The Blog

Yesterday, I got a sneak peek at SFMOMA’s upcoming photo exhibit, "Photography in Mexico." Man, you guys are in for a solid show. 

Enrique Metinides, "Rescate de un ahogado en Xochimilco con público reflejado en el agua," (Retrieval of a drowned body from Lake Xochimilco with the public reflected in the water), 1960; gelatin silver print; 13 3/4 x 20 3/4 in.; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Anonymous Fund purchase; © Enrique Metinides 

The installation captures life in Mexico with an artistic edge, spanning political and cultural reconstruction of the 1920s to the current turmoil in US-bordering locales. Jessica McDonald, curator of the collection, is excited to present a really solid set of shutterbugs and their crafts. She says the exhibition is a work in progress, because it’s meant to continually raise awareness about the lives of the Mexican people and the political injustices they suffer on the daily. The installation not only features images shot in Mexico, but especially showcases Mexican photographers and their point of view with realist, mostly-black and white documentary photography. An expertise SFMOMA is definitely known for.

Nacho López, "Constructores de ataúdes, Calle Nonoalco, Ciudad de México" (Coffin Manufacturers, Nonoalco Street, Mexico City), 1959; printed later; gelatin silver print; 10 1/4 in. x 8 3/4 in. (26.04 cm x 22.23 cm); Collection of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; © Estate of Nacho López

Some highlights of the collection include Rodrigo Moya's portrait of Che Guevara ("Che melancólico, La Habana, Cub"), Mexican photographer Mariana Yampolsky's shot "En la tienda," and Manuel Álvarez Bravo's 1934 masterpiece "Obrero en huelga, asesinado." 

Alejandro Cartagena, "Fragmented Cities, Juarez #2" from the series Suburbia Mexicana, 2007; inkjet print; 20 x 24 in.; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Accessions Committee Fund purchase; © Alejandro Cartagena

My favorite print was an image of an immigrant's "drop point", shot in San Diego county's Oceanside, CA - only about a 15-minute drive from where I grew up. The surreal image was captured in Mexican photojournalist Susan Meiselas' "11:00 de la mañana, 'punto de bajada' cerca de la antopista estatal 5, Oceanside, California" from the series Cuceros. So trippy. You'll have to check out the exhibit to witness it in person. 

Graciela Iturbide, "La Nuestra Senora de las Iguanas, Juchitan, Oaxaca, Mexico" (Our Lady of the Iguanas, Juchitan, Oxaca, Mexico), 1979; gelatin silver print; 17 5/16 x 14 7/16 in.; San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, gift of the artist; © Graciela Iturbide

The stunning collection opens to the public on Saturday and runs until July 8th. The SFMOMA's free on the first Tuesday of each month, and there's a bunch of excellent upcoming events celebrating Photography in Mexico that you can check out on the SFMOMA site.

Here it is, friends, a list of reasons to stay off Facebook and get out into the physical world this weekend. When else will you get to experience an Asian-style night market in a ramen joint, a comedy night in a gorgeous loft, a hobbit party in an art gallery, and other very fun stuff?

On a Mission (Thurs.-Sun.) Ken Ken Ramen turns its noodle factory into Mission Night Market, an eclectic gathering of palm readers, terrarium makers, artists, surfers, campers, chefs, and more, this weekend. It runs from 6 p.m. til late Thurs-Sat.

Going on a Date (Fri.) I've been eagerly anticipating a Barn Owl reunion with Date Palms ever since we booked both bands to play the Zen Center last fall. Layers of dreamy and drony instrumental music never sounded so good together. The two bands perform on an excellent bill that also includes Ensemble Economique and Super 8mm films by Paul Clipson at The Lab at 8 p.m. Friday.

Work It Out (Fri.) Comedy clubs are great and all but that two drink minimum kills me every time. My cheapskate side would rather hit a budget comedy show with drinks at corner store prices. Engine Works hosts a night of ha has with top local talent at a price that leaves money in your wallet for the rest of the weekend.

Drink with Unresolved Lovers (Fri.) The intriguingly named bar The Unresolved Love Life of Evelyn Lee is now open. The masterminds behind Dear Mom barely got you stoked on one new watering hole before they opened another. Contrast and compare.

Meditate on the Weekend (Fri.) Those looking to settle their active minds without losing a punk edge might want to check out Dharma Punx, a group that sits together every Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Inner Richmond.

Make it a Hobbit (Sat.) If all this sounds too mundane to you, you could always check out the Hobbit exhibit and chowder tasting at Frankenart Mart the Inner Richmond on Saturday afternoon.

I know it's only Wednesday, but save some space in your stomach and on your calendar this weekend for the debut of Shelter SF: a brand new pop-up restaurant by Jaime Tjahaja. Shelter will take over Dear Mom in the Mission this Sunday (March 11),  from 6-11 p.m.

This will be the first venue for the ephemeral eatery, but Jaime's had it in the works for a while now. He's been growing his own produce at community gardens and cooking for the last year with Lazy Bear, a reservation-only, undisclosed, every-so-often underground restaurant.

Jaime himself explains the new endeavor very well: 

"The concept evolved as an outlet for simple, but very delicious food, which is seasonally driven by the produce available, but also very much at home in a bar with a variety of beers and whiskeys. It's the food I'd eat if I were out at a bar and could make anything. I want this to be a great experience for foodies and non-foodies alike. The menu is simple, the food straightforward, but with very high attention to detail and execution, all with the best produce I can afford."

The "best produce I can afford" actually sounds pretty great, with fruit and veg coming from farms like Lacopi, bread from Acme, meat from Golden Gate Meat Co., and everything else from Rainbow. The menu really does sound like a fresh, dressed-up take on bar food, with dishes like fried brussel spouts, pork shoulder tacos, and a cast-iron seared grilled cheese. Despite the fancy twist, everything is still between 4 and 10 dollars.

Check out the menu, wipe your mouth, and mark your calendar. 

See you there!

Ever since I got an iPhone, my Canon S90's been gathering dust on the shelf. Taking photos with my iPhone and using Instagram has become my new addiction. I love being able to post photos immediately, but more than that, the medium has trained me to see the world in a whole new way: as an artful composition that fits into a square. 

Photographers Travis Jensen and Brad Evans (who shot photos for their book and TBI story, "Tenderloin USA") have been using their iPhones and the various lens and film emulsions offered by the Hipstamatic app, taking candids and street portraits of people they've encountered in the city. Travis and Brad have compiled some of their favorites for #iSnapSF, which not only includes their striking photos, but also field notes describing who's in the pic and what was going on when they shot it.

Here are a few of my favorite photos featured in #iSnapSF.

Buy a copy of #iSnapSF for $14. Proceeds from sales of are being donated to Larkin Street Youth Services. Find more of Brad and Travis' photos at City Snaps. And if you're interested, you can find me on Instagram @sarahmhan.