The Mobule on Tour - First Stop, Paris

One of our 2011 grant recipients, Mobule is going to be touring beginning in Paris, opening the FUTUR EN SEINE FESTIVAL, on June 19th. Then on to Barcelona, London, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

The Mobule is a travelling video sculpture that passes on recorded 'messages of love' from one city's citizens to those of the next. This eight-foot balloon appears at night in public streets. Illuminated from within, it displays a video projection of a large eye. The eye searches and focuses on passers by, selects individuals and pursues them. Once in proximity of the individual, a recorded message from another individual, from the previous city of the tour, appears in the eye. Once the individual receives the message, he/she is invited to wear the 'space helmet' that controls the eye. The mystery of how the Mobule operates is revealed, and the individual may control its next interaction. Participants are also then invited to leave a video message for the next city's residents. The Mobule is scheduled to tour Paris, Barcelona, London, New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Tour Schedule: Save the dates! More details TBA!

- Paris: Esplanade du Trocadero, July 7 - 8, 2011, from 9pm to
midnight
- Barcelona: Location TBD, July 21 - 22, 2011, from 9pm to midnight
- London: Tate Modern, August 4 - 5, 2011, from 9pm to midnight
- NYC: Location TBD, August 18 - 19, 2011, from 9pm to midnight
- Los Angeles: Location TBD, August 25 - 26, 2011, from 9pm to
midnight
- San Francisco: Location TBD, September 8 - 9, 2011, from 9pm to
midnight
- Miami: Location TBD, September 15 - 16, 2011, from 9pm to midnight

The Mobule is seeking more venues and events to visit. Please contact
the artist if you know of any opportunities or venues in the times
and locations listed above.

The Mobule will need volunteers for the following locations!

- London: Tate Modern, August 4 - 5, 2011
- NYC: Location TBD, August 18 - 19, 2011
- Los Angeles: Location TBD, August 25 - 26, 2011
- San Francisco: Location TBD, September 8 - 9, 2011
- Miami: Location TBD, September 15 - 16, 2011

For each location, the project needs:

- A local manager to:
* Suggest the best area of the city to present the show
* Ask for authorizations for such street performance
* PR staff to promote the Mobule to local and national media
- 2 volunteers to manage the audience during the art performance
- Accommodation to put up 2 operators during 6 nights

Read about the Mobule on artist Ludale's website at www.ludale.fr

Or read about Mobule in the Design Milk blog:
design-milk.com/get-out-mobule/

See prototypes of Mobule here: bit.ly/kc9uje

Contact the artist at ludo@ludale.fr

I am so excited I am going to get to see this in San Francisco and I will be looking forward to seeing what New York City has to say to San Francisco. We hope you will follow its tour and check it out if it is coming to your town.

Detroit Dream Project

Detroit Dream Project, a photo by Laughing Squid on Flickr.

Did you know that when Scott Beale from Laughing Squid went to Detroit a few months ago he stopped to take a few photos of the Detroit Dream Project. One of our Civic Arts Projects by David Best and Crew. Thanks Scott.

Market Street Blooms sculpture by Karen Cusolito

Market Street Blooms sculpture by Karen Cusolito, a photo by Timbuk2 Designs on Flickr.

Bliss Dance on Treasure Island

Bliss Dance on Treasure Island, a photo by Michael Holden on Flickr.

Spire of Fire Comes to Reno, NV

Spire of Fire, by local Reno artists Steve Atkins and Eric Smith, is BRAF’s fourth installation at our public art venue in Reno, Nevada, and will be on display June 20 – Nov. 15, 2011, on the corner of Sierra Street and Island Avenue, on the bank of the Truckee River in downtown Reno.

Join us to celebrate this ongoing collaboration with the Reno community!

Friday, June 24, 2011

The River Walk
Sierra St. at Island Ave
Reno, NV
5:00 pm - 10:00 pm

- Dj's spinning from 5:00 - 10:00 pm

- Hula Hoop Jam from 5:00 - 8:00 pm

- Controlled Burn and Friends spin fire 8:30 - 10:00

- Artwork's fire effects alight! 8:30 - 10:00

- Wine and Beer will be sold as a BRAF fundraiser, courtesy of Wild River Grill

- and be sure to catch all the activities on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings during Artown. Free fun for the family!

