FFDG is moving (temporarily) to 248 Clement St @4th Ave (due to the fire) with our first opening for Mario Martinez (Mars-1) set for Thursday, Nov 10th (7-10pm).
Signed the lease today. Needs some white paint thrown about here and there and a little TLC and she's ready to go.
Thanks to Derek and Jamie at Park Life who told us about the space that we get to call home until 248 Fillmore is ready to move back into... Hope we don't get too used to having such a large space. After we fix 'er up, she'll be a real beaut!
We're happy to report that FFDG will open at a temporary gallery space located at 248 Clement St @4th on Thursday, November 10th. We will be there until either 248 Fillmore is repaired and we can move back or if Fillmore is down for good and we need to find a new permanent home.
FFDG's temporary gallery space located at 248 Clement St. since recently displaced by the Haight & Fillmore fire last week.
Interesting that we're moving from 248 Fillmore to 248 Clement. Something about the number 248, we guess.
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Mark your calendar for Thursday, November 10th when we open a solo show from Mario Martinez (Mars-1).
Work from Mario Martinez (Mars-1). His show opens Nov 10th at FFDG's temporary gallery space on Clement.
Special special special... very special thanks to our friends at Park Life who clued us in on the space and helped us procure it... Will be taking Jamie and Derek out for dinner when we get over there. Thanks, guys!
In case you didn't know yet, there was a massive 4 alarm fire in Fecal Face's building last Tuesday evening (photos) which displaced not only us from the building but 31 residents from the apartments above.
Tuesday evening you can do something to help those effected as there's a Haight and Fillmore Fire Relief Fundraiser at the Peacock Lounge with prizes, food, drinks and a whole lot more. Get there and give a little something back to help your fellow San Franciscans!
Fire burns above FFDG last Tuesday which displaced 31 residents.
Via Haighternation.com ~Snack on bites from the likes of Wing Wings, Memphis Minnie’s, and Chilli Cha Cha. Enjoy the cool refreshment of Three Twins, making their triumphant return to the neighborhood to live-scoop at the event. Wash it all down with beer from Mad Dog in the Fog, and/or cocktails from the Peacock Lounge bar.
And purchase tickets to a raffle of amazing prizes and gift certificates from the likes of Booksmith, Blackbird, Idle Hand Tattoo, Lower Haters, Merch, Method, Nosh This, Three Twins, Thriving Life Wellness, Uva Enoteca, and more! -more details at Facebook
WE'VE FOUND A TEMPORARY GALLERY SPACE that we will move into in November. More details on that soon, but let's say the space is about 7 times larger than our last, so... much fun shall be had. Our next show featuring works by Mario Martinez opens November 10th! Mark your calendar now.
On Tuesday at around 4pm we were working away on the site/ answering emails when a crazed lady pounds on our door and yells, "the building is on fire. Get out!". Unfortunately, this is the second time we've heard this yelled at us while working at Fecal Face.
Thinking it was going to be another similar grab a few things, stand back while the SFFD do their thing, and in 30 minutes, we're back inside and back to work. Not this time. Not this time at all. We're out of the gallery and space there at 248 Fillmore for who knows how long till we're back in our beloved space next to our friends at Estela's and Three Twins.
Me on NBC channel 11 news Tuesday night. I was also on KTVU as well.
Anyone got a empty store front we can rent till ours in back and running? Please feel free to let us know: john(at)fecalface.com
Thinking we were possibly over reacting, we grad Damon Soule's paintings from the gallery walls and quickly try to figure out where we can take them as screaming fire trucks race to the scene. Luckily, our friend Mike Midden lives across the street and let us store the paintings there while we figure things out... Weird bangs and explosions above our heads/ breaking glass around us, we frantically grabbed art, laptops, cameras, etc.
Flames were shooting 6 feet out the corner apartment's window. Distant/ nearby sirens continued to descend to our corner of Haight and Fillmore. At one point, it became clear there was no going back inside as firemen broke down the door next to ours that leads to the stairway. A healthy crowd builds behind the yellow caution tape. We stand nervously watching the fire rage and build. Thick black smoke billows from the roof as the late afternoon breeze begins sweeping the flames across the building from one side to the next.
Pot of gold at the end of the rainbow?
Watching the flames lick the next building over, we hope that the massive amounts of water would somehow filter away from our ceilings as gallons and gallons of toxic fire water make their way down from the top floors.
