My neighbors are way into Hallowe'en. Which is cool, but I didn't join the festivities in the lavishly decorated courtyard because I don't have a costume this year, again. Also, I'm an antisocial fucker.
Tomorrow I'm going to work in street clothes, and maybe a quiet evening. Or catch a movie. I may get back into the spirit of All Hallow's Eve again some year.
On Friday I was feeling a bit restless and thought about skipping the whole Open Studios bit for a spontaneous last minute trip: Monterey. Reno. Vancouver. On Saturday, I decided to stick with the original plan, and I'm extremely glad I did so.
Friendly and cool people that I felt comfortable talking to; perhaps having seen and appreciated their art gave a better common ground than I usually stand on. Some beautiful beautiful art, some of which was so much better in person than in jpegs, some of which I wouldn't have seen at all if I hadn't been visiting that particular art studio. Some awesome places: the utter urban decay of the Noonan Building; the secret insides of neighbors' buildings that I had never seen; the clutter of art collective warehouses; the utter poshness of a seven-figure loft two blocks from me.
A small list of new favorite artists from the past few weekends: Ani Lucia Thompkins' abstracted figure silhouette-sized paintings. Brian Andrews' intricate totemic wood sculptures, not for sale, seven months' worth of labor each. Elana Kundell's layered emotional spaces, almost a scar on the canvas; I was a bit bummed to hear she lives in SoCal. Kimberly Weinberg's fabric paintings; I hadn't even put her on my list, so it was a pleasure finding her art. Jenn Porreca's character art, predominantly the dark haired girl with the keyhole on her cheek. Audrey Heller's photos of Lilliputians. And so many more.
Jenn Porreca invited me to a show, Heavy Hitterz, with 80 international [mostly graffiti] artists at a venue that's about to be torn down in a couple weeks. She's way cool; so's her fiance, who makes ambient instrumental hip hop.
I suppose I'll see how I feel about a big graffiti art opening after getting back from Hunter's Point.
While visiting the Noonan Building and other studios, I decided I was stupid for having left my camera at home... so many "escape windows", so many images of urban decay.
The camera on the iPhone is pretty good, though.
(more here)
On Sunday I caught the rest of the Open Studios I had missed, then picked up this
camera bag, which is awesome and holds everything I need securely without being too unwieldy, and went back to take some pictures with my Jack and Macro lenses. I still like the iPhone pics though, for their particular personality.
It was odd though; I feel distinctly uncomfortable taking photos around other people's art since they make their livings on their imagery. I did ask for and receive permission to take some photos out the windows of one third-story studio at the Noonan Building, however, which I was happy about. I should have done HDR or added the flash for the frame, but whatever.
I was going to compile another list of artists I want to see for this, the final weekend of the SF Open Studios; a bit of time spent during the week helps make the weekend stress-free and fun. But everyone's in eight adjacent buildings @ Hunter's Point this weekend; no need for a map. And maybe some spontaneity and the unexpected will be good. Surprise me.
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Xan Blood Walker (artspan)
Wendell Shinn (artspan)
Russel Kiehn (artspan)
Kristina Quinones (artspan)
Janet Seifert (artspan)
Carla Bratt (artspan)
Audrey Heller (artspan)
Genea Barnes (artspan)
Kay A. Russell
