Latest news with #SanFranciscoRecreationandParks
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
45-foot tall nude woman statue erected in San Francisco plaza for ‘one-of-a kind liquid light show'
A towering 45-foot statue of a naked woman will be officially unveiled on Thursday in San Francisco. The work, 'R-Evolution,' is meant to symbolize female empowerment and strength, and will stand for six months in front of the city's Ferry Building. "This sculpture is about being seen," artist Marco Cochrane said in a March interview with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks agency. "Women's presence in public art is rare. When they are depicted, it is often through outdated or passive narratives. R-Evolution challenges that. She stands strong, aware, and grounded—calling for a world where all people can walk freely and without fear." The project, which reportedly weighs around 32,000 pounds, is comprised of steel rod and tubing arranged in geodesic triangles, joined by 55,000 individual welds. 'R-Evolution,' which has previously appeared in Las Vegas, Petaluma, and at the Burning Man festival, appears to breathe for one hour a day and glows at night. To further amp up the theatrics for the statue's unveiling, a Thursday launch event will feature what organizers say is a 'one-of-a-kind liquid light show,' from Mad Alchemy, a group that does psychedelic light projections at art and music events. The statue has had a long journey to get to the San Francisco waterfront. An attempt to display it at the National Mall was scuttled when city officials revoked permits over concerns that the statue might damage the turf beneath it, according to SFGate. Similar concerns stopped a plan to feature the statue in San Francisco's Union Square earlier this year. The installation in front of the Ferry Building is a collaboration between the artist, the Building 180 creative agency, the Sijbrandij Foundation, and Illuminate, a public arts group known for supporting projects like the famous 'Bay Lights' installation on the Bay Bridge.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
45-foot tall nude woman statue erected in San Francisco plaza for ‘one-of-a kind liquid light show'
A towering 45-foot statue of a naked woman will be officially unveiled on Thursday in San Francisco. The work, 'R-Evolution,' is meant to symbolize female empowerment and strength, and will stand for six months in front of the city's Ferry Building. "This sculpture is about being seen," artist Marco Cochrane said in a March interview with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks agency. "Women's presence in public art is rare. When they are depicted, it is often through outdated or passive narratives. R-Evolution challenges that. She stands strong, aware, and grounded—calling for a world where all people can walk freely and without fear." The project, which reportedly weighs around 32,000 pounds, is comprised of steel rod and tubing arranged in geodesic triangles, joined by 55,000 individual welds. 'R-Evolution,' which has previously appeared in Las Vegas, Petaluma, and at the Burning Man festival, appears to breathe for one hour a day and glows at night. To further amp up the theatrics for the statue's unveiling, a Thursday launch event will feature what organizers say is a 'one-of-a-kind liquid light show,' from Mad Alchemy, a group that does psychedelic light projections at art and music events. The statue has had a long journey to get to the San Francisco waterfront. An attempt to display it at the National Mall was scuttled when city officials revoked permits over concerns that the statue might damage the turf beneath it, according to SFGate. Similar concerns stopped a plan to feature the statue in San Francisco's Union Square earlier this year. The installation in front of the Ferry Building is a collaboration between the artist, the Building 180 creative agency, the Sijbrandij Foundation, and Illuminate, a public arts group known for supporting projects like the famous 'Bay Lights' installation on the Bay Bridge.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Public park site of former Great Highway hit again by graffiti vandals
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — San Francisco Recreation and Parks said more spray-painted messages were discovered Sunday morning at the site of the former Upper Great Highway — now being revitalized into an oceanfront public park. Why was San Francisco City Hall lit red last week? Officials said the graffiti messages included language opposing the site of the soon-to-be opened park, including 'gentriffy (sic)' and 'Your (sic) bringing trouble….' Officials said the San Franciso Police Department and park rangers responded to the incident. Rangers are increasing their patrols in the area. In November, San Franciscans voted to ban cars for a two-mile radius of the Great Highway and transform it into a public park. On March 15, one day after the highway was permanently closed to car traffic between Lincoln Way and Sloat Boulevard, a mural by local artist Emily Fromm at the Judah Street bathroom location was 'heavy vandalized.' 'It's painful to see something meant to uplift the community and celebrate our history be treated with disrespect,' the muralist said in a news release following the incident. Friends of Ocean Beach Park said the recent act of vandalism was removed by Sunday evening thanks to its volunteers and Rec and Parks painters. 'Destructive behavior by a few won't get in the way of our work to make the coast enjoyable and accessible by all,' says Friends of Ocean Beach Park President Lucas Lux. 'There are countless constructive ways to engage in conversations about our city's future, but spray-painting public spaces isn't one of them,' added San Francisco Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. 'We're focused on creating something beautiful for everyone, and that work will continue.' Friends of Ocean Beach Park said despite the incidents, approximately 4,000 people still head to the area each weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Frontrunner emerges in contest to name SF's Great Highway park
The Brief A frontrunner has emerged in the contest to name San Francisco's latest park. The Great Park Naming Contest enters its next phase where the public evaluates suggested names based on a set of criteria. Opponents of the park were vocal in their opposition even in the naming contest. SAN FRANCISCO - Over the past two weeks, San Francisco Recreation and Parks has been taking suggestions on what to name its newest park, which was once the Great Highway. What we know Park officials said they received more than 4,200 entries. Coming in first place was 'Ocean Beach Park' with a total of 178 submissions. Not far behind in second place is 'Snowy Plover Park', named after the city's federally protected shorebirds. Starting on Thursday, the public will get a chance to review a refined list of names based on the results of a survey. The survey looks at the following criteria: Historical Significance; Connection to Nature and Environment; Iconic Placemaking; Community Resonance; and Appropriateness and Clarity. Some of the suggested names expressed frustration with the park, which was heavily opposed in the district of its proposed location. Names like, 'No one in the Sunset Wanted This Park' and 'The Great Mistake' were also submitted. The Great Highway officially closed to vehicular traffic last week as a result of the highly-contested Proposition K that passed in a vote last November. Opponents of the park say they've filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking it. What's next The public will be able to weigh in on the finalists to decide on a name. A timeline shows on April 9, park and rec staff will make recommendations t the Recreation and Park Commission which will determine the final name of the park. The park is slated to open on April 12.
