The Styrous® Viewfinder: 02/01/2012

February 14, 2012

Year of The Dragon

(click on any image to start slideshow)

I remember going to see the San Francisco Chinese New Year parade from the time I was a little kid into my twenties. In those days the parade went along Grant Avenue in Chinatown. The streets were jammed with people but you could see because the crowd was only five or six deep; maybe it was because Grant is too narrow to allow for more or maybe there weren't as many people in attendance. I don't know. But it was loud, wild and wonderful. Fire crackers went off all around you and you took your chances. Everyone was very careful and watched out; they took responsibility for themselves.

In the mid 1970's, the parade route on Grant was moved to it's present one along Market Street. A few years after it was moved I went to see it. The sidewalks were jammed and you couldn't see anything because it was twenty or more people deep. It was not fun; a completely different experience from the ones I remembered in my youth. So, it has been decades since I've gone to see it.

This year is the year of the Dragon; a powerful symbol of strength and vitality. This is the most auspicious year of them all. It is the year I was born in. I am a metal Dragon (there are metal, water, wood, fire and earth dragons), so, I had to go to see it. This is my year and this is what I saw . . .

photo by Styrous®

Then, the Grand Dragon made it's entrance to conclude the parade.

photo by Styrous®

Styrous ~ February 14, 2012

The Gray Loft Gallery is opening in the Jingletown section of Oakland this month. The inaugural exhibition, The Love Show, will feature work by over 40 artists. On display will be photographs, paintings, monoprints and sculptures, which reflect love, passion, lust, hope, romance, broken hearts, true love, self love. This is not a Hallmark Valentine show, but rather a visual dialogue about love in its many incarnations and interpretations. The gallery will also have handmade purses, hats, jewelry, hand-blown glass, cards and textiles that reflect the theme of love.

I will be presenting two photographs, "Judgement of Paris" and "Lazos que Unen", referencing the theme of the exhibition.

OPENING RECEPTION

Friday, February 10, 6 to 9 PM

Gray Loft Gallery

2889 Ford Street, #32

Oakland, CA 94601

TESSIER WINERY

wine tasting

Saturday, February 11, 2 to 4 PM

Gray Loft Gallery will be open

Saturday, February 18th & Saturday, February 25th

Noon to 5 PM