Culturshock: a seismic event celebrating the best of Bay Area art & design
On November 5th, Culturcosm will host its first event benefiting its carefully-curated roster of local talent. Held at the acclaimed Space Gallery, the event will feature a bevy of independent artists and vendors showcased over a 2-level 1600 square foot venue, with full bar service.
Participating Artists include:
ReMade USA Handbags
Litter Jewelry
Kurt Manley Photography
Quando Belts by Genaro Vergoglini
Tomgirl Jewelry by Taryn McCabe
Cuong Ta Ceramics
Artwork by Hilary Williams
Artwork by John Wood
Vanessa Gade Jewelry
Spray Can Artworks by FuryOne
My Dutch Bike
Nate1 of New Skool
Shop our recommended best in Bay Area art and fashion, boogie down with DJ ExtraLars and marvel at surprise live entertainment planned throughout the evening.
Join us from 6 o’clock on and support the movers and shakers of the Bay Area!
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Bye, Bye Bay Bridge. Hello Bay Line?
As most Bay Area residents are well aware, one of our most viable means for commuting into and out of the city, the Oakland Bay Bridge, has been undergoing an extensive metamorphosis. In an attempt to bring the bridge up to current seismic safety standards, following the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake, the California Department of Transportation has been working around the clock on a new East Span from Oakland’s shores to Yerba Buena Island.
But what will happen to the current, National Register of Historic Places identified, East Span structure? Plans call for its demolishment and relocation of specified sections of the legendary bridge to museums, in order to satisfy historic preservation requirements. A curious approach, as my understanding of historic preservation typically doesn’t involve demolition.
Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello of Oakland-based Rael San Fratello Architects suggest a different solution. Save the old bridge and transform it into an elevated urban park and mixed-use development called the Bay Line, purposefully reminiscent of the newly-opened High Line park in mid-Manhattan. Also considered a pipe dream at the time it was conceived, The High Line converted a long-abandoned elevated railway into a stylish pedestrian park space. It has since been embraced by the public and preservationists alike as a bold, new step in urban planning utilizing pre-existing city infrastructure for a more eco-conscious future.
As reported by SF Streets Blog, Rael proposes an upper deck outfitted with a 1.9 mile bike and pedestrian path, 15 acres of garden space, tennis courts, and even a climbing wall. The lower deck would generate enough capital to offset its maintenance through mixed residential and commercial retail units, in addition to cultural amenities such as museums and amphitheater.
Cross section, showing upper and lower deck usage. Image by Rael Fratello Architects.
Proposed garden/orchard. Image by Rael Fratello Architects.
A bold proposal, yes. But is it likely? The Metropolitan Transportation Commission doesn’t seem to agree and laughs off its feasibility. It seems certainly worth consideration though. And, if the above renderings aren’t appetizing enough, the hundreds of millions of dollars saved should whet the State’s whistle.
Where do you stand on The Bay Line?
—Michael
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A Hot-Tranny Press
Remember when reality talent shows were in limited supply and Project Runway was television worth demanding? When Michael Kors made more than cameos and Heidi Klum had not just cleavage but clout? When “fierce” was a but a glimmer in the gay lexicon? It feels like a lifetime ago, pun intended.
For anyone hoping to relive past PR glory in perpetuity, treat yourself to season 4 on DVD and feast your style on former winner Christian Siriano’s new book, Fierce Style: How to be Your Most Fabulous Self. If you can wait until Tuesday, Oct. 13, even better—because from 2-3 p.m., Mr. Siriano himself will be on hand to put his John Hancock on your very own copy at Saks Fifth Avenue in Union Square (floor Two).
All attendees are encouraged to read the first paragraph of the book aloud to Siriano while using their best Tim Gunn impersonation. OK, so we made that last part up. But we can’t help it; we’re dying for drama à la the old days. Bring it!
For more information about the book signing, visit Saks.com. Saks Fifth Avenue is located at 384 Post Street in Union Square, San Francisco. The signing will take place on floor Two. Space is limited so please RSVP to 415.438.5411.
