"The Mashup Show: Art Will Eat Itself"
@NOMA
May 2 - 24, 2009
80 Maiden Ln. 3rd fl,
San Francisco, CA 94108

Lately, there has been a surge of emerging and alternative space galleries in the Nob Hill / Downtown area. Of course, being a fan of such spaces, I had to check out a few of them. Unfortunately, not all of the ones I stopped by were open, but we'll take what we can get, and save the others for another report.

My first stop on the list was "NOMA" gallery on Maiden Lane. You've heard of SOMA, South of Market, and now there's "North of Market". Not sure if this is an official term, but as a gallery title, NOMA is fun to say. NoooMaaa.

NOMA's group show, "The Mashup Show - Art Will Eat Itself" features a number of artists including Joshua Curchill, Erin Allen, Rory Hayes, Nightmare City, and our very own Philly correspondent, Alex Lukas!

Jim Osborne, 1970. The price list says this is from the "Bonnie Banks Collection".

I used to have a thing for River Phoenix when I was a kid (mainly because I had a thing for Indiana Jones). Poor dude was pretty nutty though. This piece is by Nightmare City (Keturah Cummings & Carol Anne McChrystal).

Aron Meynell oil painting.

This xerox piece with the goat heads is one of Alex Lukas' contributions to the show. I believe the other one was a video installation.

The Mashup Show featured pretty much everything (it was, after all, the Mashup Show), and included video / audio installations projected above the other artworks.

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"Reborn"
Desiree Holman
@Silverman Gallery
April 17 - May 30, 2009
804 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

My next stop on the list was Silverman Gallery on Sutter st. Their previous show, which featured an installation of dirt in the window, had me transfixed for weeks (no, really, I'm not kidding). After hearing that the current show was SECA award-winner Desiree Holman's solo show, I decided it was time to stop flirting with the window displays and actually go in.

Can't say I regret the decision, I really dug Desiree's work. But then, I AM shamelessly biased toward intricate pencil drawings. *cough*

These two I found thoroughly creepy (and I'm guessing that's the point). The floating hair adds to this affect. Grudge lady, anyone?

I want to snatch the kid and run, but damn, look at the detail in those eyes!

Desiree Holman's show at Silverman Gallery is running concurrently with her show at SF MOMA to bring you the full "Holman experience". Good to know!

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"Neighborhood Watch"
David Young V
@Cafe Royale
May 1 - May 30, 2009
800 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

Next on the list, Cafe Royale. Not a gallery per se, but this little bar on the corner of Post and Leavenworth has featured a nice lineup of artists lately, some of which we've seen previously at Babylon Falling.

Royale's lineup is curated by artist David Ball, and this month showcases large works by David Young V.

Yes, the text on this piece (and the artist's statement) is stenciled.

Freebies!

David enjoys large armored vehicles and long walks through a post-apocalyptic San Francisco.

Vroom!

Ah yes, the Tenderloin occupies such a special place in our hearts! (and, depending on the restaurant, our stomachs too!)

That pretty much wraps it up for now. Unfortunately, the spaces that followed Royale were all closed. Something to do with SFAI's MFA show.

Words and photos from Megan Wolfe {moscomment}