What’s the story behind a work of art? You could make like that bammer guy at the gallery opening and schmooze the into a corner artist, force them to tell you the story behind every single piece when they should be taking shots and turning up in paparazzi photos — or you could just hang with us. We asked SF wheatpaste artist D Young V what the deal was behind his “Make An Effort” show opening at White Walls on Sat/9. Turns out, he’d reimagined what his buddies would be doing after the City By the Bay went Mad Max on us. Post apocalyptic bike messengers? We’ll let him tell you himself.
San Francisco Bay Guardian: We’re intrigued by the artist statement — you asked San Franciscans to imagine themselves post-apocalypse? Explain?
DYV: (This is about the piece you see on this post) Aaron is a Tenderloin-based fine artist and extremely talented graphic designer. We’ve worked together on a number of occasions. He is one of the friendliest people I have ever met, and also an avid bicycle rider. The “A.C.S.” on his helmet stands for Armed Courier Services. This is sort of a rogue group of messengers in this world that handle the delivery of information, mail, packages, and the transportation of people through neigborhoods and cities (for the right price). They are an armed force that has taken on the roles of bike messenger, post office, and sometimes private security. They are more like a mercenary group or extremely organized militia, but also a necessary part of the city’s movement and traffic of information and goods. I thought Aaron would be a good candidate for this piece due to his bike riding and extremely high level of organization. I wanted to get his unique personality [to come out] through the piece as well. Despite the fact that he is holding an Uzi over his shoulder, he appears very approachable and friendly. Though nobody would be aware of this but Aaron and I, the color of the arrows represents the color of his helmet in real life. I am intrigued by his helmet and wanted to incorporate it somehow in the piece, if only symbolically. The handprint on the botton of his piece is his.
“Make An Effort: New Works by D Young V”
Through July 30
Opening reception: Sat/9 7-11 p.m., free
White Walls
835 Larkin, SF
(415) 931-1500