SF's MoCFA presents "American Symbols" May 9 -- August 3, 2008
In this election year of presidential candidates pictured with the stars and stripes waving behind them, the Museum of Craft and Folk Art presents American Symbols: From the Flag to Lady Liberty, an exploration of the graphic history of the flag, the eagle, the union shield, Uncle Sam, and Lady Liberty as used in craft, folk art, and design as well as Native American art, trade and popular art. These symbols are sewn into quilts, carved in wood, and painted on metal; they are beaded, woven, stitched, hammered, and printed. From a Victorian crazy quilt to a flag made of dollar bills, all of the 75 fascinating items on display are drawn from the collection of San Francisco resident Kit Hinrichs, an internationally renowned graphic designer and partner in Pentagram Design. American Symbols: From the Flag to Lady Liberty will be on view at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art at 51 Yerba Buena Lane in downtown San Francisco from May 9, 2008 through January 27, 2008. For more information call (415) 227-4888 or visit www.mocfa.org.
American symbols—especially the flag—are so prevalent in our visual culture that we often fail to notice their presence or think about the roles they play. Now, as candidates for office openly debate US military involvement abroad, it is especially appropriate to contemplate how such symbols have been used in the past and present to express the sentiments of Americans in times of war and peace, and in situations of celebration and protest. In addition to conveying overt or subliminal messages, they have been used as graphic elements to adorn a wide variety of decorative and utilitarian objects and—in the spirit of American entrepreneurship
—to market goods. Above all, these symbols have been used as concrete representations of the artist’s or maker’s identification as American and as markers of patriotism and national pride—or righteous indignation. Contemporary artists in particular have integrated these symbols into works that present provocative interpretations, encouraging thoughtful dialogue.
Beginning with the flag made by his great-great-great aunt Ida Peppercorn in 1865, Kti Hinrichs has spent over 40 years seeking out intriguing objects to add to his remarkable collection. As a member of a profession where creating graphic symbols is an important aspect of his work, he appreciates the challenge of coming up “with visual icons that evoke immediate recognition, emotional power, and universal meaning.” As a collector, his passion is the joy of discovering new and wonderful examples of American symbols that deepen his appreciation of our history, and the resourcefulness of the “designer” that resides in all of us, from artist to average citizen. The Museum of Craft and Folk Art is proud to be able to share a portion of Hinrich’s collection with the public in this exhibition.
For 25 years, the Museum of Craft and Folk Art has provided the Bay Area with unique exhibitions and educational programs that inspire a variety of ethnically diverse communities. As the only folk art museum in Northern California, The Museum of Craft and Folk Art is known for its rich offering of focused and unique exhibitions of traditional and contemporary folk art and craft from around the world, its highly regarded Folk Art in the Schools program that reaches 10,000 elementary and middle-school students per year, and its support for contemporary craft and folk artists through its exhibitions, educational programs, and publications.
The Museum of Craft and Folk Art is a private, non-profit 501(c)3, membership-driven museum that receives support from members, donors, foundations, and the City of San Francisco. The Museum’s move to Yerba Buena Lane has received support from Millennium Partners and the San Francisco Redevelopment Agency.
The Museum of Craft and Folk Art and the Museum’s Gallery Store are located at 51 Yerba Buena Lane, connecting Market and Mission Street between 3rd and 4th Street in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Gardens arts district. The Museum and Store are open Tuesdays through Fridays, from 11am to 6pm; Saturdays and Sundays, 11am to 5pm. Admission to the Museum’s galleries is $5; $4 for seniors; children under 18 are free. Museum members enjoy free admission; free admission is offered to everyone on Tuesday. Admission to the Museum’s Gallery Store is always free for all visitors. For more information call (415) 227-4888 or visit www.mocfa.org.