Here’s another amazing event to put in your calendars:

DUALITY OF HUMANITY
New Works by Shepard Fairey

Opening Reception - September 13th, 7-10pm
Exhibition Dates - September 13th - October 4th
White Walls Gallery
835 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 9410
415.931.1500

Over 100 pieces will go on display at White Walls in a timely new show called “Duality in Humanity.” The show marks a bit of a departure for the artist, whose unique form of reverse propaganda emerged from the spirit of the punk movement. With this show, Shepard takes a step back from the ‘calls to action’ against mindless consumerism and war evidenced in previous shows like 1984ia, E Pluribus Venom and Imperfect Union. “The difference between this show and the previous ones is that now Obama is in the mix,” Shepard said. His recent work reflects his own personal shift towards a new optimism, a direct result of his involvement with, and inspiration by, the powerful political ideals of Barack Obama.

The title of the show, “Duality of Humanity,” is inspired by the peace-sign wearing US soldier in Vietnam, ‘Joker,’ in Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket. A central piece is a child with a gun in his hand and a flower in his hat. That theme of soldiers and weapons bearing peace signs, or peace signs comprised of military effects, runs through many pieces in the show. Environmental themes also appear in some pieces, illustrating the tenuous balance between our dangerously uncontrolled consumption of non-renewable resources, and our well-intentioned eco-concerns. Suffering and hope are seamlessly merged in a visual mash-up that defies expectations and easy answers.

“Duality of Humanity” includes larger mixed media pieces on paper that has been covered with carefully collaged Ephemera, self-printed patterns and found clippings from printed media. The backgrounds provide a seductive painterly texture and visual subtext, often allowing apropos words and images to bleed through the iconic images printed over them. The multiple layers create a sense of depth, but also bring in temporal elements through preserved newsclippings, historic images and vintage printing effects. It is the images in the foreground, however, that give the work its power. They are crisp and provocative, communicating in a way that is direct and clear.

For Info please visit www.whitewallssf.com

PARTY FOR CHANGE SAN FRANCISCO & AFTERPARTY FOR DUALITY OF HUMANITY EXHIBITION

Z-TRIP x SHEPARD FAIREY x DJ PLATURN

SEPT 13TH @ MILK BAR

Starts at 9pm / 21+ / $20 - Proceeds go to the OBAMA Campaign

THE MILK BAR
1840 HAIGHT STREET
SAN FRANCISCO
415.387.MILK (6455)
www.MILKSF.com

Collaborations are the new black or the same old black…bottom line they are eveywhere these days and usually aren’t that exciting or just leave you thinking “They got a collab??!?! If that’s all it takes, where’s my collab! sheeeeeit!” So with collab’s being a dime a dozen these days you really have to push the envelope and really bring it. This project has been around for a bit but is still worth mentioning. OBEY Clothing teamed up the infamous hip hop group Public Enemy. Also included in the project is legendary photographer Glen E. Friedmen. Friedmen is known for shooting legendary skaters like Tony Alva, Jay Adams, Alan “Ollie” Gelfand, Duane Peters, and Stacy Peralta, and well as music artists Fugazi, Black Flag, Ice-T, Dead Kennedys, Minor Threat, Misfits, Bad Brains, Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C, KRS-1, and Public Enemy. The collection consists of clothing, accessories and fine art prints. I love the idea of teaming up with those that have paved the path in history for what inspires and influences fashion/design/art/music of today. Sure “they say” that ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flatery’ but teaming up to create with those that have inspired you? I think that takes the cake as far as flatery is concerned. Get yours here and fight the power.

see more, read more…after the jump!

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The much anticipated Beautiful Losers US theatrical premier opens tonight at IFC. There are shows through out the day starting at 12:45pm but the 8:20pm (which is sold out for tonight) and the 10:20pm viewing will have the director and artists in attendance (that is for tonight and tomorrow night only) Get your tickets here. If you aren’t in NY, hopefully you can catch the flick in LA or SF in the coming months:

• 9/05/08 - 9/12/08     Landmark Lumiere, San Francisco, CA      Buy Tickets

• 8/29/08 - 9/08/08     Landmark Nuart, Los Angeles, CA   Buy Tickets

Beautiful Losers is a film about a group of semi-unrecognized, yet ridiculously influential collective group of artists. The sort of losers who cherished their outsider status. The sort of creatures who’ve held tight to their respective Crayolas & paintbrushes, their skateboards & video cameras, their spray cans & Sharpies, the very badges of their inner nerd, and are now recognized and celebrated. It’s the classic story. That weird punk skateboarder, the one they’d gun for in PE, now being paid millions for his bad-ass drawings to grace Pepsi campaigns. They came together in the old Alleged Gallery in the Lower East Side, started by the film’s director Aaron Rose over ten years ago and now their work can be seen worldwide, and has been described as a “movement”. The artists in the collective include: Barry McGee, Chris Johansen, Ed Templeton, Geoff McFetridge, Jo Jackson, Stephen Powers, Harmony Korine, Shepard Fairey, Mike Mills, Thomas Campbell and Margaret Kilgallen. These artists are self-taught, employing the unrestrained Do-It-Yourself technique, their work not limited to one medium, but many. It’s not about the money or even so much the message as just creating. Being creative and inspiring those around you to do the same. This quote by Geoff McFetridge summed it up for me: “The sun doesn’t know its a star.”

View the trailer here: