May 26-June 19, 2016
Opening Reception Saturday, May 28, 1-4pm
New exhibit at Minnesota Street Project displays talents of six high school students working with Agelio Batle, Delia Batle and guest artist Anne Germanacos
SAN FRANCISCO (May 23, 2016) – The selfie. Self-portrait? Or exhibitionism? Whichever the case, the selfie is arguably the dominant form of self-expression in today’s culture. Six students in San Francisco Arts Education Project’s Interdisciplinary Arts Program take the selfie to new ground.
Our internal voice makes a “note to self ” when we demand attention of our conscious mind, to remember a salient point that might easily slip. For some, it is a corrective reminder; a small personal reprimand made to reinforce more desirable behavior. For others it can be a mantra, repeated in our head, to “will” oneself into the person we see in our mind’s eye. In both cases, they are self-reflective acts that attempt to be more aware of one’s self.
The much-maligned selfie tends not to be self-reflective, but rather group-reflective; seeking peer approval, and reinforcing values of a group. Clearly, the form is fraught with dilemmas, such as becoming overly concerned with “appearance” and depending on “likes” for a one’s sense of self-worth.
Note to Self(ie) implies a contradiction, merging an internal call to mindfulness with a “shout-out to your peeps.” The works in this show, many taken with a cell phone, play with this intersection and attempt to open new space for the potential of the selfie to become a self-portrait.
The IA Class of 2016:
- Piper Alan (Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts)
- Bella Fernandez (Ruth Asawa San Francsico School of the Arts)
- Stephanie Go (ISA/O’Connell High School)
- Marina Kyle (Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts)
- Sophia Qin (Lowell High School)
- Kristin Tan (Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts)
The San Francisco Arts Education Project’s Interdisciplinary Arts Program is a fully scholarshipped visual arts intensive for a small group of high-school students taught by renowned San Francisco artist Agelio Batle and his wife, Delia Batle, in the Batle Studio. The program has been designed to develop:
- technique – with some instruction to strengthen basic drawing along with basic skills in collage and 3-D fabrication. Students will also be taught to make and think in sculptural terms using primarily found material.
- artistic voice – skills will be applied to artworks that explore the idea of “self,” personal interests and personal history. Among other tools, students will use Pinterest as a way of collecting images that excite them.
- creative thinking – students will be given a variety of free association exercises to help expand creative thinking, or, as Agelio calls it, sideways thinking. Students will be encouraged to address questions that have no correct or incorrect answer but rather lead to a searching, mind-opening thought process leading to unique solutions.
In the current school year, from October 2015 through May 2016, six students participate in discussions about contemporary art and artists, with regard to content, form and technical skill. Building the aesthetic thinker is vital to the art process, with thought an important preliminary skill before beginning hands-on work in the applied arts.
About Agelio Batle
The investigative nature of Batle’s work may stem from his background in the sciences. He received a BA in Biology from the University of California at Santa Barbara. Not wishing to pursue a career in science, he returned to his lifelong interest in art and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree from California College of Arts and Crafts, graduating with High Distinction honors. Batle’s artwork includes stage design, art installation, performance art and drawing as well as sculpture. His work has been seen in museums and galleries across the United States.
Note to Self(ie) is on exhibit May 26 through June 9, 2016 in the San Francisco Arts Education Project’s art studio-classroom in Minnesota Street Project, 1275 Minnesota Street (@24th Street), San Francisco, second floor. Opening reception is Saturday, May 28 from 1pm to 4pm. Regular hours are Tuesday-Thursday 11am-4pm and Friday 11am-1pm. First Saturday hours on June 4 are 11am to 8pm.
Note to Self(ie) and the Interdisciplinary Arts Program are funded in part by the Crankstart Foundation, the Germanacos Foundation and Macy’s.
About SFArtsED
Founded in 1968 (as the Alvarado School Arts Workshop) by renowned artist Ruth Asawa, SFArtsED has transformed the lives of children, their families, teachers, artists and volunteers. Programs include SFArtsED Summer, In-School Artist Residencies, After-School programs, The SFArtsED Players Musical Theater Company, Interdisciplinary Arts Program and apprenticeships for college and high school students. SFArtsED moved into its new space at Minnesota Street Project in March 2016, marking the first time in the organization’s nearly 50-year history that it has a space of its own for instruction, exhibition, seminars, workshops and gatherings of all kinds. www.sfartsed.org
About Minnesota Street Project
Located in San Francisco’s historic Dogpatch district, Minnesota Street Project offers affordable and economically sustainable spaces for art galleries, artists and related nonprofits. Inhabiting over 100,000 square feet, the Project seeks to retain and strengthen San Francisco’s contemporary art community in the short term, while developing an internationally recognized arts destination in the long term. Founded by entrepreneurs and collectors Deborah and Andy Rappaport, Minnesota Street Project was inspired by the couple’s belief that philanthropic support for the arts today requires an alternate model—one suited to the innovative nature of Silicon Valley and the region as a whole. Their vision of a dynamic, self-sustaining enterprise that shares its economic success with arts businesses and professionals aims to encourage heightened support for the arts from newcomer and established patrons alike.
www.minnesotastreetproject.com
For more information, photos or to arrange interviews please call 415-551-7990, e-mail info@sfartsed.org or visit www.sfartsed.org. Right click on images below to download.
| Note to Self(ie)
FACT SHEET |
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| WHAT | Note to Self(ie) The selfie. Self-portrait? Or exhibitionism? Whichever the case, the selfie is arguably the dominant form of self-expression in today’s culture. Six high-school students in San Francisco Arts Education Project’s Interdisciplinary Arts Program take the selfie to new ground. |
| WHO | The San Francisco Arts Education Project – Interdisciplinary Arts Program |
| WHERE | Minnesota Street Project, 1275 Minnesota Street (@24th Street), San Francisco, second floor |
| WHEN | May 26 – June 9, 2016
Opening Reception: Regular Hours: |
| TICKETS | $15 for students and seniors $22 general admission* Tickets for the 1:00 PM show on 2/26 are $40 general, $20 student/senior and include drinks, hors d’ouevres and dessert as part of the Players’ Family Reception and Closing Day Party |
| INFO | SFArtsED | www.sfartsed.org | 415.551.7990 |
