Perhaps my first (improper) introduction to street art was the documentary film Exit Through the Gift Shop that showed the rise and fall fame of its practitioners. Although the definition of street arts associating with guerrilla-style stencil tags may be far-off from traditional fine arts; I find the concept of spontaneous mural “painting” was visually compelling and also quite thought provoking. In the Bay Area, there is a certain event that beautifully blurs the line between street arts and fine arts.

On the sunny day of June, I crossed the Golden Gate Bridge to reach Marin County to catch the annual Italian Street Painting festival that took place in downtown San Rafael.

Italian Street Painting Marin is non-profit event organized every year that showcases the fine art of street painting and supports quality arts-based programs in Marin County (excerpted from the organization’s website). Over one weekend of summer, artists from all over the world gather to paint the streets in colorful chalks. Streets become artists’ canvas and the blocks of downtown transform into imagination’s playground.

The moment I parked my car on C Street (thanks to the person who peeled out from the meter just as I made a turn into the busy street) the liveliness of art community in San Rafael has welcomed me with  warm embrace. It was quite evident to see the bloom of art culture in this part of town as I walked past the art supply store and old school cinema sign shimmering in daylight. Unlike extremely gentrified side of San Francisco, downtown San Rafael was chic with good small town vibe (Hint: less hipstery).

At first I was not sure if I can locate the event easily, but as I made a turn on A Street towards 5th Avenue the big event banner quickly confirmed my sense of direction wasn’t all that bad. Right in front of the main entrance was kids zone where a flock of children was avidly doodling the pictures coming straight out from their imagination.

When I arrived at the event around noon on Saturday, most of the canvas–small sections of the road reserved by sponsors for artists–was blank and all I could see was slight blueprints of what to be realized in next two days. Browsing through these empty canvases was also interesting act, and I quite enjoyed guessing the elements that lead up to the complete work. Each artist was wearing long brimmed hats and because of the direct sun from the above their faces were hidden under the dark cast of shadows. This imagery somehow synchronized with the theme of masquerade that I have witnessed in almost every painting as well as occasional appearance of masked persona throughout the event.

It was unfortunate that I was not able to stay at the event until the end to witness the completed works, but the process of painting was truly awe inspiring and I quite enjoyed the conversation with some of the artists. These chalk arts will only be there for the weekend and will get erased in time, but knowing its ephemeral life span also makes this event an “experience.” It is almost like watching the aurora borealis that you can only glance at it when you are lucky to win the nature’s whimsical favor. Being there at the very moment was an experience. Who knows, one of the artists in this video might be BANKSY in disguise… but then again, nobody needs to know that to be part of the experience.

For full list of artists participated this year’s event please visit here.

Highly recommended event to follow. [end]

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（日本語）

有終の美について考えてみました。
始まりがあるものには終わりがある。
そして終わりがあるからこそ「いま」が尊い。
いつその「いま」が終わってしまうか判らないからはらはらする。はらはらするからスリルがあって面白い。
生活にしても芸術にしても、
そんなちぐはぐしたバランスがメリハリを生み出すものです。

先日はサンフランシスコの北対岸に位置するサンラファエルの町まで、Italian Street Painting Marinなるイベントに行ってきました。

ストリート・アートというとBANKSYのようなゲリラ的なスプレーアートや突発的で社会批判的なメッセージ性の強いものが最も代表的で、クラシカルな絵画とは縁が遠いように感じますが、このイベントはあえてクラシカル嗜好のアートワークをダウンタウンの路上にチョークで描くという面白い試みを実施しています。イタリアではこういう芸術が国から支援されてあちこちで実施されているのかと考えるとアメリカの芸術界はまだまだこれからかな・・・としみじみ感じます。

年にたった一度だけ。それも週末だけの短い即興的な展示会。
それは儚いチョークのパステルカラーで描かれるひと夏の思い出のようで終わりまで輝き続ける匿名希望のマスク舞踏会でした。

この企画に興味がある方は是非ウェブサイトをご覧ください。

Every Friday people from all over Bay Area escapes their office cubicles to hit up the best happy hour in Peninsula. This is Beer Garden Friday event at Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company in San Carlos.

There will be music, there will be food trucks (by Off the Grid), there will be even video game arcade, and yes of course, beers… a cascade amount of beers. Do not hesitate to attend the festivity even if you are non-drinker as this place also serves delicious home-brewed root beers for sober partiers and minors. You will actually be surprised to see how many families with small children are at this happy hour. The place perfectly delivers the inviting mood and has something for everyone.

