The High and Low?

Very interesting day recently, extremes that I completely enjoyed.
First, I went to the San Francisco Fall Antiques Show, "one of the five most renowned art and antiques shows in the world." Not only did I see some rarefied art and objects (at some rarefied prices), they had a SIX pound gold nugget. Yeow!

That evening I went to an opening for several artists from the Artist in Residence program sponsored by Recology, our local waste disposal company  -- that is, art made from trash. While the source material (and, frankly, the prices) are rather lower at the Recology show than at the Antiques Show, the ART sure is every bit as wonderful, in some ways even more so.
Click here for more info on the artists and works in the show.
Click here for more on Recology's excellent Artist in Residence program

Quite a day of contrasts, no? Ones man's trash is another man's treasure... well duh.
The Antiques Show will be back next fall.
But you can still visit the Recology Artists show hosted at the Lost & Foundry Studios in Oakland through Nov 22. Don't miss it, you'll find loads of treasures.
Contact The Lost & Foundry to make an appointment to see any of the works:
Lost & Foundry contact page

Here's just some of what caught my eye --
First the Recology Show at Lost & Foundry Studios:

"Chaotic Progression" kinetic scuplture by Ben Cowden; wall art on right by Barbara Holmes.

Sculpture by Nemo Gould; watch out for that mosquito!

"Monster Without" by Ferris Plock

soft sculpture by Lauren DiCioccio

tables, wood & metal, by Hannah Quinn

"Brotherhood of Basket Cases" by Micah Gibson

Next, the SF Fall Antiques Show:

Nice Rock! Over SIX pounds of Gold.

Love the faux-furry mid-century Italian Lounge Chairs

There's even some weird at the Antiques Show.

One dealer brought loads of  fantastic 19c animal prints, small, very affordable.
Would love to hang a series of them in a child's room!

Also well priced, delicious Italian vases.

This kid had better things to do than admire antiques.

Totally cool, optometrist eye testing scope.
Would fit right in at Lost & Foundry's Recology Show.

I always love pieces by Fornasetti

These were carved on Pitcairn Island to sell to tourists. 

Talk about a great souvenir!

Pug anyone?

I met this Beautiful Lady

I had a very special visit recently to Jeremy Mayer's studio to meet his completed Theia sculpture.

What a stunning goddess she is! At over 7ft tall, she is towering and elegant, caught just at the moment when her toes barely touch the earth, her hands are flexed, as the wings on her head lift her entire body into flight.
Theia was commissioned by Oculus VR, a company very recently acquired by Facebook. I'm jazzed that Theia will be moving near me, into office space on the Facebook campus in Menlo Park.
Jeremy is a mind-boggling talent, who creates his sculptures entirely from typewriter parts, every single piece.

Detail of Theia's hand

Theia's toes are one of my favorite parts of her body.

Jeremy has great projects underway for the next many months. Click here for Jeremy's website.

I've seen Theia during her development, in visits and in images Jeremy has shared. But what really struck me on seeing her this time is how powerful it is to see art in person.
Looking at images of art, usually a teensy jpeg, maybe on the computer screen (like here), just doesn't do it.
The aura, the emotional impact--for sculpture especially--is exponentially greater in person.

Most of us these days prefer to shop from our keyboards. But with art, you are liable to miss some great opportunities (and make some bad choices) if you don't get out there and visit art in person.
Some folks have said they feel awkward seeing art with the artist standing right there.
Get over it.
You'll miss out on so much if you don't.
Plus seeing it in person is the best way to learn more about art, what you like, what you want to collect for yourself.

There are raft of open studio events in the Bay Area coming up, and all over the country. Fall is a great time to do a little nesting before the holidays.
Be sure to take the kids. Young kids totally dig their experience with art; they will see things that will just delight you. And inform you. With teenagers, it's a great outing together.  If you listen carefully, you'll hear some intriguing input during the car ride home.

Make a plan. Go out and look at art!

On Oct 25, The Lost & Foundry Studio in Oakland is showing works from the Recology Artists in Residence Program, including art by Nemo Gould:
Click here for info on Lost & Foundry's Recology Artists event

Starting this Sat Oct 11, there are open studios EVERY weekend in San Francisco through Nov 9:
Click here for SF Open Studio info

Thanks Jeremy!

The Journey Should Be Fun, Too

The art of Jason deCaires Taylor is an ADVENTURE just getting to see it!
His works are beautiful, haunting, and life-affirming ALL AT ONCE.
They are also about 8 meters UNDER the ocean's surface.

Time is a key feature of his art: As marine life takes hold the work constantly evolves.
It will never stay the same, ever.  Each piece will become adorned by sea creatures until it is engulfed by them, nurturing nature itself, providing impetus for growth rather than destruction.

Forbes calls Taylor's Cancun, Mexico, installation:
"One of the world's most unique travel destinations."
I'll give Forbes a pass on the wordy use of "most," because I think it's an understatement.

Art you buy for yourself might not require a snorkel--though you gotta admit that's cool.
But you can have adventures buying art if you attend OPEN STUDIO events, also very cool.
You meet the artists, talk to them about their work, meet other interesting people, see some wild stuff. And maybe go home with a treasure (scuba gear optional).

In the Bay Area, coming up soon:
Lost & Foundry Art Studios, Open House March 15, 4-8pm, 305 Center Street, Oakland.
I hope to see you there!

click here to see more underwater sculpture of Jason deCaires Taylor
(Thank you Howie.)

The Silent Evolution

The Silent Evolution

The Dream Collector (over time)

Reclamation

Inertia

Un-Still Life (over time)