After holding our breath for 30 minutes, we know there's nothing we can do but fret. It's determined that a strong beer is needed to calm frayed nerves. We had beers at Cafe Soleil where next to us sat a resident of the building also calming his nerves with a beer. We chat and hope that the fire/ smoke/ water damage escaped our places. It wasn't the case, at least for us.
Tip toeing around a web of fire hoses we avoid the raining water and enter the gallery where a rush of heat and smoke stink past our noses. Water is poring down in umpteen places from the ceiling as we trek across a foot of water on the floor in search for items/ art that may still be safe. Our cabinet contents were dry. Travis Millard's and Mel Kadel's work, which was probably in the only part of the back area that avoided water, was untouched, thank God (we built those shelves where the work sat just a month ago saving us from having to claim their art as a loss).
Thanks to Harley and everyone at Upper Playground and neighbors who formed a human chain to move items and art from the drenched gallery to Upper Playground's back room. A lot was saved and items that were ruined by the water damage can be replaced. Our disappointment by having to work from home is nothing compared to those who not only lost their apartments but their personal items as well. Thankfully no one was injured.. Animals were rescued and all will move on. We just hope that the contractors are building ninjas so we can get back in soon and we can get back to hosting shows.
Hopefully we're going to back in 248 Fillmore very soon... Anyone got a empty store front we can rent till ours in back and running? Please feel free to let us know: john(at)fecalface.com
Thankfully we purchased a good insurance plan when we moved in which covers fire damage like this. SO glad we kept up with the payments.
That night My and Adam took our gallery plant Stretch home while the dust settles.
Mark your calendar, because FFDG in San Francisco will feature works from Mars-1 opening Friday, Nov 11th (6-9pm). Exact details coming soon. For now enjoy a taste of this SF based artist's incredible works.
Going... Gone Wednesday, 31 August 2011 /// Written by Trippe
That took like no minutes after we opened FFDG to give away our copy of The Death-Ray by Daniel Clowes to SF based photographer Raphael Villet. Sorry to those who've stopped in to discover the book is out of our hands already. Congrats to Raphael and be sure to check his photos. Great images.
Wanted to feature a few pieces from our inventory from the Los Angeles based duo, Mel Kadel and Travis Millard. Beautiful works from their recent show here in San Francisco @FFDG. Can view more here.
Mel Kadel & Travis Millard collab.
Sun Stackers,
10" x 8", ink and coffee on paper, framed
$800
Travis Millard
Riverside
39.5" x 29.5", ink on paper, framed
$3500
Mel Kadel & Travis Millard collab.
At the Desk,
10" x 8", ink on paper, framed
$1000
Get on your lab coats because we're about to get all Mr. Wizard up here at Fecal Face... Well, sort of. Mr. Wizard was way more entertaining than a water test blog.
If you live in San Francisco you most likely live and work in a pretty old building with absolutely no knowledge of its plumbing. If you're also like us you drink the tap water because, all those plastic water bottles are a complete waste and, we here in San Francisco have some of the nation's best water... But is it? I mean we use a Brita here @FFDG, but shit, we have no idea if the pipes contain lead or something. After we started getting some headaches, we thought it might be a good idea to buy a little kit and test the water. ~exciting conclusion.
Damon Soule's third solo show Then What Happened opens @FFDG in San Francisco Saturday, August 20th (7-10pm). Gerald Anekwe swung by his studio a couple weeks back to see what he has brewing for his show.
San Francisco Art Institute graduate, Damon Soule's newest paintings take what he's been doing for years further into a mind bending reality. Beautiful.
You've had two solo shows with FFDG in the past, what are some of the things you are taking into consideration while working on this one?
FFDG is a small space, so it's a great place to put together a cohesive experience. That's all you really have to worry about.
How would you describe your work to someone?
Aw man, that's always hard. I usually just describe it as crazy paintings. If I was painting things that I could describe in a simple sound bite, I would be disappointed with myself.
All At Once - 66" x 74"
In addition to SF, you've lived in Portland and NYC. What are some of the things you've enjoyed about living and working in these cities?
NYC is great because you can always get something to eat nearby anytime of day. Portland is cool because people are relaxed and know how to have fun. No one'ss really trying very hard there which I find refreshing.
What brought you back to SF?
