Defenestration is at 6th and Howard Street in San Francisco. Not only is it about two blocks from my house but I also had the privilege of working with its artist Brian Goggin (before this installation) through a charitable organization LEAP, which brings art and architecture into schools. So, I was very happy to see that it has had a face lift. Defenestration literally means “Throw out of a window”. This installation was done by Brian and well over 100 volunteers. It is on the site of a four story, abandoned tenement building. And this is the description of the work in Brian’s words. “Reflecting the harsh experience of many members of the community, the furniture is of the streets, cast-off and unappreciated. The simple, unpretentious beauty and humanity of these downtrodden objects is reawakened through the action of the piece. The act of “throwing out” becomes an uplifting gesture of release, inviting reflection on the spirit of the people we live with, the objects we encounter, and the places in which we live.” The bottom floor works as a rotating gallery for muralists.
Defenestration was installed in 1997, the building has been empty for as long as I can remember. The city of San Francisco finally purchased the building this last year and it is slated to be turned into Senior Housing in the next 18 months. I am sure that Defenestration has had a longer run than Brian ever expected, but when it is gone, it will be missed.
I would love to happen across this kind of thing unexpectedly!
Truly thought provoking art! Thanks for sharing it before it’s gone.