Gentrification is a problem that is vastly growing in San Francisco. What most see as urban…read moreexpansion and renovation, others see as a threat to their way of life. Recently art has been slowly starting to play a role in developer's agendas to gentrify the city, expanding their reach beyond. Art like Bayview Rise (2014). The piece Is a massive 8 story tall mural painted onto the side of a silo. The mural is out of place in the area, not looking anything like the complex it is apart of. A very vibrant colorful piece. It is made up of geometric patterns that come together to create different images. The shapes depict Red balloons rising upward, a large Green bird that takes up most of the piece, blue arrows that rise upward with the balloons, and the head of a Cow in the bottom left corner. Although the mural is made up with just geometric images, they're use of perspective makes the mural line up with the skyline, as if the balloons are rising in the distance while the bird is flying through them. Bayview Rise is a piece that can only be fully appreciated at it's peak, after hours. When the sunsets and the sky go black, the work is illuminated by hues of spotlights that bring out the patterns. When the red spotlight shines, the red painted hot air balloons burst outward. When the light fades from red to a hue of blue, the transition slowly brings emphasis on the green painted swan, transitioning away from the balloons. Bayview Rise was created in 2014 by Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan. They created it as a interaction of color and light, with imagery about and for the community, presenting the patterns as" symbols of the neighborhood's changing economy, ecology, and community as well as its past, present, and future, symbolizing a community in transformation." 1The project was commissioned by San Francisco Southern Waterfront Beautification Project. Their main mission being to conserve and repurpose historic buildings on the waterfront. 2 Bayview Rise Is an example of a new age in public art. Light art, becoming more and more popular in the city since its interest peaked with the installation of The Bay lights (2013). While this new addition to San Francisco's art scene is beautiful, that is exactly the problem. As David Harvey put's it best, "the scandalous alleys disappear to the accompaniment of lavish self- praise by the bourgeoisie on account of this tremendous success, but they appear again immediately somewhere else."3This piece is beautifying the area, but at a tremendous cost. Bayview Rise has shined a spotlight on the Bayview district and has now attracted the lavish lifestyles to come in and take over. The area is already the "epicenter of San Francisco's shrinking African American population" according to writer Dan Moshenberg from womeninandbeyond.org, where Jessica Williams was killed due to stricter push on urban redevelopment.4 Hunt projects, a rental fabrication space for aspiring fabricators and artists only a few blocks away from Bayview Rise, has becoming more and more expensive to rent space each year, more so than it has before. Not only is rent starting to go up, but the artists have been told that studio rent will be available for only two more years before the site is sold off. The beginning signs of more development. Not only have plans for a more luxurious area been planned for the future, but more luxurious lifestyles are already starting to take effect. an example would be the installation of an art gallery within one of the worn our warehouse spaces next to hunt projects. Outside looks just like the rest of the area, but inside it is a beautiful space packed with young, white, aspiring artists, and outside, security guards stand watch at the entrance. This is a sign that so called progress has started to come to the area. Bayview Rise is so far acting as a "band aid" to the Bayview district, not only that, it according to Judith Baca, is using "beauty as a false promise of inclusion" by playing on these developers agendas 5. This piece was commissioned by the port of San Francisco according to the artist team Haddad Drugans Website, so it's reasonable to assume that this was made with ulterior motives . The artist incorporates beauty as a false promise of conclusion through the imagery used in the work, stating Its geometric pattern weaves together symbols of the neighborhood's changing economy, ecology, and community as well as its past, present, and future, symbolizing a community in transformation."1It's Ironic that these are the traits that the artist depicted , making this work a representation for the community. But this is still a band aid, it is slapped in an area to make it better, more appealing. While the story is that the work is made to represent the community, in the end it is only for those who want to see the city little more beautiful, not the residents of it.

Shhhhh. It's a secret!…read more Loved this place! Ended up there for Halloween and was so happy to see everyone there in like minded fashion had dressed up in thoughtful and original costumes. No store bought sexy nascar mechanics or purple hatted pimps here. Everything about the place exudes cool, right down the giant doomsday ray in the downstairs lobby.