I love the community vibe in the Bay Area. It feels like things are really happening which I didn't get in NYC. That may be just my perception but since that's how I feel, I had to come back here. As far as I'm concerned SF rules! However, I like to keep it fresh and that means not getting too comfortable.
Second String - 24" x 36"
You've been exhibiting for over a decade, what would you say is the most important thing you've learned along the way?
Keep it personal and challenge yourself. If you get bored, flip it upside down. Life is short, so don't get stuck in a rut.
We're getting ready for Saturday's, Aug 20th (7-10pm), opening @FFDG when we feature Damon Soule's third show with the gallery, Then What Happened. Email info(at)ffdg.net to be added to the preview list. The show is on the FacingBooks.
The history of Modern art is characterized by a series of movements that rewrote the established rulebook of what art should be that had been in place for centuries. Those movements needed to happen. That book needed to be rewritten. Unfortunately, part of this transition involved diminishing the importance of the real craft of painting, painterly skill and the celebration thereof.
Shawn Barber re-embraces that true craft; the craft of Velasquez and of Van Dyke, two masters that he lists as influences. His work goes back to the roots of what makes great art. It champions hard work, dedication and tradition. He even has the words ‘Work’ and ‘Hard’ tattooed on his fingers. ~continue reading
NYC graffiti legend SEEN just made our week as he and Mars-1 just stopped by FFDG to check out Shawn Barber's show Youth of Today. The guy practically invented graffiti in the 70s. Yikes.
Youth of Today
Paintings by Shawn Barber
July 8th - Aug 6, 2011
@FFDG
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NEWS:
Works are still available from Mel Kadel & Travis Millard's show here.
Click images below for larger views.
Works can be purchased through Pay Pal buy buttons below.
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Photos of the works and also some pics from the opening night.
Youth of Today @FFDG opens tonight, Friday (7-10pm), featuring 11 beautifully crafted oil paintings from the LA based Shawn Barber. Beverages served and Shawn will be present at the reception.
Youth of Today
Paintings by Shawn Barber
Opening: Friday, July 8th (7-10pm)
We're taking limited number of emails to be added to the preview list going live on Wed., July 6th 3pm Pacific. To inquire, email: info(at)ffdg.net
On display will be 11 beautifully crafted oil paintings which are the next chapter of Los Angeles based Shawn Barber's "Doll Series". The "Doll Series" is Barber's response to living in a world consumed by popular culture. To Barber, it's been abundantly clear what motivates many young people in America especially since Barber has moved to Los Angeles two years ago to focus not only on his painting but to also open Memoir Tattoo with girlfriend Kim Saigh. With "Youth of Today", the "individual" personalities are saturated with a common ground- repetitive sadness fueled by the projected facade of synthetic surreality.
Shawn Barber's body of work focuses primarily on painting, portraiture, and documenting contemporary tattoo culture. Barber's intimate renditions of tattooed individuals balance both meticulous brush strokes and loose energy. Figurative in nature, these large paintings take on abstractions with explosive colors, meandering lines and paint dripping down the canvas.
Shawn earned his B.F.A from Ringling College of Art in 1999 and has paintings held in private collections throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe and Australia. His paintings have been exhibited in diverse solo and group venues including: The Joshua Liner Gallery, NYC, NY; Billy Shire Fine Arts, Los Angeles, CA; The Shooting Gallery, San Francisco, CA; Mesa Contemporary Arts Center, Mesa, AZ; University of Houston, Houston, TX. His first published book of art titled 'Tattooed Portraits' was published by 9mm Books in 2006, followed by his second tome, 'Forever and Ever', a 256 page hardcover book dedicated to the Tattooed Portraits Series. Shawn is currently working on a third book in the Tattooed Portraits Series with Last Gasp Books, to be released in July 2012. Among his extensive achievements, he has taught drawing, painting and the business of art for 10 years at various art schools throughout the country. After years of documenting the art of tattoo, it was a logical progression to pick up the tattoo machine and add tattooist to his resume.
Shawn Barber's show Youth of Today opens Friday, July 8th @FFDG (7-10pm). and we're taking limited number of emails to be added to the preview list going live on Wed., July 6th. To inquire, email: info(at)ffdg.net
Going back in time here through the lens glass. Installing art shows, taking down art shows, hanging out w/ Mel Kadel and Travis Millard, sailboat maneuvers on the San Francisco Bay and other whatnots from the gallery life.
