Public Art and Architecture from Around the World

Win Ng

Posted by Cindy on September 9, 2013

Sep 092013

Maxine Hall Health Center 1301 Pierce Street Western Addition This mural, by Win Ng, is 10′ x 6′ and made of ceramic tiles. The mural depicts various elements of medical science. The mural was installed in 1968. Win Ng (1963-1991) was born in Chinatown, San Francisco. He studied at Saint Mary’s Academy and the City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University. After serving in the United States Army he studied at the San Francisco Art Institute receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1959. He began the Masters of Fine Arts program at Mills College in 1960 but did not complete the program. In 1965 Ng met artist Spaulding Taylor and shifted Continue Reading

Pacific Coast Garrison Monument

Posted by Cindy on September 7, 2013

Sep 072013

Presidio National Cemetery The Pacific Coast Garrison Monument was erected 1897. Dedicated to the dead of the Regular Army and Navy Union, the monument is a cast zinc (sometimes called white bronze) statue of a Union color bearer manufactured by the Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut. Statues of this type were sold through catalogues in the late nineteenth century and appear as monuments across the nation. The foundation was fabricated from units of granite separated by mortar joints; the cast zinc base and statue were originally left uncoated so that it would oxidize and resemble grey stone. The artist Continue Reading

National Cemetery

Posted by Cindy on September 6, 2013

Sep 062013

Presidio 1 Lincoln Boulevard This is the entrance to the National Cemetery within the San Francisco Presidio. In 1885, the War Department issued general order no 133 designating 9.5 acres west of the Main Post as San Francisco National Cemetery. This site was not the first burial ground at the Presidio. Others existed well before the U.S. Army established a permanent post there in 1847. A Spanish burial ground was situated near present-day Building 105. It appears possible that as early as 1854, Army personnel began burying their deceased in the area that was to become San Francisco National Cemetery. Continue Reading

Presidio Lombard Gates

Posted by Cindy on September 5, 2013

Sep 052013

San Francisco Presidio Lombard Gate Entryway Lombard and Lyon These beautiful Colusa Sandstone Gates greet you as you enter the Presidio on Lombard Street. Just like the gates at the Arguello Entrance, they were restored recently by Oleg Lobykin. The four piers each have four carvings on top . Facing outward on each of the columns on the roadway is the bald eagle emblem of the United States of America. Twin Goddess of Victory carvings face each other across the roadway. The piers at the pedestrian walkway bear emblems of various branches of the Army – Corps of Engineers, crossed Continue Reading

The Totem Pole at the Cliff House

Posted by Cindy on September 4, 2013

Sep 042013

Cliff House Land’s End According to the San Francisco Public Library there was a small news copy regarding the totem pole when it was installed. The publication date was not noted but it appears to be April 28th, 1949. Newscopy: “Chief Mathias Joe Capilano of the Squamish Indians of Western Canada, he carve ‘um 58-foot totem pole for George K. Whitney to plant in front of Cliff House. Heap big pole, one of biggest in world, it marks Western end of pioneers’ trek. Smart, him pioneer. Him not march on into broad Pacific.”. This is the photo that accompanied the article. Continue Reading

Fishermen’s and Seamen’s Chapel

Posted by Cindy on September 3, 2013

Sep 032013

Fisherman’s Wharf Pier 45 Inner Harbor Built in 1979, this charming little chapel is a memorial to the memory of Bay Area fishermen who’ve lost their lives at sea. It’s also something of a touchstone for San Francisco’s mostly Italian, mostly Roman Catholic fishing community, which traces its origins to Sicilian immigrants from the early 1800s. The day I visited there was a notice that they offer the only full traditional Pre-Vatican II Traditional Latin Mass in the Bay Area. Not the New Order Service of 1969, Not the half order Vatican II Service of 1962, but the full traditional Continue Reading

