2011 Project — 10th Anniversary

Ten years have already passed since the 2011 Project.  Whenever I look back at those 365 pieces, I always notice the seeds of what would be future work that I have been working on since then.

Before San Francisco went into pandemic lockdown, my last museum visited was to the Asian Art Museum.   A few months later I was inspired by a video they posted.  I started painting books for my Chaekgeori-inspired series.  This latest one (see below), completed as the new year began, even has a 4x4 inch piece I did for the 2011 Project.   It is tucked right behind the remote control.  That piece was inspired by a visit to the Asian Art Museum back in 2011.

December 5, 2011 – Dreaming in Korean

When artists talk about places they want to visit to look at art, they are likely to mention New York and Paris and such places that many people traditionally associate with the art world. For me, the place I most want to go to look at art is Korea. This may seem unusual, but it all started back in 2003 when San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum had a show of Eight Contemporary Artists from Korea. This show was a real eye opener that had me going back and back to the museum when it was still in Golden Gate Park. I saw that show at least four or five times. I didn’t know much about Korea but it was clear that something was up in Seoul. Since then, the Asian Art Museum has had other new work out of Korea. It might be the best museum for contemporary art in San Francisco. See more about my thoughts on that on my art blog. These “teasers” from Korea make me suspect that Seoul is emerging as one of the real centers of innovation in art.

Much of the contemporary art I have seen from Korea is an expansion on traditional themes in Korean art. That is the case with the current show of contemporary ceramics called Poetry in Clay that I saw last week. That museum visit has inspired today’s piece for the 2011 Project. Now, I need to figure out how to visit Korea in 2012.

June 15, 2011 – Civic Center

After all these years, I still go back to the same image every time I walk through Civic Center Plaza. Under the pollarded trees I always am ready for Donald Sutherland to pop out with his scary face from the end of the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers. I have friends who really object to those alien-looking trees. Personally I can’t imagine Civic Center without them. I like them.

The real jewel of Civic Center is San Francisco’s City Hall. I love having an excuse to go inside. The best word to describe it is grand. When you step under the dome you know you are in one of the greatest civic buildings in the West. I know some Europeans can be a tad dismissive, I’ve heard Brits make snide remarks like, “When you have St. Paul’s…” Uh yeah, but for the Western U.S. it’s pretty darn good. And unlike the grand edifices of London, we actually are happy to have you walk around and have a look. No matter which of the grand buildings you visit in London, you’ll always encounter some pompous old curmudgeon who confuses being a docent with a being a member of the WWII Home Guard.

Aside from City Hall itself, Civic Center is a place that it seems many San Franciscans really dislike. They still complain about the Old Main Library being converted to the Asian Art Museum (I like it actually). And yes, the new(er) Main Library is not quite perfect, but I like it as well. I appreciate how the contemporary façade compliments the other Beaux-Arts architecture around the plaza. Visually it is a good urban space. The plaza also acts as the perfect stage set for the mob. Oh the mobs and the memories….

Civic Center might also be a bit haunted. It sits on top of the old City Cemetery. That is the same cemetery that was relocated to what is now Lincoln Park. When the golf course and Legion of Honor were constructed, the cemetery was once again relocated down the Peninsula. The headstones were moved and most of the human remains were moved. But in both cases, quite a few graves were left behind.

Today is Wednesday — it is usually my day to visit Civic Center. I always check the steps of the library book sale and find some good collage fodder for $1. The next stop is the farmer’s market. Nectarines are in season and they are about to head into the oven and meet some brown sugar for dessert tonight.

May 4, 2011 – Bali

Bali is on the list. There are so many places I would love to visit. It’s always the trick to have the cherished combination of time and money. Sometimes I have to satisfy myself by visiting places vicariously thought museum exhibits. The current show at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is a nice peak into Bali. The color palette is one I need to play with more. And when I do get to Bali, I really need to get my own set of fighting cricket cages. I am not looking to have a bunch of fighting crickets, but the set of cylindrical little cages just captivated me form across the room. And true to museum form, the taking of photos was verboten so you’ll just have to go see the show or use your imagination.