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January 9, 2003 RARE EXHIBIT SET FOR EROTIC ART SHOW IN FEBRUARY AT CITY ART SAN FRANCISCO - A rare exhibition of a device created by a local inventor with a passion for the erotic will highlight CITY ART Gallery's Fourth Annual Back Room Erotic Art Show in February. The surprise event will be held at the Erotic Show exhibit opening at CITY ART, Friday, Feb. 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. "I can't say any more than that," said Katie Gilmartin, exhibit curator and core member of the CITY ART Cooperative Gallery. "Those who are curious will just have to attend the exhibit opening to find out how the device works." In addition to the rare exhibition, the Erotic Show opening will feature the original art of more than a dozen San Francisco artists, who will be present to discuss their work. The erotic art pieces will be available for purchase and make great Valentine's Day presents. "The erotic show always showcases a range of erotic leanings, yearnings, preferences, and styles, some explicit and some less so," Gilmartin said. "The unifying theme is that it is art that turns someone on. The show works with the broadest definition of erotic in mind, including explicit photography, thoughtful political stuff reflecting on questions of sexuality, and beautiful pieces with an erotic edge, Gilmartin said of the annual event. The show is expected to include S&M-oriented art, as well as pieces that represent all sexual preferences and orientations. "This is a special opportunity to see this kind of work, because it is not often that a show focuses on the erotic and that you have an opportunity to meet the artists as well," Gilmartin said. "Since all of our artists are from the Bay Area, which has for many years been a magnet for people with sexual diversions and perversions of all sorts, the art work always generates a lot of heat." Local artists who will display their erotic art include: Staci Batchelder, Deidre and Ron Campbell, Krishnakali Chaudhuri, Lee Cline, Erick Dunn, Katie Gilmartin, Jason Gilmore, Krista Kielman, Aaron Krug, Mae Larobie, Beth McCoy, Fred McMullen, Xtutxo Perez, Camille Porter, Leila Swan, Thurlo and Chris Wayan. "The opening is sure to be a blast, Gilmartin said. "The artists generally make full use of the opportunity to dress sexy. Last year, two of them covered each others' necks with hickeys for the occasion. It's a great opportunity to strut your sexiest self." Gilmartin warns that some of the work may be offensive to some. However, she said, it is important to have this type of show, because a lot of venues that show art get skittish about showing explicitly erotic art. If erotic art in general is difficult to show, working with provocative, edgy, or non-vanilla sexual work is harder. The Erotic Art show also allows member artists the opportunity to display erotic work that they would not otherwise show, she said. CITY ART - a cooperative art gallery - is owned and managed by local artists, operating in the Mission District of San Francisco. The gallery's objective is to make artwork accessible to a greater spectrum of society, while at the same time, promote creative awareness and expression in the community. Individuals attending the erotic show will experience a large and diverse art inventory available for sale at a reasonable price. Most of the art sold at CITY ART fall within the $100 to $500 price range. The show runs through February 28. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. CITY ART is located at 828 Valencia Street between 19th and 20th streets and easily accessible by BART and MUNI. Public parking is available two blocks away on 21st Street between Valencia and Mission streets. CITY ART can be reached at 415-970-9900 or through its website at www.cityartgallery.org. |