February 7-23 // Homing: An Art Installation

"Migrating Houses" by Todd Laby

In February, we will welcome visual artists Todd Laby, Audrey Heller and Pamela Merory Dernham, whose provocative installation and exhibit will conclude our inaugural season at StoreFrontLab.

Homing, which opens on February 7, comprises three works in dialogue exploring our unsettled notions of origin, memory, and finding one’s bearings. 

Laby’s “Migrating Houses,” sculpted wooden houses teetering on tall spindly legs, roam the storefront. Merory Dernham’s sculptural works in wire delve into complex questions surrounding human connectedness and the varied reality of where home is. Finally, Laby and Heller’s collaboration “Moving Boxes” invites viewers to peer into an array of miniature worlds of domestic emotions and memories.

You can learn more by reading their artists' statement, but as with Laby's wandering herd of houses, we think there is something to be said for embracing the mysteriousness.

Exhibit Hours
// February 7–February 23, 2013

// Wednesdays, 11:30AM-1:30PM

// Thurdays-Saturdays, 3PM-7PM

Opening Reception

// Thursday, February 7, 7PM-9PM  RSVP

Closing Reception

// Saturday, February 23, 7PM-9PM  RSVP

Obsolete Californias: Opening January 9

We're kicking off 2013 with Obsolete Californias presented by Shipping & Receiving. It's one of our most ambitious projects to date at StoreFrontLab, but what is it exactly? 

Is it a store? An art gallery? A history museum? A community center? An elaborate joke? According to Shipping & Receiving's founders, Heather Smith and Torreya Cummings, the answer is: Yes.

Smith and Cummings, both writers and artists, are purveyors of the 31st state's many histories and entwined futures. The installation will explore the relics and customs of Californias that no longer exist and propose opportunities for exchange.

Rather than asking more questions, we suggest you drop by and see for yourself. Visit Obsolete Californias at StoreFrontLab from January 9-25, Wednesday through Sunday. Admission and all special programs are free, but we encourage you to register in advance. 

GRAND OPENING

// Wednesday, January 9, 5-8PM [RSVP]

STOREFRONT HOURS

January 9-25
// Wednesday–Friday, 5-8PM

// Saturdays, 2-8PM

// Sundays, 11AM-5PM

Subject to change; follow @shipandreceive

on twitter for updates

MOVIE NIGHT

// Thursday, January 10, 6:30 [RSVP]

Barbary Coast (1935) and San Francisco (1936). 

Two films about late early San Francisco.

NOT A BAR, NOT YOUR HOUSE

// Friday, January 11, 5-8 [RSVP]

Want to go to a place that’s not a bar, and not your house? 

Ship/Rec is warm, cheery, atmospheric. Bring a bottle, a friend, 

a book, pull up a tuffet, and reinvent the fine art of hanging out.

WRESTLE

// Saturday, January 12, 5-8PM* [RSVP]

// Sunday, January 13, 2-5PM* [RSVP]

Fight therapist Melissa Wyman brings her mats and some 

moves. The history (& future) of California involves struggle 

over territory and resources. Wyman helps you make it literal 

with a Collaborative Combative Drawing event. 

*Times subject to refinement; register to receive updates.

WHITTLE

// Wednesday, January 16, 6-8PM [RSVP]

If you have small-scale whittling or carving projects, bring them. Not really a workshop or skillshare, unless you feel like teaching someone something. Bring a snack or beverage, if you'd like to.

MOVIE NIGHT

Thursday, January 17, 6:30PM [RSVP]

That Boy (1974)and Nights in Black Leather (1973). Excerpts from two films featuring Peter Berlin, and various scenes of gay sex

subculture, streets, cars, bars, and San Francisco in the 1970s. 

Mercifully, the DJ will make music happen over any dialogue.

NOT A BAR, NOT YOUR HOUSE

// Friday, January 18, 5-8 [RSVP]

EMPEROR NORTON I

// Wednesday, January 23, 6:30-8:30PM [RSVP]

Please join us in welcoming our esteemed guest, Emperor Norton I, 

Emperor of these United States and Protector of Mexico, speaking on the topic of his life and possibly E Clampus Vitus.

