The corner of Divisadero and Hayes streets just got more colorful.
Local artist Brian Barneclo has been commissioned by Rare Device to execute one of his signature murals on what was formerly the red brick exterior on the south side of the building.
You have likely seen Barneclo's work around the city: His mural upstairs at Nopa serves as an iconic piece of art to the neighborhood, highlighting both its historical and contemporary imagery.
Flickr / Sal Towse
He is also the guy behind San Francisco's largest mural in SoMa, which is 40 feet tall and 600 feet wide, and is visible to Caltrain passengers as they roll into town. In addition to these, Barneclo has worked on several other pieces throughout the city since moving here in 1996.
He and Rare Device owner Giselle Gyalzen had spoken about working together a few years back during the SFAC's Passport 2013. "That day, Brian and I talked about doing a mural on the Hayes Street wall," said Gyalzen. A lot of things happened between then and now and Brian and I reconnected a few months ago and started talking about the mural again. I'm so happy that we finally made it happen!"
The mural itself serves as both a sign for Rare Device and, on its own, something to be enjoyed by the neighborhood. In fact, Barneclo lived on Hayes for many years. "I used to live across the street from here. I would have actually have been able to see this mural from my old house," he said.
Much of Barneclo's work deals with site-specific symbols and imagery, drawing heavy influences from cartoons and graffiti. Recently, he's been asked to do several pieces in the food and tech industries, and he told us that these experiences played a role in his decision-making process behind this piece.
"I'm trying to incorporate electric and organic imagery, which is what I've been working with a lot in my commissions. I'm also improvising a lot. It's just kind of an electric, organic bug out."
Additionally, he told us that the color palette he chose was a direct nod to those used in Rare Device's logo.
"Rare Device is a hub for artists to showcase their work, therefore we are supporting them to be able to have a livelihood to do what they love to do," Gyalzen told us. "The big wall on Hayes street is the perfect canvas to be able to showcase yet another local artist. The mural that Brian painted for us is meant to be electric, inspirational and thought-provoking for the people who walk or drive by it. There are a lot of elements going on and they're pretty abstract and we're hoping that different people will have different interpretations and thoughts about it."
Barneclo expects he might continue to put some finishing touches on the wall over the next few days, but that it is for the most part complete. If you have a moment, stroll by and take a look at the neighborhood's newest work of art.