— Kay
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Angel on the Bay
Labor Day weekend is almost here, and for many Bay Area dwellers, the budget might be a little tight for long-distance travel. So, what’s there to do close by this weekend? Well, there happens to be a little drop of paradise right in the middle of the Bay, and chances are it’s been on your list of places to go for quite a while—Angel Island.
In addition to being a beautiful piece of wilderness within sight of San Francisco, Berkeley, and Oakland, and a stone’s throw from Belvedere and Tiburon, Angel Island is also a treasure trove of local history. There are many tour-worthy historic buildings and landmarks on the island that offer a peek into the Bay Area’s past.
The Miwok Indians made use of the island’s resources for thousands of years before the Spanish arrived and began using it as a base for exploring the Bay Area’s waterways in 1775. Angel Island began its U.S. Military career as early as the Civil War and played a defensive role in both World Wars. The years before the turn of the century saw the establishment of both a quarantine station for foreign ships and their passengers, as well as an immigration station. Billed as “The Ellis Island of the West” the Immigration Station was actually more of a detention center, used to control the influx of Chinese immigrants, who were officially unwelcome with the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882. Some 175,000 Chinese came to Angel Island over the course of the station’s 30 years in operation.
Angel Island is now a wonderful escape from the buzz of the city, and you don’t even have to get in a car—perfect since the Bay Bridge will be closed Sept. 3-8. The Blue and Gold Ferry departs from The Ferry Building (easily accessible by BART) and Pier 41. The ferry ride is a big part of the fun. There’s nothing like sitting on the deck in the Bay wind, sipping a bloody mary, watching Alcatraz slip by as sailboats flit and dart in front of the Golden Gate Bridge.
To prepare for a holiday party on Angel Island, all you really need is an empty bag and a corkscrew. Arrive at the Ferry Building an hour early and stock up on a few gourmet sundries from the local merchants: Acme for a loaf of delicious crusty bread, Cowgirl Creamery for some artisan cheese, Boccalone for handcrafted salami, Farm Fresh To You for organic fruit, and of course the Wine Merchant for a bottle of wine or two. Out The Door offers The Slanted Door’s renowned Vietnamese cuisine for take-out. If you’re feeling more ambitious about your picnic fare, bring charcoal—grills are provided, but wood fires are a big no-no. (There is still some visible fire damage on the West side of the island from last year’s accident.) If all food planning fails, have no fear. The Cove Café has beer, wine, signature burgers, oysters on the half shell, and a deliciously juicy shrimp ceviche.
If the idea of indulgently lazing around by the water on the green lawn of the picnic area, occasionally getting up to play Frisbee, somehow sounds like a bore, you’re in luck. There are plenty of activities on Angel Island. Bring a bike or rent one there and ride around the perimeter road for a rare view of San Francisco. Take a docent-led tour of the Immigration Station Detention Barracks Museum, Fort McDowell, and Camp Reynolds, or a wildflower nature hike up Mt. Livermore. If lazy sounds pretty good, motorized tram and Segway tours are also options, and there are many more.
Just remember, unless you’re prepared to camp overnight (another great way to holiday on Angel Island, but reservations must be made well in advance), make sure you don’t miss the last boat back to the mainland. The ferry waits for no man.
Angel Island Ferry Tickets can be purchased online or in the Ferry Building for $15 round trip. The Ferry docks at the North end of the building, and departs at 9:20 and 11:20am. Check schedule for return trips. Ferry service to Angel Island is also offered from Alameda/Oakland, Tiburon, and Vallejo.
–Sara
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Best in Class DUV (Dutch Utility Vehicle)
As is the case with most things in life, trends tend to be cyclical. How else do you explain the return of acid wash jeans? Though most of us are no longer desperately seeking Susan, we are continually in search of ways to alleviate our dependence on fossil fuels. So, in our relentless search for more innovative [read green] approaches to daily travel, it only follows that we look forward, again, to one of the most time-honored of mobility options— the bicycle.
MyDutchBike.com aims to introduce the Bay Area to a more utilitarian line of bikes rarely seen on this side of the Atlantic. I recently sat down with shop proprietors Soraya Nasirian and Oscar Mulder, who’ve successfully turned their passion for finding a harder-working pedal-pusher into a budding import business that continues to give them goose bumps every morning.
