SAN FRANCISCO ART GALLERIES OPENINGS
FIRST THURSDAY; 06.04.09
PART I
(with assistance from Lynnore Goldfarb, DeWitt Cheng,
Amy Cancelmo, Julia Haas, Kathryn Arnold and RWM)

General comment by AB: First off, I'd like to thank Erin Healy and AirInDesign for the new and hugely improved redesign of ArtBusiness.com. While I personally enjoyed the vintage look and feel of the old site, it was exceptionally lame in terms of navigation, and had a number of other peccadillos which weren't exactly doing my reputation as a High Art Hinky Dink any favors. Yes my artful darlings, as they say in the kidney stone business, "All things must pass," and so it is with considerable exhilaration that I embark upon this journey of having a website design that actually makes sense. Kindly allow me to add that Erin Healy is knowledgeable, dedicated, and committed to doing a quality job, plus special added bonus-- she's easy to work with. And if that's not enough, she'll work within your budget to either design or redesign your website.

OK. Enough gushing. Time to see us some art. Ready? Excellent...

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Toomey Tourell Fine Art: Monika Lin - Small Offerings.  

Review by DeWitt Cheng: Monika Lin explores epoxy resin as a deep-focus collage medium in these almost monochromatic mixed-media figurative and abstract works entitled Small Offerings, a rough translation, according to the press release, of the Mandarin characters for "trace," so the ideas of transience and memory are part of the content. Very elegant stuff, decorative and beautiful (and that's not a negative), but also enigmatic. Worth seeing in the gallery, as pix do not do them justice.

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Scott Nichols Gallery: An Endouring Friendship - Ansel Adams and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Photographers: Ansel Adams, Imogen Cunningham, Philippe Halsman, Lotte Jacobi, Yousuf Karsh, Arnold Newman, Alan Ross, Todd Webb.

Comment by AB: Commendable cull of vintage Southwest photography in general, and of Georgia O'Keeffe and her home, studio and surroundings in particular.

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Togonon Gallery: Viva Paredes and Elvira Sarmiento - No Soy de Aqui/ No Soy de Alla/ Soy Glocal (I'm Not From Here/ I'm Not From There/ I'm Glocal); San Francisco Art Institute Revisited Part II, Photography - David Johnson & Jack Fulton. 

Comment by AB: According to the disquisition, "San Francisco sculptor Viva Paredes and Mexico City-based Elvira Sarmiento address the subject of Globalization" in sculpture, installation and works on paper. In the rear gallery, we have David Johnson's frank straightforward black and white documentary photographs of African American life in San Francisco's Fillmore District between the 1940s and 1970s, complemented by Jack Fulton's artful color-rich cibachrome and dye-bleached photographic perspectives on West Coast life in the 1970s.

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Marx & Zavattero: Lisea Lyons - Lineage.

Comment by AB: Chromogenic prints by Lisea Lyons, both vintage and contemporary, blend her past with that of her teenage daughter, and in so doing, essay on family, memory, loss, the future, and the inexorable passage of time. The show opens on June 13. While there, check out the Project 250 art room-- fine art by quality artists available for a mere $250-- perfectly suited for these austere economic times.

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Sandra Lee Fine Art Gallery: Inaugural Show - Gallery Artists.

Artists: Chiyomi Longo, Dong Phan, David Mark, HyunSu Park, Jeff Sully, Mina Markovich, Younhee Paik, more.

Comment by AB: The gallery space formerly belonging to Scott Richards is now Sandra Lee Fine Art Gallery (formerly Evolving Art Gallery). It's that simple and no more complicated. Tonight is the gallery's grand opening event.

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Hespe Gallery: Tim Liddy, Robert Townsend and Donald Fritz - The Good Ol' Days.

Review by RWM: The Good Ol' Days are gone but not forgotten in this show which has us reexamine the past. Decaying cars and advertisements for and of children evoke a sense of a bygone era which upon reflection is somewhat disquieting because of the inevitable deterioration of everything. One cannot go back from these changing and critical times.

Comment by AB: My fave? Tim Liddy buys old board games at flea markets and then paints the boxes exactly like he finds 'em-- flaws and all. They're so unbelievably convincing, I wonder why Hespe's showing these old game boxes instead of art, and actually ask a curatorial associate what the deal is. Even when you zoom right in on 'em, you still have trouble believing they're paintings. You know what's coming, don't you? Yowza. Tim Liddy hereby, herewith, and heretofore receives the rare and highly coveted "How Do Dey Do Dat?" award.

