Pixel Vision Archives — Page 101 of 133 — San Francisco Bay Guardian Archive 1966

America’s Next Top Supervisor

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March 31, 2009

Eleven began the competition, but after last week’s spectacular fiasco involving Ross Mirkarimi and a ring-tailed lemur, only five finalists are left to face our panel of sublebrity judges, who reviewed their looks, poise, style, and grace during a session of drunken Googling (Droogling). Which one will receive a $100 modeling contract with Board Babes and a seven-slide spread on HuffPo? Who’s gonna be on top?

THE JUDGES:

Nicole Markoff of local label Nicacelly (www.nicacelly.com), fashion goddess

Anna Conda of clubs Charlie Horse (myspace.com/charliehorsecinch) and Herr-A-Chick, merciless queen

Marke B. of SFBG, noted closet case

THE HOPEFULS:

MICHELA ALIOTO-PIER

Nicole Oh, you round-the-way girl. Peek-a-boo lacey undergarments haven’t looked this good since Jody Watley. As for your slimmed-down bamboo hoops — nice touch! We know you’re feeling underground, all gold chains and sweet blue eyes. Represent!

Anna You’re a beautiful woman with great eyes and hair, but would a little color — just to break up the funeral gray — kill you?

Marke She’s definitely working the "sweet as apple pie," all-American look. But you know that within that pie lurks a coiled python as pink and sweaty as any hot dog, and that’s what brought down the auto industry.

CHRIS DALY

Nicole C-Diddy, you’re pushing up on some Sarah Palin eyewear, but I’m not hating. I’m feeling your approach and evolution, running from the "Didn’t we meet at Pops a couple years ago?" 5 o’clock-smudged hipster through proud beard-papa.

Anna Wha … hunh? Oh, I’m sorry. Just a little nap.

Marke I thought Chris was really going to blow it on the Bollywood challenge, but he barely edged out Jaslene by last-minute waxing his thighs with some packing tape and break dancing right through the herd of elephants. Who’s sari now, Jaslene?

Street Threads: Look of the Day

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March 31, 2009

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See the previous Look of the Day here.

A talk with Steve McQueen

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March 31, 2009

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By Johnny Ray Huston

Steve McQueen’s Hunger brings the story of Bobby Sands to the movie screen. As far as directorial debuts go, McQueen’s is a prodigious, visceral one. While a lot of filmmakers try to create Hitchcock-style suspense movies, in Hunger, McQueen goes deeper than those surface concerns to deliver the type of formal daredevilry and structural experimentation worthy of Hitch. He revives the bio drama genre — more specifically, the political bio drama — with a story of one man starving to death. I spoke on the phone with the Turner Prize-winning artist in January about Hunger and topics ranging from his Queen and Country project (Royal Mail stamps depicting recently deceased UK soldiers) to the 1982 Wimbledon final.

SFBG What is the status of Queen and Country at the moment?
Steve McQueen The Art Fund in England has supported the project, and aligned with me and the relatives. It’s a process. People have to be convinced. I spoke to Gordon Brown a couple of months ago, and he wrote back and is looking into the logistics. It’s something I don’t want to let go of until we get it done.

Steve McQueen photographed by his Queen and Country art project

SFBG It seems there has been a heightened back and forth between the UK art world and feature film, with you and Douglas Gordon, or going back further, people such as Isaac Julien. And also there are filmmakers such as Gus Van Sant, David Lynch, and Michel Gondry, who have had gallery-related projects. By extension, considering you’ve made short works in the art world, I wondered what drew you to want to make a feature for commercial theatres.
SM I can’t answer the question as far as other people are concerned, I can answer simply for me. When I was in art school I wanted to be in film school, and when I was in film school, I wanted to be in art school. I was in NYU for three months but I hated it and left because they wouldn’t allow me to throw a camera up in the air. I went back to London to continue where I’d left off there, within an art context.
That back and forth has always been happening, though. It isn’t exclusive to now. Obviously there’s Warhol and Man Ray. And Ken Russell and so forth.

SFBG I’m glad you bring up Ken Russell — the descriptions I’ve read of [McQueen’s 1993 short film] Bear remind me of the wrestling scene in Women in Love.
SM I never saw it. I saw Tommy.

