GAFFTA is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to furthering the use and advancement of art and creative technology for social good. GAFFTA maintains relationships with the world’s top academic researchers, innovative corporations, visionary artists and civic leaders. Indeed, GAFFTA Executive Director Melchor and Board Chair Peter Hirshberg introduced several high-profile individuals to the Gray-tie audience, including Aaron Koblin (Google Creative Lab), John Gage (former Chief of Research, Sun Microsystems), James Gosling (inventor of Java), Jay Nath (Director of Innovation, City Hall), and Chloe Sladden (Director of Content and Programming, Twitter).
My artist background comes from a very traditional school, both in terms of an emphasis on figure drawing and classical composition. I am influenced by the old masters, and the acquisition of knowledge has enhanced my understanding of the direction that I want to take my art in. I feel that composition and color management are important elements of the classical tradition, and my art strives to embody traditional principles of depth and perspective. My fascination with capturing light goes beyond trying to enhance form, but also tries portray light as a form interacting with other forms. One aspect in my painting comes from the interaction of the viewer with the painting. Depending on the position of the viewer, the forms interacting with the light will change. I found this element relevant to much of the classical tradition, the ability to connect with the art from different viewing angles and receive a different experience from the art depending upon perspective.
To illustrate, pretend your girlfriend stars in a well-reviewed movie as a superhero. You are proud of her for landing this role and playing the part of a strong woman leader. Then, you read a review about the movie where the critic salaciously refers to your girlfriend as a “fighting fuck toy,” after describing certain of her body parts in glowing detail. Or, pretend your mother has run for office and become Senator. After she’s served for a while, you begin to notice that most news outlets report that Mrs. Anderson (not Senator) “complained,” while her male counterparts merely “stated” their opposition. You will recall that during their campaigns, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin were often painted as “bitch” or “ditz,” and there was much discussion about their wardrobes.
Held annually at the swanky Phoenix Hotel, this year’s Celebrity Pool Toss featured a star-studded lineup of pool tossees including District 6 Supervisor Jane Kim, famed socialite photographer Drew Altizer, Forest City Enterprises Vice President Alexa Arena, Core-a-Te-Fitness founder Whitney Arnautou, Erin and Bryana Cullen (Team Cullen), Geolo Capital CEO John Pritzker, Team Twitter (Twitter, Inc), Charles Zukow Associates CEO Charles Zuko and Falk – and emceed by an equally prestigious lineup of local celebrities including MC Hammer, Joie de Vivre founder Chip Conley, KGO-TV/ABC7 anchor Cheryl Jennings, CBS/5 Eye on the Bay host/producer Liam Mayclem, KRON and KCBS entertainment reporter Jan Wahl, Community Development Consultant Brad Paul, Tout Sweet owner Yigit Pura, author/blogger Tori Ritchie and TV host/performer Donna “Express XXX” Sachet.
Other celebrities to take the plunge include socialite photographer Drew Altizer, Alexa Arena, vice president, Forest City Enterprises, Whitney Arnautou, first degree black-belt instructor of karate and creator of Core-a-Te – a conditioning and self-defense program, Erin and Bryana Cullen, TEAM CULLEN Family Toss (family of the late Brother Kelly Cullen, past TNDC executive director and Celebrity Pool Toss founder), Don Falk, TNDC executive director, John Pritzker,CEO, Geolo Capital, Team Twitter, Twitter, Inc., and Charles Zukow, CEO, Charles Zukow Associates.
A cool as a cucumber Avalos shows he’s no cycling novice, shown fixing punctures and riding his bicycle without using his hands. Not sure if Board Prez and fellow mayoral candidate David Chiu can match Avalos’ skills, but they have at least one thing in common: they’re both vying to impress for the coveted San Francisco Bicycle Club (SFBC) endorsement.
“Get over your fucking self,” Pak responds. “This is about Willie Brown and me. Fuck keeping your word and your fucking promises. This is about me and using you to advance my fucking agenda – and my agenda is me.”
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