SEPTEMBER 2004
Mission Arts Monthly |
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Threads Fashion Show |
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The first annual fashion show at the Mission Arts Gallery brought together 6 fashion designers, 2 jewelry makers, 1 handbag maker, 3 photographers, 7 models, 3 makeup artists and 1 hat maker to put on a fashion show that wowed and blinged the gallery goers. “Threads” was a trip down a new catwalk for the gallery and I think they liked it. |
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The
night started off with a normal gallery wall presentation of photographs,
art, fashion shoots and clothes that could be called wearable art. Outlandish
dresses of amazing fabrics were spread out on the walls like works of art.
Racks of designer clothes were placed around the gallery for people to look
through. Some of the more extravagant dresses were put on manikins to give
them the 3D presentation they deserved. The jewelers, Abbey Barclay, K. Maley and Jersey
McDermott (who featured her very cool molecule-inspired rings and
necklaces "Caffeine, Dopamine,
Seratonin etc…" displayed their designs in cases and for people to try
on. Gladys Magana had colorful handbags made out of plush materials. The
gallery presentation would have been enough, but we all knew there was a
fashion show in the works and waited patiently for the designers and models
to get ready. |
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The
first designer to show was Allan Herrera known for his elegant classic style.
The first model out whore a sheer red silk evening dress that set the perfect
tone for the evening. His other designs lived up to his reputation for
elegance with one dress a little more on the wild side showing he has
imagination and daring. |
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The next designer was Elizabeth Cline with a decidedly 60’s chic approach. Colorful blouses with tailored paints were mixed with fabulous hats by Santa Barrios. A stand out deign of hers is the sweater with no torso. It’s like your only wearing sleeves and get to show off the rest of your outfit while keeping warm. This could be a hit with San Francisco’s weather issues. |
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The
next designer was Lara Grant with her X-tra Crunchy line. A fun collection of
designs with an innocent apocalyptic flavor to them. White dresses with tee
shit tops followed by white dress splashed with red, then something more
elegant, yet fun. Overall a very eclectic city mix. |
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The
fourth designer was Tenley Wallace who wowed us with her earthy oriental
fusion of designs. Striking patterns, scarves and Olympic caliber fan work
mesmerized the crowd as she modeled one of her own creations. Fairly
complicated designs with fringe and lace showed an eye for detail. |
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The
fifth designer was Katrina with couture evening fashions. Smart dress and
stylish evening gowns. I liked her black velvet blouse with the open neck. |
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The
last designer of the evening was Felicia Gonzalez with her active urban
eveningwear. Beautiful designs with bright colors and shear fabrics
complimented the urban feel of the line. |
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A
compliment goes out to Rikena and the other fine make up and hair artists who
worked for hours before and during the show. Their skill shined in the
catwalk lights. |
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After the
fashion part of the show, the models mingled with the crowd and people had a
chance to met the designers. A place was set up to try on clothes and
jewelry. I would say that “Threads” was a successful first attempt by the
Mission Arts Gallery at a fashion show and I can’t wait till the next one!
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Balazo Gallery |
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Urban
Birds at Balazo
Gallery |
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by
Leena Prasad |
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At
the August exhibit at the Balazo Gallery, you would have found room size birds. Not literally, of course. But the ‘bird room’ as I call it was an
abstract representation of a flock of birds in motion. Parts of birds represented by fabric,
felt, feathers, taxidermy pieces, and yarn were strewn all over the room,
including a giant birds’ leg that leant down from the ceiling in a triangular
arc. This was a collaborative
installation by Renee Dolores and Emily Sevier. |
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The
exhibit was called ‘Urban Birds.’ The
show represented a collective of ten California artists whose work span a
variety of styles, from small sketches that appeared to have been torn out of
a sketchpad to found object paintings that required an entire wall to
themselves. |
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A
set of pen and color marker drawings that, at first glance resembled
children’s artwork taped to refrigerator doors, were quite striking in their
bold lines and color. This body of
work by Ami Tallman was further accentuated by single sentences which
described the personality of the mythical birds, e.g., “Bird of the tricky
switch - The bird who changes the terms of the argument halfway through” or
“Bird of Recreation – the bird for whom leisure must be well structured.” |
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Whereas
Tallman’s work are parodies of scientific illustrations, Melanie Doyle chose
to frame an antique collection of miniature bird trading cards that she
acquired as part of a family heirloom. The space created by this collection
was further accentuated by an “Urban Bird: a sonic terrain” that Doyle had
created in collaboration with Joel Miller and Charles Kremenak. This collection interspersed bird and
human sounds to instill a meditative note to the corner where Doyle’s works
resided. |
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Sharing
the space with Tallman and Doyle, Veronica De Jesus had wallpapered half a
room with both notebook paper and poster sizes works which combined her
drawings and writings to invoke contemplation. She had juxtaposed beautiful color drawings of elephants next
to the birds to draw attention to the grounded vs. floating symbolism of the
animals. |
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Before
leaving this room, a visitor could also peruse through Doyle’s booklet “They
Came From The Sky” which ruminates on theories of birds as the evolutionary
ancestors of humans. The writings in
the book are illustrated by the precise and striking lines of Erin Madarang’s
collages. |
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Madarang’s
collages were on display in the hallway.