Still from Steve McQueen’s Bear

SFBG For whatever reason, though, publications such as Artforum have really shifted their emphasis more to film and film-related art in recent years.
SM Feature film is more populist in its content and approach – it reaches more people. The net gets cast broader or wider year after year within the arts.
Also, film has a certain glamour and appeal to the mass public, and if you can cross over, then people love you even more.

The Blender: What we’ve been eating

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March 31, 2009

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By the peckish Guardian staff

(1) Assorted canapes, Secret Garden, SF

(2) Pik-khing bpet, Basil Canteen, SF

(3) 2004 Castle Rock merlot

(4) Lamb brioche with flageolets, L’Ardoise, SF

(5) Chongga kimchi

Local Artist of the Week: Dean Smith

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March 31, 2009

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LOCAL ARTIST Dean Smith

TITLE thought form #13a, 2008, graphite on paper, 24 by 17.8 inches

THE STORY "Revisiting the 1905 spiritualist book Thought Forms by Annie Besant and Charles Leadbeater, I present an updated group of visual thought forms. Composed primarily of graphite on paper, this precise and deliberate series is rooted in my interest in scientific illustration and the concomitant aesthetics of wonder: an old and constant human impulse to render the invisible visible."

BIO Smith lives and works in the East Bay. His work has been collected by the British Museum, L.A. County Museum of Art, the Albright-Knox Gallery of Art, the UCLA Hammer Museum, and the Berkeley Art Museum, among other public collections.

SHOW "thought forms 2003-2009," Wed/1 through April 25 (reception Thu/2, 6–8 p.m.). Tues.–Fri., 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; Sat., 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Gallery Paule Anglim, 14 Geary, SF. (415) 423-2710.

WEB www.deansmith.us

Appetite: She-Crab Soup, hot Pican, a Dogpatch Kitchenette, Cosmpolitan special, and more

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March 31, 2009

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By Virginia Miller

The Cosmopolitan on Spear Street. See “Deals” below.

As long-time San Francisco resident and writer, I’m passionate about this city and obsessed with exploring its best food-and-drink spots, deals, events and news, in every neighborhood and cuisine type. I have my own personalized itinerary service and monthly food/drink/travel newsletter, The Perfect Spot, and am thrilled to share up-to-the minute news with you from the endless goings-on in our fair city each week on SFBG. View the last Appetite installment here.

———————

NEW RESTAURANT and BAR OPENINGS

Awesome sandwiches out of a Dogpatch garage at Kitchenette
Debuting less than two weeks ago out of warehouse in Dogpatch is Kitchenette, a project from chefs who’ve worked at places of such high caliber as Incanto, Chez Panisse and Foreign Cinema, creating daily offerings that are, you guessed it: fresh and seasonal. Check the website for the changing menu which usually consists of a meat and vegetarian sandwiches (occasionally pizza), a salad, fresh juice and cookie. Last week I was converted by the fabulous Bahn Mi-like sandwich of beer & tangerine roasted Berkshire pork ($8) with cilantro, jalapeno, cabbage plus a side of macaroni salad. Washed down with a tart Meyer lemon, tangerine, blood orange juice ($2), I was already planning my next visit. Bring your cash (no other option) and come early because once their daily creations of lunchtime goodness are gone, well… they’re gone.
Monday-Friday, 11:30am-1:30pm or until food runs out
958 Illinois Street (in the American Industrial Center)
www.kitchenettesf.com

Fine dining made more affordable at La Folie’s Lounge
San Fran’s 21-year old French fine dining mecca, La Folie, may not be cheap even in lounge form, but if I don’t have to pay $70 to $105 for the only option of tasting menus in the dining room, I can still make a night of it ordering a la carte in the next door lounge, opening March 31 during their 21st birthday party. You can now eat as little or as much as you wish of the Michelin-starred food given a lounge-twist (think Lobster Croque Monsieurs), cocktail in hand (note: the bar is helmed by Casper Rice of Michael Mina and Rubicon).
2316 Polk Street
415-776-5577
www.lafolie.com

Cafe Altano, a casual, new restaurant in Hayes Valley
Hayes (Valley, that is) is home to a regular foodie row with primo sushi, German food, coffee and chocolate within a couple blocks. Cafe Altano is a humble entry into to the ‘hood, a corner Med-Italian eatery taking over the Modern Tea space (R.I.P.) With pizzas, pastas, mussels, paninis and beers, it sounds like a relaxing late afternoon spot to chill, sitting at the copper bar, communal or sidewalk tables.
602 Hayes Street
415-252-1200

Street Threads: Look of the Day

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March 31, 2009

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SFBG photog Ariel Soto scoops SF street fashion. See the previous Look of the Day here.

