FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Southern Exposure's
Public Programs and Events Planned in Conjunction with
Inaugural Exhibition, Bellwether
Another Fine Mess, Party Procession, and Survivalist Spirits are just a few of the exciting events planned
Bellwether
October 17 – December 12, 2009
San Francisco, CA, August 25, 2009 --- Coinciding with the opening of its much-anticipated new building in the Mission District and unveiling of the inaugural exhibition “Bellwether,” Southern Exposure will present an extensive series of public programs and events that are an extension of the exhibition and that highlight the organization’s longstanding commitment to the development and presentation of new work by emerging visual artists.
Ten newly commissioned art projects inaugurate Southern Exposure’s new space at 3030 20th Street in San Francisco’s Mission District. Featuring gallery works and public art projects, by artists and art collectives--such as Ant Farm, Nonchalance, and Lordy Rodriguez--Bellwether builds on SoEx’s 35 year legacy and asks artists to envision scenarios related to our uncertain and ever-shifting future. A comprehensive series of public events will accompany the exhibition and grand opening.
Please visit www.soex.org for up to date schedules of events and public programs.
BELLWETHER PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND EVENTS
Grand Opening Weekend Public Programs and Events
Member’s Grand Opening Party
Friday, October 16, 2009, 8:00 – 10:00 pm
A Proclamation: Banner Year
Friday, October 16, 2009, 8:30 pm
Artist Liz Glynn previews her project Banner Year in a short ceremonial performance. The official unfurling of the banner will take place the following evening at 7:00 pm.
Public Grand Opening
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 4:00 – 10:00 pm
Another Fine Mess (part 1)
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 4:00 – 6:00pm
As part of his project for Bellwether, Another Fine Mess (parts 1 and 2), and Southern Exposure’s grand opening Jonn Herschend sends a plane flying overhead carrying a banner with a narrative for everyone in the city to read and experience all at once. Be sure to look up.
Portal Pin Making
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
For the opening of Bellwether, SoEx’s Youth Advisory Board (YAB) engages the community in the making of “Portal Pins.” The Portal Pin is a highly advanced technological device that is activated when touched by its maker. When touched, the pin is used as a teleportation device that places its maker inside the digital mural that YAB created for Bellwether. Projects and photos of YAB’s process creating their project for Bellwether will also be on view.
Banner Year: The Party Procession
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Locations: 3030 20th Street and surrounding area
For the grand opening of Southern Exposure’s new building and inaugural exhibition, Bellwether, artist Liz Glynn invites you to join her in a processional around SoEx’s new home and neighborhood. Driven by live music and punctuated by site-specific events, the procession will trace the spirit of SoEx through its new neighborhood in the Mission District. The event will end with the unfurling of Glynn’s project for Bellwether, Banner Year, a collectively created banner meant to serve as a manifesto from which to move into the future.
Survivalist Spirits
Saturday, October 17, 2009, 7:30 – 8:30 pm
In a survivalist situation, an alcohol stash provides entertainment and a product that can be bartered. Bellwether artist Whitney Lynn offers a tasting of her DIY survival spirit recipes including Dandelion Wine, Prison Pruno, MRE Hooch and Boarding School Brew. Get it while supplies last.
Ongoing Public Programs and Events
The Boundaries of Collaboration and the Future of Fences, Walls and Other Impediments
A Talk and Project Tour by Nonchalance
Saturday, October 24, 2009, 2:00 pm
As part of their Bellwether public project, artist collaborative Nonchalance invite guest artist and curator Audrey Greigh to Southern Exposure to discuss her most recent attempt at working with the Elsewhere Public Works Agency (EPWA). For Greigh, her interest in the EPWA started when she first noticed a few strange signs and postings declaring that all fences were to be “Soon Obsolete.” Curious about this proposition and its unusual authority over public space, Greigh set out to discover the origins of these signs only to discover that the EPWA was behind them. Find out what she learned about who the EPWA are and what they do to maintain and manage “nonchalance.”