Frank Marini

Posted by Cindy on August 31, 2013

Aug 312013

Marini Plaza North Beach Frank Marini (1862-1952) is mentioned often in Alessandro Baccari’s book, “Saints Peter and Paul: ‘The Italian Cathedral’ of the West, 1884-1984.” Marini was a major civic benefactor, participating in the work of the Salesian groups at the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. He was a sponsor of the boys’ club, to help troubled immigrant boys who had little English speaking ability, education or guidance. He was a fundraiser to pay off the debt for building the church and Salesian school. He gave the money to build a gymnasium at St. Francis Church, on Vallejo Street, Continue Reading

Guardians of the Gate

Posted by Cindy on August 28, 2013

Aug 282013

Pier 39 Fisherman’s Wharf Guardians of the Gate by Miles Metzger Metzger attended Denver University and the Instituto de Allende in Mexico. Guardians of the Gate, which depicts a “nuzzling” male and female with a pup, was created in 1990 and cast in Everdur bronze in 1991. Metzger considers the sculpture one of his favorite pieces. He said of his work: “(My) sculptures mean to inspire, encourage and appreciate humanity and the natural world. The family (of sea lions) seemed such a beautiful, emotional moment.” Metzger claims he knew that sea lions would be the subjects of his work upon learning the Continue Reading

Ruth Asawa at Ghirardelli Square

Posted by Cindy on August 27, 2013

Aug 272013

Ghirardelli Square Fisherman’s Wharf This fountain is titled Andrea’s Fountain and is by Ruth Asawa. It sits in Ghirardelli Square. There is a plaque next to the fountain that tells the story of the piece, it reads: Then-owner William Roth selected Ruth Asawa, well known for her abstract, woven-wire sculptures, to design and create the centerpiece fountain for Ghirardelli Square. Although it was unveiled amid some controversy in 1968, Asawa’s objective was to make a sculpture that could be enjoyed by everyone. She spent one year thinking about the design and another year sculpting it from a live model and Continue Reading

Abstract Sculpture at 100 Buchannan

Posted by Cindy on August 26, 2013

Aug 262013

100 Buchanan UCSF Dental Center Market Street/Hayes Valley These two abstract sculptures are by Andrew Harader. Harader attended Cal State University in Long Beach and then received an MFA in 1976 at the Maryland Institute’s Rhinehart School of Sculpture. He is presently the coach at Andy’s Tennis Camp in Palo Alto. The piece is owned by the Dental Center April 2016 Update: These pieces have been removed. The building is slated to be torn down in 2016 or 2017.

Hall of Justice

Posted by Cindy on August 24, 2013

Aug 242013

850 Bryant South of Market The Seal of San Francisco adopted in 1859 features a sailor and a miner flanking a shield that bears a steamer ship entering the Golden Gate. Above the shield a Phoenix foretold of the great fire to come in 1906 and below the shield, the city’s motto, ‘Gold in Peace, Iron in War.’ This particular seal graces the outside of San Francisco’s Hall of Justice on Bryant Street and was created by my dear friend Spero Anargyros (1915-2004). Spero has appeared in this site before here. This monument began as a 42 ton block of Continue Reading

Damoxenus and Kruegas

Posted by Cindy on August 23, 2013

Aug 232013

Entryway to the Olympic Club 524 Post Street Union Square Domoxenus Established on May 6, 1860, The Olympic Club enjoys the distinction of being America’s oldest athletic club, which makes it appropriate, that these two statues of Damoxenus and Kreugas stand outside its front door. Damoxenus and Kreugas were boxers. Domoxenus of Syracuse was excluded from the Nemean Games for killing Kreugas in a pugilistic encounter. The two competitors, after having consumed the entire day in boxing, agreed each to receive from the other a blow without flinching. Kreugas first struck Damoxenus on the head, and then Damoxenus, with his fingers unfairly stretched Continue Reading

