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An Art Fix In San Francisco

street art chinatown san francisco
For me, it’s been 6 years. For my mom, probably 15 years. For my one of my brothers, over 30 years. That’s how long it’s been since we visited relatives in San Francisco.

Unlike some families that do reunions on the regular, to get us all in one place, at one time, was quite the feat. Even with cousin’s weddings in the past, one, two or all of us might not have been able to attend. But the timing was right – with availability and means – that we were going to be a part of the thirty or so strong reunion slash wedding.

Oh and I should mention that I haven’t vacationed with my family since I was a teen. As someone who is used to traveling alone or with one other person, this was going to be “interesting”, I said as I braced myself for impact.

Mom and I went to California first, with my brothers and niece joining us a few days later. There was a bunch of dim sums and family dinners and getting reacquainted time. For someone who can’t take being around a ton of people for an extended period of time and who needs her alone time, it was going to be a bit of a challenge. But I went with the flow as best as I could. As long as I was able to do some of the things I wanted to. (even if no one else wanted to go with)

Like…

the Asian Art Museum. Wherever I travel, I must hit up my sanctuaries. Last time I was here, I wasn’t able to see any of the third floor exhibits, so I made sure to carve out enough time for that. And boy, I’m glad I did. I really enjoyed seeing all the art from the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, Persia, India and surrounding areas.

Some favourites:

bodhisattva maitreya at san francisco MoMA
The Bodhisattva Maitreya, 200-350.

standing buddha at san francisco MoMA
Standing Buddha, approx. 200-350.

sitting buddha at san francisco MoMA
As the San Francisco MoMA was closed for expansion, some of their pieces were being displayed at other museums around the bay area. At the Asian Art Museum, I was able to catch MoMA’s Gorgeous exhibit, featuring 72 works which asks the question, “What draws you in and what pushes you away?”

andy warhol's 2 jackies at san francisco MoMA
Two Jackies by Andy Warhol.

boxing painting by ushio shinohara at MoMA
Boxing painting by Ushio Shinohara.

Japanese artist Ushio Shinohara donned boxing gloves, dipped in indigo paint and punched across the canvas to create this abstract work of art. There’s something pretty powerful about it. I like it. Shinohara and his wife also had their lives chronicled in the film,  Cutie and the Boxer.

jeff koon bust at san francisco MoMA
Self-portrait by Jeff Koons.

I’m sure the thrusting crystals is a nod to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. This self-portrait represents the moment of sexual climax between Koons and his former wife, pornstar and parliamentarian Ilona Staller aka Cicciolina. Remember that Pop Will Eat Itself song?

marilyn minto photo at san francisco MoMA
Strut by Marilyn Minter.

This large photograph had me observing it for several minutes. Perhaps it reminded me of my clubbing days. When we all dressed to impress, but by the end of an alcohol fueled night, all that glamour was gone and we were left looking dirty as hell.

And perhaps my favourite photo that I took was not so much the art, but of 2 people who looked lost in appreciation for that art.

rothko no 14 at san francisco MoMA
No. 14 by Mark Rothko.

Rothko’s No. 14 is one of the most visited artworks at San Francisco’s MoMA. Countless people have contemplated the painting from the bench, although the artist never insisted upon such a bench.

I don’t know if these two knew each other, though their body language suggests they do. But one thing did stand out for me. I like how they’re just sitting there, in reflection. I can’t stand psuedo “experts” parsing about art obnoxiously.

After 3 full days of visiting with family, I was able to strike the first thing off my to-do list. An afternoon of being by myself and wandering amongst art.

View more photos of my trip on my Flickr album.

Hours:
Tues-Sun: 10am-5pm | Thu: 10am-9pm | Closed Mon

Address:
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
GPS coordinates: 37.7801679, -122.4183872

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