Bindlestiff Studios is holding their annual Bindleball Masquerade (if you haven’t gotten your tickets, get to it because they are almost sold out!) tomorrow at Bayanihan on Mission and 6th.  They are raising funds to re-open their doors across the street from 1:AM gallery… so it is more a WELCOME BACK.  Experience an evening of special live performances, delectable cuisine, and good spirits as Bindlestiff unveils plans for the opening of its new theater. Be a part of building a new legacy through participation in Bindlestiff’s “Adopt-A-Theater” program. This fund raising event will also feature an auction of new works by local artist Dino Ignacio (an artist that exhibited for our Tabi Tabi Po show) and Lorna Chui Velasco as well as music by the popular award winning DJ Sake One. It will be the best $25 you spent on a Saturday night.

We had a pleasure of showcasing their puppet show, titled Enkanto,  back in October for the Tabi Tabi Po exhibit.  They wowed us with their mastery of shadow play.

Enkanto Shadow Play

Kids having fun with the Bindlestiff gang!

Also, last Saturday, team 1:AM attended the grand opening party of Arc Studios and Gallery.  They just moved into a gorgeous space on Folsom between 8th and 9th Street.  The artists with studios in this enormous warehouse space include: Hilary Williams (exhibited in 1:AM’s “The City”), Priscilla Otani, Stephen Wagner, Mike Kimball, and more.  Our favorite pieces were created by Tanya Wilkinson and it was from her “Female Personae” series.  She created a bustier dress from escort newspaper ads and Rosetti poems. Check out her work here.

Another cool thing about Arc Studios is that it is headed up by Mike Yochum.  Mike is the man you need to know if you want to know all the art happenings in San Francisco.  We have no idea how he gets around to all the art exhibitions but if you want to be in the know, visit his blog SFArtNews.

Neighborhood is poppin’ with positive energy!  We met a guy the other day that is pianist and going to have his studio across the street from us (next to Seventh Son Tattoo) and rumor has it that Ritual Coffee may open a store nearby…  We love SoMa and we love it that people are starting to see that this area is more than meets the eye.

WELCOME (BACK) TO THE OUR ‘HOOD!

HAVE YOU SUPPORTED OPERATION RESTORE DEFENESTRATION YET? COME BY 1:AM GALLERY!

COUNT US IN!

Here is a quickie interview we did with Maher the other week about the mural:

1) What does the census mean to you?

The census is something that tallies up how many people there are in an area and finds out how many resources are needed there.

2) What materials did you use to create the mural?

Aerosol paint, paint brush

3) Did you have help with this mural? What did you use to create it?

Yes, my friends, Sahill Lal (13 yrs old) and Joshua Ramos (14 yrs old)

4) What inspired this work?

The fact that everybody should be counted, not only the rich

5) How old are you?

12 years old

6) Who are the people in the mural?

The human in the mural are people that are participating.  The monsters are the people who society looks down on, but they are still important, so we should count them.

Congrats, Maher, Josh and Sahill!  Keep on creating and being positive!

Well, Brian Goggin and 1:AM gallery are here to make that dream a reality.  On exhibit at the gallery right now are 4 limited edition newly animated, red chairs that scurry to their own special beat.  We can see these collector edition chairs adding some funk to anyone’s home or office or even, a building lobby (inspire the employees before coming into work each day, ya know?).

Defenestration Chair Sculpture #3 (as seen in the SF Chronicle)

Defenestration Chair Sculpture #2

Or if you are more into the original pieces, as in straight off the building, we gotchu too.

Climbing Tables

Original Defenestration Radio

Original Defenestration Lamps (SOLD OUT)

John Voldol, one of the members of the local community who originally helped Goggin create the piece writes: “Defenestration shows every sign of withstanding the test of time and is no less relevant or interesting than it was on the day it was completed. In a town famous for short attention spans, people’s enthusiasm for this piece has only grown over the years. Everyone loves Defenestration. It’s one of the things that make us glad we live in San Francisco, and makes visitors glad they came.”

Own a piece of iconic San Francisco art that celebrates creativity, provocation, and ingenuity.

OPERATION RESTORE DEFENESTRATION in full effect at 1:AM gallery!

