt that the exhibit was tired and sad, but then I turned around and saw the view behind me. I figured with the wind whipping around and the salt air, that would explain how tired this portion was. Sadly, that wasn’t the case, the start was just as worn and tattered. But sadness seems to be the point. This habitat was for the Black-tailed jackrabbit, that has disappeared from the Presidio. Apparently the artist, Nathan Lynch, thought a race with the tortoise would lure it back.

Presidio Habitats – Owl Dome

Posted by Cindy on May 4, 2011

May 042011

This “Owl Dome” is another habitat for the western screech owl. Hanging 16 feet in the air it merges tepee and geodesic dome. The design of the dome is similar to the type of nest that an owl might occupy within a tree trunk. A hole allows the owl to enter and nest within the dome, well protected from natural elements and predators. The hemp rope wrapped around the tripod support is designed to provide an easy grip for fledgling owls. Taalman Koch Architecture was responsible for this habitat. The thing I found interesting about this particular habitat, was its accessibility. Continue Reading

Presidio Habitats – Ai Weiwei

Posted by Cindy on May 3, 2011

May 032011

Ai Weiwei first came into my consciousness when I read a Financial Times article about his Sunflower Seed exhibition at the Tate Modern. Please, Please, Please watch this amazing video of the exhibition, it explains the making of the seeds and the meaning of them as well. Ai Weiwei is a Chinese artist and activist, who is also active in architecture, curating, photography, film, and social and cultural criticism. You know his work, he collaborated with Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron as the artistic consultant on the Beijing National Stadium for the 2008 Olympics. (otherwise known as the bird’s nest) In addition Continue Reading

Presidio Habitat – American Robin

Posted by Cindy on May 2, 2011

May 022011

There are three signs creating this habitat. “Adapt to Change” “Resolve Conflict With Song” and the one way in the back that is hard to read says “Nest From the Inside Out”. This habitat was built for the American Robin, by Philippe Becker Design. Each letter is framed with a steel armature and mesh netting that is filled with sterile straw. This particular habitat while providing ideal nesting material for the robin gives us humans a missive to ponder. According to the Presidio Trust “The American Robin is the largest, most abundant, and most wide- spread North American thrush. The Continue Reading

The Presidio – Habitat

Posted by Cindy on May 1, 2011

May 012011

Presidio Habitats. This installation, A Habitat of Flight, is by Surface Design. Their explanation is that this is representative of the Red-Tail Hawks exploration. going through many different habitats, i.e. open spaces interspersed with trees or built structures. The Red-tailed Hawk is one of the most commonly observed birds of prey in the Presidio as well as in North America. Generally monogamous, this species initiates courtship and maintains the pair bond with spectacular aerial maneuvers. The acrobatics are often accompanied by shrill cries by one or both mates. The Red-tailed Hawk can be seen hunting from the air as well as Continue Reading

The Presidio – Ten Solitary Chairs

Posted by Cindy on April 30, 2011

Apr 302011

The Presidio of San Francisco covers just under 3 square miles. Much of this is open space. The trust and an organization called FOR SITE began a project called Presidio Habitats as an opportunity for the public to see new, site-based art about place and to experience, the diverse landscapes and stunning vistas of the Presidio. The point of each exhibit was to have artists propose custom habitats for animal residents of the park. This is called TEN SOLITARY CHAIRS, its animal of choice was the Heron. The chairs are located in and around the Fort Scott Parade Ground. Each Continue Reading

Craftsmanship

Posted by Cindy on April 29, 2011

Apr 292011

I was in Los Angeles last week to talk to the people at Turquoise Mountain. They are a charity that is helping to preserve and revive the crafts of Afghanistan. It is a passion of mine. Sadly, in the United States these crafts are dying. The cost of labor to produce the high quality goods of a craftsman and artisan is overwhelmed on a daily basis by the “walmartization” of this country. People pay good money to view quality arts and crafts in museums as well as take tours of beautiful homes, and yet they don’t think about surrounding themselves in Continue Reading

SOMA – Faces

Posted by Cindy on April 28, 2011

Apr 282011

555 Mission Street SOMA Moonrise East December The sculptor and mixed media artist is a Swiss, based in New York named Ugo Rondinone. The sculptures are of mottled aluminum. Moonrise is the title of a series of 12 giant, ghost-like sculptures each named for a month of the year, and standing nine feet high. Their amorphous shapes and color make them look like primitive sculptures. Each one wears a different expression. I can’t presume what the artist was going for, so why that particular face for that particular month? It would really be fun to sit around and talk about Continue Reading