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Bond Latin Gallery: Gallery Selections.

Comment by AB: According to the brochure, "Bond Latin Gallery specializes in Latin masters and contemporary Latin art." So I ask the owner how long they've been at 251 Post, remembering their street level gallery just off Union Square, and he tells me they've been there three years. Talk about flying beneath the radar...

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Suite Five Salon: Nancy Spoehlof.

Review by RWM: Startling art with contrasting colors. A cross between the abstract and paintings of people. Semi-representational figures practically jump out of the paintings with their bold colorations, seeming to seek recognition or at least acknowledgement.

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Caldwell Snyder Gallery: Curtis Fields.

Review by RWM: Wonderful depictions of the phantasmagorical garden and outdoors scenes. Nature is imbued with fantastic human-made colors reminding us that we're looking at paintings rather than photographs or actually stepping outdoors. Though vicarious, the images are marvelous and wonderful. Experience the joy of connecting with fervent floral places.

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Hangart Gallery: Peter Dimick and Daniel Ochoa - Exposed.

Comment by AB: Abstracted nude forms by Peter Dimick and Daniel Ochoa. And that, as they say, is that.

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SF Camerawork: Ersatz Group Exhibition - SF Camerawork Member Show; Leaving a Mark - Cutter Photozine (organized by Jesse Rose Roberts, Heather Renee Russ, and Rachel Styer); 2009 James D. Phelan Art Award in Photography - Doris Jew Conrath & Jim Stone.

Review and images by Julia Haas: It's a Triple Crown opening at SF Camerawork this First Thursday, culminating in record-breaking attendance for the gallery. In the front gallery, see the 2009 Phelan Award winners Doris Jew Conrath and Jim Stone. Conrath's digital constructions combine independent viewpoints of a building and stitch them together into one, giving the viewer seamless access to the building in a single take. Stone's large prints depict, as he says, "the ironic difference between intent and achievement" in American culture.

The Cutter Photo Zine pins up spreads and has a release party for 'Leaving A Mark,' their second issue. Exclusively black and white photographs, the zine depicts raucous interpretations of the title and lives up to the its mission to return "the power of sight in the focused home of the author."

Lastly, in the back gallery, you find the Ersatz Mail Art exhibition, the Camerawork member-only show composed of items literally mailed to the gallery, varying from individual prints to small objects. The artwork is the mail; the mail is the artwork! The show is curated by professional mail carrier Dennis D'Ambrogio, along with Chris Fitzpatrick and Camerawork's own Chuck Mobley. 

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Public Barber Salon: In the City - Group Photography Show.

Photographers: Andres Alegria, Dottie L. Guy, Cindy Loughridge, Seth Restaino, Alex Shahmiri.

Comment by AB: Five photographers essay on the urban idiom.

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SFMOMA Artists Gallery: Susan Martin, Lori Del Mar, Canan Tolon (organized by Steve Pon); New World Order - Humanity (organized by Renee de Cossio).

New World Order artists: Ian MacLean, Kelly Ording, Flo Oy Wong, Robert Welsh.

Review and images Kathryn Arnold: Little did I realize, wandering into the SFMOMA Artists Gallery at Fort Mason this evening for their scheduled group exhibition opening, the variety and amount of work that would be displayed. This cleanly modernized building feels quite large, with its spacious exposed ceilings that are visible from almost every section of the gallery space. Large works are on large walls and if not large, are clustered together typically in a grid fashion to create sense of a larger work. Small works not meant to be seen as one large whole are inventively arranged upstairs along pull-out moveable walls, one next to the other, leaving you less than perhaps 12 inches to view these pieces.  

Upstairs in the loft some of the first work I encounter, tucked in the back, is an installation by Flo Oy Wong which, she explains, is a departure from her regular work. Very baroque in feel, a number of hand-crafted dolls are covered with beads and other materials bringing to mind briefly the work of Chris Ofili. The work ties together elements of the artist's spiritual practice and by cleverly placing bubble shaped mirrors along the back wall, she produces a conceptual element as one contemplates upon reflection and illusion. Dolls fly and hover, containing symbolic references-- one is a family member who has a black belt in a Chinese Martial Art form. Another is Michelle Obama. And Wong's contemplation of her mother as she arrives out from a suitcase is meaningful.  

Moving along I encounter Robert Welsh's Urban Landscape photograph series. The set of small black and white photographic prints are arranged in a grid. They feel serious and are formally presented, often an organic natural human element against the backdrop of city life. Formal relationships working to the hilt!  