When we see Defenestration, we applaud Brian Goggin’s out of the box thinking and achieving what many artists cannot, building an art installation that speaks to all ages, gender, race and socioeconomic status.   In Laughing Squid’s article “Save Defenestration, Iconic Community-Grown Art”, the writer, Simone Davalos, reached out to people, who have supported the project since its’ first day in 1997 to today, and this is what they had to say about Defenestration:

“Defenestration is the best. Brian Goggin turned a rambling, spacious, partially wrecked four story residential hotel building into ART. Not only ART, but a f**king tourist attraction, to boot. You can almost separate humanity into the proverbial two kinds of people: those who “get” the piece, and those who don’t. Those who “get it” are basically everyone. What I’m trying to say is that Brian did the nearly impossible: he made FINE ART that ALL people could appreciate.”

- John Law, Suicide Club member, Cacophony Society architect and co-founder of Burning Man

“Defenestration is the most valuable asset. . .beacon of tolerance and whimsy. . .keeping the idea of San Francisco as a city of Art and Innovation. . . .overflowing with possibility. . . championing unconventional thinking. . .embracing function as form. . .perverted f*ing furniture getting away with murder. . . they move you know. . .a genuine cornerstone of truth in a world gone mad. . .if it was a girl I’d marry it. . . can’t let civic treasure slip away. . . demand you commit to its long life. . .city of arts and innovation. . .the dog loved it. . . doom and cold. . . emptiness. . .pigeons. . .”

- Chicken John, showman and erstwhile mayoral candidate (at least, this is what Simone could make out)

Another thing that we love about Defenestration is that it evokes the spirit of artistic creation.  One of the tenants that lives upstairs from us, George Rodriguez, sketched what he sees out of his apartment window, the Defenestration building in all its glory.  He has his sketch on display at the gallery and is selling it for $10 with all the proceeds going to Brian’s Operation Restore Defenestration.

Community Building - Sketch by George Rodriguez, only $10!

The most obvious reason we like the Defenestration building is because we would rather be looking at an iconic San Francisco work of art than just any ordinary building.  We love coming into work, glancing up and being inspired.

Our view everyday

To make a donation, visit Brian’s www.defenestration.org.

Visit OPERATION RESTORE DEFENESTRATION at 1:AM gallery today!

Here are notable quotes from San Francisco’s well-known journalists:

I have always wondered whether “Defenestration” made reference to suicide, but Goggin said it was inspired by his reading about the First Defenestration of Prague. That incident, which ignited the 15th century Hussite wars, involved an incensed mob throwing seven city council members from upper windows of the town hall.

But that historical reference lurks far in the background of “Defenestration.”

“As there’s this absurd image of furniture seeking a new life, it may well end as they get smashed to the ground,” Goggin said. “There’s a sense of bliss and joy captured in that moment. The next moment is left up to the observer. I like it that people project on it things they see happening next.”

- From Kenneth Baker’s,  art critic for SF Chronicle, Brian Seeks to Revive ‘Defenestration’

For more than a decade, a curious scene has greeted viewers looking upon the old Hugo Hotel at Sixth and Howard streets. A bright green couch lurches precipitously from the building’s corner window. Packs of reading lamps are scaling the building’s outer walls. A floor or two up, another couch, some coffee tables, and one of those old and impossibly heavy television cabinets appear to contemplate jumping from the fourth-story rooftop. No prank of the homeless, this precarious assemblage — wow, that’s a dangling claw-foot bathtub three stories up — is the Defenestration Project, the work of Bay-Area artist Brian Goggin.

- Brady Welch’s, writer for SF Bay Guardian, Still Defying Gravity

Thanks to Amy Hollyfield from ABC 7 News for coming out and covering our opening!

OPERATION RESTORE DEFENESTRATION EXTENDED THROUGH APRIL 17TH AT 1:AM GALLERY!

Brian Goggin knows how to throw a fundraiser.  With a lot of help and support from friends, the night was filled with wonderful surprises, music, photos, cupcakes and beautiful people radiating with positive energy.

Brian Goggin blowing out candles. Happy 13th Birthday, Defenestration!