The FR8 Transport accommodates the heaviest of loads and the smoothest of rides.
There’s been a resurgence of interest in bikes recently. Why do you see the Bay Area as being a prime location for people who are interested in bike culture?
Soraya: This is a great place for biking. There’s a movement here; you can feel it. There’s a lot happening here in regards to urban awareness and the environment. Groups like The Marin Coalition and SPUR facilitate that movement. A lot of San Franciscans have also traveled a lot and they recognize the bikes from Europe. And they remember the experience that they had renting them.
Oscar: The people who are really drawn to San Francisco are all these types of people— the art, music and lifestyle all play a part.
Soraya: The roads aren’t really there yet but there are new bikes lanes popping up all the time. The San Francisco Bike Coalition just recently got approval on 45 additional lanes. It’s really opening the door for more people in the mainstream to start riding.
What do you feel is driving people away from their cars and onto your bikes?
Oscar: The infrastructure of the city is changing. Some of our customers haven’t ridden a bike in 10, 20 years and wanna go back but are afraid of the carbon fiber. They want something a little more solid and stable.
Soraya: As gas prices have gone up, you’ve also seen the buses and ferries getting more crowded. The pocketbook may be attracting people to ride their bikes more. But there’s a new kind of cyclist on the road these days— the ones who are rediscovering bikes and enjoying them in style.
Omafiets (lit. Grandma bike, left & top right) and Opafiets (lit. Grandpa bike, bottom right)
From the first glance, it’s clear that MyDutchBike brings an air of style to how you can commute. Bikers want to be able to transition seamlessly from the road to the office. What is it about your bikes that give people the ability to ride in their regular work clothes?
Soraya: The big plus is that it has fenders, gearing protection, and flaps [behind the wheels]. That way your clothes aren’t going to get dirty or caught in anything. You don’t have to worry about what you’re wearing. You can wear a skirt or even bell-bottoms. You’re also sitting upright, which is a lot more comfortable.
Oscar: In Europe, they’ve been going to work and getting around town for hundreds of years with this exact same bike. The geometry is obviously very good and hasn’t changed. The gear has been updated to the very latest from Nexus. It’s very advanced. You can go 5 miles and not even break a sweat.
How do you feel that Dutch manufacturing differs from what we typically see in American models?
Oscar: I’d say primarily because of their history and the quality of materials. Amsterdam is the bike capital of the world. They have so much experience in building bikes; they are just superior to any other utility bike on the market.
The bikes themselves are very low-maintenance. The tires on these models are a little fatter too, to cope with the [train] tracks in the city. They are a little heavier than usual because they’re built from acreage steel that will last a lifetime.
Soraya: They’ve got the design down. Generations of families have come up with a formula that works.
The Bakfiets is designed for hauling even the most precious of cargo.
And the test ride is absolutely key. It’s much like buying a car— you don’t want to buy it before you know how it handles.
Soraya: Exactly. A lot of people have never seen these types of bikes before, so I want them to try them out. Otherwise, if they just come in to look, they’ve missed the point. They’re not sport bikes; they’re commuter bikes. Once you ride them, you understand why they’re different.
What do you see for the future of MyDutchBike.com? Are you looking to develop new areas of business?
Oscar: We’re looking to branch off a little with new types of bikes and new color ways. We will be introducing a new model soon, a stripped-down version based on the bike used by the Secret Service. And it’ll retail for about $400 less than the Oma model.
Soraya: My dream would be to put select pieces of biking gear into the mix. Possibly helmets, some clothing and accessories. It’s important that we stay true to our philosophy of comfort and quality and concentrate on our core product, the bikes. But it’s always nice to push a little style with it.
MyDutchBike.com sells both online and at their temporary showroom, 575 Market Street. Stop in Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday from 11am-3pm or make an appointment for a test ride. 415-420-9649.
