Ferry Building -- August 12, 2013

 

 San Francisco native Ruth Asawa, who passed away this month, placed many of her sculptures around the city.  One of the favorites with many people is the fountain in the plaza of the Hyatt Union Square Hotel.  The fountain, installed in 1973, was formed using baker's clay, with help from friends and school kids who created some of the people, animals and autos.  It was then cast in bronze.  Unfortunately, the fountain has been threatened by Apple, which wants to replace the building at Post and Stockton with an ugly Apple Store which would displace the fountain.

Here we see the Ferry Building with a sailing ship, a helicopter, and fish, but no ferry boats.  I took this photo on 13-March-2009. 

Train Station #62 -- August 7, 2013

San Francisco native Ruth Asawa has placed many of her sculptures around the city.  One of the favorites with many people is the fountain in the plaza of the Hyatt Union Square Hotel.  The fountain, installed in 1973, was formed using baker's clay, with help from friends and school kids who created some of the people, animals and autos.  It was then cast in bronze.  Unfortunately, the fountain has been threatened by Apple, which wants to replace the building at Post and Stockton with an ugly Apple Store which would displace the fountain.

Ruth Asawa passed away Monday night.  

This section of the fountain depicts the old Southern Pacific Depot at Third and Townsend.  The Mission Revival depot opened in 1912, in preparation for the Panama Pacific International Exposition.  The depot was in very bad shape when I was young.  The current Caltrain Depot at Fourth and King opened in 1975. 

Firehouse #70 -- August 5, 2013

San Francisco native Ruth Asawa has placed many of her sculptures around the city.  One of the favorites with many people is the fountain in the plaza of the Hyatt Union Square Hotel.  The fountain, installed in 1973, was formed using baker's clay, with help from friends and school kids who created some of the people, animals and autos.  It was then cast in bronze.  Unfortunately, the fountain has been threatened by Apple, which wants to replace the building at Post and Stockton with an ugly Apple Store which would displace the fountain.

This section of the fountain depicts Engine 12 on Stanyan Street.  I imagine her helpers created the fire truck and the dog.  

Flying Fish Cafe -- September 29, 2012

We took a drive down the coast and had lunch at the Flying Fish Cafe in Half Moon Bay.  I had a crab melt. 

We drove by the Arleta Station then down the coast to Pescadero.  We couldn't find a place to park.  It was very foggy.  There was a lot of traffic on the way back. 

Sharon Mayes created the sculpture that stands near the firehouse. 

Benny Bufano #15 -- February 28, 2012

Benny Bufano produced many Madonna and Child-type sculptures.  People often compare them to missiles.  This one, Peace, stands by Brotherhood Way, on a bit of lawn I have never been able to get to.  The child has four eyes.  It was installed at the airport in1958.  In 1996, because of airport expansion, it got moved to Brotherhood Way. 

I took the photo on 31-January-2011. 

Benny Bufano #14 -- January 30, 2012

Benny Bufano liked to sculpt penguin mothers with their chicks.  This one has stood next to Lake Merced since 1979.

Benny Bufano #13 -- December 30, 2011

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. This sculpture, "Golden Bear," represents a bear and a Native American. I took the photo on 12-November-2011.

Benny Bufano #12 -- November 27, 2011

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. This sculpture, a mother bear with two cubs, is in a little garden outside the food court. I took the photo on 12-November-2011.

Benny Bufano #11 -- October 29, 2011

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. This sculpture, "Penguin Mother" shows a penguin with two babies. This was a popular theme with Bufano (http://cablecarguy.blogspot.com/2011/02/benny-bufano-5-february-23-2011.html).

Today we left the house and found that the left front tire on my car was flat.  We went to Pacifica Tire and got two Michelins installed in an hour.  We walked around Rockaway Beach while we waited and had pumpkin ice cream sundaes at Rockin' Rob's.

Benny Bufano #10 -- August 28, 2011

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. This sculpture, "Saint Francis on Horseback," also includes Saint Francis of Assisi, one of Bufano's favorite subjects. Francis is rarely depicted on horseback. It doesn't seem very humble.

Benny Bufano #9 -- July 22, 2011

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. I took this photo of "Frog" on 13-December-2010.

Benny Bufano #8 -- June 27, 2011

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. I took this photo of "Golden Bear" on 13-December-2010. Note the Native American head in front of the bear.

Benny Bufano #7 -- April 27, 2011

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. I took this photo of "Seal" on 13-December-2010. Note the blue eyes.

Benny Bufano #6 -- March 29, 2011

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. I took this photo of "Rabbit" on 13-December-2010.

Today the weather was sunny and relatively warm.

Benny Bufano #5 -- February 23, 2011

Benny Bufano's "Penguins," sometimes called "Penguin's Prayer" is made of granite and stainless steel. It stands on Davis Street near Washington, in the Golden Gateway Center.

It was very cold again today.

Benny Bufano #4 -- January 20, 2011

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. I took this fuzzy photo of "Black Cat" on 13-December-2010. Note the mouse perching on the cat's back.

It was relatively warm today. At lunchtime I walked over to California Street today to look at the work. They were pouring concrete in the trench between the inbound and outbound rails.

Benny Bufano #3 -- December 15, 2010

Hillsdale Mall developer David Bohannon commissioned sculptor Benny Bufano to provide sculptures to decorate the new mall in San Mateo. Bufano opened a studio on the mall site in 1955 and created ten of his famous animal sculptures. I took this photo of "Mouse" on 13-December-2010. Great eyes.

Benny Bufano #2 -- November 20, 2010

The Anchor and Hope restaurant on Minna Street occupies a building that was once the studio of sculptor Benny Bufano. I took the photo on 08-November-2010.

Stanford is stomping on Cal in the Big Game.

Benny Bufano #1 -- October 13, 2010

Benny Bufano was born in Italy but came to America when he was three. He grew up in New York, but came to San Francisco to work on sculpture for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. He spent many years cadging meals from restaurants around town, including my grandfather's.

His statue of Doctor Sun Yat-sen, founder of the Chinese republic, stands in Saint Mary's Square. I took the picture today.
Yesterday it was way too hot. The temperature gauge in the elevator said 95F when I went down at lunchtime. Today it said 86F. Still warm, but much better.

Rocket and Torpedo -- August 13, 2010

The Raygun Gothic Rocketship (http://www.raygungothicrocket.com/), a sculpture by a collection of artists, appeared on the Embarcadero near the foot of Mission Street last week. Here it stands near PCC Streetcar 1053, in Brooklyn livery, sitting on the sidelines of the F line. There are similarities in the style of the two vehicles. I took the photo today.