Crown Point Press—a fine art print publisher, gallery and independent bookstore founded in 1962 by master printer and writer Kathan Brown—is a hidden gem tucked away around the corner from SFMOMA at 20 Hawthorne Street.
By Paul Duclos
Published: November, 2012
Crown Point Press—a fine art print publisher, gallery and independent bookstore founded in 1962 by master printer and writer Kathan Brown—is a hidden gem tucked away around the corner from SFMOMA at 20 Hawthorne Street.
The artists who have worked at Crown Point Press making etchings are representative of a wide variety of contemporary art approaches, and many of them live in countries other than the United States. In addition to books, Crown Point also sells unique and exquisite printmaking supplies.
Available for purchase this month is Know That You Are Lucky – Brown’s memoir. This unlikely story takes us through the ups and downs of fifty years at Crown Point Press. Brown brings to life her interactions with an array of artists, interweaving her own fascinating family history with responses to devastating world events, travels to exotic places, and reflections on her readings in art and philosophy as well as social, political and economic history.
Uncovering Ellison’s Art
Next summer, as the America’s Cup Challenger Series takes to San Francisco Bay, the Asian Art Museum will feature an exhibition of Japanese art from the rarely seen collection of Larry Ellison, Oracle CEO and owner of ORACLE TEAM USA, defender of the 2013 America’s Cup.
In the Moment: Japanese Art from the Larry Ellison Collection will introduce approximately 80 exceptional artworks spanning 1,300 years. The exhibition explores the dynamic nature of art selection and display in traditional Japanese settings, where artworks are often temporarily presented in response to a special occasion or to reflect the change of seasons. In the Moment also considers Ellison’s active involvement in displaying art in his Japanese-style home, shedding light on his appreciation for Japan’s art and culture.
Included in the exhibition are significant works by noted artists of the Momoyama (1573–1615) and Edo (1615–1868) periods along with other important examples of religious art, lacquer, woodwork and metalwork. Highlights include a 13th–14th century wooden sculpture of Shotoku Taishi; six-panel folding screens dating to the 17th century by Kano Sansetsu; and 18th century paintings by acclaimed masters Maruyama Okyo and Ito Jakuchu.
"This exhibition offers a rare glimpse of an extraordinary collection," said Jay Xu, director of the Asian Art Museum. "We aim to present it in a fresh and original way that explores traditional Japanese principles governing the relationship of art to our surroundings and social relationships."
The exhibition is organized by the Asian Art Museum and curated by Dr. Laura Allen, the museum’s curator of Japanese art, and Melissa Rinne, associate curator of Japanese art, in consultation with Ellison’s curator, Dr. Emily Sano.
The exhibition will be on view from June 28 through September 22, 2013. The Asian Art Museum will serve as the only venue for the exhibition. For more information, see www.asianart.org.
SF Opera Teams with PBS
San Francisco Opera announced plans to tape the company’s presentation of composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer’s award-winning opera Moby-Dick, for broadcast on PBS’s Great Performances, a production of THIRTEEN for WNET.
This live-to-tape broadcast will be produced by San Francisco Opera’s production team in collaboration with WNET using the Company’s own HD media facilities to capture Moby-Dick’s dramatic stage action and critically acclaimed musical score. While no specific broadcast air date has been scheduled at this time, it is anticipated that San Francisco Opera’s presentation of Moby-Dick will be seen nationwide in 2013.
"After a 10-year hiatus we are delighted to be back with our first nationally televised production, greatly facilitated by our in-house Koret-Taube Media Suite and our resident production crew," said General Director David Gockley. "Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer’s opera Moby-Dick and its stage production are distinguished achievements and we are thrilled to partner once again with Great Performances in getting San Francisco Opera productions out to a wider audience."
San Francisco Opera’s HD taping of Moby-Dick for Great Performances will be video directed by Frank Zamacona, a veteran director of more than 42 operas for San Francisco Opera. Zamacona has also directed for Seattle Opera and the Opera Company of Philadelphia.