St. Anne of the Sunset

Posted by Cindy on August 21, 2013

Aug 212013

850 Judah Inner Sunset Groundbreaking and construction on Saint Anne’s began in 1930 and the church was completed three years later. The architect was William D. Shea. William went to work with his brother Frank in 1890 and formed Shea and Shea. In 1907 William D. Shea became city architect. Ordinance No. 1767, under which Shea was appointed, provided for the appointment of a city architect at a salary of $4,000 per annum. The city architect was appointed to perform such architectural services as the board of public works required of him, and he was to devote his entire time Continue Reading

Sundial on the Hilltop

Posted by Cindy on August 20, 2013

Aug 202013

Hilltop Park Newcomb Avenue and Progress Street Hunters Point This painted steel, 70 foot tall, sundial is by Jaques Overhoff, he is known for his large sculptures, which you can see here and here. The sundial apparently keeps somewhat accurate time. The markers and numbers on the base are made with various colors of concrete. Hilltop Park was built by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency in 1987. The Landscape Architect was Michael Painter and Associates, it was the first park in San Francisco to incorporate a Skate Board Arena. The contractor was A. and J. Shooter and Associates. This concrete sun Continue Reading

Queseda Gardens

Posted by Cindy on August 19, 2013

Aug 192013

Queseda and Newcomb Bayview/Hunters Point The Quesada Gardens Community Mural & Gathering Space emerged with leadership from QGI Co-Founders Sharon Bliss and Mike Aisenfeld. Neighbors wanted to express the magic of the garden and spirit of community. In the end, a gritty urban space was transformed when community-based artist Deirdre DeFranceaux, with fellow artist Santie Huckaby, breathed life into a potent symbol of hope and unity. The mural was dedicated in 2004. * * * Santie Huckaby’s work has been in this site before. According to his website: Born in Ohio, I have spent the past 40 years in San Francisco working as a professional Continue Reading

Mission Dolores Mosaic

Posted by Cindy on August 17, 2013

Aug 172013

Mission Dolores 16th and Dolores The Mission District This mural is in the hallway between the Mission and the Basilica. The brass plaque that accompanies it reads: Guillermo Granizo 1923-1996 This ceramic mural is the work of Guillermo Granizo a native San Francisco Artist. Shortly after Guillermo’s birth in 1923 the Granizo Family moved to Nicaragua for a period of eleven years. The family then returned to San Francisco. Extensive travel and research in Mexico and Central America in 1958 has provided flavor of many of his works. This mural depicts the arrival of the San Carlos in San Francisco Continue Reading

Tekakwitha Lily of the Mohawk

Posted by Cindy on August 16, 2013

Aug 162013

Mission Dolores Cemetery 16th and Mission The Mission District Saint Kateri Tekakwitha baptised as Catherine Tekakwitha and informally known as Lily of the Mohawks (1656 – April 17, 1680), is a Roman Catholic saint, who was an Algonquin–Mohawk virgin and religious laywoman. Born in Auriesville (now part of New York), she survived smallpox and was orphaned as a child, then baptized as a Roman Catholic and settled for the last years of her life at the Jesuit mission village ofKahnawake, south of Montreal in New France, now Canada. Tekakwitha professed a vow of virginity until her death at the age of 24. Known for her virtue of chastity and corporal mortification of the flesh, as well as beingshunned by her tribe for her religious conversion to Catholicism, she is the fourth Native American to Continue Reading

Father Junipero Serra

Posted by Cindy on August 14, 2013

Aug 142013

Mission Dolores 16th and Dolores The Mission District This sculpture, found inside the cemetery is by Arthur Putnam. The cast stone sculpture is one of a series of allegorical figures originally commissioned to depict the history of California for the estate of E. W. Scripps. This cast was funded by D. J. McQuarry at the cost of $500. It was placed at Mission Dolores in 1918 when the Mission was remodeled. Arthur Putnam (September 6, 1873–1930) was an American sculptor who was recognized for his bronze sculptures of wild animals. His bats grace the First National Bank and his other animals can be found on the Continue Reading