A new HBO documentary looks at the work of street artist JR, whose giant portraits force people in troubled areas to confront the humanity that's all around them... On the day JR found out he'd won the $100,000 TED Prize, the French pasteup artist found himself in China being questioned by police for doing his thing on the streets of Shanghai. ~continue reading
Street artist JR HBO documentary premiered yesterday, May 20th
Art lovers, collectors and gallerists will gather on Thursday for Hong Kong's inaugural edition of Art Basel, sealing the city's status as an international art hub and Asia's leading art destination... Hong Kong has surged to third place in the global art auction market behind New York and London and Western galleries are falling over each other to open franchises in the former British colony. ~continue reading
Our buddy Ferris Plock opens a small show of drawings at Benny Gold on 3169 16th St this Friday, May 24th (7-10pm) featuring 31 drawings priced at 75-140 bucks.
Ferris also released the video Fingered! he produced with animator Jim Dirschberger. View it
Wowzas, there's a lot of art happenings this weekend, and while you're making the rounds, be sure to stop at SFAI's MFA show Currency opening Friday, May 17th at the beautiful old SF Mint Building (88 5th Street).
SFAI's 2013 MFA graduates—working in painting, photography, printmaking, film, sculpture, installation, digital media, performance, and across media—will present work that embraces the Institute's signature spirit of experimentation and conceptual risk-taking.
Opening reception: Friday, May 17, 7–9 pm & running through Sunday 11-6pm daily. -- complete details
London based Pedro Matos opens the solo show Building Castles Made of Sand this Friday in Los Angeles at the Martha Otero Gallery featuring a new series of oil paintings on canvas and azulejo panels - a traditional Portuguese medium of hand-painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tile work.
San Francisco -- CCA opens their 2013 MFA Thesis Exhibition this Thursday, May 16th at their SF campus. Every year another graduating class produces steller work. One of the best SF art events worth getting to, but be sure to get there early as there's always a long line. ~details
FFDG opened up the group show featuring original works by the artists of the world famous Skull & Sword tattoo last Friday here in San Francisco. Thanks to the huge crowd who turned out to support these four incredibly talented artists. Here is a taste of the show, and be sure to swing in to view in person. The show runs through June 8th.
Gary Baseman's retrospective "The Door is Always Open" at the Skirball in LA opened recently to massive crowds in a huge celebratory opening party. The exhibition is so complex and personal, delving into Baseman's background, family history, and all the layers of prolific work that he has done over the years. After the opening festivities winded down, I caught up with Baseman for an interview. We discussed the underlying meaning to some of the components of the show and how it felt for him, coming from such an honest personal perspective in putting this massive show together.
Fertile Menace, a new show of Mark Mulroney's (NY) work opened at Ever Gold on May 4th and it's not one to be missed. It is intelligently hilarious, with jokes riffing off sex, Foucault, and the body, and while it makes you laugh it's also going to make you think.
Our buddies Jay Howell, Andreas Trolf, and Jim Dirschberger are hyped as their show, which they've been working on for like 2 years, premieres on Nickelodeon Saturday. From the trailers we've seen so far and from what Jay has told us about, the show is going to be pretty epic. Congrats to those radical fellas.
Here's a little taste of work by the artists of the world famous The Skull and Sword tattoo shop who open their show at San Francisco's FFDG on Friday, May 17th (7-10pm).
Following his solo exhibition "The Collected" at Gallery Wendi Norris, painter Amir H. Fallah is in the throes of developing more new works for upcoming international exhibits. We spent some time in his studio in Highland Park, Los Angeles recently, discussing his process and inspiration.
We were first introduced to the photography of Spanish born NYC based Bubi Canal when he emailed us his great video Trust in Me a couple years ago. His solo show Special Moment recently ran at NYC's Munch Gallery in February, and he recently released his newest video Chrystelle below.
Although I missed the opening of Northern-California photographer Michael Garlington's newest show, Constructed Realities, I was fortunate enough to see the work still up during the Metaphysical fundraiser a couple weeks back at 111 Minna. Metaphysical fundraiser, an auction to benefit Wayne Ernzer. --- The ghoulish photographs in their heavy, hand-made frames are reminiscent of photos from the old west, and the glass crucifixes, complete with fetuses and guns, emphasize the accumulated time within the works themselves. Whether you're looking at the frames, the photos, or both, this show deserves a visit, and a walk through the golden archway Garlington constructed around the front door.