So in this video I have captured the lively vibe of the event and how the things can get really exciting once the music kicks in. Reminding us beer and music are the best amalgamation of joyous life. I want to take a second and note about the music here – Monkey – is a local ska musicians from San Jose who has been active since the 90s and still going strong with their instantly danceable horn driven crescendo. At every Beer Friday event (particularly the ones on the last Friday of month) the brewery invites various local bands to add spice of music to this feel good gathering of friends and families. Strangers become friends, and real friends get down on the dance floor with you.

Some snaps from the previous Beer Friday:

So be sure to mark your calendar in advance and not be forgetful about this exciting event (I have been snoozing off for past 9 or 10 months of occurrences). I’m sure your co-workers and friends will appreciate a little outdoor beer garden action right in the heart of Peninsula. After all, it’s Friday!

As a side note, there is also a winery located diagonally across the street from Devil’s Canyon which is also fine alternative if you fancy grapes over grains.

Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company
The brewery is only open to the public on Fridays from 4-9pm with live music, Food Trucks from Off the Grid and are family and well-behaved pet friendly. On the last Friday of the month they keep their doors open until 11pm with 2 bands. The rest of the month the space is an event center available to rent for corporate events, weddings, birthday parties, and other goodies.

Event Calendar: http://devilscanyon.com/events/month/
Event Rental: Events@DevilsCanyon.com

Check out MONKEY for body shaking ska experience!
Go support local scene. [end]
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（日本語）

北カリフォルニアのベイエリアには、サンフランシスコと南のシリコンバレーの間に挟まれるようにして位置するペニンシュラ（半島）と呼ばれる地区があります。ここには日本人の駐在員の方々も多くお仕事されているので、割とおすすめな居酒屋さんや和食料理店が多く存在しているのですが、知る人ぞ知るクラフトビールの製造工場なんかもあるのです。

日本でビアガーデンと言えばサラリーマンにとっては夏場のオアシスといったところでしょうか？カリフォルニアでは気候がほぼ一定しているので一年通して屋 外でビールを楽しめる場所がいくつもあります。今回紹介したいのはペニンシュラの中心、サン・カルロスにあるDevil’s Canyon Brewing Companyで毎週金曜日に催されるBEER FRIDAYなる素晴らしいハッピーアワーです。

ハッピーアワーというとどれくらいハッピーなのだろう？と、意地悪なことを考えてしまう自分ですが、ここのハッピーアワーは本当にハッピーなんです。まず入場料が無料。そして敷地内にはOff the Gridのフードトラックがぎっしり。これだけでも個人的には満足なのですが、工場内のイベントスペースでは地元のバンドが音楽の演奏もしていて、それがまたかなりビールと合うんですね。ちなみに工場オリジナルのパイントグラスを持っていけば割安でビールが買えるので、始めて行くときにはゲットしておくことをおすすめします。

ビデオで使用している曲は前回のBEER FRIDAYでステージに立ったMONKEYというバンド。ホーン楽器がとことんと使われているあげあげのスカサウンドを鳴らす彼らはほぼ地元であるサンノゼ出身です。演奏者の選択も実に巧妙で、前座には60年代ロックっぽいサウンドを出す同じく地元のバンドが起用されていました。

通常ハッピーアワーと言うと大人たちだけで集まっての飲み会という空気がつきものですが、小さな子供を連れたファミリーも多く参加していて、実に老若男女誰でも楽しめる雰囲気がばっちり演出されています。子供に邪魔されずに思い切り飲み騒ぎたい！という人にはあまり合わないかもしれませんが、案外美味しい自家製ルートビア（アルコール性の無いソフトドリンク）もあるので、無飲酒の方でも気兼ねなく参加できるイベントです。

なにはともあれ、澄み切った青空の下で冷えたビールを飲める喜びは全国どこも共通していることは言うまでもありませんね。是非、イベントカレンダーで次の開催日を確認してみてください。

Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company
ビアガーデンイベントは毎週金曜日、午後４時から９時まで。音楽とfood truckも集まり、小さなお子様やペットにもフレンドリーなイベントです。毎月最終金曜日は特別に午後１１時までの開催で、地元から選りすぐりの２バンドを迎えて盛り上がります。
ビアガーデンの行われる日以外はイベントセンターを企業イベント、結婚式、誕生日会、その他のパーティー用に貸し出しています。詳しくは下のメールアドレスまでご連絡を。

Event Calendar: http://devilscanyon.com/events/month/
Event Rental: Events@DevilsCanyon.com

Dear readers,

As always, welcome and thanks for visiting Poached Egg Quest!
I just finished celebrating one year anniversary of this little adventure in writing and photography (Poached Egg turned one year old this past April 🙂 ) and was pondering what is going to be the next step for this project. I came to the realization that addition of little video segments may be something interesting for everyone to see.
Not quite sure how this will go, but let’s see. You will be the judge.