Mission Dolores Cemetery

Posted by Cindy on August 13, 2013

Aug 132013

16th and Dolores The Mission District Mission Dolores is one of my favorite places in all of San Francisco. I try to visit at least once every two months or so. The history of the mission is well know to every Californian (we are required to study them in the 2nd grade), so I will not go into that. Wikipedia most likely has a wonderful dissertation if you are so inclined. My favorite part of the mission is the cemetery. When I first started going, many, many years ago, the cemetery was in very sad shape. Over the years a Continue Reading

Diversity at UCSF

Posted by Cindy on August 12, 2013

Aug 122013

400 Parnassus UCSF Medical Center Inner Sunset Sunarte by Juana Alicia Juana Alicia’s SANARTE: Diversity’s Pathway represents healing traditions worldwide, community cooperation, the internal work we do to heal ourselves as well as the social and natural movements that have brought about diversity, with a focus on the special history of UCSF. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Juana moved to the Bay Area in 1973 and works in a variety of media as a muralist, illustrator, print maker, and painter. She is best known for large-scale murals, particularly in San Francisco and Central America that are infused with social, political, and Continue Reading

The Bohemian Clubs Allegorical Figures

Posted by Cindy on August 9, 2013

Aug 092013

624 Taylor Street Nob Hill These four bas-relief, terra cotta panels are between the second and third floors of the Bohemian Club on the Post Street side. The first panel depicts Art and Architecture represented by a semi-nude turbanned male figure kneeling. In his proper left hand is a mallet which rests on the ground by his proper left leg. In his raised proper right hand he holds a fluted Greek column with an Ionic capital. Behind the figure is a painter’s palette and brushes. The second panel depicts Playwriting and Acting represented by a nude male figure kneeling on Continue Reading

Flower Boxes at the Bohemian Club

Posted by Cindy on August 7, 2013

Aug 072013

624 Taylor Street Nob Hill These planter boxes were commissioned by the architect, Lewis Hobart, for the Bohemian Club in 1933. They were sculpted by Haig Patigian. Haig Patigian has been in this site may times, you can read all about him and his works here. Lewis Parsons Hobart was born in St. Louis, Missouri on January 14, 1873. After graduating from preparatory schools in the East, he attended U.C. Berkeley for a year. While there he was influenced by Bernard Maybeck (as were many other young students, such as Julia Morgan and Arthur Brown, Jr.), participating in drawing classes that Maybeck taught in his Continue Reading

Bret Harte at the Bohemian Club

Posted by Cindy on August 6, 2013

Aug 062013

624 Taylor Street Nob Hill The artist, Jo Mora, created and donated the sculpture to the Bohemian Club of which he and Bret Harte were members. In 1933, when the old Bohemian Club was torn down, the memorial was removed and reinstalled on the new club in 1934, Francis Bret Harte (August 25, 1836 – May 6, 1902) was an American author and poet, best remembered for his accounts of pioneering life in California. The plaque which is on the Post Street side of the club depicts 15 characters from Harte’s works. The characters represented come from a handful of stories and a poem that established Harte’s Continue Reading

The Bridge between North Beach and Chinatown

Posted by Cindy on August 5, 2013

Aug 052013

The Bridge between North Beach and Chinatown

Grant Avenue and Jack Kerouac Alley Chinatown/North Beach This community mural is on the corner of Jack Kerouac Alley and Grant Street. Titled The Bridge, the lead painter was Robert Minervini along with over a dozen local youth from Chinatown. It was sponsored by the Chinatown Community Development Center and the Adopt-An-Alleyway Youth Empowerment Project with funds from the City of San Francisco Community Challenge Grant. Robert Minervini is a painter who creates invented spaces based on, but slightly askew from reality. He draws from notions of utopia and the sublime. His works utilize traditional motifs of still life and Continue Reading