Today’s Look: Sam, 26th and Castro

A note from Ariel: “Sam doesn’t know I’m submitting this — but he’s just so darling, I had to!”

Interview part two: author and actor Amber Benson

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March 30, 2009

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By Louis Peitzman

Editor’s note: See below or click here for part one!

San Francisco Bay Guardian: When you were writing Death’s Daughter, did you think about casting any of the characters?

Benson as Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Amber Benson: It’s funny — somebody asked me about that recently, and I was like, I’d love to play [Calliope] myself. But I don’t know, I try not to give actors to the characters when I’m writing, because then, all of a sudden, they’re talking in that person’s voice, and it gets a little muted and weird. So I try to keep them separate, and give them their own sort of — like, I have an idea of what they look like in my head. Like, I always thought Calliope looked like Zooey Deschanel, but less hip. But definitely that elfin sort of look. Also, the character of Jarvis, I did cast, only because I worked with this guy named Ashley Artus on this film called Gryphon, and I’m like, that’s what Jarvis looks like. Jarvis looks like Ashley and sounds like Ashley and is kind of just like Ashley.

SFBG: This was your first solo novel. How was it different writing by yourself instead of with a collaborator?

Street Threads: Look of the Day

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March 30, 2009

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SFBG photog Ariel Soto scoops SF street fashion. See the previous Look of the Day here.

Today’s look: Jocelyn, Hayes and Laguna

Tell us about your look: “As long as you have one robust color on, you can wear all black and you’ll be golden.”

Interview: author and actor Amber Benson

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March 27, 2009

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By Louis Peitzman

Though she’s probably best known for playing Tara on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Amber Benson has kept busy since her three-season stint on the series. A screenwriter, director, and author, she recently released her first solo novel. The first in a trilogy, Death’s Daughter follows Calliope Reaper-Jones as she’s forced to take over for her father (that would be Death) while trying to locate his whereabouts. I spoke to Amber about the origins of the story, her mythologist ambitions, and the future of the series.

San Francisco Bay Guardian: My first question is sort of the obvious one — where did these ideas come from?

Amber Benson: You know, I hadn’t really read a lot of paranormal romance, and then I read Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series, and I was like, this is an awesome genre. I really like it, the paranormal romance-slash-urban fantasy world. And I thought I’d like to try something in that vein. Until then, I’d written mostly horror with a Victorian slant to it, so I started just trying to come up with ideas for something in that genre. And then I was like, well, I love mythology, I love American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Maybe there’s a way to incorporate this mythological sort of context to the paranormal romance. That’s when I came up with the idea of Death’s Daughter. What would happen if death was run like a corporation, and the daughter of Death had to come and take it over because her dad was missing, and she didn’t want any part of it? I guess that’s where the idea came from: working all these things that I liked into a genre I was curious about.

SFBG: So did you end up doing any research, or was this all mythology you were already familiar with?

Street Threads: Look of the Day

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March 27, 2009

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SFBG photog Ariel Soto scoops SF street fashion. See the previous Look of the Day here.

Today’s Look: Tadesse, Gough and Hayes

Tell us about your look: “I’m a ballet dancer, so I don’t have much time to think about what I’m putting on — but I always try to keep it colorful.”

Oh, the Comedy (Central)

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March 26, 2009

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By Natalie Gregory

(Editor’s note: intrepid film intern Gregory reviews a pair of upcoming Comedy Central shows.)

Lt. Dangle protects and serves.

Reno 911!, how come you’re so good? The upcoming sixth season looks pretty spectacular. When Jonah Hill is the guess star of the premiere episode, I think it’s an omen for good things to come. There are some new members of the troop, including Deputy Frank Rizzo (Jo Lo Truglio, who you might remember from Superbad) who has a stocked resume, but no recommendations. A stakeout explains why (think drug busts and prostitutes). New officer Sergeant Jack Declan (Ian Roberts) has a hilarious scene coding out a street kids’ lingo for the happenings on the street. Nick Swardson fans, prepare to laugh out loud in that scene. And of course there’s always Lieutenant Dangle (Thomas Lennon) who utters “Goddamnit!” better than anyone in the world. Side note: it’s always nice to see veterans of The State doing well, even if I still miss “I’m Doug. And I’m outta heeeeeerrre”. When’s The State DVD release gonna happen, already?

