Entertaining Aspects of San Francisco
Two decades of transforming San Francisco's trash into art are showcased in an exhibition opening Wednesday evening. Art at the Dump: Twenty Years of the Artist in Residence Program at Recology contains the sculptures, photography, video, textiles, and drawings and other works of more than 50 artists whose inspirations came from the dump. San Francisco's garbage and recyclables are brought to the dump (aka the Recology San Francisco Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Center), sorted, and then transferred to landfills or recycling plants.
The Recology Artist in Residence Program began in 1990, when the city began curbside recycling. Meant to increase awareness of recycling, the program is believed to be the solely one of its kind in the US. Artists are given a stipend, a studio at the dump and 24/7 access to San Francisco's trash.
Six of San Francisco's top museums are challenging you to visit them this weekend. All of them. Your reward? Free performances, art-making activities and best of all, general admission. To all of them. The Target-sponsored museum weekend opens Friday evening at the de Young. Then on Saturday, you can roam the Asian Art Museum all day (maybe this time you'll ultimately make it to the third floor). All exhibits are free of charge except the de Young's popular Birth of Impressionism show (which requires a timed ticket, $10-15) and the Asian's Shanghai exhibition, about San Francisco's trend-setting, facinating sister city and most likely the world's fastest-moving place (which requires a $5 ticket).
Sunday requires fast moving. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Contemporary Jewish Museum, Museum of the African Diaspora and Zeum (San Francisco's Children's Museum) are all open from 11 am to 4 pm. Meanwhile, the Yerba Buena Gardens Festival will be staging a diversion--a costumed carnival with clowns, entertainers and a conga line. Wear running shoes.