A Rocket Stop Fundraiser

Friends of the Black Rock Arts Foundation put on a fundraiser last week at Engineered Artworks. We have told you that we are bringing the Raygun Gothic Rocketship to Pier 14 on the Embarcadero in San Franciso, it will be known as the Rocket Stop. Thanks to the generosity of Chad Lester (the organizer of the fundraiser), Steve Schimmel and April Buchheit for hosting this event and to the artists Nathaniel Taylor, Sean Orlando, David Shulman and Alan Rorie for letting us visit the Rocketship. We had a great time. Chad Lester, Drea Lester, Paul Buchheit, April Buchheit, Jennifer Schimmel, Steve Schimmel
David Shulman, Tomas McCabe and Sean Orlando April and Paul Buchheit Steve, April, Jennifer and Paul enjoying the rocketship Doug Edwards, his son Nathaniel and his friend Olivia Drea and Chad Lester Barry Kendall, Sean Orlando, Alan Rorie and Mirit Cohen Peter Norvig, Alan Rorie and Mirit Cohen Tomas McCabe, Sean Orlando, Steven Raspa, Nathaniel Taylor and Crimson Rose David Shulman and Alix Rosenthal
Keith and Katie Randall
Loren and Rachel Carpenter
April Buchheit looking like a Flash Gordon Girl
Sunny and Nathaniel Taylor

This project commenced on the Playa in Black Rock City in 2009 and is evolving. It is a compelling and fascinating concept that will continue to amaze people as they encounter it. If you are amazed and intrigued, please support the Raygun Gothic Rocket Ship project with a tax deductible contribution.

DONATE

All posts regarding the Rocket Stop

photos: affinity

The Illuminated Forest

MEDIATE Art Group’s highly anticipated Illuminated Forest opens July 9th and runs to August 7th at The Lab in San Francisco. This Black Rock Arts Foundation supported exhibition features an artist-imagined multimedia environment by Agnes Szelag, Ben Bracken, Jorge Bachman and Alan So in which viewers activate both visual and auditory sensations. The installation includes environmental pieces by Suzanne Husky, Jessica Resmond, Reenie Charriere, Vaughn Bell, Alyce Santoro, Sam Easterson and Elin Oyen Vister. This experiential exhibit actively reminds people that what we do has impact: on our own lives, on others, and the world around us, both in the present and the future. The Forest will host experiential performances by some of the most compelling local, national and international artists and musicians.

Visit Illuminated Forest!
Opening Reception, July 9, 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Gallery hours, July 9 - August 13, 2010, Wednesday - Saturday, 1:00
pm - 6:00 pm
The Lab, 2948 16th Street
San Francisco, CA

Illuminated Forest is part of Project>Soundwave's fourth season,
entitled GREEN SOUND, that began June 6 and runs to August 13.

Celebrating Duel Nature v2

Artist Kate Raudenbush, basking in the reflection of her art

Braving the cold to bring fire to us!
We have some more fabulous photos from the Duel Nature Opening Celebration to share with you. Enjoy!

To see more photos

Prior posts about Duel Nature

photos: Mark Hammon Hammon Photography

Raygun Gothic Rocketship at Pier 14 in San Francisco

The Black Rock Arts Foundation is thrilled to announce our collaboration with artists Sean Orlando, Nathaniel Taylor, David Shulman, and their talented crew on the installation of their iconic, large-scale sculpture, The Raygun Gothic Rocketship at Pier 14 on San Francisco's waterfront from August 2010 until September 2011.

The 40-foot-tall art piece, The Raygun Gothic Rocketship, offers rococo-futuristic, highly-stylized vision of space travel circa 1930's-1940's science fiction and is the latest in a series of temporary public art exhibitions sponsored by BRAF with the aim of enlivening and activating public spaces. The installation first landed at Burning Man 2009, and has subsequently appeared at NASA Ames for Yuri's Night, and at Maker Faire. The piece is comprised of a single rocketship, poised as if to board passengers for a typical run to a nearby stellar destination. When installed in San Francisco, the sculpture will be accompanied by a descriptive exhibit, a "rocket stop", which tells the story of the rocketship, provides route, schedule and other information. The installation will be illuminated for nighttime viewing. We need your support!!!

