calendario eventi  :: 

X

6/7/2012

Occupy Bay Area

YBCA - Yerba Buena Center, San Francisco

Since its inception in September 2011, the Occupy Movement has generated both praise and condemnation and it continues to resonate in the American consciousness. In response to the significant output of art and documentation produced in support of the Occupy Movement in Oakland and San Francisco, YBCA has put together an exhibition of works that have proven to be particularly effective in supporting the goals and aspirations of the Movement. Impressively, various political poster artists devoted their talents to messaging the politics and culture of the movement by creating iconic images— designs that were a call to action, or posters announcing an upcoming event. In many ways these works, by 25 Bay Area artists, carry forward the region’s long tradition as a leader in political struggles, from the Free Speech Movement of the 1960s, to struggles by communities of color in the 1970s, to AIDS activism in the 1980s. The exhibition also includes a selection of photojournalistic and documentary photography and video that serve as a record of the events around the Occupy Movement.

There’s a large community of artists and graphic designers committed to social justice in the Bay Area, and they have created amazing imagery in support of the values of the Occupy Movement, said Betti-Sue Hertz, director of visual arts at YBCA. ―This exhibition aims to display their work in the context of the visual culture of earlier landmark political activist movements in the Bay Area that have made significant contributions to imagining a better future for all residents of the region. To connect to earlier movements and provide a historical context for the project, the exhibition also includes posters and photographs from other political struggles, including the Black Panther Party, I-Hotel in Manilatown (1968–77); the ARC/AIDS Vigil at City Hall (1985–95); the Occupation of Alcatraz (1969–71); the Free Speech Movement at UC Berkeley (1964–65); and the San Francisco State University protests, to gain an Ethnic Studies program and Black Student Union demands (1968–69).While these earlier movements certainly differ in ways from Occupy, they all are the result of a deep desire for marginalized peoples to be represented and treated fairly.

Amanda Verwey, development assistant at YBCA, who assisted Hertz with the exhibit, tracked down many of the local Occupy posters and their creators. "Attending actions of the Occupy Movement was the initial inspiration in my search for posters,‖ she said. ―Even before I was given the opportunity to work on this exhibition I was struck by the flood of work creating a distinct visual aesthetic that was both as diverse and somehow succinct as the movement itself. Aided by invaluable organizations like Occuprint and Occupy Design, seemingly endless Twitter and Tumblr feeds, and the collaborative community of socially conscious Bay Area artists, I was able to find those pieces that had an early impact on me.‖ This exhibition is not meant to represent a fully executed social history, but is a testament of the power of images to evoke the emotional expression of popular and wide-spread sentiments. By localizing efforts, Occupy Bay Area also pays special tribute to the role that Bay Area artists have played in giving voice to the 99% and utilizing art as an effective vehicle for social change. Occupy Bay Art is organized around the Big idea: Encounter: Engaging the social context.

Opening Night Party

An evening of live performances, music and community discussion and interaction through the marriage of art and activism as seen by the Occupy movements of the Bay Area. YBCA’s Room for Big Ideas will feature artworks and performance by artist Annie Danger, and will bring together participatory performance by artist Jessica Tull. The Oakland-based Los Rakas, now an international hip-hop phenomenon, will bring their distinctive Panabay twist on hip-hop and reggae, bridging the streetwise sounds of the places they've called home. Drawing on Panamanian plena's faithful approach to reggae classics and the Bay Area's independent and idiosyncratic hip-hop scene, Los Rakas merge familiar dancehall melodies with a their special brand of lyricism.

Occupy Bay Area Poster Artists: Rich Black, Zerena Diaz, Cannon Dill, Digniad Rebelde (Melanie Cervantes and Jesus Barraza), Eric Drooker, Alexandra Fisher, Dave Garcia, Ronnie Goodman, Jason Justice, Gabby Miller and Miriam Klein Stahl, Nuclear Winter Art, Occupy Design, Political Gridlock (Jon-Paul Bail), Cristy C. Road, Faviana Rodriguez, Chris Shaw, Colin Smith, Winston Smith, Chuck Sperry, Xavier Veramontes, Gregoirire Vion, Fred Zaw, Aligned Artists:, (Works by contemporary artists in the show that intersect with the issues central to Occupy but are not necessarily related to Occupy directly.).

Sergio de la Torre, Kota Ezawa, Eric Drooker, Meghan Wilson, Suzanne Lacy, Sanaz Mazinani

Historical Poster Artists:

Robert Bechtle, Emory Douglas,, Rupert Garcia, Rick Gerharter, Ilka Hartmann, Steven Marcus, Indian Joe Morris, Rachael Romero, Sheila Tully, Anonymous artists, Photojournalism and Video Artists:

Li Chen, Ewen Wright

Occupy Bay Area is organized around YBCA’s Big Idea ENCOUNTER: Engaging the social context.

About Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Yerba Buena Center for the Arts (YBCA), located in San Francisco's Yerba Buena cultural district, is one of the nation's leading multidisciplinary contemporary arts centers. With a belief that contemporary art is at the heart of community life, YBCA brings audiences and artists of all backgrounds together to express and experience creativity. The organization is known for nurturing emerging artists at the forefront of their fields and presenting works that blend art forms and explore the events and ideas of our time. As part of its commitment to the San Francisco Bay Area, YBCA supports the local arts community and reflects the region's diversity of people and thought through its arts and public programming. YBCA has selected four Big Ideas around which to organize its wide-ranging programs. They are: ENCOUNTER: Engaging the social context; SOAR: The search for meaning; REFLECT: Considering the personal; and DARE: Innovations in art, action, audience. These ideas, which encompass art from all disciplines, are designed to focus an investigation of contemporary art and its relationship to the larger world. Using the Big Ideas as portals, YBCA has established a framework of thought that invites exploration and risk-taking, quiet reflection and active engagement.

Performing arts, visual arts and film/video programs are curated thematically around Big Ideas which illustrate the connections and associations between the works. Public programs and YBCA's popular free open house series are dedicated to establishing a deeper understanding and appreciation of contemporary art. YBCA presents programming year-round in the Forum, Screening Room, Galleries and Novellus Theater. For tickets and information, call 415.978.ARTS (2787) or visit www.ybca.org.

Funding

YBCA Exhibitions 12-13 is made possible in part by Mike Wilkins and Sheila Duignan, Meridee Moore and Kevin King and Members of Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. YBCA’s programs are made possible in part by Abundance Foundation, Adobe, Koret Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and Novellus Systems. Free First Tuesdays are underwritten by Directors Forum members.

Press contact:
Maureen Dixon 415.321.1307 mdixon@ybca.org

Occupy Bay Area Night – Opening Night Party
Saturday, July 7, 2012, 6-10 p.m./YBCA Grand Lobby and YBCA Room for Big Ideas
FREE Admission

YBCA Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
701 Mission Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94103
Hours: Thu–Sat 12–8 pm Sun 12–6 pm
Gallery Tickets: $10 adult; $8 students/seniors/teachers/YBCA members;
YBCA:You Members: FREE
FREE first Tuesday of Each Month, 12 Noon – 8 p.m.

stampa

permanent link