To Read More about the Spire of Fire CLICK HERE

photo: Leo Sauerman

ScrapEden Collaborates with Levi Strauss & Co. Community Day

The Black Rock Arts Foundation, as part of our ScrapEden Program helped Levi Strauss & Co. with their May 5th Community Day, during which Levi's employees in San Francisco leave their regular office responsibilities behind and volunteer at Bay Area non-profits. BRAF was given a special role this year, supporting the company's efforts to be better caretakers of the planet and reduce both water consumption and material waste in their manufacturing and ordering processes.

Over a dozen BRAF volunteers sculpted a literal "mountain" out of samples and scraps of Levi's and Dockers that are produced each year to help demonstrate the scale of waste, the importance of reducing and re-using such items and

to encourage recycling usable samples vs. throwing them away. The mountain, which was installed at Levi's Plaza was impressive, but represented just 10% of the some 71,000 articles of clothing samples generated each year that are otherwise unusable for Levi's but perfectly good for other uses. BRAF was thrilled to be part of a project that is helping a major manufacturer in America to use creativity and art to inspire its employees to reduce, reuse and recycle. Everyone was so inspired and an absolute pleasure to work with!
Some highlights of note:



Artist Miranda Caroligne created a stage backdrop entirely out of Dockers samples and the president of Levi's stood in front of it and stressed the importance of minimizing waste and considering the impact the company is having on the planet. She also created recycled table runners and decor that underscored this point.



Miranda also led the planning of a team of artists and Levi's employees that converted waste denim into moving bags for a Homeless Prenatal program to provide young women with re-usable shoulder bags that could be initially used to move them into permanent housing. It is the hope that they will keep these bags and also use them for laundry and shopping. Levi's employees helped sew and decorate the bags with messages such as "Love" and "Home Sweet Home", using bits of trim and fabric that were machine and hand sewn onto the bags.
Other artists involved with this important effort were Tammy Hulva of Tamo Designs (who also DJed for the volunteers for inspiration), Silver of Silver Lucy Designs, Boy Blondie of the Burning Man Cafe and Special Events Team and BRAF's very own Josie Schimke. In all 86 shoulder bags were created that day and four were auctioned off to raise funds for the program.

Scatha Allison of Miss Velvet Cream led a team of Levi's employees in creating 25 bean bag chairs out of salvaged materials for the Edgewood Center youth program and a banner that says "GO EAGLES!"

People loved working with Scatha and the program director sent a letter commending her and thanking her for making the day so productive and so much fun. Apparently everyone wants to sit in those beanbag chairs at the Center now! They're very popular with the kids there.

BRAF volunteers also helped to sort items working with Goodwill and scraps and damage items were sorted to become other kinds of social benefit items and avoid becoming landfill. Truckloads of materials were brought out of storage and repurposed that day!

And to add to the festivities, Shovelman played his shovel to welcome back the nearly 900 Levi's employees that volunteered that day at some 23 Bay Area charities and non-profits around the city.



It was a grand day all around!
To see many more great photos
CLICK HERE

author: $teven Ra$pa

photos: Kasey Neuenschwander

Bliss Dance Treasure Island

Bliss Dance Treasure Island, a photo by davidyuweb on Flickr.

The Composting Contraption Gets Out and About

Our latest ScrapEden project, The Composting Contraption, rolls on, delighting kids and adults alike and educating about the importance of composting. This pedal powered, fun and funky kinetic sculpture is touring events throughout the summer. If you're at an outdoor event in San Francisco this summer, keep your eyes peeled for the contraption!

The ScrapEden program is supported by the San Francisco Department of the Environment.

photos: Victoria Ramirez

Flying Solo - Laura Kimpton

Flying Solo Exhibit
Featuring Laura Kimpton
Opening Reception
McLaughlin Gallery 49 Geary (corner Grant). Suite 200
San Francisco
Thursday, June 2, 2011
5:30pm to 8:30pm

View new works of collage, assemblage, and sculpture by Laura Kimpton.

Works on exhibition from June 2nd to July 30th, 2011. This solo exhibition of 2D and 3D recycled mixed media creations draws upon Laura's spiritual connection to birds and her own need to tear down societal constraints that keep us from discovering and celebrating our inner core.

Register For This Event http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1636854877

AFTER PARTY at the Hotel Monaco 9 pm - 2 am. Come celebrate the completion of this Solo Show.

Marin based Laura Kimpton is known for her daring and thought-provoking work; including "Celtic Forest," a sculpture and fire site that was part of our Civic Arts Program in Reno Nevada.