—Michael
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Leave the Driving to Us
As the troubled auto industry continues to restructure itself and the economic downturn has Americans looking to more affordable (if not eco-friendly) forms of commuting, the strain on public transit is starting wear thin. Despite the record-breaking rise in demand, government-funded agencies are too feeling the pinch of purse-strings and are being forced to cut back. Things have been looking bleak in the greater Bay Area for transit service. State legislature recently cut transit subsidies and have reduced service on many suburban routes. But, in San Francisco, residents may be surprised to see (dare I say) improvements. Mayor Gavin Newsom is hoping the city’s planned series of updates to transit systems will be a benefit to its beleaguered workforce.
Recently unveiled was the first set in what will eventually be 1100 new bus shelters for the city. The eye-catching structures were Lundberg Design’s winning entry to the city-sponsored design competition. The results are noteworthy examples of how San Francisco is setting the standard for technologically-savvy design. The undulating red roof harnesses enough power from its solar panels to operate the LED displays. All shelters will also utilize a push-to-talk system for the visually impaired [shown left] and, impressively, WiFi. The building materials are even said to be graffiti and etch-proof.
Upgrade indeed. The shelters’ “art” won’t come courtesy of the street anymore. Clear Channel has the monopoly on this public landmark.
You know the how the old saying goes though. You never get something for nothing. MUNI prices increased across the board on July 1. However, if wild postings and the transportation authority are to be believed, this is only the start of great things to come. Studies are underway to evaluate the effectiveness of a new rapid transit line on Van Ness Avenue. Don’t expect the ribbon-cutting to be speedy though. Service isn’t expected to begin until at least 2012.
—Michael
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Fancy That: Tour de Fance
There’s nothing like your first crush. And if you’re anything like us, you crush hard and often. This is where we pay homage to all things worthy of lusting after.
Kay fancies the fluorescent fixie bicycles from designer Benedict Radcliffe and Andy Ellis of Fixed Gear London. Artistic engineering is how those guys roll. Not only are their neon hot rods totally in line with the 80s fashion machine, how ’bout three cheers and a wheelie for sculpture that also happens to sculpt your buns and thighs. What’s more, the arresting colorways ensure that visibility on the street will be a given. Now if only someone would manufacture a Marcel Duchamp-inspired ready-made helmet to match. Mission hipsters would be champing at their Élysées.
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Mama’s Got a reMade Bag
San Franciscans believe in cycles. We bicycle, recycle, and follow the moon’s cycle. After banning the plastic, we carry our reusable shopping bags like many brightly colored flags, proudly displaying our eco-consciousness.
At the end of June, Gavin Newsom signed Mandatory Composting Legislation, upping the ante on the City’s recycling rate—already the highest in the Nation, with a goal of zero waste by 2020.
So we’ve definitely got recycling down. What else is there? Next up, upcycling—a term you are sure to be hearing more and more of.
Upcycle: to take something disposable and transform it into something of greater use and value. A term coined in the 2002 book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, by Michael Braungart and William McDonough.
Basically, making treasures out of trash. What could be more San Francisco than that? In a city built on a windy rock that led to gold, rebuilt twice from the devastation of earthquake, in the birthplace of web 2.0, folks know how to make something new from just about nothing.
Case in point: Shannon South, the creative, entrepreneurial force behind reMade USA, and the designer of luxurious leather handbags lovingly hand-crafted in Potrero Hill from discarded jackets and scrap leather.
reMade USA was born out of Shannon’s belief that designers have a responsibility to consider what impact their materials may have on the environment and how the people manufacturing their products might be affected.
“I see reMade USA as part of a back-to-basics, holistic approach [to life] that… sees beauty in the past, praises a lifestyle of ‘making do’ and has a deep appreciation for things that have been cultivated by hand…
My hope, through reMade USA, is to create awareness through beautiful products, while leaving the tiniest footprint possible.”
Each bag is completely one-of-a-kind, flaunting a colorful vintage scarf lining, and bearing its own unique serial number. Collections are released in limited quantities of 10-14 bags. If you’re fast enough to grab the one you love before a Brazilian fashionista does, you can carry it with assurance that no one in the City, or anywhere else, has the same bag. You can even give reMade your own jacket to upcycle!