Slowly I meander around and about the two moveable walls that contain Ian MacLean's small works and Kelly Ording's larger (but still small) pieces. Many of Ian's appear to be photo based with some digital manipulation and collage. The few I particularly have the ability to view this evening (it is very crowded in here!) have some relation to SFMOMA's Klee works in that they are small, lightly colored, and very linear with some surreal elements. Kelly Ording also has works placed in these long thin viewing areas. Patterns and playful colors-- delightful. Her's are a bit larger than Ian's and are mainly acrylic on paper.  

A large room on the main floor features the atmospheric aluminum panels of Lori Del Mar where one's imagination causes you to see clear sky tinged with atmospheric hues rather than industrial material they're painted upon.  The silvery backing appears to enhance the atmospheric qualities. These works-- could they be expressing environmental concerns?  

Another room shows the works of Susan Martin. Intricate use of materials-- minimalist but not always as sometimes attention is more on the surfaces. Her floor piece is very interesting-- slightly built up about 12 inches, removing any similarity between her work and certain of Carl Andre's works.  Many 2-D wall pieces are clustered in grid formations with each panel expressing a gorgeous formal relationship.  

Last but never least, I travel up the back stairway and discover Canan Tolon's abstract paintings. I neglect to write down titles, but they're on the gallery's website. Many are based upon the formalist grid which is then becoming apparently destroyed. The painterly process of paint application is pretty cool expressionist brushwork!  

So conclusion-- what a great evening! And amazing work being produced in this city!

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Ever Gold Gallery: Fool's Gold. Artists: Tara Lisa Foley, Tahiti Pehrson, Silver Warner, Massan Fluker, Andrew McClintock.

Comment by AB: Good art and good artists, but rudderless from a curatorial standpoint. "Let's come up with a name for a show, find some artists, and let 'em do what they want" is not the best way to run a gallery.

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Consulate General of Mexico: Sculptures and Drawings by Stella Ling.

Comment by AB: Intriguing contemplative organic sculptures by Stella Ling project from the walls and set elegantly on the floors. Equally as engaging are Ling's ingredients-- ranging from delicate to industrial-- including wood, seaweed laminate, pigmented concrete and wire.

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Femina Potens Gallery: Identity. Artists: Fakir Musifar, Julie Sutherland, Melvyn Herrick, Jess Dugan.

Review and images by Lynnore Goldfarb: This is a group show depicting, exploring, and having fun with gender identity. On the first wall facing the front door hang many black and white photos of what look like true gender benders, not just Hollywood types goofing around. Some of the people in the photos have clothes on and some are topless showing post-mastectomy scars. The photos are grabbing me, not because the gender lines are crossed-- I live in San Francisco for crying out loud-- that is old news here. I am drawn to these photos, because the subjects themselves are alluring, just standing there in their understated poses, simply staring back at whomever is looking.

On the left-hand wall as you walk in is another photo display, this time in color. A 6' 6" guy wearing make-up, a corset, and 6" platforms startles me, not because he's kind of in drag-- remember, I live here-- but because, I recognize his face and cannot place him. Oh yeah, it's Lily, the guy who makes toys and sells them at the SOMA art gallery 1AM. He looks great! The opening is a lot of fun, Rocky the naked guy and I really hit it off. However, I think this 'opening' is staged for a crew from HBO. Nevertheless, it is a real exhibit that will be up through June 28.

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Divisadero Art Walk: Skin City, On The Corner, Madrone, Community Center, Rentals In SF, Mojo Bicycle Cafe, Perish Trust, Candybar.

Review and images at all venues by Lynnore Goldfarb: I'm thinking I'll make it to maybe four art openings along Divisadero tonight, at the most. However, to my own surprise, I hit eight and have a great time...

Skin City - paintings by Scott Pettersen. Skin City is a skin care salon with private rooms to accommodate clients. On the outside walls of the small rooms are oil paintings depicting colorful street scenes. The pieces are well executed and very affordable.

On The Corner - Art by Nell Hergenrather. The bright three-dimensional wall hangings by Nell Hergenrather vary in size and look like they are painted plaster. However, I am informed that some of them are made from Styrofoam. These hangings are complimented by an upbeat and passionate live performance by the Devine Jug Band. The music and atmosphere are great, but I have to press on. Art Walk boasts over ten openings and I'm only on number two.

