Society for the Encouragement of Contemporary Art (SECA)

Mondays have become Thesis Day. I usually wake up a little later, eat something, shower and proceed to sit in front of Lappy (my laptop) and type. This is much easier to do at home, as there are far less distractions and I cannot use the excuse of all those people to chat with.

But today was just gorgeous. The weather has been beautiful and sunny and blue skies and breezy and just too good to stay in. So, I walked to HANG where Susan works on Mondays, and had lunch with her. Then I went to the SFMOMA and spent the afternoon there looking at all the exhibitions. I looked at the Contemporary Painting and Sculpture Collection, New Work by Rachel Harrison, Jeremy Blake's Winchester, Robert Bechtle's Retrospective and the SECA Award Show.

"The 2004 SECA Art Award exhibition showcases new and recent works by four Bay Area artists of exceptional promise, each of whom takes the medium of drawing in an original, independent direction."

My top picks were by far Jeremy Blake and SECA. Blake's 3 channel video installation was inspired by the Winchester Mystery House. Having been on a tour of San Jose a few months ago, I was very interested in this historical site. The videos are gorgeous, luscious and quite painterly. Blake was a painter originally, and this influence is very evident in the way he animates and records images with the camera. I was actually mesmerized, and spent the full amount of time with each piece (12-20 minutes each). SECA included Simon Evans, who I love. He was also featured in the California Biennial, and I think his work is really inspiring. After looking at his work, I always feel like drawing.

Simon Evans


Jeremy Blake

I took a leisurely walk home, stopped by Urban Outfitters to look at the goods, and I'm ready to start doing some thesis work now that the sun is setting...