Anyone with an Instagram account has surely been bombarded with breathtaking images of the new Central Library. In the week of its opening, I saw a minimum of 10 images daily. The building is so spectacular, however, that I couldn’t get annoyed at the surge of #libraryporn pics on my feed – a feat only accomplished by adorable kitten pictures.
For those who haven’t gone down to check out a book or simply marvel at the building, San Diego Magazine has a piece on the specially commissioned art work found within the library. A section of the ninth floor, in fact, serves as an art gallery.
There are eight local artists featured in the library, including Gail Roberts, Philipp Scholz Rittermann, Suda House and Jeff Irwin.
The inaugural exhibition in the gallery, Renewed: A Short Story About the San Diego Public Library’s Visual Arts Program, is on view through March 29. It was organized by Kathryn Kanjo, Chief Curator at MCASD.
As the article author, Robert L. Pincus, advises in this piece, make sure to explore every floor and space of the new Central Library. Many art works can be found. Bonus: The space is a work of art in itself.
You’re reading the Culture Report, Voice of San Diego’s weekly collection of the region’s cultural news.
So What’s Going on in Balboa Park
• Turns out, quite a few things. First off, a Los Angeles-based firm has been hired to produce the Balboa Park Centennial and, as you can imagine, many locals aren’t happy about it. Surprising? Not really. Make sure to read some of the comments. (U-T)
• Speaking of the centennial, the Commission for Arts and Culture has awarded planning grants tabulated at $328,037 to eight local institutions for centennial-related projects. Among the recipients are the La Jolla Playhouse, MCASD and the World Beat Cultural Center. I can’t wait to see what these awesome institutions do with their grants. (U-T)
• The San Diego Incubator for Innovation, which integrates the arts with science, technology, engineering and math (or STEM, as it’s called) is in full swing.
“When we move creatively, we generate choices, which perhaps we wouldn’t think of in our (brain’s) frontal lobe right away, but stuff bubbles up from the back as we notice what we’re doing,” said dancer Karen Bradley, one of the faculty members for Balboa Park’s Art of Science Learning project to the U-T.
Learn more about upcoming projects and events.
Enough About the Park — What Else is Happening in Arts and Culture?
• The San Diego Pottery Tour is back from Dec. 7-8. Local artisans, artists and crafters will sell and display their handcrafted wares at this self-guided open studio tour. Artist Jeremy Gercke tells me he’ll be showing pottery and “things of an experimental nature.” You can also visit the studios of Harumi Sako, Mike Sisson, Julie Thompson and many more.
• I am so insanely jealous of Farra Mirón’s collection of vintage glassware and silverware, and if you love vintage housewares like I do, you will be too. (San Diego Magazine)
• Phylicia Rashad is directing a play in the La Jolla Playhouse’s DNA New Work Series. Mrs. Cosby can do it all, folks! The series, which began last January as a way to help jumpstart and workshop new written works, will also feature a play about openly gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin, “wild, hallucinogenic historical play” that revolves around the invention of the printing press and many more. (U-T)
• Make sure to check out Tinsel and Holly: A Commercially Self-Aware Art Show, from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6. The group exhibition will have works by Thomas Divita, Alfonso Espinoza, Amber Fallon, Y. Victoria Granados and Joël Pointon on display. There will also be a participatory art project for attendees and a storytelling performance titled “Bearded” by theater group Circle Circle dot dot. The tales are a collection of stories from real San Diego mall Santas. Should be a laugh.
• There have been a handful of great cultural events in the new Maker’s Quarter district of Downtown San Diego.
“As long as we keep up the great ideas and engagement in the events and continue to make Makers Quarter relevant to people’s day-to-day lives, it’s only going to get better,” Stacey Pennington, an urban planner for the project, tells Pacific Magazine.
Well, Stacey Pennington, so far, so good.
• Abstract artist Danielle Nelisse will display a collection of painting inspired by the topic of climate change. Interesting factoid: Nelisse is also an immigration attorney. See her works in the Encinitas Library starting Jan. 17.