Although this ambitious project has won overwhelming city and public support and enthusiasm, we need your help to make it happen! Help BRAF and the Raygun Gothic Rocketship crew make science fiction an everyday reality to hundreds of thousands of residents and visitors to the San Francisco Embarcadero. Donate now, and receive a thank you gift!

DONATE

poster: Jody Medich

CONGRATULATIONS ALIX!

We are celebrating the election of the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Black Rock Arts Foundation , Alix Rosenthal, to the San Francisco Democratic County Central Committee.

We are very excited for you Alix, and proud to know you!

FIGMENT - Governors Island this Weekend!

We told you last week that FIGMENT - Boston was coming and this week we are here to tell you that FIGMENT NEW YORK is coming BIG this weekend.

When the founders of FIGMENT began the event in 2007, their inspiration was to marry Burning Man‐style do-ocracy, volunteerism, and the 10 principles with the prolific New York arts scene, and to build a new community for the participatory arts. In 2009, the vast majority of the FIGMENT artists, and a growing number of FIGMENT volunteers, have never been to Burning Man, and there is a groundswell of enthusiasm for an increasing number of season long projects on the island.

This year, FIGMENT includes a 2010 Black Rock Arts Foundation grant recipient 1000 Pieces, so check out the video and then go see the art!

Help Bring the Rocket Stop to San Francisco!

That’s right folks – at the Port Commission of San Francisco’s next meeting, on Tuesday, June 8th, they will discuss and have the opportunity to approve the installation of the Raygun Gothic Rocket at Pier 14 on the SF Embarcadero!

This is a tremendous opportunity for the crew and supporters of the Rocketship, for the Black Rock Arts Foundation, and for all of those citizens that would like to see more public art in our city. Although the rocketship will be closed to visitors, we are designing an informative kiosk, very much in keeping with the overall aesthetic of the ship, that will delight and share our story with the public. Cast in the guise of a ‘rocket stop’, it is to space travel what the bus stop is to public transportation.

The installation is being sponsored by the Black Rock Arts Foundation, with financial support from the Port of San Francisco and people like you! (More information on how to help will be posted once we receive official approval.)

The (open session of the) Port meeting will be held on Tuesday June 8th, beginning at 3:15 PM. We are item #10 on the agenda. Public comment is permitted, and we’d love to see some of you come out and voice your support for this opportunity. The meeting will be held at the Port Commission Hearing Room located on the second floor of the Ferry Building.

FIGMENT in Boston this Weekend

FIGMENT is a forum for the creation and display of participatory and interactive art by emerging artists across disciplines. FIGMENT began in July 2007 as a free, one-day participatory arts event on Governors Island in New York Harbor with over 2,600 participants. Since then, FIGMENT has grown significantly each year—in number of projects, duration, participants, volunteers, fundraising capability, exhibitions, locations, overall level of commitment and participation, and public support. FIGMENT now expands to the Boston area, with its first event outside of New York and is one of the 2010 Black Rock Art Foudation's grant recipients!

FIGMENT will be produced through a partnership with the Cambridge Arts Council, on June 5, 2010, co-located with the Cambridge Arts Council’s long-running Cambridge River Festival, on Memorial Drive on Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 12 pm to 6 pm.

See the web site for directions: figmentboston.org

Composting Contraption at the Maker Faire

Paul Cesewski aka Paul de Plumber, creator of the Composting Contraption, taking it for a spin.Thanks for coming out to the Maker Faire and checking out our prototype, and providing "notes" on how we can improve the next ScrapEden project. The Black Rock Arts Foundation in partnership with San Francisco Department of the Environment are developing The Composting Contraption. This human-powered, interactive, kinetic artwork is designed to travel to local festivals, street fairs, farmers markets and schools to inspire, motivate and educate San Francisco residents to increase their practice of composting. Read more about the Composting Contraption here.




