I’m a sucker for vintage photography (as evidenced by the amount of time it took me to get through the Oakland Museum’s state exhibit), so getting turned onto Calisphere made for a less-than-productive but quite wonderful flight home this weekend. The “world of digital resources” features an extensive selection of images, artwork and articles from University of California libraries. Themed collections include “California in transition,” “emerging industrial order” and “social reform,” and there are emphases on population diversity and local history mapping. You haven’t seen interactive archives like this before.
A few of my favorite shots include Angela Davis after a Black Panther shootout, Willie Ford’s 1970s balloon shot and crate labels by the Orange Fruit Company. Now that I’ve landed it’s back to project work, but not before a bit more browsing.
Pop-Up Magazine, the local visual and auditory extravaganza, will feature its second live event on September 25. Radio, newspaper and online magazine contributors will present highlights of their work for this installment to be hosted by the women-run theater Brava on 24th.
I’m bummed to miss what should be another story re-telling-worthy evening, but it’s for a good cause: the Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program’s annual fundraising ride benefiting athletes with disabilities takes place in Sonoma that weekend (and, yes, you can throw a few bucks their way if you feel so inclined). As for Pop-Up Magazine, tickets go on sale on September 10, and you’ll want to scoop them up before they’re sold out.
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I’ve been a longtime fan of SF Recycling and Disposal’s Artist in Residency program since working with two of their former residents, furniture creator Mike Farruggia and artist John Brumit, in creating imaginative furniture from salvaged materials. It should come as no surprise that the City by the Bay’s dump is the only one in the US that invites artists to make trash out of treasure, and the results (whether they be in the form of collages, photography, or more “functional” pieces) are striking. It’s a long way of saying that I’m most excited for the program’s art show this weekend at their 503 Tunnel Ave. studio. The work of photographer Bill Basquin and fine artist Jane Kim will be showcased. It’s a recessionista’s dream.
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Images by Bill Basquin.
Local co. Rickshaw Bagworks (whose zero waste messenger bag was previously featured) is now creating customizable folios for Moleskine journals. The $50 folios include space for four pens and business cards and have a protected pocket perfect for receipts or maps. Each is made to order in the City by the Bay, and, should you feel stuck trying to pick a color combination, there’s a Flickr gallery chock full of customized fabrics to delight even the most hardcore Moleskinerie fan.
[Reposted from JoshSpear.]
