Hess Collection & Empire I

if you're looking for something to do over this holiday season, i recommend making the trip to the Hess Collection. art enthusiast, Donald Hess, has been amassing one of the finest private collections of contemporary art since 1966. currently on display, amidst the amazing campus of vines, wine & art, are some of Rauschenberg's pieces from different periods throughout his stellar & thought provoking career. my favorite among those on display, for free i might add, is Empire I. (which was showcased in a major Rauschenberg retrospective in 1997 at New York's Guggenheim Museum.)

Empire I, is a seminal work, both for the artist & for the direction of modern American art. brought to life in 1961, this piece explores the use of ordinary objects to portray (potentially) greater political & social narration. the brick that is attached, in a leash like manner, is imprinted with the word 'empire'. this found object was most likely etched by the original mason or masonry; which only fuels the speculation as to whether it was part of the inspiration or a serendipitous find along the way to achieving the final look of this brilliant work. i find the single wheel to be dialogue inducing. is the use of one wheel simply singular or is there a greater, almost easier definition of function or lack there of? it elicits visuals of a wheel barrow or perhaps that of a homeless cart, the last of ones belongings. the strong pull of sentiment & preconceived notions ring loudly from the star that appears on the inside of the hollow hole that hangs and the stripes that gleam upon the wood itself. these images can easily lead you down a path of American discourse.
i feel as though the images upon objects relate to, while at the same time contradict, the American dream. it's a beautiful piece of art to me because of the inner dialogues, questions & statements it may or may not make. some of those feelings are purely emotional, others stem from our own association of what those materials are & mean individually, as well as, what they convey when assembled into the finished project. on the subject of Rauschenberg's work, Hess once said that he, "...related to his incessant search for a challenge and was amazed by his innate ability to arrange ordinary objects in a way that looks so effortless and poetic. Rauschenberg was a master at making the complicated simple."

this collection stands as one of the best in the world. not only does the collection house this remarkable piece by Rauschenberg, it displays six other works spanning decades & mediums. for those of you who enjoy the spice of life that is variety, know that there are choice masterpieces from other artists such as: Anselm Kiefer, Robert Motherwell, Morris Louis, Andy Goldsworthy & a slough of other renowned names.

so whether you want a scenic drive, tasty wine or impeccable art, i suggest you take a day to explore the Hess Collection on Mt. Veeder to do it all in one serene location. the staff on hand is incredibly friendly & down to earth. even though this place ranks high on the social ladder, there is a refreshing lack of stuffiness amongst guests and employees. please find this place if you haven't already. you're sure to loose yourself in one way or another. enjoy!



~eightychoices

Past the Mid Point...

hello, to those still tuning in... thanks!

we're already more than half way through the calendar year, whew. did it fly by for anyone else? i'm pretty much swamped most days, as many of us are, who work the normal grind & still find time to be creative and/or adventurous. in short, don't be lazy. we all try to do what we love doing amidst the perils of daily life. i know it's hard to apply our time to those things we love to do, but there's a void that i feel amongst more spirits than just my own. people want more out of life. i do not mean the accrual of material possessions or other like amenities. i'm thinking about all of the creativity that's out there in the working world, sometimes being left untapped, other times it's going unnoticed. you are not alone (not sure if that's a good thing or not). those of us who are giving 8 hours a day to someone/thing else, aspire for more. there are a lot of ideas out there in the minds of those in their 30's or under. we have potentials beyond comprehension. we're just not all in the right position, place or state of mind to carry out our truest passions. there is so much to consume in this modern world. it's probably crazy, exciting times for all of us. ultimately i'm just stoked to be involved & alive. either you're perpetuating a problem, or you're a part of the solution. keep it up those who dream, they do come true.

here's a little west sonoma county for your viewing pleasure...


ps. in the very near future i will be getting back to reviewing live music & other northern california happenings. thanks for sticking with me. happy fall!

