Urban Transformation Exhibit in Hayes Valley

Painting entitled "Pastel Pause" by Mitchell Confer, mixed media, 22" x 28", on linen.

Last Friday, I made my way to the middle of Hayes Valley to see an exhibit at the Hayes Valley Market Gallery called "Ancient City". The exhibit is an extremely interesting one. All the artwork on display explores the art of urban transformation and how it effects us as people living in an urban setting. The tagline on the card for exhibit states "15 Bay Area artists explore time, texture, and construct."

Among the artists showing work there in the exhibit are Ken Berman, Mitchell Confer, Vera Fainshtein, Terri Garland, Yong Han, Barbara Holmes, Kay Kang, Alexandre Koulouris, Grayson Malone, Liz Mamorsky, Alan Mazzetti, Yvonne Mouser, Daniel Newman, Scott Reilly, Charles Trapolin. Quite a bundle, yes. All of the bring something completely unique, new, and intricate to the showcase. Out of all these artists, perhaps my two favorites were the work of Mitchell Confer and Liz Mamorsky. Confer explores the cramped piled up feel of our city while at the same time retaining a peaceful calm atmosphere. Mamorsky creates statues out of found industrial and man made objects. One statue resembles a giraffe, another a robot...they are very original and fun.

Mitchell Confer's cityscape art: http://conferart.typepad.com/photos/landscape/index.html
Liz Mamorsky's site: http://www.lizland.com/home.html

Do take a look at both these artists.

The exhibit runs till March 1st.

Offical exhibit website: http://ancientcitygallery.wordpress.com/

Location: 580 Hayes (@ Laguna)
Hours: 12 to 7pm

All artworks in this exhibit are on sale.

Jenkins Johnson Gallery's current show

Cheap Trick, By Lynn Godsmith

The Jenkins Johnson gallery, famous for their exquisite collections and exhibits, have only two locations worldwide: New York and San Francisco. How very lucky for us. Past shows this year here in San Francisco have featured Don Williams, Ben Aronson, and Nancy Switzer. It's been a very good year to say the least, and yet this current exhibit seems to be the cream of the crop.

Jenkins Johnson is featuring the photography of Lynn Goldsmith, particularly two series: "Icons of Rock" and "Imagination". I can't say I know much about her "Imagination" series, but the "Icons of Rock" is one you must see. The series is a collection of potraits and portraitures of legendary "rock" musicians like Patti Smith, Sting, Frank Zappa, Courtney Love...and of course, Mr. Dylan. The list goes on.

Even if the whole classic rock scene isn't for you, you should go for the pure artistic quality of the photos. They are beautiful artworks, interesting and wonderfully composed. Example? My favorite of hers is the one above, featuring Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick. I do not listen to Cheap Trick at all, and yet I can say I adore that photo.

Go for the historical significance. Go for the art. Go for the love of music. If anything, just go because it's here now and we are lucky.

Show runs till October 30th.
Exhibit Page
Gallery Site
Location: 464 Sutter St.