Friday Fish Wrap: August 8th

At the De Young: Kuzich presents Fast Pass, a large mixed media wall installation made of San Francisco Muni Fast Passes and CDs. In addition, Kuzich offers five unique projects that encourage visitor participation. The workshops are inspired by the diverse collections and exhibitions of the de Young.

Widely known throughout the Bay Area, Fast Pass is a multipanel assemblage inspired by Kuzich’s fascination with complex color relationships, his natural affinity for the elegance of design and symmetry, his passion for collecting interesting objects, and his 30-year investigation into the psychology of the human experience. The four panels combined are 5 x 28 feet in size and are comprised of 3,188 graphic elements. The complex surface integrates multi colored stripes, silver and gold holograms, letterforms, and reflective CDs.

Children and adults are invited to participate in the IMAGINATION workshops. The projects are based on works in the de Young and have been styled to generate a greater understanding and appreciation of the collections. “I was stunned and amazed when I was researching the collections. I learned so much and was greatly inspired as an artist. I want others to discover more too,” explains John Kuzich.

5 IMAGINATION projects include:
• King Tut/Egypt stone rubbings
• Africa/New Guinea mask collage
• Wayne Theibaud collage
• Louise Nevelson assemblage
• Inca/Aztec stone rubbings

Participants may create stone rubbings using carved linoleum blocks and colorful oil crayons. Participants may also cut out and incorporate prints with various exotic papers, beads, and shells to create a decorative assemblage.

The Artist Studio is presented by Cultural Encounters at the de Young. The Kimball Education Gallery is free to the public. The gallery is open to visitors from Wednesday through Sunday, 1–5 pm and Friday 6–8:45 pm. John Kuzich is available to provide assistance and instruction during gallery hours. The closing reception for IMAGINATION is on Friday, August 21 from 6–8:30 pm. For more information, e-mail cinaba@famsf.org or call 415.750.3528.

Cultural Encounters: Friday Nights at the de Young Presents Cultural Encounters Commissions Artist Onye Onyemaechi and the Art of Africa from 5 PM -8:45 PM


The Way of Tea: Tea Gathering and Tasting
Asian Art Museum

Watch and learn about the Japanese "Way of Tea" as you are served you own tea sweet and bowl of whisked green tea. Utilizing the museum's traditional tearoom, Bay Area tea people host these tea gatherings, which feature seasonal themes.

Saturday, August 8

1:00 pm and 2:30 pm (pick one seating)

Hosted by Shozo Sato, Dai Nippon Chado Gakkai

http://www.asianart.org/teaartsresources.htm

Oakland Museum: For the first time in its 40-year history, the Oakland Museum of California (OMCA) will temporarily close to the public. The break—effective 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 23—will allow the Museum to reinstall the Art and History Galleries, upgrade the common areas, and complete its transformation.

http://www.museumca.org/

And two street fairs:

36th Annual Nihonmachi Street Fair
On Saturday and Sunday, August 8th and 9th in San Francisco's Japantown, the Nihonmachi Street Fair will take to the streets again for another exciting weekend. With the spirit of unity, we welcome back old friends and open our hearts to new friendships.

http://www.nihonmachistreetfair.org/

At Yerba Buena Gardens:
http://www.pistahan.net/