You’re in a fabulous mood, the weather is gorgeous, the sun is shining but as you stroll down any U.S. city street not even the Prozac-free among us can avoid the depressing vision of vacant storefronts; a constant reminder of one of the ugliest economic times in our nation’s history. So what’s a city to do?
The San Francisco Art in Storefronts project (an effort by The San Francisco Arts Commission, in collaboration with the Mayor’s office of Economic and Workforce Development and Triple Base Gallery) will launch a unique initiative on October 23rd to revitalize local neighborhoods hardest hit by the economic downturn. At this inaugural event, San Francisco-based artists and designers will temporarily place original art installations into 10 vacant storefront windows transforming them into inspiring works of art.
Among the initial storefronts to be unveiled is a thought-provoking piece by the San Francisco design firm MINE™. In a darkened storefront a neon sign proclaiming, “Everything is OK” will hover above rows of canned “products” that promise instant “OK-ness.” According to Mine’s founder and creative director Christopher Simmons, “The installation is designed as a provocation through which passersby are challenged to explore their relationship to the status quo and the term ‘OK.’ Does ‘OK’ signify ‘good’ or merely mediocre? If everything is mediocre, is that what we’re being asked to accept?”
This installation could not be more appropriate as the world sits with bated breath wondering, “Is the economy improving? Is everything OK?” With innovative economic revitalization efforts like this one, I don’t know about you, but my little black Magic 8-Ball reads “outlook good.” So let’s go shopping…window-shopping that is! And hey, more good news, it won’t cost a dime.
WHEN:
Friday, October 23, 2009, 5-7PM
Formal Remarks at 5:30, followed by an unveiling of the the window installations, live music, and an art walk with the artists.
WHERE:
Storefronts located along Market Street between 5th and 8th Streets.
Reception and remarks at 989 Market Street at 6th Street
(originally appeared in SF Examiner 9/23/09)