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Malled

Here’s another shot that looks like I was trying to channel my inner MC Escher.

Westfield San Francisco Centre
San Francisco, California
photographed 4.14.2019

the roof of the night

So, the fog was moving in because that’s what fog does. I looked out the hotel room window and the top of this building was completely obscured. And then, approximately one second later, it looked like this.

And, because I want to be reasonably accurate with this stuff, I looked up the building – it was easy to find because our cab driver had told us (correctly) that it was the tallest building in the city. And that’s how I learned this most amazing thing:

The crown of the tower features a nine-story electronic sculpture, “Day for Night”, created by artist Jim Campbell that features low resolution, abstract videos of San Francisco that will be filmed each day. At its activation on May 21, 2018, it was considered the tallest public art piece in the world.

So that blue part at the top is art! Amazing. And it explains why one night the top of the building looked like blue watery reflections and on another night, there were (large)(VERY) silhouettes of dancers, as you can see from this in-and-out-of-focus video:

It was way cool!

Salesforce Tower
San Francisco, California
photographed 4.16.2019

ALSO: Important Announcement – this is my 2,748th post here at One Day | One Image, and it’s first time video made by the Patient Spouse has been included.

Window shopping: hats

I sure do like a good hat, which makes me also like a good hat store.

Goorin Bros. Hat Shop – Geary Street
San Francisco, California
photographed 4.15.2019

Window shopping: sequins

If you walk all the way through Chinatown on Grant Avenue (as you know we did because of this and this), you’ll pass through the Dragon Gate*, and then skirt the edges of the fanciness that is the retail environment of Union Square.

And good news for fans of dresses that are generously sequined – they appear to be in fashion at this time.**

Valentino
San Francisco, California
photographed 4.15.2019

*You may be wondering what the very first business is that you’ll spot when you leave Chinatown. And it won’t be a surprise when I tell you that it’s Starbucks. Because of course it is.
**How long does “at this time” last in the fashion world? I’m asking for a friend, although I am the current owner of a pair of fabulous Doc Marten boots that are covered in black sequins and you can bet your ass that I’ll be wearing them until the last few sequins fall right off, no matter what fashion says. (True fact: I am wearing them RIGHT NOW as I write the post.)

A bit of a discrepancy

I was in town to attend the American Planning Association’s National Planning Conference. One of the activities was a walking tour of the Tenderloin, where we were accompanied by a neon sign expert and an expert in typography; it was the best conference activity I’ve ever participated in.

This sign was a treat to see – there are a couple of interesting things going on with it. To start with, the name of the store is “Jack’s” according to the metal sign, and “Mack’s” if you want to believe the neon. Similarly, the “tailor” on the metal part is changed to “pressing” in neon. But at least “cleaners” is consistent.

And if that’s not enough – although it surely could be! – check out the plastic sign above the neon one. It’s got a lot going on, too.

My thanks to Al Barna and Dr. Shelley Gruendler for being so smart and funny; I look at urbanscapes in a whole new way, thanks to them!

Post Street
San Francisco, California
photographed 4.14.2019