California Masonic Memorial Temple

Posted by Cindy on August 3, 2013

Aug 032013

1111 California Street Nob Hill Designed by Albert Roller (April 20, 1891 – July 12, 1981) the California Masonic Memorial Temple was dedicated on Sept. 29, 1958. An icon of mid-century modernist architecture, the structure is located at the top of Nob Hill across the street from Grace Cathedral. It is a testament to simple lines, open spaces, and heavy materials. Inside is an auditorium that seats 3,165, and 16,500 square feet of exhibit space. As its name suggests, the Temple also serves as a war memorial. The building’s façade features a sculpture, by Emile Norman, of four 12-foot-high figures, representing Continue Reading

Association for the Blind Condo Conversion

Posted by Cindy on August 2, 2013

Aug 022013

Association for the Blind Condo Conversion

1097 Howard Street South of Market In 1902, Mrs. Josephine Rowan, whose brother was blind, organized a group of women to establish The Reading Room for the Blind in the basement of the San Francisco Public Library, with the intent of helping blind and visually impaired individuals access printed material. And thus, the LightHouse was born. In 1914, the Reading Room changed its name to the San Francisco Association for the Blind, and Ruth Quinan was hired as Superintendent of the Association. Her first action was to create the trademark “Blindcraft” for the growing production of brooms and baskets. Quinan Continue Reading

U.S. Custom House Sculpture

Posted by Cindy on August 1, 2013

Aug 012013

555 Battery Street Financial District U.S. Customs House Most of the granite sculptures on the U.S. Custom house were done in-situ by unknown artists. The roof top sculpture, however, was done by Alice Cooper. Alice Cooper (April 8, 1875 – 1937) was an American sculptor. Born in Glenwood, Iowa, and based in Denver, Colorado, Cooper studied under Preston Powers (son of the well known sculptor Hiram Powers,) then at the Art Institute of Chicago with Lorado Taft and the Art Students League of New York through about 1901. Cooper is best known for her bronze figure of Sacajawea originally produced as the centerpiece for the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in Portland, Oregon, 1905, unveiled in Continue Reading

U.S. Custom House

Posted by Cindy on July 31, 2013

Jul 312013

555 Battery Street Financial District The first United States Congress established the U.S. Customs Service in 1789 to collect duties and taxes on imported goods, control carriers of imports and exports, and combat smuggling and revenue fraud. Until the federal income tax was created in 1913, customs funded virtually the entire government. Possessing an extraordinary natural harbor and one of the country’s finest ports, San Francisco rapidly expanded during the nineteenth century. By the turn of the twentieth century, construction of the Panama Canal, which would dramatically shorten trade routes between the Atlantic and Pacific, had begun. City officials likely Continue Reading

The Hayward/Kohl Building

Posted by Cindy on July 30, 2013

Jul 302013

400 Montgomery Street Financial District The Hayward/Kohl Building was designed by Percy & Polk (George Percy and Willis Polk both of whom have been written about on this site many times before) for Alvinza Hayward. Hayward made his fortune from the Eureka Gold Mine in California and the Comstock Silver Mine in Nevada as well as investments in timber, coal, railroads, real estate, and banking. He was a director of the Bank of California and one of the original investors in the San Francisco City Gas Company which become the Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Hayward was in his late seventies when he commissioned the partners Percy and Continue Reading

Richard L. Perri and the Giant Pill

Posted by Cindy on July 29, 2013

Jul 292013

7th and Market Street SOMA/Mid Market The Odd Fellows Temple (you can read my post about the IOOF building here) is getting a CVS on the ground floor. Artist Richard L. Perri has brightened up the construction zone with a really fun mural. Richard L. Perri has a studio in the Odd Fellows Building. Born in Rockville Center, New York, Perri studied at the San Francisco Art Institute. MidMa stands for Mid Market District. According to their website: The Mid Market district has historically been an art center. During its heyday (mid 1900’s) it was a vibrant and star-studded hub for theater Continue Reading

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