FAMSF Blog

Exhibition Beautiful: The Art of Wallpaper

Posted by Sarah Bailey Hogarty on February 6, 2012

William Morris, champion of the Aesthetic Movement, said of interior design, “Whatever you have in your rooms, think first of the walls.” Wallpaper was a defining decorative motif in the homes of the Victorian avant-garde and bourgeoisie alike. In keeping with this fashion, the special exhibition The Cult of Beauty: The Victorian Avant-Garde, 1860–1900, opening at the Legion of Honor on February 18, will feature several environments adorned with the hand printed art wallpaper of Bradbury & Bradbury.

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Which Way is Up? Artist Fellow Kevin Epps Gets Down with Richard Pryor

Posted by Andrea Martin on February 2, 2012

Today's guest blogger is 2011 de Young Artist Fellow Kevin Epps, whose film Fam Bam had its world premiere at the de Young last fall. As part of the Museums’ goal to continue its relationships with Artist Fellows and their collaborating partners–in this case the African American Art and Culture Complex–Epps will curate a two-part Filmmaker’s Lounge series featuring movies by local filmmakers.To celebrate Black History Month, Epps has selected films that draw from his memories of growing up in San Francisco’s African American community. The series kicks off this Saturday, February 4 with Which Way is Up?, starring Richard Pryor.

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FRAME|WORK: Untitled (Stack) by Peter Voulkos

Posted by Sarah Bailey Hogarty on February 1, 2012

Matter + Spirit: The Sculpture of Stephen De Staebler, currently on view at the de Young, presents a retrospective of the artist’s work. This week’s FRAME|WORK draws attention to De Staebler’s mentor, Peter Voulkos. A renowned sculptor and teacher, Voulkos was hugely influential in the world of ceramics and the Bay Area in particular. Untitled (Stack) is currently on view at the de Young in Gallery 5.

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Art for Art's Sake at Design San Francisco

Posted by Sarah Bailey Hogarty on January 30, 2012

On February 18, The Cult of Beauty: The Victorian Avant-Garde, 1860–1900 opens at the Legion of Honor. This Wednesday, February 1 at 2:30 p.m., the San Francisco Design Center presents The Aesthetic Movement and Interior Design, a panel exploring the movement’s enduring influence on interiors. The discussion will feature exhibition curator Dr. Lynn Federle Orr, design writer and editor Zahid Sardar, interior designer Geoffrey De Sousa and 3D Magazine editor-in-chief, Alisa Carroll.

In advance of this event, Ms. Carroll is today’s guest blogger.

Edward William Godwin, Sideboard, 1865–75, ebonized mahogany with silver plated handles © V&A Images

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Museum Without Walls: A Studio Visit with Todd T. Brown

Posted by Andrea Martin on January 27, 2012

In continuation of our series Museum Without Walls, we visited Todd T. Brown’s studio as he prepares for his final exhibition as an Artist Fellow at the de Young. Inheritance and Dreams will be on display in the Kimball Education Gallery February 1–12.

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FRAME|WORK: Eléphantaisie by Pierre Dubreuil

Posted by Sarah Bailey Hogarty on January 25, 2012

FRAME|WORK is a weekly blog series that highlights an artwork in the Museums' permanent collections. This week we feature a classic photograph by Pierre Dubreuil. If you missed Eléphantaisie when it was on view in Impressionist Paris: City of Light, you will no doubt enjoy this virtual viewing.