ArtPadSF - A Benefit for the Black Rock Arts Foundation

Dr. Deb, BRAF Advisory Board
Alix Rosenthal, BRAF Board Secretary

Eli Peterson, BRAF Office Manager and Administrative Assistant

Tomas McCabe, BRAF Executive Director

Laura Kimpton, BRAF Artist and friend

Laura's work for her new show, Flying Solo

Rae Richman, BRAF Board, Executive Vice President

Josie Schimke, BRAF Program and Development Assistant

Affinity your BRAF blogger, Pete Hudson, BRAF Zoetrope Artist and MonkeyBoy

Hotel Phoenix

Thanks to all the volunteers and performers and models and designers and photographers and DJs and the ArtPadSF team and the staff it took to put this party on. Thank you. And special thanks to the Chip Conley for inviting us to create the Opening Celebration to ArtPadSF.

photos: affinity and Robin Russell

ArtPadSF Opening Night Preview Photos - by Michael Cuffe for Warholian

ArtPadSF Opening Night Preview Photos - by Michael Cuffe for Warholian, a photo by WarholianPics on Flickr.

OMG...This is a photo from our event last night, "A Private Preview of ArtPad SF: A Benefit for the Black Rock Arts Foundation". This photographer, Michael Cuffe for the Warholian, one of my favorite blogs, captured the venue, the Phoenix Hotel with our BRAF slide show on the building next door, and the photo is of Bliss Dance, who was just installed on Treasure Island last week. Lots of photos to come. Watch this space.

Bliss Dancing Under a Moon II

Bliss Dancing Under a Moon II, a photo by Matthew Almon Roth on Flickr.

We're thrilled to collaborate with artist Marco Cochrane in the installation of Bliss Dance on Treasure Island. The artwork will be on display beginning May 1, and will remain until at least October of this year, possibly longer, funds permitting.

Please join us for the Opening Reception,
May 26th at 6:00pm
The Great Lawn, near 9th and Avenue of the Palms
on Treasure Island.

Come celebrate this artistic achievement with us!

Art in Storefronts - Market Street

ArtInStorefronts_Launch_236, a photo by arts.commission on Flickr.

The Composting Contraption was a hit at the Art in Storefront's event on Friday that included the Black Rock Arts Foundation's installations of Karen Cusolito's Valiant Flowers and the Dandelion. More photos to come.

Ecstasy

Hayes Valley San Francisco (18), a photo by jingqun luo on Flickr.

They are still loving Ecstasy in Hayes Valley!

ArtPadSF a Private Benefit for BRAF

Private Preview: A Benefit for the The Black Rock Arts Foundation

May 19, 2011
7:00 pm - Midnight
The Phoenix Hotel
601 Eddy St., San Francisco

Celebrate the extraordinary contemporary artists and galleries that enrich the Bay Area and beyond, and enjoy an exclusive evening of performances, live music, the Premiere Lounge, and much more at this opening night party for ArtPadSF!

Join the producers, galleries, and artists of the first annual ArtPadSF at the legendary Phoenix Hotel for an exclusive evening of emerging contemporary art, commissioned performances, and liberal libations.

Proceeds from ArtPadSF's Opening Night celebration will benefit The [braf]'s public art and grant programs, focused on inspiring art, community and civic participation worldwide.

ArtPadSF Ticket Packages:

Premiere Lounge and Poolside Soiree
$125 online presale; $150 at the door
7:00 pm - Midnight

Includes an evening of featured and roaming performances, DJs, heavy passed hors d'oeuvres, and hosted bar and exclusive access to the lounge from 7:00 - 9:00 pm. Also includes passes to the weekend's other ArtPad events!

Poolside Soiree Only
$50 online presale; $75 at the door
7:00 pm - Midnight

Includes an evening of featured and roaming performances, DJs, light passed hors d'oeuvres, and one complimentary cocktail beverage.

BUY TICKETS HERE

Don't miss this hip, homegrown alternative to the mainstream art scene. Get the first look at Chambers Restaurant and Lounge, San Francisco's newest dining and entertainment destination. Be the first to experience ArtPadSF and to interact with participating artists and galleries from around the nation in this intimate setting.

Bay Area artists set the stage for this exciting new event with site specific and multimedia performances, interactive art, live music and DJs with original scores and mixes created especially for the occasion.