MOVIE NIGHT 

//Thursday, January 24, 6:30PM [RSVP]

Sneakers (1992). Legendary computer caper set in the Bay Area, from the early days of the interwebs.

NOT A BAR, NOT YOUR HOUSE

// Friday, January 25, 5-8 [RSVP]

December 15-16: Bent, Twisted and Warped

Next week students at California College of the Arts will wrap up a special fall studio with renowned UK-based furniture designer David Colwell. Anyone who has met Colwell or learned about his pioneering work in environmentally sustainable craft will immediately understand what a remarkable experience this has been for his students.

We feel equally honored to host "Bent, Twisted and Warped," an exhibition (and sale!) of the students' work made from locally sourced hardwoods using Colwell's steam-bending process. On display for one weekend only, the works are experiments in the functional and sustainable benefits of wood. Each represents the designer’s effort to get from living tree to finished product in a few smart steps. 

David Colwell has been designing furniture with a focus on sustainable materials and processes for over 30 years. He advocates wood as a furniture-making material for its structural and practical efficiency, as well as for its many environmental benefits. His work is included in collections at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Vitra Design Museum in Germany. 

Stop by to meet the designers, learn more about Colwell's unique process of woodworking, and perhaps, find a one-of-a-kind gift.

RECEPTION WITH THE DESIGNERS AND DAVID COLWELL

// Saturday, December 15, 2-5PM [RSVP here!]

EXHIBIT HOURS

// Saturday, December 15, 10AM-5PM

// Sunday, December 16, 11AM-4PM

Welcoming the Unwieldy Beast

Unwieldy Beast // Trailer from brandon loper on Vimeo.

Here's a preview of Unwieldy Beast, the award-winning short documentary film by San Francisco-based director Brandon Loper, showing this Saturday at StoreFrontLab. Unwieldy Beast tells the story of Gary Frank Skaggs and his pianobike, St. Frankenstein. The six-minute film features all original music by Skaggs, as he pedals ever so slowly, in and out of tune, through the streets of San Francisco.

Between screenings, Skaggs will delight us with his contemporary ragtime, performed live on his pianobike, and Kevin "Tex" Bohlin of St. Frank Coffee will serve up some coffee-inspired beverages. Of course, director Loper will be on hand to discuss Unwieldy Beast and his new project, a film exploring the global culture of specialty coffee.

// Doors open at 4PM
// Screenings at 5PM, 7PM and 9PM

Space is running out, so register today!

Here's what we'll be up to at Reflectorize!

Nancy Botkin, Cheryl Brinkman and friends have been busy testing reflective treatments for your favorite gear. If you want to do more to stay visible as the days grow shorter, stop by Reflectorize and they'll help you add some flash. Bring your jackets, gloves, bags, and knitting or make reflective buttons and accessories on site. The event is free, though donations to the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition are encouraged. Register today!

 

 

One weekend, two great events!

Gary Frank Skaggs and St. Frankenstein, his piano-bike, in Unwieldy Beast, 
an award-winning short documentary directed by Brandon Loper.

REFLECTORIZE! 
// Friday, November 9 // 6 – 9PM

// Saturday, November 10 // 10AM - 1PM

The end of daylight savings and the shortening days are a good reminder for cyclists and pedestrians to take care and stay visible when traveling after dark. Drop in at Reflectorize!, a free workshop offering an array of headlight-catching reflective treatments to sew, iron or embroider onto your clothes or bags. Materials, equipment, instruction and warm beverages provided. Suggested donations benefit the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

[lear more]

UNWIELDY BEAST

// Saturday, November 10

It's the perfect San Francisco evening: screenings of the award-winning short (six-minute) documentary by Brandon Loper, live ragtime courtesy of Unwieldy Beast's stars Gary Frank Skaggs and his pianobike, plus coffee and other inspired beverages by Kevin "Tex" Bohlin of St. Frank coffee company. All happening at StoreFrontLab.

[learn more]