Prior Posts regarding the Composting Contraption

photos: Tomas McCabe
Video: Freddy Hahne

Celebrating Duel Nature

Although it was one of the coldest June 21sts in recorded history in Reno Nevade, the opening celebration for Duel Nature was fabulous.
There were hoopers...
There were "Thank Yous"...Thank you Maria Partridge for making this happen, thank you Kate Raudenbush for creating such fabulous art and thank you Crimson Rose for continuing to support the link between Burning Man, the Black Rock Arts Foundation, Reno Nevada and public art.
Thanks from Kate to Dave Aiazzi, all around renaissance man, crew member, electrician and Commissioner and Reno City Councilman.
Thanks to Spaceman for all the work he did installing Duel Nature, and thanks to all the crew not pictured here for making this happen. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thanks for representing the Black Rock Arts Foundation, Crimson Rose, Maria Partridge and surveyor and amazing crew member, Richard Johnson.

There was Controlled Burn

and the Black Rock Arts Foundation volunteers were well represented by Larry DeVincenzi, Public Relations, Maria Partridge, everything else and Affinity the BRAF blogger.

Prior posts about Duel Nature

photos: : Larry DeVincenzi

ScrapEden Collaborates with Levi Strauss & Co's Community Day

photos: Scatha G Allison

Stage Background crafted by BRAF Volunteers photo: Miranda Caroligne

Black Rocks Art Foundation & Levi Stauss and Co. from Annie on Vimeo.

On Cinco de Mayo, the Black Rock Arts Foundation joined in celebration of Levi Strauss & Co.'s "Community Day"

Each year, Levi Strauss and Co. organizes their 1,100 San Francisco headquarter employees to venture into their communities and volunteer for one of their more than 24 local nonprofit partners. This year, the company also wanted to use this day of action and celebration of
volunteerism to highlight its commitment to sustainability, focusing on the reuse and recycling of the materials and natural resources the company uses to make its products.

That’s where BRAF comes in! BRAF brought our Scrap Eden sensibilities and aesthetic to the event, helping to infuse the day's entertainment, activities and ambience with an over-arching message of re-use, community engagement, and fun!

During the volunteer experience, local designers and artists led a crew of Levi's employees in a mass production of dog beds, all made from reclaimed denim, that were then either auctioned off to raise money for charities, or donated to PAWS, a volunteer-based organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of companion animals for persons with HIV/AIDS, other disabling illnesses, and senior citizens.

For the celebration part of the day, BRAF commissioned local artists to create patch-worked stage backdrops, performer costumes and décor using scraps of denim and leftover garment samples that would otherwise go to waste.

The BRAF team also rewarded the hard working crew of volunteers with another playful way of raising money for charities; 'Pantzooka!' Participants shot reclaimed garments with an air cannon in this carnival-like shooting gallery, hitting targets that won the 24 charities (including BRAF!) even more donations from Levi's!

This event was a great way for BRAF to engage with our community, share the Burning Man ethos, spread our mission, provide opportunites for artists and raise funds for other projects all at the same time!

Many thanks to the participating artists, performers and organizers!

- $teven Raspa, Creative Director
- Marcia Crosby, Decor Manager
- Miranda Caroligne, created backdrops and lead volunteers in creation of dog beds
- Scatha G Allison, Silver Lucy, Tamo Hulva of Tamo Design, and Elina Tachkova, all assisted volunteers sewing dog beds
- Bad Unkl Sista, stilt-walker costuming
- Jonathan Youtt and Veronica Ramirez, Pantzooka barkers
- Bronkar Lee, Emcee
- Latin grooves by DJ Laird
- Mariachi Colima, traditional mariachi music
- Super Gigi and Sandra Lerner, extravagant body-painting art
- Levi Strauss & Co!

