Mission Mission

You remember zines, right?  They were the blogs before there were blogs.  If Allan was born 10 years earlier, Mission Mission might have been a zine!  I think we can all agree that zines are awesome.  After all, if I hadn’t been reading Cometbus back in high school, I probably would have chosen Cal Tech over Berkeley, and the world would now be in the grip of the tyrant who managed to abscond the Lambda Laser from my quantum physics lab.  So, luckily, you don’t have to worry about that.

Anyway, SF Zinefest is a rad event this weekend in the Hall of Flowers at GG Park where zine authors congregate so anyone can check out all their recent work.  In addition to the totally worthwhile experience of checking it out yourself, you can also support the scene by dancing to 90′s music at the Knockout, as DEBASER is hosting a benefit this Saturday night for the SF Zinefest.  So although you can get in free before 11pm by simply wearing a flannel, DON’T!!!  Wear a hoodie or something instead and help support the Zinefest!

Previously:

KevMo Starts a Flame War with DEBASER

Not in the Mission, but you’ll probably recognize Stanley Donwood’s artwork from the covers of Radiohead albums (which I’m sure you’ve got taking up bytes there on your Zune or Creative Labs Zen).

When thinking of iconic imagery in music from the last 20 years, Stanley Donwood’s work with Radiohead invariably comes to mind – and for good reason.  Where Radiohead’s music stretched the auditory horizons and painted musical sceneries of mans place in the modern world, Donwood’s imagery and packaging forced us to face the gravity of the music from the minute the album hit our hands; and by creating cryptic, academic and (at times) dystopian layouts, the albums themselves became as striking and relevant as the music they contained.

His show, entitled  ”Over Normal”, opens tonight, Thursday September 2nd, from 7:30-10pm at Fifty24SF gallery on 218 Fillmore St. I’m sure he wants to tell you all about what Thom Yorke is like and would gladly deliver your demo tape.

Flyer here. More info over at fify24sf.

Someone seems to be timing the re-issue of the Banksy film with some new art of the same style.

Regardless of who did it, what do you make of the message?

(Thanks for spotting and sending, reader Dave!)

Update: Another one spotted on Lexington at 19th. (Thanks Jeannine!)

First it was a monster, then some kind of pipe smoking official, and now I’ve discovered a bro dog hiding beneath our feet.

Walking by this, I couldn’t help but notice that it was actually . . .

Anybody else?

One of a few weirdos watching you do your business and laughing all the time.

I’m assuming this is done with the bar owner’s blessing, if not cash. If you don’t want your bathroom ending up a crazy mess like every other men’s room in the area it might be a good idea to hire a street artist to create a trippy space for people to check out during their alone time. As you see above, there are still tags, but nothing like there could be.

Are there other examples of street art/graffiti done with the owner’s permission that improved a space or acted as a deterrent to more graffiti?

One failed effort that comes to mind is the piece that was allowed to cover the outside of The Rite Spot, but with immediate complaints from the old school patrons (and apparent dislike by the staff) they painted the whole thing over sky blue. Now it’s just hated by confused birds.

I noticed these new decorative engraved sidewalk blocks on 16th and Valencia a couple of days ago and I was wondering how they were done. Turned out to be less high-tech than I thought: grinding by hand with an orbital sander.

Check ‘em out before they are covered in gum stains.

[See the full video on andy.brooks' Flickr]

Careful, bad guys, he can blow up a small hut with a bow and arrow.

[via streetexpression]

This one is by artist Hayley Cassatt. Lots more here.

[via J. Spears]

Previously:

Narwhal in Gangland

Bacon-Wrapped Narwhal

Narwhal Free-For-All

Because Kati J. wants to know what this means.

OMG the Mish! was all “OMG!” over this mural of Valencia Street on the wall South End Grill ‘n’ Bar. Look closely and you can spot Omer the rocker (aka Bum Jovi)!

If you want another challenge, see if you also spot the six things that are missing from this mural. Answers over at OMGTM.