I've been wanting to check this place out since I read about the Halloween show they put on…read more First, once you find the front door, you must wait for them to come downstairs and unlock the gate and the door for you. Then you're directed down a long hallway, up two flights of stairs, then down a shorter hallway then you're suddenly inside what can only be described as the best makeshift treehouse you can imagine. Your 8-year-old self is in heaven! I was in awe of this place when I walked in. It's small, but they still managed to put so, so much into it! There's a portion of a ship coming out of the wall and a captain's room next to it stuffed with books I've never heard of and many, many comic books with paintings and a roll-top desk. You go a bit further inside, seeing many, many posters and paintings throughout the way, then there's the world's tiniest bar to your left with the 1970's style black and white tile chipping away on the floor in front of it. To your right there will be the world's tiniest skate ramp with another room at the top of it. That's right, in order to get inside that tiny room, you'd have to climb up the skate ramp, like you would a slide that we all attempted to climb up as kids on a playground. In the very back of that room is the stage, and to the right of the stage is, yes, that tree house everyone has talked about. There is just such a vintage feel to this place, like you're going back in time. It's simply beautiful. On this particular night, we all had the enjoyment of listening to oldies from the '50's and the '60's while we all had cheap beer and played Berlin Style ping-pong. Everyone had a blast, whether we were awesome at ping-pong or terrible at it, we all had the time of our lives! I HIGHLY recommend going at least once to check it out. Once you find it, it's worth it! I can't wait until their next event, and it's so close to the 16th and Mission BART station! The Secret Alley should be on everyone's bucket list.

I've been to the hunters point area a few times for the new park and had no idea, until today, that…read morethere is so much artistic history and presence at Hunters Point. I learned that there are 3 open studios throughout the year at this location. Each open studio showcases 300+ artists work. It's truly something remarkable! I really wish I had known about this sooner. We showed up on the last hour but we managed to find our way to Roman Guillen's artist section (fine art street wear). They make high quality prints of fellow artists work and place the prints directly on high-quality, soft, attire (shirts, hoodies, denim). So glad we had time to at least see his work.. Really cool to see art printed directly onto the clothes. And the cost was really affordable for a custom piece. So cool! I can't wait for the next Open Studio.

I went to the Shipyard Artists holiday open house showing for the first time, and have to say it…read morewas fantastic. A friend who has long-term connections to the art community brought me. What I thought would be a quick 1 hour tour turned into a 4+ hour exploration. I'm generally not big on art museums, and felt that this was such a better experience for me - checking out all kids of creations right in the studios and having the opportunity to chat with the artists. It was a terrific experience overall, and both I and my friend came away with some items we're both very happy with.

Just real fun. Reminds you of the movie "Big". The history…read moreof this creation Is heartfelt. FUN

The Musical Stairs, located at Pier 39, is straight out of that old movie 'Big' in the late 80s…read more So every time you step on a stair, you're playing a piano note. When It's crowded near hear, sometimes it can be kinda hard to hear it. Kids love these stairs, and why not!! And when I say kids, I mean kids of all ages!! So, if you're at Pier 39, keep a lookout for these. They are located about the middle of the pier on the right side when entering the pier. It's definitely worth checking out!!

I was craving filipino food and did a search on yelp to see what's around my area. Stumbled on…read moreMike's mural and had to drop a line. I've never met Dream, but was a great friend of my Hubby's. Dream's younger bro puts so many events to keep his bro alive. And together w/ his art work, DREAM still lives on. RIP Mike. I admire the dedication Lil' John has. You feel the love and unity w/in the crowds for those that respect and applaud the work of Mike Dream! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDs0cvGS9Fs

This is a nice little graffiti production. When driving on highway 280 South you can see part of…read moreit. I was friends with Mike "Dream" Francisco. I have been missing his smiling face since 2000 when he was shot in Oakland. It sucks when bad things happen to good people. Dream will never be forgotten. Perhaps one day Dream's son will do graffiti also. In the meantime all his friends will keep his name on the walls forever. More info about Dream here: www.dreamtdk.com King Dream, R.I.P.