Her use of black and parrot green (with little bits of red) is
dramatic and memorable. Madarang also
made her curatorial debut with this show.
The artists in the show are friends and acquaintances of Madarang. She
put together the exhibit when she realized that she knew many artists who
were obsessed with bird images. |
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Madarang
and Noel Franklin, the only painter in the show, were schoolmates. Noel Franklin’s bird are rendered in black
and brown and densely textured with the help of resin, paint, urban found
objects (crystal glass, twisted barbed wire, hair), coffee, blood, and rice
krispies. She draws upon her Native
American background to lend an aura of mystery to these urban birds whose
shadows are captured on found metal and wood. |
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This
was a thoughtfully curated show: the
artistic range was diverse to retain the audience’s visual interest while the
unified theme provided the viewer with something to ponder about. |
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The
price range for the pieces in the show is $5 for some of the drawings to
$4500 for a painting. |
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Balazo Gallery at 2811 Mission Street is open from 2-6 on Saturdays and Sundays
or by appointment call 415-550-1108.
The ‘Urban Bird’ show closed on August 23rd. |
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Artist X-Change |
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Artist
Xchange |
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Wouldn’t
it be great if you could buy cool local artists work any day of the year and
not have to wait for open studios? Well the Artist Xchange is opening the
door to local artists and giving them a chance to show and sell their work.
In an era were everything is made in China, it is refreshing to know that
your can support your local artistic community by getting those presents and
wall hangings right here in the Mission. They have everything from jewelry
and glasswork to paintings to hang on that blank wall with the nail holes. |
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The
problem has always been getting the gallery space started. The Artist-Xchange provides an accessible fully
managed space for displaying local artists work and promoting the creativity
that is coming from local Bay Area artists. There are no upfront fees
to have your work displayed and no time commitment required around the
management of the gallery. The Artist-Xchange has several free events
open to the public each month allowing the consigned artists to engage and
interact with the clientele. It’s great to talk to the artists and can
give you a chance to have that special piece made just for you. |
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The Artist-Xchange has had it’s doors open for business since April and has a great location right on the 16th St hot spot between Valencia and Gerreo. Owner Scott Mitchell says “We are showing great signs of success in the past four months and are constantly striving to promote our wonderfully talented artists creativity and increase the awareness of the gallery. We are starting to notice some welcomed repeat clientele that have embraced the gallery and have a passion for local area creativity of both fine and functional art.” |
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They have a consignment
retail model which allows artists to set their asking price while avoiding
the high fees associated with traditional gallery display space. “The
goal of the Artist-Xchange is to allow the wonderful creativity of the San
Francisco Bay Area artists to be enjoyed by every customer that enters the
store.” says Scott. I say rock on Artists Xchange! |
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If you’re an artist and
want to get you art in the gallery send an email to: |
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Check them out at: |
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Artist-Xchange |
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3169 16th St |
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Between (Valencia &
Guerrero) |
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San Francisco, CA 94103 |
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Phone: 415-864-1490 |
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Email:
sales@artist-xchange.com |
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The Mission Arts Foundation has awarded its 3 month artists residency to Ken Paul Rosenthal. Ken is a filmmaker who has lived in the Mission district for many years until he was evicted by a landlord occupation. Ken’s films employ alternative photochemical and bacterial processes, re-photography and multiple projection set-ups. Rosenthal also curates annual programs of hand-processed film called Texture of the Gesture, and currently teaches at the Academy of Art College. Ken has a Master of Arts in Creative and Interdisciplinary Arts from San Francisco State University and is working on another Master of Fine Art in Cinema. Ken says “During my residency, I'd like to complete work on my current project, 'Flow', which was shot at the Sutro Baths. 'Flow' is a short, poetic narrative about a pregnant woman who imagines the loss of her unborn child before a molten and turbulent sea, then embarks on an obsessive quest to reconnect with his elusive, fleeting spectre.” Ken’s film have been shown in the Mission at ATA and The Lab, and his films have been shown internationally in Europe. Ken has been awarded the Sobel Memorial National Scholarship and the 35th Humboldt International Film Festival “Film Arts Foundation Award”. We are hoping that Ken’s hand processing of film will inspire and inform the artists at the studio while he gets to interact with them. Ken will have a free studio and darkroom access for the term of the residency at The Art Explosion Studios. |
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Intersection Literary Series |
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Tuesday September 28, 8 PM, $5-$15 |
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Intersection for the Arts |
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446 Valencia Street |
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Remember
This! |
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Dance Mission Theater |
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Zeppelin Beach Improv Showcase |
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The
Zeppelin Beach improv showcase is an exciting collection of improv styles
from around the Bay Area. Three groups bring you their talents in Singing,
Storytelling, and Comedy. Improv at its finest, and most dangerous, where
anything can happen and often does. For more details on these great groups
visit the Zeppelin Beach website. www.zeppelinbeach.com |
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VENUE: JON SIMS CENTER 1519 MISSION STREET |
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SATURDAY
11th at 5, 7, 9 PM |
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Art
Explosion Studios |
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Tel: 415.826.4441