Many of you may remember artist Jay Mercado from his donut paintings exhibit that I posted about last year.
The building that houses his studio at California and 10th Avenue (4754 California) recently completed a beautiful makeover. Jay spent a lot of the away time from his studio working on sketches at home. But now that it’s done, Jay is getting ready to re-open his Califirnia Street studio as “Art Mercado”:
“I plan on informally reopening in March but will have an official exhibition on April 24th. I will also be offering a trio of workshops for those wishing to explore their creative side a bit further.”
Keep an eye on the windows at 10th and California for new developments. In the meantime, check out Jay’s blog to see his latest work.
How Does It Sound? blog posted some great pics and video of a bubble artist in Golden Gate Park last week. I’m not sure “bubble artist” is a real hobby or profession, but he’s definitely creating art.
Last fall, I stumbled upon “Modern Relics”, a unique boutique and gallery at Cabrillo near 8th Avenue. Owner Alix Blüh and her dog, Jack, greeted me warmly and showed me around the store which features old fashioned, intricate displays that mesh intriguing objects with lovely, handcrafted jewelry. Read my profile of Modern Relics here
If you can’t manage to make it to the gallery or if you prefer to do your shopping online, Modern Relics has a new website where you can shop for Alix’s handmade jewelry including bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and rings.
In celebration of the launch, Alix is offering visitors 10% off their purchase, either online at alixbluh.com or at the store at 771 Cabrillo. Just enter the code “launchblast10″ at checkout on the website, or mention the discount when you pop in the store.
Next Sunday night, February 7, The Balboa will host acclaimed Russian animator Yuri Norstein. He’ll present three of his works: “Hedgehog in the Fog,” “Tale of Tales,” and a segment of his work in progress, Nikolai Gogol’s “Overcoat”.
Norstein (Yuriy Norshteyn) was born in Russia during his parents’ World War II evacuation. After studying at an art school and a short stint at a furniture factory, he found employment at studio Soyuzmultfilm in 1961. The first film that he participated in as an animator was Who Said “Meow”? (1962).
Norstein uses a special technique in his animation, involving multiple glass planes to give his animation a three-dimensional look. The camera is placed at the top looking down on a series of glass planes about a meter deep (one every 25-30cm). The individual glass planes can move horizontally as well as toward and away from the camera (to give the effect of a character moving closer or further away). He does not use computers in his work.
One of the films that will be shown, “Overcoat”, has an interesting backstory. Throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, Norstein earned many state and international awards for his work. Then, in a bitter twist of irony, he was fired from Soyuzmultfilm in 1985 for working too slowly on his latest film, a (presumably) feature-length adaptation of Gogol’s Overcoat. By that time he had been working on it with his usual small team of three people for two years… and had only finished ten minutes.
Fast forward to 2010, and Norstein is still finishing the film; his stubborn perfectionism has earned him the nickname “The Golden Snail”. He’ll show some of the yet-to-be finished film at the event. And to help fund its completion, proceeds the Balboa event will benefit Norstein’s studio in Moscow.
The duration of the screening will be about 90 minutes; doors open at 8pm with the screening starting at 8:30pm. The show is expected to sell out, so purchase advance tickets here ($25).
Watch the short documentary below about Norstein where he talks about his work and gives you a tour of his studio, where the magic happens.
RichmondSFBlog reader Janna alerted me to a city-wide contest called Poets 11. So named because the contest calls for poems from every neighborhood and features readings at branch libraries in each of the City’s 11 districts.
Now in its third year, Poets 11 celebrates San Francisco’s rich literary life and thriving poetry community. It’s organized by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library and their Poet-in-Residence Jack Hirschman, together with the San Francisco Public Library.
Local poets are encouraged to submit up to three poems. Poetry is chosen by Hirschman and selected poets are announced at each of the branch events. All types of poetry are accepted. Writings which reflect San Francisco’s diversity of language and culture and those written in languages other than English are highly encouraged.
Need some inspiration or instruction? Check out the Richmond Library’s “Everyone is a Poet” program this Wednesday night from 6-7:30pm. The workshop offers fun and easy ways to create poetry and to nurture the poet within. Llimited to 25 participants; to register, call 355-5600.
Here’s your chance to represent the Richmond! If you’re a poet and you know it (or don’t), get all the info you need at the Poets 11 website.
In our current digital age, the art of paper is quickly fading. This Saturday and Sunday you can get back to (beautiful) basics at the Vintage Paper Fair in Golden Gate Park.
At the fair you’ll find vintage postcards, photos, trade cards, stereoviews, photography, labels, brochures, transportation, sports memorabilia, prints and many other types of vintage collectible paper.
You’re also likely to see lots of local history. Vintage postcards like the ones I found below of our own neighborhood are sure to be on display from exhibitors.
If you already own something you think is of value, bring it to the show for a free appraisal from fair organizer Hal Lutsky.
The event is held Saturday from 10-6 and Sunday from 10-4 at the County Fair Building near 9th Avenue and Lincoln in Golden Gate Park. Admission is free both days.
Table Asia Gallery will host a reception for the opening of “Art of Nature: Driftwood Sculpture Art” on Thursday, December 17th from 5pm – 8pm.
The reception kicks off an exhibition of work by Michael David Green or “Forest”, as he prefers to be called. He’s known for creating sculptures that combine gorgeous found driftwood with his unique process of adding polychrome gold.
Come out to meet the artist and see some unusual, naturalistic art. The gallery tells us “you’ve probably never seen anything quite like this”.
Table Asia Gallery is located at 1101 Lake Street at 12th Avenue.
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