Outside Lands 2011

outside lands in golden gate this year was pretty rad. having attended a late night show on saturday & then making it to the park sunday, i must say the bands we caught were super. the food was amazing, mad props to andalu for their crispy mac & cheese paired with corn on the cob & farmer brown's chicken n' waffles! mmmm it was tasty. the beers were over priced, most art was cool, we bought a limited and signed "night" poster & most everyone seemed in high spirits. now let's cut to the chase...

sound tribe sector 9 at the independent...


for those of you who are not yet listening to STS9, this is a good time in their history to give it a try. they have a unique sound & mode of operation that is all their own. i really dig 'em. STS9 threw down hard at the independent for the late night series that accompanies outside lands. these great concerts showcase not only the band, but the city, on such an intimate level. i've come to believe that hot late night shows are what's really going on if you're an audiophile like me. sector hadn't been in the bay area since their show at the fox in oakland (02.13.1o). i was so primed to see them. we had a good crew going. which was stellar considering these were some of the toughest tickets to get all weekend. up to this point they have 2 sold out shows on their tour, this one & halloween in athens, ga.
they went off for a sf crowd that had obviously been hankering for their return to the city. opening with this, us was nice way to set the tone. but personally for me, it got filthy 4 tracks in with instantly! followed up by a hyper golden gate, which is a new track off of when the dust settles. then came a track i'd been pining for, ramone & emiglio. it was straight ridiculous. it had the old school sound to it & was played with a blistering intensity. it was a sure high light. that three song bender was the fire of set number 1.
the 2nd set got going quick with another new cut, scheme. it was danceable & fun. it's definitely more of an acquired taste if you prefer their older compositions. i for one dig the hell out of their newer style & direction. i feel as though envelope pushing artists create the art that they need to. then came, really what?, which was club bangin'. next was evasive maneuvers, which flowed directly into a fierce monkey music. after that it was onto a mean kamuy. the only off segment of the night followed during be nice. perhaps having to do with a portion of the song not created via live instrumentation. a small pot hole in an otherwise stellar musical journey. having left the stage for only a couple of minutes, they encored with a feverish somesing. i know one of my buddies was hoping for that hit all night. overall it was a face melter & a show that ran over 2 & 1/2 hours. for the complete set list click here.

STS9, twin peaks stage, outside lands, golden gate park...
...another day, another sector set!
we entered the festival while !!! was playing. they sounded great & played a sweet prince cover. after their set it was major laser. they were pleasing the masses & got more than enough people to take off their shirts so they could be "spun like helicopters." but the real reason i wanted to hole up at the twin peaks stage was for STS9's festival set. they didn't disappoint.
anytime sector opens with a track like, the unquestionable supremacy of nature, you know it's going to be hyphy! talk about a dance blaster. due to the short set times created by the festival brain trust (or lack there of) too many great artists were given only an hour or less to shred. even though their set consisted of 7 songs, STS9 set out to conquer. they obliterated the dance happy crowd with bangers like, ABCees, economic hit man (w/out the clermont lounge remix, a place of lore in the atl) & to close it down, rent. for the complete set list click here. thank you sector for bringing your heat back back to cali cali.

live graffiti, too cool...
...between the two main stages there was a wealth of oddities & activities to stimulate the senses. one of the coolest for me was the juxtapoz magazine sponsored live paintings. there were 3 walls, forming a triangle, that had been tagged by artists at large.

Arcade Fire, lands end stage, outside lands, golden gate park...
...right now, in modern music, there may be no one more potent than Arcade Fire. i was thrilled at the chance to soak them in. especially amidst the height of their deserved world celebrity. having seen them once before at austin city limits, prior to their fame, i both knew & didn't know what they were capable of. their brilliance is two part; their intensity on stage & the command of their songs. for what it's worth, they played perhaps the best show so far this year. pretty amazing being that it was a mega fest set & that i was at least 100 yards from the stage. none of their craft was lost in translation. both my wife & i barely uttered a word. their 17 song set list was absurd. they couldn't have picked better tracks from their catalog. plus the way the songs were arranged & unfolded, lead me to believe that this band will continue to leave its impression on modern music for years to come. the stage was made to look like an old movie marquee. it was spot on & very nostalgic. there was a drenching feeling coming from their stage prowess & enthusiasm. it was as if they were giving all of them selves to the audience. however daunting it may be, i'll try to spot light some of my favorite moments of the set.
rococo was simply stunning. delivered with subtle differences from the recorded version, it grew into a rock & roll song projecting sonic force. neighborhoods #1 (tunnels), is a personal favorite of mine & crept into me like a good story. the words are so familiar, almost reminiscent of north american youth. neighborhood #3 (power out) thundered with potency & gave way to the encore. if there was ever an encore that had built its way to a crescendo, this was it. everyone wanted the same thing: wake up. we all got it! there was a point early on in which the crowd was the voice. tens of thousands of fans all tied into a moment. unity. i didn't think they could top that & maybe they didn't, but boy did they keep going. sprawl 2 (mountains beyond mountains) was awe inspiring to say the least. all facets of their performance were clicking. i haven't been able to get that song out of my head yet, thank god! my wife & i joked that we would have paid the single day price just to hear those two songs, it was that good. arcade fire is a don't miss. for a complete set list click here. wow!