Public art gracing Patricia's Green in Hayes Valley. Sponsored by the San Francisco Arts…read moreCommission & created by David Normal. It all started with Stonehenge, morphed to artistic interpretations like Car Henge in Texas, Truck Henge, & many more Henge. But hey, cats rule. These regal cats emit a low electronic purr, & have a bench for contemplation. 3-D printed! Must See.

Very cool, and very odd at the same time. Over the years while working nearby, I've come to…read moreappreciate the "wind harp" sculpture. A 92 foot structure of metal, it's actually very cool. When windy, this "thing" really howls with a tone like no other. If in a nearby building, you can actually hear it while inside at a meeting. At the same time, you get used to it. Recommendation: Pick a windy day to visit There's rumors about it (I suggest to try it): ================================= * If you throw a metal object, it will redirect and cling like a magnet to the sculpture * Try to throw a ball thru the sculpture, and it will bounce/reflect away and not penetrate. A Poem: ======== In South San Francisco's gentle breeze, A wind harp sculpture sways with ease, Its graceful form, a work of art, Sings a song from the depths of heart. A melody woven from the wind's embrace, Whispers secrets in an airy space, Strings of metal, resonating free, Echoing the city's symphony. Tall and slender, it reaches high, Against the clear, blue, open sky, Capturing the essence of the coast, In its harmonious, airy host. As the Pacific's breath does flow, Through this sculpted harp, music grows, A serenade for those who pass, A moment of peace, a breath, a class. So, in South San Francisco's grace, This wind harp sculpture finds its place, A reminder of nature's artful dance, In the city's embrace, a sweet romance.

We came on a cool and quiet day, there was a bit of wind, but not much. We also didn't go…read moreunderneath the structure, just around it, along the concrete pathways circling the grassy area where the towering piece of art is situated. We sat on a bench looking out into the distance. The area's not high enough to really offer spectacular views of any kind (the more desirable scenery is blocked by ordinary looking buildings). But the atmosphere at this site was peaceful. And the sculpture, stretching toward the sky, resembled a harp in its unique way, even if it didn't sound like one. We parked at a lot for TMB Baking since it was most convenient.

All Man, The Entwined Lighted Festival is FIRE. You have to come check out the vibes and beauty…read morehere of the forest and lights. Its like a scene in a Fairy Tale. Its not far from the Golden Gate Bridge, but it is a joy to see and be around. I took plenty of photos that I will have our every chance I get. It was just a scene to see for me. I will visit again.

Had the chance to visit this art installation during my work trip in San Francisco! It's a…read morebeautiful piece of art that captures the night and great for a walking date in Golden Gate Park. It's an installation that turns off at 9:30 pm until late April, 2024. It's near peacock meadows, so be careful if you're taking an Uber/Lyft there as Golden Gate Park as your intended destination will bring you to the other side, which is what I experienced! Great attraction for families, couples, and all ages!

Gee, I didn't know how many places in the city display the mosaic tile artistry of Aileen Barr and…read moreColette Crutcher. Their most famous collaboration is the long dramatic stairway known as the 16th Avenue Tiled Steps (review: https://bit.ly/3rRhxgn), and they also designed the Hidden Garden Steps a few blocks away (review: https://bit.ly/3CAxmvF). I had no idea about this particular set of stairs in the unexpected area of Bayview/Hunters Point. I accidentally coming upon them as I was walking up from the unkempt portion of the India Basin Shoreline on a rather vacant road named after a local reverend and community leader, Arelious Walker. The splash of color caught my eye, so I got closer. I didn't realize they were mosaic tiles until I got up close. The stairs are also named after Walker, and the designs were inspired by decorative patterns from African, Asian, Latin American, and Native American cultures. It's striking from a distance though it's not a continuous stairway (photo: https://bit.ly/3nETVeg). Unlike those other tiled stairways in the Sunset, these don't appear to be cleaned regularly as dirt appeared embedded in the steps. There isn't lush foliage surrounding the steps, just empty liquor bottles and other trash within close proximity. It's a shame, although I hope when the shoreline park gets renovated as planned, there will be regular maintenance of this stairway as well. It would be a worthy effort in a neighborhood that could benefit from such an attraction. RELATED - Exploring Bayview/Hunters Point? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3AOvRKv