The Presidio-Andy Goldsworthy

Posted by Cindy on April 27, 2011

Apr 272011

The Presidio Near the Arguello Gate Entry I have always been a fan of Andy Goldsworthy. I love the ethereal and temporary aspect of his work. This is titled Spire and is at the beginning of the Bay Area Ridge Trail near the Arguello Gate, west of Inspiration Point Overlook and north of the Presidio Golf Course Clubhouse. This area is part of the historic forest of the Presidio, and is part of its designation as a National Historic Landmark District. The forest was planted over 100 years ago and, as usual, the Eucalyptus are doing just fine but the Continue Reading

Love in the Lower Haight – Silly Pink Bunnies

Posted by Cindy on April 26, 2011

Apr 262011

Love in the Lower Haight - Silly Pink Bunnies

Silly Pink Bunnies and Love in the Lower Haight. In October of 2010 the long wall on the corner of Haight and Laguna that surrounds a series of buildings that once housed the UC extension campus became a mural collective. Called “Love in the Lower Haight,” the mural stretches 100 feet up Haight Street from Laguna Street and 75 feet on Laguna. The mural is granted for at least one year with the possibility of a longer extension. An estimated 12 local artists worked on it, while an additional component let residents add their personal touch to the project. Information about the Continue Reading

Mission – Woman’s Building

Posted by Cindy on April 25, 2011

Apr 252011

18th and Lapidge Mission This is The Goddess of Light and Creativity on the Woman’s Building in the mission district of San Francisco. Particularly at 18th and Lapidge. The building has two walls of a dramatic mural that pay homage to women. The murals were created by a team of seven San Francisco women and is called “Maestrapeace”. The Goddess of Light and Creativity sits atop the waters of life flowing beneath her and transforming into fabric designs from around the world. The Mission District mural features such notable women as Georgia O’Keefe (an innovative American artist) and Rigoberta Menchu Continue Reading

Living Walls

Posted by Cindy on April 20, 2011

Apr 202011

Using plants for architectural and artistic statements is as old as time, but I am fascinated about how it is becoming part of the main stream. I was driving down 10th and spotted this newly installed gem at the corner with Bryant. These things are so amazingly versatile. Indoors, outdoors, sun, shade, they apparently create their own atmosphere when inside so they aren’t bothered being inside shopping malls or the like. Patrick Blanc a French artist has been covering entire walls of buildings for 40 years. This one below is his at Marché des Halles in Avignon. You can read all Continue Reading

Fairmont Hotel

Posted by Cindy on April 15, 2011

Apr 152011

This is the back of the famous Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, I am walking up California towards Mason. The front of this hotel is famous the world over, but has anyone ever noticed the absolutely beautiful wrought iron on the back? These walkways look down on a quaint little courtyard. The Fairmont is as much a part of San Francisco history as sourdough and dungeness crab. It was built by Tessie Fair Oelrichs, whose father made his money in the Comstock Silver Boom. Designed by James and Merritt Reid it was scheduled to open in 1906. The Earthquake and Continue Reading

Alleys of San Francisco

Posted by Cindy on April 14, 2011

Apr 142011

A friend of mine lives on this little alley, and after I took this picture I started to think about how many alleys there are in San Francisco. I too live on a one block long alley, that is off of another one block long alley. I am not quite sure why San Francisco is chock-a-block full of them, but they are fun to explore. It is a practice of San Francisco to rename alley’s for famous people. These include: Isadora Duncan (she was born a block away), Dashell Hammett (He lived at #20 in the 1920’s) , Jack Kerouac Continue Reading

San Francisco – Public v Private Art

Posted by Cindy on April 7, 2011

Apr 072011

555 Mission Street SOMA Public versus private art. This piece entitled Human Structures by Jonathan Borofsky is a permanent installation at 555 Mission Street. The two heads are part of a series of three by Ugo Rondinone entitled Moonrise Sculptures. The city of San Francisco has two ordinances to promote art. The first is a zoning code requiring downtown buildings to include privately owned public open space. The second is a twenty-five year old law requiring that developers with large projects in the Financial District and along upper Market Street must spend at least 1 percent of their total construction budget Continue Reading

Mission Bay – Where did good architecture go?

Posted by Cindy on April 6, 2011

Apr 062011

Mission Bay - Where did good architecture go?

