Local artist completes pavement mural at the International House
Last week, local artist shyboytoto (also known as Tony Tran) completed their pavement painting “Imagine A World” on the Terrace at the International House, 10 College Park, Davis — we previewed this in the Arts Blog. “Imagine A World” is part of a local public art project called #Plan4Resilience. This project is spearheaded by UC Davis alumna and artist Danielle Fodor, and asks artists to answer questions via pavement murals: “What can we learn from this moment? What has the pandemic taught us? What can we carry into the future, that can make us more resilient?”
Fodor said: “In this time when it's easy to fall into hopelessness — shyboytoto's pavement painting is an uplift from the ground level — a beautiful place to sit, contemplate, share a picnic, and remember how people are we expressing kindness, uplifting each other, and taking action to ensure everyone counts.”
Among other things, the piece highlights the importance of the census (of which the I-House is a partner) where some may find “an outlet of power and restoration.”
Shyboytoto (aka Tony Tran) shares, “I'm still new to the world of murals, so the painting is more of a sketch or simplified visualization to me. I incorporated small symbols around the piece that have deeper meanings that can be interpreted or related to in multiple ways. I encourage people to find their own meanings and hopefully find some solace.”
One can chip in to support shyboytoto's work by sending a tip.
UC Davis Concert Band gives virtual performance
The UC Davis Concert Band and the California Youth symphony came together virtually to perform Spring Festival, by composer Chen Yi. See the performance and more information here.
Wish Wayne Thiebaud birthday wishes
UC Davis Art Studio is creating a compilation video to celebrate UC Davis Art Professor Emeritus Wayne Thiebaud, whose 100th birthday is on Nov. 15, 2020. You are invited to create a five-second long video to be included in the compilation. The deadline for submissions is Oct. 1. For more information and to submit your well wishes, click here.
Mondavi Center plans for the future
While the Mondavi Center remains closed, it is planning ahead for next year. A new season of performances, from jazz quartets to orchestras, will begin in January 2021. Order your subscription here.
SFMOMA offers exhibitions online
While the SFMOMA remains closed, you can virtually explore several of its exhibitions that were scheduled to be on view now. One of these exhibitions is An American Project by artist Dawoud Bey. Click here to read about the exhibition, look through the exhibition preview, and watch Bey speak about the project in a video clip. Another exhibition is Thought Pieces, which is a collection of 1970s photographs taken by Lew Thomas, Donna-Lee Phillips and Hal Fischer. Click here for the background of the exhibition, the exhibition preview and a video clip with one of the artists.
Crocker Art releases activity book
Back in May, the Crocker Art Museum and local partners put together a free coloring book called “Color Us Hopeful.” This coloring book provided “Inspiration from Sacramento artists during COVID-19” and features art from artists of all backgrounds, including a UC Davis alum. You may have read about the artful coloring book in this Arts Blog feature. The public’s positive reception of the book has now sparked a sequel: a “Color Us Hopeful” activity book. This book contains a range of activities including an I-spy picture, a poem prompt, a mindfulness activity, and more. Download the “Color Us Hopeful” activity book here.
Art Tweet of the Week
Catch this tweet from UC Davis Biological Sciences featuring art from COVID-19 town hall discussions.