... as the experiences of the day lingered, i couldn't help but think we had chosen the day to attend. the city was full of life & the beauty of golden gate park gave us the perfect setting to wander away from. when the masses hit the streets, there was no more street. those of us on foot had taken over the pan handle, the park's perimeter & mass transit. oh how i love san francisco. enjoy live music & art.

eightychoices.

Bangin' for Pete's Sake...

in a far off place, not too long ago...
actually, on july 23rd & 24th, we all got down to celebrate the good Dr. he's one of my favorite people on earth. to make a long story short, he moved to the beautiful state of utah, after an epic run in san francisco. i love ya bro & i'm sure as hell gonna miss ya.

with a keg a of summer solstice from anderson valley, 5 growlers of pliny the elder, whiskey, countless bottles of other heady beer and enough champagne to satiate our crew on sunday morning, the pole banging tournament of the year was primed to become a thing of legend. pole banging is a hybrid of ultimate frisbee, horse shoes and in the west coast version, baseball. there are some rules of course, but the most important one is that you must always have a beverage in hand. after that, no goal tending, no zingers, first one to 9, win by two, bottom half of the round gets their last chance. for this farewell event, teams were drawn from a hat, except for the Dr. who was allowed to choose his team mate, my wife (she's the good's)!

with enough food to feed two armies and two grills cooking up delicious skewers & bratwursts, it was time for the PBA (pole bangin' association) arena to take center stage. pole bangin' is a great spectator sport. we had enough teams to do a condensed march madness style bracket. however, we did make it double elimination, so that there was a way to make it back to the finals despite an early loss.


as the games began M & I had prepped some wood block printing for all those in attendance.

it was super cool. everyone brought an old tee-shirt or hooded sweatshirt to print on. some even brought new blank tee's. there was also going to be a secret surprise for the two winners, a CHAMPS tee. the Dr. got a limited edition set of towels for his new digs. it was so sweet to see everyone stoked out on art inspired by the event. i'm so lucky to have such amazing friends! we really do shred hard. thanks to everyone who made it. it was a magical party in which all of our energy & effort was so positive & fun. you guys & gals are the best. thanks to our neighbors as well, they had to tolerate us.

as the night move into darkness, the games heated up, so too did the bon fire and outdoor lighting. what a celebration...
a good number of us were wearing sombreros and executing gluttony in the most northern california of ways, which was nice. at the end of the tourny, it was eightychoices & felton who brought home the title of "bangin' for pete's sake" champs! if you want to know the truth, no one lost, we were all winners this weekend. when the matches ended the dance party ensued. it truly was a throw down. a few friends even mentioned how, up to that point, they thought it was the dance party of summer. you should have seen some of the moves! the music mixes went late into the morning, well past 4:00 (eek). it was a great night for an awesome guy.

...recovery the next morning included home made beignets, mimosas and honey drizzled grilled bacon. breakfast of champions i imagine. later in the afternoon, when the last hooligans were about to head south, it was time to say goodbye. it was heart felt and emotional. people who are important to you, get a lot of the real you. i was sad to see him off, but we both know the journey isn't complete. i'd do anything for the good Dr. if you happen to know who i'm speaking of, ask him what one of his favorite compliments is. it's out there, too out there perhaps & i'm the one who paid him it. he's a best friend & friends like that equal family. we may not live as close, but you can bet your ass we'll be visiting each other & meeting up to shred. i love you bro.

