Unless you have been sleeping or only use www.1AMSF.com as your source of information, we are sure you have heard about the emergence of (supposed) Banksy’s throughout the city.  Great blogs like calibersf.com (follow Troy Holden‘s photos, he is always in the know) warholian.com, and laughingsquid.com have been really good at keeping us posted on the locations and discovery of these Banksy.  On our day off on Monday (the gallery is closed Sundays and Mondays), we decided to cruise the city and see these for ourselves.  Can we confirm that this are authentic Banksy?  No but it was fun searching for them.

Banksy on 9th and Howard. As of April 27th, this has already been messed around with by "Otter"(?).

Also this past weekend, Oaktownart.com, a blog devoted to photographing public art, stumbled upon an actual TrustoCorp sign in Berkeley.  TrustoCorp is known for putting up signs in public spaces depicting humor while also making a social commentary.  These hand-painted signs can be found blending in with public signs on street poles and if you are paying attention, it will force you to do a double take.  Also, if you want to own your very own TrustoCorp art piece to add to your collection, make sure that you are at 1:AM gallery on May 7th between 6-10pm for the opening of Graphic Attack!.  It is never before seen, new original work (does that even make any sense?).

TrustoCorp spotted in Berkeley by Oaktownart.com

So, the stars finally aligned.  The weather was really nice and sunny for two consecutive days that fell on a weekend, Mear One was attending another YBCA event in the Bay Area, and we were ready to have him get down.  With his buddies in tow, Roger Griffiths and Ricky, he got in to SF on Friday night, grubbed and proving his true dedication to the project, started the wall at 1:30am, Saturday morning.  He picked up again on Sunday morning at 7:30am after partying until the break of dawn (5:30) and gifted another amazing piece of work to the city of San Francisco by the afternoon.  This guy is a beast!

Mear One's initial sketch

Gorgeous female

Mear One's gift to San Francisco.

It turned out so f’in beautiful.  To watch this man at work is absolutely an experience.  Mear One sure knows how to handle a spray can and how to get people lost in his world.  When you see this piece of work, you too will be mesmerized.

It was a good week for street art in San Francisco.

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!

Attaboy and Annie Owens, co-founders of Hi-Fructose Magazine

Phew.  What a weekend.  Last Friday, 1AM hosted Attaboy’s “Antidote” solo show.  This was one of my favorite shows.  The vibe was radiating with positivity and Attaboy, even though he was stuck in Bay Bridge traffic mayhem for hours, was gracious with his admirers, gave smiles to everyone and sketched in people’s black books. And who am I kidding? He is one of my favorite artists that has passed through the gallery…his artwork is enjoyable and off the hook.

If you didn’t get a chance to catch the opening reception, no need to fear, Attaboy’s “Antidote” will be up until September 5th.  As I have said before, this is a show not to be missed.

Alex Pardee and Scott Beale

Mark Bode

Attaboy with Dan and Roman, Team 1AM

Check out more pictures on www.flickr.com/photos/1AM_SF