Archive for the ‘Bay Area Art’ Category
:: Special Delivery ::
shots taken from the Special Delivery exhibit that took place in the long abandoned Flint Ink factory, now slated for future office complex.
Special Delivery was a project from Endless Canvas, where 80+ Bay Area artists were invited to COVER a 36K’ sq. ft., 3-story, warehouse in top-to-bottom murals & individual pieces.
you can view the set here.
:: GOSR and SEMEL ::
recently Facebook teamed up with Spotify and held a launch party to celebrate the US arrival of Spotify. However, prior to the event, local graffiti artists, GOSR and SEMEL, were able to completely cover the building in what I must say is a fantastic piece of work.
:: Skinner : The Fragile Art of Existence : Shooting Gallery : SF ::
Skinner’s “The Fragile Art of Existence” solo exhibition opens tonight at the Shooting Gallery. Skinner is a Sacramento-based, multi-media artist that has really developed a lot just since I started shooting some of his graffiti in the Bay Area.
Here’s a recent video where Skinner talks about this show, his changing worldview, and how its affecting his work
:: Jesse Hazelip – 941 Geary Gallery ::
Last night, January 15th, 941 Geary Gallery hosted the opening premier of Jesse Hazelip’s “Belle of the Brawl”
:: Broken Meter ‘zine Launch Party : White Walls Gallery ::
Just recently, White Walls gallery in San Francisco, held the launch party for the Broken Meter ‘zine. A confluence of city life, artistic energy & movement. A personal project by Adam Rozan of the Oakland Museum of California, which highlights the arts of San Francisco Bay area and beyond. Below are some pics snapped from that night (apologies on the delay of posting them)
Skinner featured above
NART featured above
:: Iz the Wiz : RIP 2009 ::
my buddy plug1 over @ whatimseeing invited me along for some fotosnappin’ tonight of a memorial mural recently done for “Iz the Wiz” aka Michael Martin, who passed away suddenly while in Florida at the young age of 51. I really enjoy graff (as any frequenter to Berderp knows) but I just hadn’t done enuff homework I suppose & am just now stumbling across the legendary: Iz the Wiz. So here’s a short shout-out to a sorely missed figure in the graffiti culture. [can any one identify who did this piece below?]
Iz began his career in the early 70’s, being a Queen’s native, and had a nascent rise to the creme de la creme as one of NYC’s prolific graff artist . Known for his popular “Iz” tag, he was featured in the venerable Style Wars documentary, and also appeared in Wild Style. He held the title of “All-City” King for many, many years throughout the 70’s & 80’s. But so many years of inhaling aerosol fumes without protective masks lead to kidney issues in the 90’s, and then finally his passing away last month.
12oz prophet has quite a bit of links on him
you can see more of IZ’s work here & here.
:: SF Unionized Art & Technical Workers ::
this series of stencils was sponsored by SFMOMA and can be found outside of the museum grounds on a nearby stretch of sidewalk.
pieces done by Jessica Tully & Kim Munson in conjunction with the Labor Archives Research Center
[update: Kim was nice enough to point out that there are more pics on YBCA site and Bay Area Now ]
:: SF Mini Taxis ::
Demetrios lives here in SF and has been driving a taxi since the early 1960s. Our paths happened to cross last Saturday morning and I figured I would snap some pics of his collection of mini-taxis that are modified to resemble local taxi companies, a hobby he has had now for several years.
he even has the Prius.
DeSoto in the house.
London mini’s
wuddup Veterans.woof!
and finally how about a classic Miami Yellow cab.. with detail down to the mileage rates on the body of the cab. tight.
:: This Here Girafa ::
I finally saw my neighborhood Girafa this afternoon — shout out to the Sunset too!! wuudddduuppp!!
but apparently the SJPD/SFPD thinks this dude’s work is gang related.. word is he’s just a very talented tall white kid..
me? I think yah should check out my boi’s Girafa Hunting expedition o’er at WhatI’mSeeing
Like the Flaming Lips say..
And ya feel yourself shrinkin
And ya feel yourself shrinkin
this here giraffe, laughed
this here giraffe, laughed
And ya hear yourself
And ya hear yourself
:: Spotlight on William Noguera ::
Originally when I stumbled into William’s work was here at the Prison Project Death Row Art Exhibit, in which a few of his pieces were shown. This first one below, To Lie in Amsterdam, is what captured my attention the most. I must’ve stared 15 minutes at this piece. But, I have to correct myself that he is not completely self taught and had major influences from his parents when he was growing up.
this is my favorite piece by William, To Lie in Amsterdam
William’s agent, Cassandra contacted me through the web, we played some electronic tag and then finally met over at another art showing she did a few months back. I talked to her about wanting to write to William, and with her added encouragement, I did. At first I didn’t know what to say, but one night I just started writing like I was writing someone I had known for several years. I dont think I babbled too much, as he wrote me back. I dont get a sense of vindication in Williams tone or demeanor and his work is just absolutely amazing. I encourage you to check his stuff out in person. The level of detail is intense, and I really have emotions stirring in me when I look at his work.
The thing that he conveys is that he believes in “intentional fallacy”.. when applied to art would dictate that the piece of work is judged exclusively on its merit, not by the creator or the creators particular surroundings or circumstances. I went to this live call-in that he did from San Quentin. There were probably 20 people on this “conference call” that got interrupted at one point as he was out of minutes. We also got the friendly automated recording from San Quentin to let us know that our conversations were indeed being monitored/taped. It was really cool to hear him talk and field a few questions. One lady expressed interest in the same piece that I am fond of, To Lie in Amsterdam. However, she inquired about this piece to William and her description grabbed my attention. She said, “it has this film-noir feel to it..” .. BAM!! That was it. When I first saw that piece, for some reason it made me think of Casablanca. I couldnt get that idea, that set of images of Bogey getting Ilsa on the plane, out of my head. Nevertheless, this stranger felt the same way; subsequently, I didnt feel so odd for some reason. But its this constant outpour from Williams dreams, his past, emotions, trials and phases in his life, that wind up creating these pieces which unequivocally in my opinion is some of the best in this style. Apparently he’s switching styles right now, so I’m itching to see the new stuff.
Keep up the good work William
Currently, William has a showing at the Braunstein/Quay gallery (430 Clementina) through June 21st. He was also just featured on the front page DateBook section in the SF Chronicle this past Wednesday May 28th. Here is the featured article on SFGATE
close up of the piece above — some of these take over 100 hours to create.
another close up
:: BerDerp™ :: 