ScrapEden goes to the Maker Faire!

Come to the Maker Faire and see a preview of the next ScrapEden project, which the Black Rock Arts Foundation in partnership with San Francisco Department of the Environment is developing The Composting Contraption.

This human-powered, interactive, kinetic artwork is designed to travel to local festivals, street fairs, farmers markets and schools to inspire, motivate and educate San Francisco residents to increase their practice of composting. Read more about the Composting Contraption here. We are proud to be working with San Francisco artist Paul Cesewski, creator of a myriad of contraptions, including the bike-powered rides of Cyclecide’s Bicycle Rodeo and the Star Wheel, a participant powered rolling Ferris wheel. Mr. Cesewski also contributed to the creation of the floating sculpture rafts of Miss Rockaway Armada.

Come see this work in progress and contribute your ideas to its development!
Maker Faire
Saturday, May 22, 2010
10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday May 23, 2010
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
San Mateo County Event Center
2495 S. Delaware St, San Mateo, CA 94403

BRAF’s Location at the Maker Faire

Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. This community of Makers who share their projects and skills comprise a growing DIY movement of people who look at things a little differently and who just might spark the next generation of scientists, engineers and makers.

poster: Veronica Ramirez

Celebrate "Duel Nature"

Previously exhibited at Burning Man in 2006, Duel Nature, by artist Kate Raudenbush, is unique in its materials. During Artown - Fire dancers and spinners from Controlled Burn will entertain Tuesday evenings 8:00 – 10:00. Hula Hoopers from Velocity Movement and bohohoops present "GET HOOPED" at Hoop Jams on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 - all levels and ages are welcome. Hula hoops provided or bring your own!

Join us in celebration of Duel Nature at the opening celebration:

May 21, 2010
5 pm - 10pm
Corner of Sierra St. and Island Ave. Reno, NV
Wine & Appetizers: Sierra Arts Foundation Gallery
and then along the RiverWalk

Hula Hoop Jam from 5-8,
followed by Fire Spinning by Controlled Burn
Music by DJSource

“Duel Nature references the spiral of our human DNA. The struggle inherent to the duality of the human condition is expressed by the violence of the raw plasma-cut, bolted steel exterior, in contrast with the vitality of the interior blood-red mirror. As visitors gather inside the vibrant core of the sculpture, their myriad reflections remind us of our shared genetic bond and our shared humanity.” says the artist Kate Raudenbush.

Prior posts about Duel Nature

poster: Maria Partridge

Another beautiful shot of Ecstasy!

Scout: Ecstasy in mid-day. #autostiched sculptue by Dan Das Mann & Karen Cusolito’s. Hayes Valley. # sfist
Originally uploaded by jason whalen

"Playa on the River" Duel Nature v3

Larry DeVincenzi, our guy in Reno said today:

Installation is underway downtown for Duel Nature - Kate Raundenbush's incredible sculpture that was featured in today's Reno Gazette-Journal “Playa on the River"

Here are a few shots of the crew's progess today!

Prior posts about Duel Nature

photos: Larry DeVincenzi

Installing Duel Nature v.2

More shots of the installation of Duel Nature in Reno, another fruitful collaboration with the vibrant and active Reno community. Duel Nature by Kate Raudenbush will grace the waterfront of the Truckee River in downtown Reno, NV from May 21, 2010 until December 1, 2010.

Kate making connections

Setting in place

Moving the perimeter
Richard's eagle eye sets the level

Larry DeVincenzi, our guy in Reno said today:

Check out this amazing volunteer effort today to get Duel Nature set init's temporary resting place downtown Reno. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to help Kate Raudenbush and the team get it started!

Prior posts about Duel Nature

photos: Larry DeVincenzi