The Art of San Fran
Being born in the 1970's my boys would say "it's a vibe." From waist-length long hair and floppy hats to free love and inner peace. I carry that "vibe" in my heart and soul. Think Chloe and Aveda (expensive, I know) and a relaxed demeanour. That's moi. In my dreams anyways.
My parents are old hippies. I have vivid memories of my step dad sitting in the middle of the lounge in his charity shop or should I say thrift store "naked lady" underpants with messy hair. His pants were faded btw just so you get the full picture. He was happily fixing the flashing lights on his disco equipment. I need to erase that memory from my mind. That will cost a fair few quid in therapy. It will be worth it though.
Marrakech, Ibiza and San Francisco seem like the natural choices to visit to me after growing up on peace and love. I am lucky enough to have travelled to all three destinations. You must have fantasies (or is it just me?) about drifting along the streets of San Fran dressed in pink flared cords in the sunshine. If I am perfectly honest, it’s pink flared cords in the sunshine, holding hands with a very tall younger guy with an afro. It's a vibe, right? I reckon I should have visited San Fran in 1977 when I was 6. That might be a bit young for holding hands with boys? You can decide my parenting days are long gone.
Mark Rothko - No14 - SFMoma
I did get sad in San Fran. It is a city I have longed to go to since 2008 after watching Milk. (The story of Harvey Milk the gay rights activist). I watched that with my parents (they had their clothes on that day, thank f**k). The streets were lined with frozen folded-over fentanyl addicts. I found that very difficult to deal with.
I had some amazing days. The Golden Gate Bridge took my breath away, the coloured houses on Alamo Square were super cute and the art galleries were outstanding. The two galleries I visited were SFMomo and de Young. Here are my top five artworks from each gallery:
Frida Kahlo - Frieda and Diego Rivera - 1931 - SFMoma
David Parks - Two Bathers - 1958 - de Young
1 Frieda Karhlo - Frieda and Diego Rivera 1931
2 Mark Rothko - No 14 1960
3 Gerhard Ritcher - Lesende (Reader) 1994
4 Carlos Merida - Study in Curves 1925
5 Elmer Bischoff - Orange Sweater 1955
1 Richard Mayhew - Rhapsody 2002
2 David Park - Two Bathers 1958
3 Robert Bechtle - Four Palm Trees 1969
4 Elmer Bischoff - Yellow Lampshade 1969
5 Pat Steir - Black and White
I also visited The Proper Hotel. The spectacular interior design was by Kelly Wearstler. Her gallery walls are inspirational. There was a playfulness to her design that felt surprisingly British.
I did walk down the road wearing pink cords and holding hands in the sunshine. He was nowhere near the American dream, so I let that one go. I might let go of the US too, just for a while. I don’t fancy blondes.
Much Love,
Julesx
*Cover photo: Alamo Square - San Fran