How [Not] To Get Hit By A Self-Driving Car
How [Not] To Get Hit By A Self-Driving Car
Technology and the wider world, as interpreted by artists
Ok I cheated. This week’s title wrote itself!
Our driverless traffic jams may be some perverse form of performance art, but I promise less tragically comic ways of engaging with society and technology exist. Artists provide that avenue through unexpected presentations and interpretations of the world around us. Engage with creators, local government, and yes, even self-driving cars to get your culture fix this upcoming week.
Artist Talk: How (not) to get hit by a self-driving car (OG)
Category: Museum (Art & Video Game)
Date: Thursday, March 21st @ 6pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Asian Art Museum
Price Range: $10
Why I Care: My college major was born from a web of disparate interests, or less charitably, indecision. I designed an interdisciplinary study of the visual world that involved neurobiology, anthropology, and art all vying for the spotlight, so “an experimental, atelier-style space at the intersection of art and technology” is right up my alley. Enjoy the wider ArtPlay Connect event that explores art and activism, but please adhere to all traffic signs while doing so.
Plus be sure to meet their new curator of Contemporary Art for Game and Technology (Cheng); she’ll be the one in the Yoshi hat.
Opening Reception: Modern Utopia
Category: Party (Art)
Date: Saturday, March 23rd @ 2pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Fraenkel Gallery
Price Range: Free to enter
Why I Care: I love speaking with up-and-coming artists at their opening receptions, and Wardell Milan is one to watch. It’s giving Francis Bacon meets collage and photography on a scale that iPhones can’t do justice. Milan is in good company at Fraenkel Gallery, with the institution showcasing influential artists like Nan Goldin. Hot tip: clock a shameless extrovert and be on standby to hear the artist answer their barrage of questions.
Body Philosophy Club Opening Party
Category: Party (Fashion)
Date: Saturday, March 23rd @ 5pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Body Philosophy Club
Price Range: Free to enter
Why I Care: You know the drill. We love a good opening party, especially when DJs, wine, and martinis join the dance floor. I know BPC through the Bay Area vintage pop-up circuit, so I’m jazzed for their brick and mortar reboot. Be warned: good vibes may increase shopping desire and decrease account balance.
SF Ballet Orchestra Performance
Category: Performance (Music)
Date: Tuesday, March 26th @ 6pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Piedmont Piano Company
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: The orchestra deserves some solo love. Relegated to a literal pit, they bring the dancers, set, and sound alive with rare opportunity to take centerstage themselves. They’ll even be performing an original work composed by the orchestra’s bassist. Enjoy instruments in their native habitat and support the ballet sans ballerinas.
Opening Reception: Art-In-Neighborhoods Exhibition
Category: Party (Art)
Date: Thursday, March 28th @ 5pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: City Hall, Room 264
Price Range: Free to enter
Why I Care: I love local government highlighting local artists. It’s easy to get lost in spots at blockbuster shows, but there’s an intimacy that comes with the representatives of your community uplifting the creators of your community. And if political engagement piques your interest, corner host and mayoral candidate SF Supervisor Ahsha Safaí on hot button issues in the upcoming election.
“at the lake”: A Record & Maker Fair
Category: Fair
Date: Sunday, March 24th @ 11am (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: Lakeside Park Garden Center
Price Range: Free to enter
Why I Care: Records are back, baby! Even the UK’s Office of National Statistics agrees. I have a West Texas Goodwill to thank for the bulk of my limited collection, but I have a feeling the fair will provide a wider selection. Other artisans and makers will be setting up shop as well, so shoutout to Christa for the event share.
Only thing to buy now is an actual record player.
SFMoMA Lecture: “Thresholds — Space, Time, and Practice”
Category: Museum (Art)
Date: Thursday, March 28th @ 6:30pm (Add to Google Calendar)
Location: San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Price Range: Free
Why I Care: An art history professor once sandwiched the word phenomenological between a string of other seven-syllable descriptors. The sentence roughly translated to “I will intimidate with art speak hahaha good luck understanding art, Devon.” While this talk will have its inside baseball moments, the lecture is free and open to the public because SFMoMA wants syllabic-agnostic engagement from the local community.
Next Drop: Monday, April 1st