I love art in ways I can’t explain. All kinds of arts. Sound, texture, visual, structural, written and just about anything made. I can find enjoyment in creativity itself which many find strange, but I feel is normal. A greater gift I can’t imagine than to enjoy the creation about us.
Santa Fe New Mexico is resplendent in the arts and world renown because the community seems to embrace it as a lifestyle. San Francisco has that same iconic nature but it feels more fragmented for some reason. It doesn’t seem to be the lifestyle for all, but yet it’s insinuated into all places accessed publicly.
Recently a sculpture has been erected in front of San Francisco’s city hall that is an homage to Asian art. When I asked the persons responsible for it’s placement, I was told the huge three headed icon was part of a Buddha sculpture series by artist Zyang Huan. This particular piece is known as “Three Heads Six Arms” and is to be a placement here for one year as a celebration of Shanghai being a sister city to San Francisco.
I wondered about its message. Clearly city officials had to okay this huge metal deity to be on display for all the world to see on a daily basis. My heart began to hurt. A couple blocks away was a painted message of “TRUTH” but it seemed so hidden from this place.