Last of the First Friday Posts

There was a very high-spirited feel to the First Friday Art Walk, partly because it coincided with the Jazz Festival. But the intricate Mola face painting (at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles) also brought out that happy, festive feel. For me the best part of the evening was the live opera by five members of the San Jose Opera at Caffe Trieste. I expected to enjoy it but I wasn't expecting the jaw-dropping, great performances that I got to hear. Without breaks, one opera singer after another went up to the microphone and treated the cafe customers and the everyone walking by on the sidewalk, to truly magnificent solo performances with a piano accompaniment. Add a cup of coffee and a piece of tiramisu and it just doesn't get any better.

First Friday on South First Street - Part 2

For me, the most anticipated part of the art walk was the exhibit of the photos from the Metro's photography contest. The theme was "Life in Motion" and photographers were invited to submit work related to this theme. The Metro had a really good live rock band playing at the exhibit and a dynamic mix of gallery visitors and photographers. People were invited to vote for their favorite photograph from the contest. I can't wait to see if my choice won. Next up on my art walk was the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. The Institute is currently exhibiting work relating to the theme "Green" with many distinct perspectives on climate change. My favorite was an installation by Christel Dillbohner entitled "Ice Floe." The installation fills an entire room with thousands of cone-shaped, painted pieces suspended by threads from the ceiling. The viewer becomes completely immersed in the manmade landscape. The rock band, wine, and artists may not be there now but the exhibits remain. Treat yourself to some art, check it out.

First Friday on South First Street - Part 1 in a Series of 3

If you walk down South First Street between San Carlos and Reed on a weekday it's usually pretty quiet. You'll probably notice some intriguing storefronts and vibrant murals but not too much going on. However, on the first Friday evening of most months, the street comes alive with artists, craftsmen, musicians and performers and art lovers of all ages. Galleries set up tables of food and drinks (mostly for purchase and a few for free) and the public is invited to wander in and out of galleries to enjoy the wide variety of exhibits and even meet and talk to the artists.

My first stop was the mural where one of the muralistas was signing his name. People were helping themselves to treats from platters of cookies decorated with bright purple dahlias.

Next was an exhibit called "Polar Identity" (complete with a polar bear handing out otter pops) and the flag exhibit (pictured above), which recreates an installation at the South Pole and is a tribute to significant events there.

From the arctic cold I went to watch the flames of the talented glass blower Lionel Chapital as he gave a demonstration on glass-blowing and viewers were invited to sign up for free glass blowing lessons with the San Jose Glass Artist Alliance.

Next stop was MACLA where I had the privilege of listening to artists talk about their work as part of the Chicana/o Biennial Artist Talk. The exhibit was wonderful with works of art made of wide ranging materials including khaki fabric (for a cactus) and plastic spoons (see above). The Friday Art Walk was just too much for one blog entry and so I'll be posting more in the days to come.

Trees Wearing Sweaters

I may be easily amused but when I pulled into a parking place on First Street this morning and saw that the tree in front of my car had been dressed in a sweater, I thought "Now this is going to be fun!"  The section of First between San Carlos and San Salvador is lined with beautiful Jacaranda trees and for the time being, most of them are dressed.  Some of the wrappings are simple and some are quite ambitious.  They may be dressed inappropriately for the season but they are lots of fun to observe, both up close and from afar.

What is Art?

Not long ago, a controversy over the definition of art was sparked when a neighbor took it upon herself to hire a couple of guys to tear down some mosaic work on a bridge that crosses Coyote Creek.  When the people in the neighborhood found out that this woman had hired men to tear down the artwork, they were appalled (many considered it vandalism) and rallied around the artist to make sure he would be able to finish his work and that it would be preserved.  The work on the mosaics had begun years ago and had been funded by a grant.  When the grant ran out the artist continued to work, donating his time, talent and materials.  The bridges (there are two with his artwork) are a source of enjoyment and pride for the many neighbors who walk these streets.  What were the odds that a local artist (and wife of an aesthetics professor) would happen to be walking by the bridge as the artwork was being torn down?  She alerted her husband, they talked to the men who were tearing down the art and asked them to stop. When  questioned, the woman claimed "It isn't art."  Well, she expressed that opinion to the wrong guy.  In our corner we have our very own aesthetics professor who assured her that "the work fits all of the traditional and current definitions of art offered by philosophers and art theorists."  Ha!  Take that!  I submit to you the Coyote Creek Bridge art at 17th and Santa Clara.