San Francisco Artscape Shifts as Metropolis Strikes Towards Yellow Tier – San Francisco Bay Instances
When stores closed in the first few weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic, plywood and other drab coverings were a common sight on most of the streets of San Francisco. They have been a constant, hard reminder of the overwhelming health and financial challenges that remain. When artists were given permission to paint murals and create other art forms on these sleeves and in other selected locations, their efforts brought welcome visual relief and a sense of hope to many.
In keeping with this renewed emphasis on the arts, Mayor London Breed launched the San Francisco Creative Corps pilot program late last year to support artists and promote public health through art.
In the past few months, San Francisco Bay Times photographer Rink and others have captured images of the resulting artwork, and particularly street art, in Castro and other parts of the city. The Bay Times also featured honey bears by artist Five, who raised thousands of dollars for San Francisco charities.
In response to critics, five recently wrote, “Duchamp said that the artist is only responsible for 50% of the work and the audience is responsible for the other 50%. I tried to create a spot of light in a dark time during the pandemic. But it’s still art. Obviously, not everyone will like it. I think that’s okay and completely normal. Elie Wiesel says the opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. The worst that can happen to an artist is that someone walks past their work and feels nothing. If someone will go by and feel love, then someone will go by and feel hate. “
As of this writing, San Francisco is moving to the yellow tier, which is the least restrictive tier in the state. The city’s art landscape is also changing now. Here’s a look back at some of the murals and other works of art – many of which have already been removed or painted over – that are likely to be forever associated with this unprecedented time.
Photos from the ice rink
Published on May 6, 2021
