4 Jul 2010

On the trail of Banksy in San Francisco

In the last week of April, 2010 the infamous British graffiti artist known as Banksy, left his mark on six locations across San Francisco. The timing of this Banksy outbreak was no coincidence as it was an attempt to stir up publicity of his recent film Exit Through the Gift Shop that was debuting in American theaters at the same time (worth a look if you get the chance). With the help of this great KQED article, we decided to try to track all six pieces down before they disappeared. It is in the nature of the beast that much 'graffiti art' is ephemeral. See it while you can!
 
 
#1 China Town. It was heartening to see that this piece has already been preserved (behind a sheet of perspex). Though whether this provides permanent protection is another question. I assume that the heart graffiti was already present as Banksy often likes to work with 'pre-existing material'.
         
Click here to download:
on-the-trail-of-banksy-in-san-francisco-fixDBWv10g6tNn54B3Sl.zip (2152 KB)

#2 was at the north end of the Mission district in an empty parking lot (see the above KQED article for full locations). Again I like how Banksy integrates the surrounding into his art (in this case the trees behind the wall)

     
Click here to download:
on-the-trail-of-banksy-in-san-francisco-FCIzqtGchGwJJaaBcbAp.zip (714 KB)

 

 

#3 A short drive south (into the heart of the Mission district) we found the third piece. A great social comment on what has happened to native Americans in this country. We noticed that some small graffiti had already occurred over the head of the figure. 

 


#4 had sadly been vanquished. A local told us that the owner of the building had been told that his property had been vandalized and he simply ordered it to be painted over. 

This is what it should have looked like. 

 


 

#5 Now in the Haight district and we initially took a while spotting this one. This piece connects an otter and a rat character with a red line, though we couldn't get a good vantage point anywhere to see the entire piece.

       
Click here to download:
on-the-trail-of-banksy-in-san-francisco-soBqfbyqkpAlEqarndBG.zip (1321 KB)

#6 Into SoMa, and another one of Banky's classic rats
     
Click here to download:
on-the-trail-of-banksy-in-san-francisco-EbJEGAqgmsFAstCqsJwl.zip (662 KB)

 

Thanks Banksy for a fun morning in San Francisco!


 

4 Jul 2010

Cupcake nirvana in San Francisco

If you love cupcakes then you should check out Cako Bakery in San Francisco. It's been open about a year and is located just a cupcake's throw away from Union Square (at the corner of Powell & O'Farrell). The window display grabs your attention and you are then irresistibly drawn inside to check out the sights and smells of the beautiful selection of cupcakes on display. And then you will buy one...or two. After all, it would be rude not to.


             
Click here to download:
Cupcake_nirvana_in_San_Francis.zip (1970 KB)

3 Jan 2010

A weekend out in San Francisco

Walked up Nob Hill and had a look around. Wine tasting at the fantastic 'The Hidden Vine' and a trip to Mt Tamalpais State Park for fantastic views of the bay and the Golden Gate Bridge

                                     
Click here to download:
A_weekend_out_in_San_Francisco.zip (6659 KB)

Keith Bradnam's Posterous

Scientific research has produced evidence that the lives of other people are often many times more mundane and uninteresting than your own. Further evidence has established that the banality of someone's life appears inversely proportional to the amount they contribute to blogs and social networking sites.This blog aims to test that hypothesis.

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