Brian rapeling off the building!

Black Rock Arts Foundation, the fiscal sponsor of the Operation

Wine provided by our friends at Gundlach Bundschu

The Dime Store Dandy kickin' off the night for us.

The COCKROACHES from the Defenestration building... they delightfully entertained the patrons

$teven, the master of ceremonies

Mike Farrah from the Mayor's office of Neighborhood Services telling us to KEEP PUBLIC ART ALIVE IN SF!

Mr. Lucky serenading the crowd

Paul Cesewski's bowling ball sculpture outside the gallery

PHOTO BOOF! with Defenestration backdrop outside the gallery

DJ toAD on the 1 2's

Jeremy and Paula workin the sponsorship table

The man of the night, Brian Goggin with his beautiful friends

GREAT TURNOUT! THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT!

If you haven’t had the chance to swing by the gallery, come by and check out original furniture sculptures off the Defenestration building, limited edition screen prints, photography of Defenestration over the years, and new sculptures.  Profits from the sale of art pieces goes towards restoring the building.  Do your part to keep public art alive in San Francisco!

If you want to learn more about OPERATION RESTORE DEFENESTRATION or make a donation, visit www.defenestration.org. Visit Laughing Squid to see more coverage of the opening.

MORE PHOTOS OF THE OPENING ON OUR FLICKR!  THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD ONES!

Brian Goggin holding tight to his table

New lamps!

Defenestration illuminated at night

Sponsor a Sculpture

OPERATION RESTORE DEFENESTRATION opens tonight from 6-10pm!  Learn more about the project on www.1AMSF.com or visit www.defenestration.org.

present

Brian Goggin ……………………………………………. played by Brian Goggin

Guitarist ……………………………………………. The Dime Store Dandy

On the turntables……………………………………………. DJ toAD

Singer ……………………………………………. Mr. Lucky

Performance Troupe Extradordinaire ……………………………………………. Fou Fou Ha!

Wine ……………………………………………. Gundlach Bundschu Winery

~~~~~~~~~~

Keepsake from the night ……………………………………………. Photo Boof

Fiscal Sponsor ……………………………………………. Black Rock Arts Foundation

Doors open at 6pm.

1000 Howard Street (x 6th)

San Francisco, CA 94103

Lost?  Be on the lookout for the infamous Doggie Diner Heads or Paul Cesewski’s Bowling Ball Structure in front of 1:AM gallery and Defenestration building.

]]> http://1amsf.com/2010/03/04/operation-restore-defenestration-entertainment-line-up/feed/ 0 http://1amsf.com/2010/03/03/frequently-asked-question-is-the-defenestration-building-going-to-be-torn-down/ http://1amsf.com/2010/03/03/frequently-asked-question-is-the-defenestration-building-going-to-be-torn-down/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:23:42 +0000 1:AM http://1amsf.com/?p=2197 Yes, it will be eventually torn down.

The Hugo Hotel was condemned and acquired by the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency (SFRA) via eminent domain.  The Hugo Hotel site is a key element of the SFRA’s continuing efforts to improve the South of Market Redevelopment project area.  Within the next 18 to 24 months, the Agency plans to replace the existing blighted structure with new affordable family rental housing.  In the meantime, Defenestration is in need of immediate and extensive reconstruction if it is to remain a fixture of the City for as long as the Hugo remains standing, and possibly longer in a future incarnation.

The eminent domain action took place at approximately the same time that Brian Goggin had been considering ways to restore and update the work.  After discussions with the SFRA, they agreed that rather than tear down the building immediately, they would let Brian keep Defenestration up in the interim between acquisition of the property and a time when a developer was ready to build.  The SFRA agreed to a Permit to Enter, which gives Brian access to the otherwise blighted building for a minimum of 18 months. There is no definitive date when the building will be torn down.  There is speculation that based on the obstacles involved in obtaining funding and erecting a new building in San Francisco, and especially in this economic climate, it will be up for more than 18 months.  Whether Defenestration, or some version of it, can find a lasting place in the neighborhood thereafter no one yet knows, but it will have no chance unless it is restored now.

Read the article in SF Bay Guardian titled “Still Defying Gravity” for more information.