In the first exhibition at the Fine Arts Museums dedicated to the work of Paul Gauguin (1848–1903), an exceptional display of more than fifty Gauguin paintings, wood carvings, and ceramics from the renowned collections of the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen, will be on view for the first time in San Francisco. Gauguin: A Spiritual Journey presents these pieces alongside Oceanic art and Gauguin works on paper from the Fine Arts Museums’ permanent collections.
The exhibition explores Gauguin’s inner quests and imaginings—his spiritual journey—and how his intimate relationships with his wife, other artists, and people he encountered during his sojourns shaped his experiences, his work, and his development as an artist. What was Gauguin seeking? Above all, he aspired to succeed and innovate as an artist. His relationships with artists and dealers influenced his practice. His artistic quest led him to work in different media, including ceramics and wood, and to travel beyond France to the far reaches of the French colonial empire in the Pacific. He drew inspiration from his visits to remote locales and a vast visual archive of photography and global art that he gathered throughout his life. In Gauguin: A Spiritual Journey, carvings and images from New Zealand, the Marquesas Islands, and Tahiti are included in a chronological presentation spanning Gauguin’s career, from his earliest paintings dating from the 1870s to iconic paintings from his later years in the Pacific, plus more than a dozen ceramics. The stories of Gauguin’s relationships—romantic, platonic, and familial—highlighted throughout the exhibition reveal the struggles, indulgences, awakenings, and betrayals of his personal and professional life that infused his extraordinary and enigmatic art.
Included in the exhibition is a new video work, First Impressions: Paul Gauguin by interdisciplinary artist Yuki Kihara, commissioned by the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Copenhagen. Filmed in Sāmoa, First Impressions features a group of Kihara’s Fa’afafine (or “third gender” in Sāmoan culture) friends critiquing select paintings by Paul Gauguin created during his time in the Pacific.
At the Legion of Honor November 3, 2018- February 24, 2019
This exhibition explores the cultural and material exchanges between India and Europe through jewelry and precious objects ranging from the seventeenth century to the present. It features more than 150 pieces made in India or Europe associated with Mughal emperors, maharajas, and their courts. These objects include jewelry to be worn on ceremonial occasions, weapons such as swords and daggers, and precious works of art for display or use. Diamonds were at the center of this exchange, which, up until the mid-eighteenth century, were mined in India and then traded to Europe where they were often recut in sparkling new forms. European enameling on courtly jewels presented as diplomatic gifts inspired the Mughal courts from the sixteenth century to develop goldsmiths’ work decorated with enamel, a practice that continues in India to this day. In the twentieth century, the exchange ran in the opposite direction through Indian influences and gemstones that inspired the work of the great Parisian jewelry houses. Gender plays a significant role in this exhibition as, contrary to Western expectations, the most splendid jewelry was supplied exclusively for the male rulers of India. Furthermore, great pieces of jewelry conceived to adorn the queens of Europe, such as Catherine the Great of Russia or Empress Eugenie of France, could be happily worn by male maharajas in India.
Their chairs are classics of modern design, but the innovative husband and wife team, Charles and Ray Eames, also made groundbreaking contributions to architecture, industrial design, documentary filmmaking, and design thinking. From their studio in Los Angeles, Charles and Ray developed a design philosophy that continues to resonate with 21st century designers. Docent Speaker: Avril Angevine
At the Oakland Museum October 13, 2018–February 17, 2019:
Fueled by their belief in design as a way of life, the innovative husband and wife duo Charles and Ray Eames were two of the most influential designers of the twentieth century. Go beyond their most well-known designs in this intimate and inspiring exhibition portraying their legacy and lives in California. The Eameses—who founded The Eames Office—valued knowledge and discovery, embraced the joy of trial and error, and saw no separation between life and work. The Oakland Museum’s exhibition, will offer multi-media installations, films, rare prototypes, photography, furniture, toys, products, as well as personal letters, drawings, and artwork, discover the story of the Eameses from a fresh perspective. Explore the breadth of their work across many fields in this interactive exhibition that brings their ideas and playful spirit to life.
Learn How to Write Like Game of Thrones…a Short Story Workshop
Starting September 9th at 1:30 pm and continuing every 2nd Sunday at the same time.
