Graffiti the Ghost

So Best

It's that time again. Summer has arrived in San Francisco. One way you can tell is that almost every conversation at some point turns to, "so, are you going to Burning Man this year?"

Burning Man is as much a part of San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge, or panhandling transvestites. But one friend brought up an interesting point recently, that some people feel that it's a shame that the artistic heart of San Francisco is located in Nevada. I don't particularly agree with those folks. I mean, after all, these installations are created right here in the city, by people who draw their inspiration from the sights and sounds of San Francisco that they absorb on a daily basis, whether directly or indirectly. The fact that some of these sculptures don't live and breathe until unleashed on the playa is almost incidental.

But it's still nice to see them take shape right here at home. And when the installation in question is one manifestation of my favorite Burning Man pieces of all time, and when it is erected just a few blocks from my house, even better.

Temporary Temple Grows in Hayes Valley

Burning Man artist David Best creates temporary public art installation for Hayes Green. link

The article goes on to say that Newsom has plans to fund lots of short term temporary art projects like the temple in this public space rather than having a huge expensive sculpture that some of the residents of the neighborhood might hate. I think this is very good news, it will bring some of the spirit of Burning Man that so defines the citizens of this city back home. Now can we find a way to burn that atrocious bow and arrow thing down at the Embarcadero?

Here's are some more images of Best's amazing work:




















Thanks to Jeremy for the link

posted by Jess @ 11:24 AM