Lazy Weekend Defenestration Post
I’m actually not lazy. I wish I was. My ideal day would be to spend my time battling out which show to watch tomorrow evening; Red, Hot, & Green on HGTV or The Food Network Challenge. You’d think the networks would get together and plan their schedules according to my time preferences — but no, both shows are on at the same time. Sadly, my un-lazy weekend includes issues like cleaning, work, and care plus feeding of my boy. But since I don’t want to leave the Offbeat readers totally hanging; here’s some stock from my personal collection.
My personal photography disclaimer: I don’t claim to be a photographer and if America took a vote I’m fairly certain I would win, “Worst Photographer of the Decade.” I’m hoping to bring you some cool offbeat photos from my hometown; but I promise to have my good friend Sara, the real photographer take them. But today I’m all you’ve got.
These are some picture I took while on vacation in San Francisco about 6 years back. I was way impressed with this building that seemed to have furniture crawling out of the windows. If you’ve lived in San Fran, you’ve likely seen the building. If you’d like to see it on your next trip it’s located South of Market Street, (SOMA) at the corner of 6th and Howard. Here’s a closer, (but shrouded in shadows) view.
This morning, I browsed the internet to see if I could find any information on this building. There wasn’t much. But I did find this old press release at defenestration.org.
“On
March 9, 1997 , hundreds of people came together to celebrate the opening of Brian Goggin’s Defenestration installation. Over 30 pieces of furniture and home appliances are welded and rigged to the two sides of a currently-empty 3-story building at 6th andHoward Street inSan Francisco .
Local sculptor, Brian Goggin, with partial funding from the National Endowment for the Arts administered through New Langton Arts*, will present on
March 9, 1997 the site specific sculptural installation: Defenestration, Twenty-three pieces of seemingly animate furniture and household appliances will crawl from the windows, doors and the rooftop of a 4-story vacant building located at214 Sixth Street at Howard. Witness a piano pitching on a corner of the buildings roof, a grandfather clock winding its way out of a window and a refrigerator, about to fly… its door ajar, lights on and contents ready to frolic in the fresh air - to name but a few characters in this madcap furniturama.”
The site also stated that defenestration is, “The act of throwing something or someone out of a window.”
Is the building still there for sure? Can’t say; the very outdated defenestration homepage lists the building/art structure as “For Sale.” It looked empty when I was there six years ago. But perhaps in the ever evolving SOMA district it has sold by now — maybe to a furniture wholesaler (which you have to admit would be smart advertising).
Do you have information on this building you’d like to share?
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POSTED IN: Eccentricities, General, Odd Buildings
5 opinions for Lazy Weekend Defenestration Post
Ben
Jun 9, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Hmmm. Definitely interesting. Definitely something I would want to see in person if it were relatively convenient to do so. But partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts? That’s where I’m skeptical. I consider myself a fairly open minded and eclectic person, but try as I might, I struggle with “modern art.” Modern art compels me to believe there is a sharp–very sharp–distinction to be made between art and creativity. I can’t help thinking the latter is much more prevalent.
Jennifer Chait
Jun 9, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Hey, I know you! Thanks for stopping by. I actually have to agree. I loved seeing this building; it was unique and I’ve never seen something quite like it. But on a personal level I like art based in reality much better than “modern” or “abstract” art. I’d rather hang a picture of a tree on my wall than a single black dot.
Crabby McSlacker
Jun 10, 2007 at 8:28 am
Well damn, I live close enough to SF I should know if the building’s still got furniture on it. But it’s not a structure I go looking for; it’s just always a pleasant surprise when I happen to pass by it. Can’t remember when the last time was.
I love weird stuff like that. Thanks for the reminder.
Plus, “defenestration” is such a cool word.
Annie
Jun 11, 2007 at 2:24 pm
I drive by this building everyday and its definitely still there and still has a “for sale sign.” I always wondered about its purpose/creation. Thanks for the info.
Jennifer Chait
Jun 11, 2007 at 2:50 pm
Hi Crabby; always a pleasure. Yes defenestration is a cool word. Soon it’ll be sweeping college dorms and hip clubs across the nation — Thanks to me!
And Annie, thanks so much for the update. So, it’s still for sale huh. Good to know in case I ever move to San Francisco and open a furniture warehouse. I’ll bet it costs much more now than the original asking price (I think around 100,000).
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