A new art installation recently debuted in the empty building formerly occupied by Cisco Home.
Located at 580 Hayes Street, the new piece of art is a collaboration between Russell Pritchard, owner of Zonal Home Interiors, and John Baden, a local artist who has several pieces of work sprinkled throughout Hayes Valley.
The piece is called Normal and was designed and painted by John Baden.
When asked about the inspiration behind the new mural, John said, "Russell gave me an idea and I was ready to pick up a brush and start. I sketched it out and finished the entire piece in three weeks."
"We wanted to celebrate Pride month and embrace that same sex marriage is legal and normal," Russell added.
As an artist who has lived in Hayes Valley for 13 years, John's influence can be seen all around the neighborhood. He did the murals on the side of Hayes & Kebab, the panels outside Propeller, and designed and painted the interior and exterior of True Sake.
Along with his work in Hayes Valley, he also painted a mural of Harvey Milk in the location of Milk's old camera store at 575 Castro Street. The owner of Given (a former business in the location) approached him about painting something in the store, Jason suggested an homage to Harvey Milk, and the installation still exists in what's now the HRC store.
Normal is expected to stay up through Pride (June 28-29) and into July. Check it out through the windows of 580 Hayes the next time you're in the area.
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