Fecal Face contributor Rachel Ralph (rachel(at)fecalface.com) has been profiling this Oakland based painter as he travels about Japan. In this segment, we feature some photos as he prepared for this show and residency at Spes-LaB in Tokyo which opened last weekend. Arnold will be featured in SFMoMA's Minna Street windows on June 8th.
Last Saturday, here in SF's Mission district, Guerrero Gallery opened two new shows with Philly based Alex Lukas and SF based Richard Colman respectively. Colman's work occupied the project space while Lukas' work and foliage was presented in the main space. Worth getting to if you haven't already.
Just got back to SF after a little trip south to Sayulita, Mexico. After 10 years without a vacation, me and the Mrs. headed south for some mental time off sitting in the sun, swimming and enjoying the watery Mexican beer. Here are some photos as we get back into the swing of things again.
Athens, Greece based designer, architect and artist Dimitris Polychroniadis emailed over more of his work which consists of mixed media, pop-humorous diorama sculptures that make a comment on the harsh realities my country and much of the world is facing at the moment.
FFDG will open a group show with the artists from the famed Skull & Sword Tattoo on Friday, May 17th (6-9pm). Artists: Grime, Henry Lewis, Yutaro, and Lango. Below are a series of videos on Grime for Vice's Tattoo Age produced in 2011. Fascinating look at one of the greatest tattoo artists alive today.
ARYZ (Spain) opened his newest gallery show at Fifty24SF last Friday and, if you live in the Bay Area, you need to go. This dude can obviously paint, and he doesn't need an entire building to show his impecable skill. The show has lots of small works on paper which contrast his highly-defined line work to his hard-edged painted objects. The contrast between the hard and soft was the most striking thing to me about his work, since I had never seen it in person before, and the washes blend with the thick paint seamlessly. The show also contains a larger work on canvas, a huge head suspended in the back of the room, and a big wood sculpture of a wolf figure. This diversity in such a small space was impressive, and those of us that went to the opening even got to meet the man in person. If you didn't make it out this weekend, check it out before May 31st when it closes and these works will be off to some very happy new homes.
Water McBeer is please to announce its latest exhibition "Precious" a solo exhibition by David Bayus (April 6 - May 4, 2013) -- David Bayus born 1982 holds his BFA from the Savannah College of Art and his MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute. David lives and works in San Francisco and is a founding member of the basement collective. This will be his first exhibition with the world renown Water McBeer Gallery highlighting his most recent achievements with paint and digital media. David Bayus will be exhibiting 5 relatively large-scale mixed media works along with a collaborative object featuring Hungarian sculptor H.R KOONS.
The Shooting Gallery handed over the reins to the Red Truck Gallery (a New Orleans based gallery) which curated their new show, Hard Time Mini Mall and opened the it on Saturday night. This is my favorite show (so far) in the Shooting Gallery's new space and was packed full of art, a mini bar, and cowhide rugs. The Red Truck Gallery chose works with clear craftsmanship and it was easy to see in Ian Berry's denim assemblages and Chris Roberts-Antieau's awesome quilts. The space was completely packed, making it hard to see each piece individually, but this show deserves a second trip anyway. I look forward to spending more time with the chandeliers, automatons, and paintings before the show comes down on May 4th.
Toronto based photographer Nathan Cyprys emailed to let us know about his newest series "Neighbour State", and we were about to post it when we spotted this series on his site entitled "Ayre (of Distances)" and had to post this one instead. After you view this one, view "Neighbour State" on his site. Both are visually enjoyable.
Working from found photographs, Lyle's paintings are created through a reductive painting process where each piece is rendered using only black paint and turpentine. Lyle begins this process by priming a panel with white gesso. He then paints a thin, rich, oily black veneer over the primed panel, slowly and systematically developing his images by removing some of the black paint with a cloth. In doing so, Lyle renders layer upon layer of various values of black paint resulting in his signature-style of luminescent works.
London based David Shillinglaw who's blogged it up for Fecal Face in the past recently completed this mural in London as he prepares for his solo show at Stolen Space opening on April 26th.
Our buddy Henrik Haven, who brings us some goodies from his native Copenhagen, has been shooting some of his city's graffiti and street art. Last week we brought you part one of his camera's explorations.
San Francisco based artists Raphael Villet and Sean Vranizan are currently showing Just the Two of Us at Adobe Books through April 21. Here are some photos from the opening and works.
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