The Art of San Francisco

The Mayor and his security chief visited that most democratic City of Cities: San Francisco by the Bay. This day was like most others this summer:cool with a light coat of fog, feinting here and there, teasing tourists with a jacket in one hand and a sweater in the other. Our goal was the MoMA, on 3rd St. We arrived early before the crowds that would certainly be there on this Labor Day weekend. Our mission was to take in the exhibit featuring a sample of the Fisher Collection of Modern Art that was donated to the Museum a few years ago. Originally, a different location was sought in the Presidio. It did not happen for a variety of reasons put forth by opponents. Fortunately, the compromise should work well. The Museum board worked a deal with the FIRE DEPT. to build another station to replace the adjacent structure now occupied by Engine Co. 1. All agreed it is a workable plan. The new structure on Howard St. will house the Fisher Collection.
The Fishers, founders of The Gap stores, began collecting art in earnest in the '70's and 80's. They did not rely on the advice of others, but instead pursued art at a personal level, getting to know art through the artist themselves. An example is found in the work of Alexander Calder. The collection includes many pieces of his mobiles, static and active. Andy Warhol is there with some Marilyn works. It was an enjoyable visit to this high visibility landmark, South of Market. Having passed through the noon hour without a bite, a short walk from the museum, up Mission St. to 5th, brought us to the Old Mint and it's new/old plaza the alley known as Jessie St. since the Civil War. Now paved over with quarried stone, it is home to 4 restaurants and a number of condo building converted from old warehouse and office buildings and the 2 buildings that the SFFD used as Station 1 with its 3 apparatus(engine,truck, and rescue cos.)
We chose the Italian restaurant at what was 54 MInt St. It was owned by the real estate magnate Sam Kalman before he bought the India Basin Buildings south of Townsend in the '70'`s. George Moscone had his campaign HQ's here when he ran for Mayor in'76. THe Old Mint looks the same as she did after the restoration in the late '70's when budget money was found to restore the '06 Quake survivor to landmark status. As a museum, it was not a great draw, and monies were cutoff and she closed a number of years ago. The old Oakwood Hotel on the corner of 5th and Jessie still looks the same:shabby, lived in, and very tired. After a light lunch, we made a bee line for the 4st. garage and headed back to our bayside quarters to enjoy the rest of the weekend. Photos will be posted of the Mayor wrapped up in " modern art".