Before moving further I must give you some context.
I recently bought Sony A7-ii, which is much anticipated  follow up to Sony’s mirrorless full-frame camera–A7–that was introduced couple years back. A7-ii has some cool revamp to the previous model including mighty 5-axis in-camera image stabilization which opened whole new possibilities in video recording and I am pretty enthralled by it.

So that’s the basic idea how I came about this new direction in video.
I am now in full action to shoot videos along with my usual drill with still photos! This is rather exciting news as some of you may know, I am coming from video/film production background and have been neglecting on my passion in videography for long while. Now I have a great companion in my hands to take the quest to next level. I am stoked, and I hope you are too 🙂

So what you should expect to see?
Good question.
Starting this post, you will start to see “video type” posts featuring short clips that capture the atmosphere of place, event, people, community, and activity around the world… starting from the humble beginning at my doorsteps in San Francisco. Each segment of video will put focus on one of the elements mentioned above.
Stay tuned and you will be in the know of many exciting things happening around San Francisco Bay Area and beyond — doesn’t that sound fun?

As for the first part of the series (tadaa!) I already choose the best one…  Here it goes.

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#001 – Stonestown Farmers Market (San Francisco, CA)

Location: Stonestown Galleria
When: Sunday 9am – 1pm, Year Round
Map:
Website

When I first moved to San Francisco in the summer of 2013, I was so new to the farmers market culture and this city’s communal sense of responsibility in sustainable living. Especially, moving from larger cities like Los Angeles and London the expenditure of resources seemed rather natural part of living and abundance of supplies often disillusioned me into excess.

In all frankness, it took a while for me to get used to the 25 cent charge on paper bags at grocery store and I was not very keen on buying local craft over giant corporate supply and justify the extra bucks spent on ‘organic’ goods. Although I am still not 100% sold on the whole idea (the idea of paying more particularly), now I can kind of see how the positive aspects of making such choice exist. I think not many other cities in US offer these options to people or even make people aware of it at all.

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The first time I’ve visited Stonestown Farmers Market, which is located just 5 minutes drive away from my previous home, made me realize what the city of San Francisco is made of. This city truly knows the meaning of phrase “quality over quantity” and markets are overflowing with fresh-from-farm quality products. All the local farmers at the market has pride in their products and really assuring to think you are buying something that you know it was grown with care.

Stonestown Farmers Market takes place in the parking lot behind the massive shopping galleria right off 19th Avenue (gateway to State Route 1) and Winston Drive. Every Sunday morning from 9am until 1pm, people from all around San Francisco come here with tote bag and hungry stomach to buy fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, eggs, honey, and other local crafts as they sample through berries and peaches along the way. There are also live music performers on site to entertain the people enjoying flavorful Indian curry, ramen, rotisserie chicken, and banh mi sandwich bought from the local vendors.

The market also has inflated playhouse for kids, and cool coffee stand called Gaga Coffee that drips some delicious pour over. This is place not only to sort out your grocery list, but it is also a place for wonderful pastime with friends and family. Even on the day with overcast foggy weather this place always offers vivid colors and liveliness of San Francisco’s cultural legacy. [end]

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（日本語）

このシリーズではちいさなビデオクリップと共に日々の中での発見とサンフランシスコのおすすめを紹介していきます。

第一弾の今回はSonestown Farmers Marketの紹介をします。
まずはビデオをどうぞ。

サンフランシスコの郊外、サンセット地区の南にあるStonestown Galleriaでは毎週日曜日の朝から昼にかけて市場が催されます。

ここでは地元の農場で栽培飼育された野菜や果物、肉や卵などはもちろん、他にも地元の業者の方々が作った料理や石鹸などを買うことが出来ます。こういうイベントが年中とおしてあるというのも農業が盛んな北カリフォルニアならではですが、もやもやと霧がかった日や雨の日でも決行するまさに自然と一体化したイベントなのです！

ビデオの背景に流れる東洋風の弦楽器の音色は、先週この市場で演奏していた（おそらく）中国人のアーティストによるものです。こういうアジアン的なアートが自然と場を彩っているのもアジア人口の多いサンフランシスコならではですね。

場所へのアクセスはバスか電車が便利です。Daly CityのBARTの駅から28番のバスをFort Mason（北）に向かって乗り、Winston Driveの大きなモールのところで降りればそこから徒歩で8分ほどです。

もやもやと霧の多いサンセット地区ですが、曇り空にも負けないくらいカラフルで活気のある市場の雰囲気を是非一度味わってみてください！