SF Agenda: Design and Arts Events in the Bay Area
Author:Dara KerrMillions of people from around the world have visited the Golden Gate Bridge just to witness its sheer beauty. When this bridge and its sister-bridge, the original San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, were constructed, they were considered to be two of the most impressive engineering feats of the century. Now, the Oakland Museum of California is hosting a photo exhibition by one of photography’s masters Peter Stackpole, who chronicled the building of these bridges in the 1930s. Bridging the Bay features 24 striking black-and-white photographs, which include vantage points from the top of the bridge’s catwalks to beneath the bridge’s pillars, along with portraits of the construction workers who risked their lives to build the famous bridges. Opens July 20 and runs through January 26, 2014, 1000 Oak Street.

“Chica Boom Series” by Gonzalo Fuenmayor. Courtesy of Dolby Chadwick Gallery.
San Francisco’s Dolby Chadwick Gallery is hosting a new solo exhibition by artist Gonzalo Fuenmayor. They Say I Came Back Americanized features an array of stunning charcoal drawings by the Colombian-born artist. Through his work, Fuenmayor studies what it’s like to be of two cultures. For example, in his Carmen series, he draws portraits of the famous Brazilian entertainer Carmen Miranda and her eccentric headpieces full of fruit and flora; through this beautiful artwork, he draws on the Latino stereotypes that exist in the U.S. Runs through August 31, 210 Post Street, Suite 205.

“Einstein” by Eric William Carroll. Courtesy of Highlight Gallery
Taking a closer look at the scientific world through works of art, Eric William Carroll’s newest exhibition G.U.T. Feeling is now on display at San Francisco’s Highlight Gallery. Carroll uses various media, such as collages, photographs, and sculptures, to juxtapose the extraordinary with the ordinary. For instance, in “Einstein,” Carroll takes a portrait of the scientific master’s face and fills it with pushpins. While much of his artwork has a tongue-in-cheek quality, it is also an ode to the wonder of science. Runs through August 17, 17 Kearny Street.

“9093 Tea Kettle” by Michael Graves. Courtesy of Alessi.
Renowned design store Alessi is hosting a month-long sale on its more than 200 breakfast-related items. At its San Francisco shop, customers get up to 30 percent off products like the Michael Graves’ 9093 Tea Kettle, the Cico Egg Cup with Salt Castor and Spoon, and the 9090 Espresso Maker. Sale runs through July 31, 424 Sutter Street.
Head on over to the Yerba Buena Center Gardens for a free architecture showcase put on by UC Berkeley Extension. The Advanced Landscape Architecture Studio exhibit will give visitors a glimpse of the course’s curriculum, which includes lectures about design detailing, preparation of working drawings, and design presentation graphics. July 18, 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Yerba Buena Center Gardens, 95 Third Street at Mission.