Pics: Chocolate love overwhelms Fort Mason

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March 26, 2009

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By Ariel Soto. For more chocolate love (tis the season?) on Pixel Vision, click here.

Chocoholics swarmed Herbst Pavilion March 21st for the 3rd Annual San Francisco International Chocolate Salon at Fort Mason. One had to have sharp elbows and quick maneuvering tactics to get to the tables piled high with samples with everything for durian fruit truffles to, my favorite, locally made chocolate covered Brazilian Honey Cakes by Kika’s Treats. There were also chocolate flavored liquors and Omnivore Books, a bookstore specifically dedicated to books on food and drink. Something for everyone — and I left shaking from so much caffeine and chocolate goodness running through my veins, my fingers sticky and stained a rich, luscious color.

Street Threads: Look of the Day

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March 26, 2009

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SFBG photog Ariel Soto scoops SF street fashion. See the previous Look of the Day here.

Today’s Look: Stefanie, Market and Hyde

Tell us about your look: “I love mixing old vintage pieces with new clothes.”

Janus A.D.: David Enos strikes again

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March 25, 2009

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David Enos is a man of many talents: artist, musician, moviemaker. He recently had a show of art at [2nd floor projects], he’s made a lot of great comic books in the last few years, he did the covers (vinyl and CD) for the new album by the group he’s in, Papercuts. And now, Mr. Enos the director steps behind and in front of the camera once again to add a small chapter to a filmography that includes animated portraits of Jim Morrison, Dennis Wilson, and Leonard Cohen.

His latest effort adds a personalized twist to the great Damon Packard‘s flair for making movies that are previews. Witness Enos as the handsome caped romantic lead of Janus A.D., “an entirely different motion picture experience.”

Shout-out to 50 hot local fashion designers

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March 25, 2009

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By Juliette Tang and Laura Peach

San Francisco’s fashion scene is vibrantly alive. In our city, you can find almost any garment you want, whether it be a new pair of yoga pants or some crushed velvet medieval slippers, straight out of the studio of a local designer. We love supporting local culture, and we love that there are so many talented designers out there contributing to the melting pot that is San Francisco style.

Besides those we featured in this week’s Spring Fashion Issue, we want to give some shout outs to 50 designers who’ve been on our radar lately. These individuals each have a unique approach to fashion, but together, they contribute to the vast diversity and uniqueness of our distinctly San Franciscan fashion culture.

Distilled Clothing

MEN
1. Printed playful hoodies: Gama-Go
2. Fashionable urban dandywear: Nice Collective
3. Hip-hop flavored urban streetwear: Upper Playground
4. Sexy undies for men: Diane Kirkland of DMK
5. Clothes for art/fashion rockstars: Shotwell
6. Loud and colorful nu rave hoods: Official Tourist
7. Casual daytime menswear: Artificial Flavor
8. Tongue-in-cheek geek chic: Distilled

The zombies are coming!!!

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March 25, 2009

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Warning, San Franciscans, we’ve just received word of an imminent zombie attack! This is not a drill, I repeat, THIS IS NOT A DRILL! Guardian intelligence operatives tell us the attack should begin around 4 p.m. in the vicinity of Market and 5th streets. Humans, hide your children or show up with your cameras. Zombies, prepare to eat some brains!

Street Threads: Look of the Day

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March 25, 2009

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SFBG photog Ariel Soto scoops SF street fashion. See the previous Look of the Day here.

Today’s Look: Aisha, Civic Center

Tell us about your look: “I made this dress from material I bought in Ghana. This is an everyday sort of dress they would wear in Ghana.”

Local Artist of the Week: Todd Sanchioni

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March 24, 2009

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LOCAL ARTIST Todd Sanchioni

TITLE Laos Rockers

THE STORY Sanchioni traveled throughout Laos recording musicians and taking portraits with a Mamiya 6 by 7 and a 35mm camera. Visitors can listen to a portable CD player or download and listen to a podcast while at the resulting show of work.

SHOW "The Changing Face of Laos Through its Music," through April 18. Call for an appointment to guarantee viewing. Reception: Thurs/26, 6–10 p.m. Artists’ Television Access, 992 Valenica, S.F. 415- 824-3890. www.atasite.org.