Featuring Performances by:

* Infectious dance beats by DJ Jive (Heart Deco) and Smoove
* Wearable art and performances by Bad Unkl Sista, Miranda Caroligne, and Daphne Ruff
* Site specific dance performance by Capacitor
* A rather unconventional operatic performance by soprano Diva Marisa Lenhardt
* A processional performance by Loyd Family Players, mixing street theater, samba, hip-hop, funk, heavy metal, dancehall & reggae.
* Debut work by local composer and musician, EO
* San Francisco's live electric cello + vocal looping mavericks, LOOP!STATION (loopthis.com)

ArtPadSF is a provocative, new, 21st century boutique art fair that focuses on emerging and contemporary art from the Bay Area and beyond. ArtPad SF invites San Francisco's world-renowned museums, galleries, arts institutions, and artists to transform the newly renovated Phoenix Hotel into an alternative venue for art.

Market Street Blooms

The Black Rock Arts Foundation has been working on many new partnerships and projects and we want you to help us celebrate them! After all, it's our community that makes it all possible.

The Black Rock Arts Foundation is honored to be part of the effort to revitalize the Central Market area in San Francisco in collaboration with the San Francisco Arts Commission, and we love sharing and supporting Karen Cusolito's sculptures.

Central Market will come alive for the Art in Storefronts launch celebration! The festivities include receptions at three neighborhood galleries, the debut of two temporary public art sculptures by Karen Cusolito, live music lining Central Market, and Off the Grid food trucks. The community celebration will kick off with the unveiling of six storefront installations and five murals designed by San Francisco artists.

Join the Black Rock Arts Foundation and the San Francisco Arts Commission for this FREE Market Street Blooms Opening Reception.

Music, speeches and mural unveiling:

May 13, 5:00 pm
998 Market St. San Francisco

Procession down Market St. with Gamelan X begins at 5:45

Continues festivities 6pm - 8pm U.N. Plaza

Gamelan X , a Balinese fusion ensemble, will lead a procession up Market Street where the public may catch performances by the John Brothers Piano Company* playing original music accompanied by several other visual and performing artists; the Jaz Sawyer Trio; and The Space Cowboys with the Unimog. The public may also play on "Bulbous," a temporary wall of drums created by Office Division.

ART IN STOREFRONTS ARTISTS:
Alexis Arnold
Vanesa Gingold
Madeline Trait
Erik Otto
Indigenous Arts Coalition
Cat U-Thasoonthorn
Robert Harris
Paz de la Calzada
Vicky Knoop and Beatrice Thomas
Rafael Landea
Amber Hasselbring

Read More About the Art in Storefront’s Artists

photo: Mark Hammon

Patricia's Green in Spring

Patricia's in Spring, a photo by sirgious on Flickr.

BRAF was well represented at this year’s "Mayor’s Earth Day Breakfast"

4782_MayorEarthDay_0008f, a photo by SF Environment on Flickr.

San Francisco Environment’s Director Melanie Nutter (BRAF's partner with Scrap Eden and the Compost Contraption) with event sponsor Jason McBriarty, (BRAF’s partner and sponsor, Director, Global Community Affairs Levi Strauss & Co., and the Levi Strauss Foundation, and the Black Rock Arts Foundation's Executive Vice-President, Rae Richman and Executive Director,Tomas McCabe.

Market Street Blooms

We stopped by to see Karen Cusolito and her crew installing the first part of the Market Street Blooms installation, the Valiant Flower a couple of days ago. This installation is part of BRAF's collaboration with the San Francisco Arts Commission as part of their Art in Storefronts program in an effort to revitalize a once-vibrant commercial corridor in San Francisco.

We were pleased to note our first blog post sighting, New Flower Art on Market Street last night with some fabulous shots of the flower.

In addition, here is a news station video Market Street Blooms Video very fun.

Join us for the celebration Market Street Blooms as part of the opening reception of this years kickoff of Art in Storefronts:

Friday, May 13, 2011

Music, speeches and mural unveiling begin at 5:00 pm
at The Gray Area Foundation for the Arts
998 Market Street
San Francisco, CA

Procession down Market St. with Gamelan X begins at 5:45

Continued festivities (with the Unimog!)
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
U.N. Plaza
San Francisco, CA

More information to come!

photos: Tomas McCabe and Affinity

The Raygun Gothic Rocketship

The Raygun Gothic Rocketship, a photo by davidyuweb on Flickr.

Another fabulous photo! Thanks so much!