Get on reMade’s mailing list for first dibs on the next collection, coming soon. Email shop@remadeusa.com or give them a ring at 646.731.9497 for more information.
–Sara
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Dear Tranny: Love Boot Camp
Advice is a drag, unless you’re seeking guidance from Culturcosm’s campy counselor. Looking for insider know-how on making the best of the Bay? Dear Tranny has just what you need and she always gives it up. Penned by Sandra O. Noshi-Di’n't.
Vol. 11: Love Boot Camp
Dear Tranny,
I was in love with a boy for a year. He made me breakfast while I slept, wrote me love letters, and hung on my every word. We played together, laughed together; it was a dream. But at some point in time he became detached from me. He begun putting his friends and hobbies before me, and would never seem to want to hang out. We were boyfriends, and we were in love, so I didn’t think much of it because I knew he’d still be there for me at the end of the night. But soon, it became apparent to both of us that tides were turning, and our love came to a crashing halt. In the haste of human emotion, we ended the relationship via text warfare.
I spent the next two weeks attempting to talk to him about it and he was robotic, non responsive, and disinterested. I was absolutely devastated that this boy who bragged about having me at his side, who bought me flowers and adored me, could so easily and casually drop me from his life while I was standing there with a bleeding heart. Thoughts and insecurities enveloped me. Was he never really in love with me? Did I do something wrong? How could he not feel this hurt that I am feeling!? I still tried to get closure from him but he just wouldn’t let out his emotion; he would not tell me anything he was feeling.
Days turned into weeks and I wanted to move on with my life, but could not. I am in love. I feel like I cannot begin to love another because I still love him. My friends tell me, “oh just forget him” but I can’t! Is it wrong that I am human? I know he has moved on, which makes my struggle even that more desperate and difficult. I feel like I have been played— a fool, a sucker, for love. Dear Tranny, how do I stop loving someone who no longer loves me?
Little Red Riding Hood
Dear Little Red,
I feel your pain, boo. Even Miss Sandra has had her share of heartaches and tranny tribulations before becoming a trantastic trooper! That’s why I’m going to have to step into drag drill sergeant mode and let ya have it. It’s not because I’m unsympathetic, soldier; it’s because I know exactly where you’re coming from. Even though at times, I thought that might have been right out of a new Lifetime original movie.
The first thing you should realize is one of the most important lessons I’ve learned about life: we are not responsible for what other people think. Let this be your new mantra. With that in mind, whether your ex-boyfriend has moved on or not should have no bearing on your relationship recovery. If you concentrate solely on that, you are allowing someone else to continue to have power over you. The focus should be on you and you alone. Moving on and getting over him will take some time, but it’s achievable.
I also noticed that you placed a lot of significance on being in love. While the feeling of being in love can be utterly amazing, it can also be like a bad high, impairing and clouding your judgment. The fact that two people are in love should not excuse either of you of bad behavior. You need to look in the mirror and reassure yourself that you’re worthy of being loved. And most importantly— Gurrrl, you need to love yo-self! Because, if you don’t, no one else will. Get my drift?
Know that sometimes a broken heart may require a professional’s aid. Therapy is a great outlet for many to work out loose ends and build the foundation for resiliency. An emotional wound is exactly like a physical wound. When the heart that you wear on your sleeve gets torn to pieces, it will take some time but it will mend. You’re no casualty of love. You’re a survivor!
Remember, Tranny knows best.
xoxo
Sandra
Have a question about Bay-area life that’s fit for a queen? Email Sandra at deartranny@culturcosm.com.
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LITTER SF and a Brief Personal History Dump
One of my fondest memories from childhood is when Officer Dave stopped by my 3rd-grade class to speak about a major community issue: litter. I don’t recall what Officer Dave told us that day at all. But I do remember how, at the end of class, OD offered me a trinket that would radically change my life — and my wardrobe — for the course of an entire summer. Pinned to my halter top, my shorts, my swimsuit, my tote bag, the basket on my bicycle, I brandished my litter patrol badge with all of the authority, status, and symbolism I could muster.