WEB www.fotosanchioni.com

The Blender: What we’ve been eating

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March 24, 2009

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By the peckish Guardian staff

(1) Michelle Obama’s creamless creamed spinach

(2) Sonoma duck breast and ginger milk caramel ice cream, bushi-tei, SF

(3) 2005 Chateau La Paws Cote du Bone Roan

(4) Power lunch, Luce, SF

(5) Mint tea, SF Zen Center

Ok, so I liked “Twilight.” So what?

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March 24, 2009

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By Natalie Gregory

Editor’s note: Twilight is now available On Demand and on DVD. Even if you haven’t read the books, and even if you avoided the theatrical release, you might still be powerless. Read on…

I’m just going to come out and say it. I liked Twilight (2008). I liked it so much I can’t wait to go home and watch it again before it expires in my On Demand. I have come to the conclusion that I must be a 14-year-old girl. I was consumed by the whole lusty, breathy, forbidden teenage love affair of the century. So he’s a vampire. And he wants nothing more than to suck her dry. The very first moment she enters the room, he looks like he is going to vomit with lust. They don’t really explain the attraction between the two, except that she is delicate and reflective, he is beautiful and powerful, and he can’t read her mind like he does everyone else. No matter. They are drawn to one another. This is probably explanation enough. The actors are so good-looking you forget to ask questions. Why ruin it?

As far as sexual tension goes….nailed it! The scene that really did it for me (and probably millions of my fellow mental and literal 14-year-olds) is when he attempts to kiss her. He instructs her to be very still. He moves in ever so slowly. They kiss. But the excitement forces him back against the wall in restraint. Right then it hit me: they are only going to be able to keep this abstinence thing going for so long. The audience will consummate for them if they can’t do the job. Congratulations Summit Entertainment. I am now invested in the fate of the Twilight series. Hats off to the casting directors.

Street Threads: Look of the Day

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March 24, 2009

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SFBG photog Ariel Soto scoops SF street fashion. See the previous Look of the Day here.

Today’s Look: Wallace, Laguna and Hayes

Tell us about your look: “Wallace Berman is my fashion inspiration.”

The Larder: Willy Wonka and the (raw) chocolate factory

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March 23, 2009

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Diana Dunkelberger gets the scoop on yummy local edibles. View her last installment here.

I haven’t yet had the pleasure of meeting the 20-something pastry chefs who left Café Gratitude to found Coracao Confections, a raw chocolate company based in Emeryville. But I imagine, based on their bubblingly exuberant website, that Matthew Rogers and Daniel Korson are a little bit like younger, hipper versions of Willy Wonka, the twinkly-eyed chocolatier from Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

“We LOVE good food and good chocolate!” Matthew and Daniel exclaim in the secret section of their site, where they chronicle their long love affair with all foods raw. “We became inspired to eat more RAW, MINERAL RICH foods after experiencing the clarity and energy it brought us first-hand,” they explain. “After about five years of working in the raw food industry, reading books, taking classes, teaching classes, going to cutting edge, raw superfood seminars, and TONS of experimenting we finally hit the JACKPOT and developed our line of signature chocolates.”

Come aboard, they’re expecting you

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March 23, 2009

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By Natalie Gregory

Cruise Inc: Big Money on the High Seas — CNBC’s new documentary about the $30 billion cruise industry — certainly illustrates how arduous it can be to make people drink constantly. Cruise ships are like floating consumption carriers. From what I understand, they offer decent deals on the rooms. Then you enter the ship, and they bombard you with casinos, shops, and overpriced restaurants because you’re trapped. It’s like being in an airport with a pool and more children getting in your way.

There’s got to be a morning after…

In the doc, Peter Greenberg investigates the business model specifically on the Norwegian Pearl of Norwegian Cruise Line. He examines day-to-day operations and tries to hone in on the cost of both consumer and cruise line. The overall point Greenberg is after is whether or not this type of vacation is more economically viable during a recession. That, or whether the industry is headed for disaster because of economic downturns. While cruise lines sell on the idea of consumer choice, at the end of the day, you’re stuck on a boat. Sure you get off at ports. But then they herd you off to spend more money on local tours. But that’s just me. Either way, Cruise Inc. offers an interesting look at the travel industry and the billions of dollars at stake in it.

Cruise Inc. airs Tues/24 at 9 p.m. on CNBC.

Check CNBC’s website for repeats.