Mission Bay What happened to architecture? This is not architecture, this is value engineering. These buildings were cliches before they were finished. No one is going to fly hundreds of miles to the great city of San Francisco and snap pictures of these monstrosities, unless of course they are urban planners. I would like to leave the more technical aspects of why this is off the mark to an architect blogger, you can read his succinct points on architecture and then you can contemplate why these building miss in so many ways. The above photo was taken in the newest Continue Reading

Tenderloin – Fear Head Mural

Posted by Cindy on April 5, 2011

Apr 052011

Golden Gate and Market The Tenderloin This mural is entitled “Fear Head” it was installed as part of the Wonderland exhibit in 2009. The creators are Roman Cesario and Mitsu Overstreet. Wonderland was the brain child of a teacher at SF Art Institute, Lance Fung. Wonderland created a lot of interesting chatter in the blogsphere at the time. Adrienne Roberts of SFMOMA wrote of her concerns, that I felt were a tad highfalutin regarding bringing art to the tenderloin. You can read her article, Wonderland a World Turned Upside Down, here. For those that don’t live in San Francisco, it Continue Reading

Berwick Place – Murals

Posted by Cindy on March 31, 2011

Mar 312011

Berwick Place and Heron Street Unknown Artist – I love the tree as an opponent. The light at this end of Heron was not particularly good, it is a very narrow alley with a building blocking the light from this part of the wall, but the images are wonderful. The subtle use of pink to infer cherry blossoms, just shows such a level of artistic ability.

Clarion Alley

Posted by Cindy on March 13, 2011

Mar 132011

This mural is in Clarion Alley, it was painted by Emily Buttefly and Tania Esmeralda.

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard

Posted by Cindy on March 10, 2011

Mar 102011

Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. The original docks were built on solid rock in 1916, they were thought to be the largest in the world at over 1000 feet long. During the 20th century much of San Francisco Bay shoreline was extended by landfill, this included Hunters Point. Between World War I and WWII Hunters Point was used by the Navy and was the largest deep water port between San Diego and Washington. The key fissile components of the atomic bomb were loaded onto the USS Indianapolis, July of 1945 from here. Some of the piers are still used today, but Continue Reading

Random Mural of San Francisco

Posted by Cindy on March 3, 2011

Mar 032011

Berwick Place and Heron Unknown Artist

Edgar Walter and Electric Power

Posted by Cindy on March 29, 2001

Mar 292001

Pacific Gas and Electric Building 245 Market Street Embarcadero/Financial District Above the arched entryway to the Pacific Gas and Electric building is this bas-relief depicting the primary activities of the company, hydroelectric power. At the top is a waterworks with water pouring through three openings symbolizing the “falling waters” that come from the mountains. This sign is flanked with two kneeling men facing the center. Under the base is a head of a grizzly bear, set amidst foliage, claws showing over the rim of the archway. The sculptor for this entry way was Edgar Walter. Edgar Walter was born in Continue Reading

245 Market Standing As A Remembrance of Skyscrapers of Old

Posted by Cindy on March 29, 2001

Mar 292001

245 Market Standing As A Remembrance of Skyscrapers of Old

245 Market Street Financial District / Embarcadero The seventeen story Pacific Gas and Electric Company General Office Building, designed by Bakewell & Brown and built between 1923 and 1925, is one of a series of skyscrapers built during the 1910s and 1920s which imparted to San Francisco its downtown character. This character of large ornamented classic buildings is fast being lost with newer modern style buildings. 245 Market was also one of the first steel skyscrapers built in San Francisco. The building was enlarged in 1945-1947 to the design of Arthur Brown, Jr. The addition, which has its own address at 25 Beale Street, Continue Reading

Mechanics Monument

Posted by Cindy on March 28, 2001

Mar 282001

Market at Bush and Battery Mechanics Monument Douglas Tilden This sculpture by Douglas Tilden was one of three major art works for the Market Street Beautification Project at the turn of the 20th century. It was funded with a bequest of $25,000 from James Mervyn Donahue, the son of the late Peter Donahue, who in 1850 started the state’s first ironworks and machine shop, established the first gas company for street lighting in the city in 1852, and later initiated the first streetcar line. Commissioned to create a monument for the Donahues, Tilden had difficulty finding an idea. Taking a Continue Reading

Fountain at One Bush Plaza

Posted by Cindy on March 27, 2001

Mar 272001

Financial District One Bush Plaza Crown Zellerbach Building This beautiful and timeless fountain was made in 1959. It was a creation of artist David Tolerton. Tolerton was born in 1907 and died of natural causes at 93. His father came to the Bay area in 1915 and owned an art gallery on Sutter Street in San Francisco. Tolerton studied philosophy at Stanford University from 1926 until 1928, then attended the San Francisco Art Institute, where he also taught. He also studied ironworking in France, Spain, Italy and Germany. His work was almost exclusively in metal, but apparently he spent some time Continue Reading

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