Scott Hess Photography

Cultural Alchemy in the Mission

 

Temples of Transformation. Arriba Juntos (Upward Together). 1850 Mission Street. Their mission is to meet the basic service needs of the Latino immigrants moving into the Mission District.  click photo to enlarge.

When President Obama pivoted from the destruction of Osama bin Laden to his El Paso speech on immigration reform, my attention was shifting to the Mission. The Mission churns with a multitude of cultures from Mexico and Central and South America as well as African and Asian countries. The neighborhood is laced with groups and organizations that help empower the new arrivals and those struggling with poverty and lack of education. Scores of gifted artists pour their passionate hearts into community art that speaks directly to the street and the aspirations of the people.

The project of transformation, integration and empowerment is fueled by the creative imagination of Mission artists, activists and service workers.  

"500 Years of Resistance" I. Mata  1993 - 24th and Florida - San Francisco  click image to enlarge.

Epic struggles of war, displacement, conquest, and periodic triumph are remembered and celebrated by intense and dedicated artists- working at street level.

Balmy Alley, off 24th Street is a vibrant street gallery that lives and breaths with the community. Artists of all ages and several nationalities have collaborated over the last 40+ years to energize this place with their dreams taking shape.

This strong, dazzling Phoenix appeared this spring at Florida at 24th St on "the crappiest building in the Mission" according to neighborhood folks. The building is home to weekly AA meetings and the symbolism of periodic rebirth is a powerful reminder of our inner strength.    click image to enlarge.

The Women's Building- 3543 18th St. San Francisco. A masterpiece of collaborative art weaving the images of incarnate heroines with goddesses and powerful celestial beings. The building is home to a multitude of groups dedicated to supporting women and the family. click image to enlarge.

For more information on the murals of the Mission go to Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center.

Lady Gaga's Big Day (Today)

24th and Harrison - the Mission -SF

Lady Gaga made a sudden appearance all over the city last week- letting us know about her new box set being released today. She is a part of the energy of the street and she wants to electrify us all.

The Fort Scott Batteries and Osama Bin Laden

All the talk about Osama Bin Laden's dramatic demise has me thinking about "national defense". Coincidentally I approach Battery Boutelle, one of the Fort Scott large gun emplacements constructed to defend the Golden Gate and now provide a starkly beautiful architecture for hikers, bikers, painters and open space appreciators.

Here's what the National Park Service says about Battery Boutelle,

"This Endicott-era battery was completed and armed in 1900 with three 5-inch rapid fire guns mounted on balanced pillar mounts, which were designed to defend against mine sweepers and fast torpedo boats. These guns had a range of seven miles and could be fired at the rate of up to thirty rounds per minute. Like most light artillery, these guns were loaded with ammunition cases similar to the cartridges used in infantry rifles. The weight of one cartridge was nearly sixty pounds.

This battery remained functional until 1917 when the three guns were dismounted for service as field artillery during World War I.  The whole Presidio as well as the Marin Headlands on the far side of the Golden Gate is filled with hard defensive structures that served "us" in various political/technological eras. The times and mega-ideas shift and morph across new lands with new means. Check out this map of the Presidio batteries of various types distributed on the San Francisco side of the Gate.

In the view above one see's gun emplacements at the bottom nestled in the cyprus trees.

The lines of politico-techno battle have shifted away from this naturally awesome place to new locations via ever changing means. I'm happy for this moment with the abstract beauty of light, space, curved walls, and ocean vistas.

Overview of Battery Boutelle and the Golden Gate - with grass roots art.

The essential beauty of light where it meets it's diffusers, reflectors and containers.

For more photos of this dramatic location see my Presidio set on Flickr.