CIEL

Chihuly

San Francisco is having a Renaissance summer. As an art lover, I couldn't be more excited. There's Freada Kahlo at the Modern, Women Impressionists at the Palace of the Legion of Honor, and, a third blockbuster - Dale Chihuly at the DeYoung. De Young curators have accomplished something that, as a working artist, I must say, is admirable. Chihuly is a show that is accessible to non-art lovers, art snobs and the high art types. Some rooms are so playful that a five year old will be inspired, and some are just overwhelmingly awesome in what they accomplish. There is so much "WOW" factor in this show that every single person comes out smiling. But then there are the subtle, tender and, if you look closely, more complex rooms that show an artist who is willing to display not only his finished work, but his process. I was moved by the "Tabac" series - a subtle display of glass pieces in atypical sandy tones - inspired by a collection of Native American baskets from the Northwest. A few rooms later (after switching gears for 2 rooms of borderline simplistic, fancy-art-gallery-cum-gift-shop bowls) there is a wall of his 'paintings' - a panel of work that show his development and aesthetic in process. I was especially moved by this darkened room and by the text that helped me to get even closer to the artist's vision. The real crowd pleaser is the 'underwater' world - but I won't spoil it. For all the years I've been bemoaning the lack of fabulous art shows to match our fabulous museums, I now commend the DeYoung curators. Brave decision, and a great summer show.

creative process, San Francisco

The Brave Tomashefskys

Michael Tilson Thomas has done a mitzvah. In creating his Yiddish Theater piece, "The Thomashefskys" Thomas claims a critical role in preserving Jewish art and culture. From the moment a reproduction of a Yiddish newspaper was projected upon the Symphony stage, tears came to my eyes. We just don't see ourselves reflected like this very often, and I was deeply moved. The Symphony piece, a combination of fantastic and authentic music, theater, opera, and vaudeville is an homage to Thomas' very visionary and brave grandmother. The love and admiration he held for her vibrated in each scene. Despite the interesting and complicated history and the ups and downs of the Tomashefsky's fortune, there was no shortage of humor - could it be truly Jewish otherwise? Not only does Thomas sing, ham it up and dance (!) he tells us his grandmother's last sage words: "You'll live a long life, Michaela, and I won't be there to guide you. So one last piece of wisdom: Never sign a release!" Fabulous. I hope this piece will be preserved for the culture in a permanent way. Lastly, a personal angle: My mother spent some time in the Catskills back in the day, with Mr. Tomashefsky - Michael's bon vivant grandfather!

creative process, jewish issues, San Francisco, sf symphony

All Things Literary

We're just winding down to the tail end of our WNBA annual three day meeting. It's been a hectic and productive time, with colorful splashes of only-in-San-Francisco fun. The meeting, taking place at the Chancellor Hotel is on the Powell Street cable car line and right up from Union Square with all the usual suspects: street musicians, European tourists, suburban shoppers and panhandlers. Yesterday at lunch, Kevin Smokler spoke to us about the future of books and reading as he envisions them for the next generation. At night we were entertained across the street at the Sir Francis Drake by SF's own Beth Lisick, who, it seems is still catching up to herself and the fact of her easy successes. Beth spoke to the more than 80 people assembled to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the SF chapter. In the crowd were Paula Hendricks, president of BAIPA and a Litquake board member; Michael Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada, literary agents and founders of the SF Writers Conference and the estimable Effie Lee Morris, a living legend according to the American Library Association. Local authors included Lucille Lang Day, Christopher Gortner, Martha Alderson, and our honorary guest from the nascent Seattle chapter, Henriette Klauser. A fun time was had by all, and hey, where else could our national board hear about leaking sewage pipes in a loft/warehouse in the Mission? Thanks Beth! Oh, yes, and tomorrow Laurie Beckleman passes me the President's gavel - except that SF has decided to trade the gavel in for a Tibetan bowl/gong.

Authors, creative process, Fiction, Literary Agents, Litquake, poetry, San Francisco, san francisco writers conference, United Nations, WNBA, Writers