Ironically, by now my long-discarded badge is commingling with everyone else’s old PETs in the Land of Landfill. But the thrill of its charm remains in my heart — and to my delight this same feeling has been resurrected in the form of LITTER SF. Designed by the talented and lovely sisters Mackenzie and Rachael, LITTER delivers the same fluttery-girlie feeling my litter patrol badge gave me way back when. (Or perhaps it was Officer Dan’s shorty-shorts and 70s pornstache, but either way I know what I know, and right now I really dig upcycled fashion and LITTER.)
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing the sisters LITTER, and I was even more excited to find they are every bit as cool as their creations. Seriously, the header of their blog features the duo rock-kicking in front of a “Godless America” banner. What more do you need?)
Could you please describe your jewelry line for our readers?
We make one-of-a-kind pieces out of vintage chains and costume jewelry that we find at flea markets, estate sales, and thrift stores. Almost every piece is recycled and reworked into LITTER. We try to come up with new ways to wear jewelry in general, so everyday when we are in the studio, we are draping each other in chains and figuring out what works and whether or not we can achieve the look we want. I think what has gotten us this far in this short a period of time is that we are switching it up constantly. Jewelry is such a saturated market, so people are ready for something new and different.
What inspires your designs?
We are inspired in so many ways. When we discover an amazing piece of old jewelry that has really cool details, we have to make something out of it that same day — nothing else can get in our way, it has to be made that instant. People don’t make jewelry the way they used to in the 50s and 60s. Back then, costume jewelry was so intricate and experimental, so we try to continue that tradition with pieces that are fun and inspiring to work with, and then we put our own twist on these pieces.
Where do you find your materials?
Besides flea markets, thrift stores, and estate sales, we can sometimes convince our friends to donate their old jewelry to us as well. Usually, when we make a piece out of our friends’ jewelry, we name it after them.
If LITTER were a person, how would you describe her or him (or it)?
KEITH RICHARDS!!! Old, weathered, chains, bad-ass, vintage, classic, rock-n-roll, leathery, studs … you see where we are going with this.
Who are your current style icons/culture heroes/obsessions?
Karl Lagerfeld, Gareth Pugh, David Bowie, Wes Andersen films, Kate Moss, Copenhagen street style, and sometimes even each other!
What should no mortal’s wardrobe be without?
Between the two of us, we wouldn’t agree on the same things. We have totally different styles.
Rachael: The perfect pair of cowboy boots. If done right, they go with everything — jeans, dresses, especially miniskirts! Add some spiked shoe jewelry to them and they are totally your own look.
Mackenzie: The “boyfriend” blazer. Dress it up or down in winter or summer.
Your pieces are like wearable sculpture that serve as an extension of the person’s body, very organic, much like a tattoo or piercing. Please discuss.
We both love tattoos and piercings! We are glad you see the jewelry this way. Our jewelry takes a certain type of person to wear it, and normally it’s people who have an edge who really embrace us (probably people with tattoos and piercings). We hope we aren’t like a tattoo you’d regret or something lame like that, though [laughing].
Where can our readers buy your pieces?
Right now, you can get our jewelry at our website and at Moxsie, a boutique that specializes in indie fashion. We are working really hard on the new collection right now, and several stores have requested to carry our line. We will post an official list of stores on our website soon.
LITTER is an up-and-coming upcycled jewelry line based in San Francisco. Please call 415.932.6361 or write to request a studio visit.
— Kay
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About
Culturcosm is your online authority on the climate of trend throughout the Bay Area. Your roving reporters are taking to the streets and chasing down the real story. Be it stormy or serene, torrid or just plain tragic, we will break it down before you hit it up. Stay tuned. There's a new trend breaking every minute.
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Contact
General Inquiriesinfo@culturcosm.com
Michael, founder / editor-in-chiefmichael@culturcosm.com
Kay, founder / contributing editorkay@culturcosm.com
Sara, trendcaster / managing editorsara@culturcosm.com
Heather, social commentatorheather@culturcosm.com
Taylor, music trendcastertaylor@culturcosm.com
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