The Dr.

 eightychoices.

Guthrie Theater

Minneapolis has always been a beacon of artistic power, especially for the great lakes region. whether it be those who are creating the art or those who endow it, there is plenty of creativity pouring into & out of this urban hub. the city of Minneapolis is second only to Manhattan, in america, for it's theater's per capita. the new Guthrie theater stands out amongst a culturally rich metropolis. jean nouvel was the architect who branded the city with this spectacular structure. it was his first large scale commission in the U.S. not only is the building itself a marvel to behold, but its inner workings are intricate & functional. whether it be the stages, lobby's, restaurants, outdoor settings, the amber box or the endless bridge, there is more than enough for your senses to absorb. all of that, blended with the fact that its primary function is to promote live performance art, makes it even more beautiful. chief among the many talents that are housed in this illuminating "theater," is the art of live, on stage acting & its pre/post productions that make the impossible possible. it should be mentioned that the numerous artisans, designers, carpenters, painters, world class couture wardrobe technicians, wig makers, sound & lighting engineers & a slough of other skilled professionals, that are perhaps second to none, are more than adequately matching the pageantry showcased onstage.
in this magnificent structure there are three distinct theaters. the wurtele thrust stage is an outlet for dramatic literature. seating is located on three sides of the stage (roughly 260 degrees & every seat in the space is the exact number of feet from the center of the action). due to its ability to be customizable in size, shape, color & texture, it's best to think of the thrust stage as a transformer. the mcguire proscenium stage has the features of a "picture frame" like opening. this allows all of the audience to experience the presentation from the same perspective. this type of depiction is suited for work from the late 19th century. a universal form helps to create cohesion with other productions globally. finally comes the dowling studio, which is flexible & purposed toward the aesthetic of cultural/community connections. it feels very modern & yet warehouse like. it is a host for both local work & the works of other theaters. the "amber box" is located just outside of the dowling. it is an ethereal viewing station meant to elicit optimism, even on grey days.

the guthrie balances amidst the historic mill district. it plays with the mississippi river & st. anthony falls. jean nouvel seems to have a knack of birthing his creations with the aid of the immediate surroundings. the french architect, is a willing participant with natural light, allowing it to communicate through access. thoughtful dialogue between design & the movement of people is highly interactive & entertaining. in 2008 he was awarded the pritzker prize, the highest honor in architecture. the jury that year noted the 2006 opening & impact of the guthrie as significant in their decision to select his body of work.
colors & shapes are only pieces of the magic that make this building one of the most unique structures in the world. thanks to jean nouvel, the guthrie theater & its many people who make this such a wonderful place to visit & be inspired by. if you're ever in minneapolis i highly recommend taking in a play. if that doesn't work, the architectural & backstage tours are fantastic & enlightening. embrace the twin cities, it's cooler than you may know.

be well, from the 707 to the 612!

~eightychoices

Beer Fest turns 15!

boonville is the place to be this saturday, may 14. yesterday was bike to work day, which is an awesome event for anyone who enjoys a bike ride. i know i do. it can be empowering to see & ride with so many other cyclists. way to go peddle pushers.
tomorrow is the legendary boonville beer festival, which takes place in the the heart of anderson valley. with the navarro river near by, beautiful forests, the best booty of beer in america, kick ball, ultimate frisbee, frisbee golf, pole bangers & plenty of other debauchery, it's tough not to want to go annually. so we do. i realize this years event is the same day as bay to breakers (which is also RADICAL) but myself, agent M & the Dr. will be attending the 15th birthday of boonville beer festival. maybe we'll see you there. last on standing is utterly amazing, either that or immune to heady beer! to all of those fun seekers this weekend, whether it be in SF watching/partaking in bay to breakers or those of us up in mendo county drinking oat sodas & barley pops, have a little more fun...

enjoy ~ eightychoices

ps. it's friday the 13th. the month of may is bringing it.