Madrone Art Bar - Various artists. False alarm, the art opening is cancelled. However, Madrone is definitely worth a quick look. There are all kinds of art pieces all over the walls, created by many artists in many mediums, including murals, mixed media, and paintings, as well as a few paintings with neon fixtures created by the owner Michael. I am told the menus are handmade, plus the bar has T-shirts with their mural art silkscreened on them for sale. So far, I am having a pretty good time.

Dividadero Community Gallery - Pretty/Tough, The Life Of A Teenage Girl, Photography by Nikki Levine and Jessica Katzki. Nikki Levine's photos are compelling and informative compositions, telling stories less innocent than the teenage girls depicted seem to be. Jessica Katzki, one of Nikki Levine's subjects leads me to the back room and tells me the collection of photos pinned to the wall are in fact her creations. She also tells me she's going to be an artist and curator when she grows up; right now she's working on finishing high school.

Rentals in SF - Group Show featuring Bonnie Spindler & Siobhan Lo. I believe there are six artists showcasing their work in different mediums, including ornaments, clothing, very large oil paintings by Siobhan Lo and mixed media pieces by Bonnie Spindler, known in real estate and decorating circles as The Victorian Specialist. I am informed that Spindler is also a racecar driver.

Mojo Bicycle Cafe - Photography. Man, I can't even believe how crowded it is in the cafe and then I remember it is not just a cafe, restaurant, and a bike shop, but also a bar. The art consists of framed black and white photos, which are moody and serene mountain-wilderness-type-scapes, covered with glass. Lighting at Mojo is dim and the flash from my camera obscures the pieces as I attempt to take pictures of the photos.

The Candybar - Swamps & Bridges... Dyno, Ken Nakamura, Max Ehrman, Rha, Rameen Gasery. I try not to go to places that specialize in desert. However, duty calls, I'll do it for Art. (sigh)

The Perish Trust - Jessica Neillo. At dusk, I walk into the tiny store with people of all ages typing away on the vintage typewriters laid out in rows on top of a wooden farm table, decorated with office supplies at least forty years old. I am wide-eyed with amazement at the surreal feel of it all. The vintage items perfectly merchandised, frame the art exquisitely. I am impressed with Jessica Niello's giant oil painting of an animal and I believe its shadow. I like how the set of original watercolors are hung by clothes pins on a clothesline. Well, so much for the June 4th Divisadero Art Walk... good night.

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111 Minna Gallery: Skinner - Worship Thee Kindly the Dark Hand that Guides Me.

Review by Amy Cancelmo: The opening is packed, with a line at the door to get in to see this extremely prolific mixed media exhibition. The front gallery features meticulous paintings of Skinner's iconic though nightmarish imagery. Life-size sculptures loom overhead on a ledge surrounding the space with smaller action figure-like pieces mounted alongside the paintings. The back gallery features a many-eyed Abraham Lincoln gazing down like a Hindu God on a full wall installation of satirical and sometimes cynical mixed media cultural parodies.  One might imagine the other eyes are focused on several oversized severed heads dangling from the ceiling, high above the multitudes. 

Comment by AB: This first major solo show by Sacramento artist Skinner is billed by the gallery as an "epic installation" and I gotta tell you, that's unquestionably an understatement. Skinner absolutely crams the joint with an outrageously ghoulish enormity of art, a joyous jagged electric assault on the eyeballs. Plus just when you think you're about to collapse in paroxysms of hyperstimulation, bonus of bonuses, the art turns 3-D when you put on the special viewing glasses. Brain warp! Please pass the inhaler. Pick of First Thursday.

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Cafe Royale: Teppei Ando - Blowing It.

Review and images by Amy Cancelmo: The exhibition space itself is small, but the work shows well for the venue-- little but punchy like a 'zine-- in fact, it reads like a graphic novel.  The crowd of late 20's / early 30's San Francisco residents playing pool around artwork that parodies their stuggle to feel accomplished or succesful in a city that perpetually keeps them underpaid and overcharged seems completely appropriate.  I look to see if any of the portraits match any of the wine drinkers in the crowd.

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Fifty24SF: Kenji Hirata and Che Jen - Reverberations.

Review by RWM: Fascinating work with intricate design and style. You're pulled into the art by its swirls and mixes of color, reminded only by the drips that these are actually paintings. The swirls however are intriguing, grabbing your attention. East meets West is this mixed and blended message brought to us courtesy of the art world.

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Addendum:

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Yep. Step right up.

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First Thursday - May 7, 2009

First Thursday - April 2, 2009

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