Farewell, crates! It’s been fun.

We accepted these crates, originally used for high end museum art transport, to use as staging for the custom bikes shown at Reinventing the Wheel San Diego in September ‘08. It was at that point that we voluntarily took on the responsibility to give these crates the longest life possible, circumventing their original path straight to the landfill.

We’re happy to pass them along to some creative folks who have a vision for them at Burning Man, and we’ve asked them to send us photographs so that we can all watch them travel along their way. We hope to give you an update on where they call home in 2009…and 2019!

An enormous congratulations to CONSPIRE artist Mike Maxwell, whose Obama portrait (top right) made the pages of Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” issue. The cover features a TIME-commissioned Shepard Fairey creation, similar to the original iconic image Fairey created early on in the campaign.

I’m sure it’s heavier than Stacy’s beach-cruiser (a.k.a. “The Tank”), but this rebar bike from Matt Krise is pretty damn rad.

The beautifully formed wooden seat (ouch!) contrasts nicely with the sharp edges of the rebar. More photos on Spraygraphic.

It’s hard to believe that we’re finally here – our new president will be sworn in tomorrow.

As we all know, the creative community had an enormous influence on the election, revealing the conviction of a country full of people seeking change. Tonight is a time to reflect and celebrate all those who have poured their hearts into a collective cause, many of whom are local to San Diego.

Check the excellent photo preview of MANIFEST HOPE: DC from NotCot (tipped off by Holiday Matinee). Half-way down the page you’ll find the work of Rafael Lopez, who with the help of CONSPIRE and REINVENT artist Josh Higgins, released the Nuestra Voz (our voice) print.

Rafael’s poster was quickly picked up by the Obama campaign, selling out in 24 hours and raising $60k in the final election push.

In addition to helping Rafael get his poster out, Josh was also featured at MANIFEST HOPE: DC for his Healthcare Reform poster.

Cheers to Rafael, Josh, and all the collaborative creatives across the country who played a big part in bringing about change.

Enjoy tomorrow!

Sanctuary143 has an art crush on Fallen Fruit, another collective of three, based in Los Angeles.  As art activists, the Fallen Fruit-iers “investigate urban space, ideas of neighborhood, and new forms of located citizenship and community” by ahem, picking up the fallen fruits of the neighborhood and passing them along to the community.

They began with the simple task of creating maps of fruit trees growing on or over public property in L.A., and over time their projects have expanded to include Public Fruit Jams (aka communal jam making) and Nocturnal Fruit Forages.  They document these projects and add creative vision, producing eye catching images, videos, and installations that can be seen at museums and galleries including LACMA, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, and beyond.

Their goal: to “create new rituals, events, and formats to connect strangers in kinetic and nomadic ways”. We couldn’t have said it better.

One of the vignettes from local evolutionary, Craig Kane, at his recent show Recollection in Point Loma. Check the zoomed in version on his site for a better view.

…On Halloween night! They’ve grown pumpkins (in their new community organic garden perhaps?) and will be showing the work of Mike Kershnar!

We love Sezio’s interview with co-ringmaster Jeff Black who says “Art, and everything that goes along with it, will save the world. Mark my words…” and we agree, my friend! Cheers to a new world.

So here’s a story about Jeanne Alexander-Kramer, age 91, a graduate of Philadelphia’s Tyler School of Art at Temple University…class of 1939. Now a resident of North County/San Diego and historically a traditional portrait painter, her recent work took a turn towards surrealism with this painting, created at a class at The Braille Institute.

Jeanne is legally blind due to macular degeneration, yet miraculously painted this piece, which she says reflects the hallucinations and dreams she experiences due to this condition. Because she only has peripheral vision, she is not able to see faces and sometimes in their place her mind inserts other images, such as holly (as depicted in the face above in the sky). The birds on the sea represent her grandchildren (or at least “as many as could fit”!)
Jeanne also happens to be the grandmother of Sanctuarian Stacy Kelley and a huge supporter of the arts.
The message here: Keep painting, people!

Today we welcome to the world baby Mick, son of mommy/artist/Sanctuarian Stephanie Kazma! Steph’s 3 year old daughter Kaia Luna is a main inspiration for the beautiful paintings she somehow finds time to create (Below: portrait “Luna” and “Within Womb”).

S143 introduces to you master graffiti hunter Lauren Daniels of Seattle Graffiti. Keep in mind these words of wisdom:

The revolution is for display purposes only.

“Graffiti is not the lowest form of art. Despite having to creep about at night and lie to your mum it’s actually the most honest artform available. There is no elitism or hype, it exhibits on some of the best walls a town has to offer, and nobody is put off by the price of admission…

- Banksy, Wall and Piece 2005

Graffiti can make you smile, break your heart, make you think, or at the very least make you stop to consider your surroundings every once in a while. Public art done by the people for the people is of great value in our society.

-Lauren