For those who are 16 years old or older.
Please register at the reference desk or call 415-485-3321.
Have you ever wanted to learn how to write rich, vivid characters like George R.R. Martin? How to make intricate plots, how to use foreshadowing, and how to use other literary techniques to write gripping fiction which is not trite?
Learn the methods of writing truly epic fiction at the San Rafael library starting Sunday, September 9th from 1:30-3:00. In our first session we will analyze excerpts from the Game of Thrones novels which are ready-made “teachable moments” for how to write.
In subsequent monthly sessions (always the 2nd Sundays at 1:30) we will analyze short stories produced by participants.
Sessions are led by Steve Gordon, a Yale and Harvard Law graduate who is a prolific writer, editor, and inventor.
Whether you’ve experimented with virtual reality systems or not, here is your chance to try out one of our many games. Fly around the planet and visit distant locations with Google Earth; step into a virtual work world with “Job Simulator;” or solve puzzles as you interact with a cool virtual world with “Retne.”
Reserve your place by stopping by a reference desk or calling the library at (415) 485-3321
You have the option of signing-up to use the Vive, or Oculus Go virtual reality systems. Which should you choose?
The Oculus Go may be a good choice for those who haven’t experienced VR before and want a simple, fun first experience. With the Go you’ll be able to turn your head to see 360-degrees around you, but walking towards something will not bring you any closer to it. In contrast, with the Vive you are able to explore the full digital space that you see. However, the Vive may take a little more time to learn to use.
Whether you’ve experimented with virtual reality systems or not, here is your chance to try out one of our many games. Fly around the planet and visit distant locations with Google Earth; step into a virtual work world with “Job Simulator;” or solve puzzles as you interact with a cool virtual world with “Retne.”
Reserve your place by stopping by a reference desk or calling the library at (415) 485-3321
You have the option of signing-up to use the Vive, or Oculus Go virtual reality systems. Which should you choose?
The Oculus Go may be a good choice for those who haven’t experienced VR before and want a simple, fun first experience. With the Go you’ll be able to turn your head to see 360-degrees around you, but walking towards something will not bring you any closer to it. In contrast, with the Vive you are able to explore the full digital space that you see. However, the Vive may take a little more time to learn to use.
This session has been canceled. Please drop in to our location at the Northgate Mall any time to use our Virtual Reality headsets.
VIVE – Virtual Reality:
Whether you’ve experimented with virtual reality systems or not, here is your chance to try out one of our many games. Fly around the planet and visit distant locations with Google Earth; step into a virtual work world with “Job Simulator;” or solve puzzles as you interact with a cool virtual world with “Retne.”
Reserve your place by stopping by a reference desk or calling the library at (415) 485-3321
Bats are an important part of our worldwide ecosystem, pollinating plants, dispersing seeds, and even eating fish. In Marin they are especially important for helping to control insect populations. Still, bats are very poorly understood. Bat biologist Gabriel Reyes with the USGS is leading an effort to correct this oversight. In this presentation he will tell us about a current bat study that uses acoustic monitoring and mist netting to learn more about the 13 species of bats that may reside on Mt Tamalpais and the surrounding area.
This study is being conducted in collaboration with One Tam, a group composed of the mountain’s four land management agencies. Over the coming years One Tam plans to undertake a variety of projects and programs that are vital to the health of the mountain, enrich the experience of its visitors, and cultivate and educate a new generation of stewards.
Register at Adult Reference or call (415) 485-3321
Join us for crafts with Victoria. For children ages 6 and over. We’ll be decorating bags by ironing different pieces of cloth to make a beautiful design.
The Bay Area Discovery Try It Truck introduces children to the engineering design process and high- and low-tech tools while encouraging them to take risks and try new ideas. Have fun trying a number of different, simple engineering activities.
Their chairs are classics of modern design, but the innovative husband and wife team, Charles and Ray Eames, also made groundbreaking contributions to architecture, industrial design, documentary filmmaking, and design thinking. From their studio in Los Angeles, Charles and Ray developed a design philosophy that continues to resonate with 21st century designers. Docent Speaker: Avril Angevine