There will be an opportunity to explore the mysteries behind the EPWA and their projects directly after the talk with Greigh. Come prepared with an open mind and a willingness to reach your own conclusions.
The Future Isn’t What it Used to Be
A screening by Anthony Discenza
Presented in Partnership with Faye's Video & Espresso Bar
Wednesday, October 28, 2009, 8:00 pm
In this special screening, Bay Area artist Anthony Discenza presents a fusion of speculative science-fiction films from the past 50 years, blending cinematic visions of humanity's future into a hypnagogic reverie of competing dystopias.
Special Election
A First Colony event by Lordy Rodriguez
Saturday, November 7, 2009, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
As part of his expanding project First Colony, Bellwether artist Lordy Rodriguez invites gallery visitors to become citizens of this new land and participate in a special election. With this special voting session, citizens are given the chance to vote on important issues concerning the colony such as expanding into neighboring indigenous lands or not. Each time a citizen votes, they jump up one status level and are given more benefits including having a street in First Colony named after them. Along with this special voting session, new and established citizens are welcome to stick around and learn about the preexisting Uo'kalani Village through the making of artifacts using traditional crafting techniques.
Don’t miss this chance to shape your new adopted community. Gaining citizenship is easy. Simple fill out an application and for a small fee you will receive a photo ID, a citizenship certificate and the right to vote.
DIY Survivalist Training Workshop with Whitney Lynn
Saturday, November 21, 2009, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
In conjunction with her project for Bellwether, Bug Out Location (BOL), artist Whitney Lynn invites gallery visitors to take part in a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Survivalist Training Workshop. This hands-on workshop will cover survivalist preparation strategies and sustainability techniques in anticipation of economic, environmental, social, and/or governmental collapse. Participants will learn the basics for creating their own BOL for when the SHTF (shit hits the fan); gain knowledge in food procurement and home alcohol brewing; and walk away with a one-of-a-kind DIY weapon.
Limited space is available. Sign up for this workshop by emailing programs@soex.org or call 415.863.2141.
Martin Thebes in Conversation with Jonn Herschend
Thursday, December 3, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Martin Thebes--fictitious writer, producer, filmmaker and jilted lover of Linda Cole--will be in conversation with Bellwether artist Jonn Herschend. Along with discussing Thebes’ latest film, Embrace of the Irrational, Thebes and Herschend will also discuss issues associated with being a fictitious character in the real world, problems with rationality, the importance of confusion as a means of finding truth, and overhearing other people having sex in the apartment next door.
###
FOR MORE INFORMATION, JPEGS, BUILDING TOURS, OR INTERVIEWS CONTACT:
COURTNEY FINK, SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
(415) 863-2142, DIRECTOR@SOEX.ORG.
WENDY NORRIS, NORRIS COMMUNICATIONS
(415) 307-3853, WENDY@NORRISCOMMUNICATIONS.BIZ
Media Preview
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
10:30 am – 12:00 pm
EXHIBITION SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT
Generous support for Southern Exposure’s inaugural exhibition and artists in education programs is provided by Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, the Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation, the Zellerbach Family Foundation, and SoEx’s Members.
ABOUT SOUTHERN EXPOSURE
Southern Exposure is a non-profit, visual arts organization dedicated to presenting diverse, contemporary art, arts education, and related programs in an accessible environment. Established in 1974, SoEx supports artists and youth — whether they are teaching, exhibiting, curating, or learning — in developing and presenting new work and ideas. SoEx evolves in response to the needs of artists and the community, engaging the public in the artists’ work. Activities range from the commissioning and presentation of local, regional, and international visual artists’ work through exhibitions, public art projects, arts education programs, grants, residencies, lectures, discussions, performances, and workshops.
LOCATION and HOURS
As of October 1, 2009, Southern Exposure’s new address will be 3030 20th Street (at Alabama), San Francisco, CA 94110.
Until September 30, 2009, please use our current address, 417 14th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103.
SoEx is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, from 12 pm to 6 pm.
Admission is always FREE.
