The San Francisco Arts Commission opened a new exhibition in June as part of its Galleries Art at City Hall program. The exhibition, The Bridge Builders, showcases the workers who constructed the new East Span of the Bay Bridge.
The Bridge Builders exhibit, currently running at San Francisco City Hall, showcases the workers who constructed the East Span of the new Bay Bridge in 85 stunning photographs by Joe Blum. © Joseph A. Blum
BC Staff Report
Published: July, 2013
The San Francisco Arts Commission opened a new exhibition in June as part of its Galleries Art at City Hall program. The exhibition, The Bridge Builders, showcases the workers who constructed the new East Span of the Bay Bridge.
In 85 stunning photographs by Joe Blum, the exhibition captures the human spirit, strength and ingenuity behind the new East Span. Carefully documenting the bridge project in photographs since its inception in 1998, Blum’s photos draw from his unique perspective as a boilermaker, shipfitter and welder. While the artist has photographed all aspects of the structure’s erection, the people who labor to build the new bridge hold the greatest interest for Blum. It’s clear from the artist’s treatment of his subjects that these individuals are an imperative piece of the project’s puzzle.
Blum said, "There would not be a bridge without the men and women who are building it. They are the ones who have transformed the ideas of the bridge designers, architects and engineers from blueprints and drawings into a living structure of steel and concrete."
The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, is currently staged on the ground floor of San Francisco City Hall and runs through September 27.
An artist’s reception will be held on July 11 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
