The SFAC Main Gallery is set to host an evocative new exhibition titled "To Bright Disturbances," curated by Jackie Im. The exhibition features artists such as Carmen Argote, Sky Hopinka, Kija Lucas, Aspen Mays, and the late Bonnie Ora Sherk. According to the San Francisco Arts Commission, the artworks delve into themes of land use, examining the often extractive nature of human interaction with the land alongside its potential for restoration.
Opening on September 25, the exhibition includes pieces that range from Argote's palm frond sculptures to Hopinka's personal meditations on Indigenous heritage and Mays' commentary on natural compulsions that resonate with human extractive behaviors, the show promises a contemplative look at nature and culture, Restorative arts are also part of this visual conversation, as exemplified by Sherk's work on ecological transformations and Lucas' photographic exploration into pre-colonization land histories. Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs, underscored the timely nature of the exhibition in an era grappling with climate change impacts when he said via the SFAC website, "The SFAC Main Gallery and continue our support of artists who are thinking through how we use and impact land we reside on and what we can do to help heal it for future generations."
The exhibition's free run at the War Memorial Veterans Building lasts until December 13, with the gallery open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. No reservations are required for the opening reception on September 25 or the subsequent public programs. These programs are slated to include a dialogue between Kija Lucas and scholar Banu Subramaniam on October 11, and a performance by Carmen Argote on November 15, shedding further light on the exhibition's vital themes. This programming schedule reinforces the dialogic aspect of "To Bright Disturbances," inviting public engagement and reflection.
For those eager to attend, more information about the exhibition and related events can be found on the SFAC's webpage. Curator Jackie Im has framed the exhibition as questioning human-environmental interactions, stating, "There is a tension in our interactions with the environment, and the exhibition asks us how we can be more considered and more intentional with the world around us".
