David Best & the San Rafael Temple

[cowboyangel]

Am going there right now to shoot video and take pics...stay tuned...this is my city.

[buckethead alien]

Am going there right now to shoot video and take pics...stay tuned...this is my city.

You kick some ass, CBA. Kick some ass.

[cowboyangel]

David says to say hi to you all...editing the tape right now, will be up within an hr.
CBA

[Sandwichman]

David says to say hi to you all...editing the tape right now, will be up within an hr.
CBA

'

I hope my internet at home decides to work.

Jason

[dragonflyannie]

I just saw on the local news here in the bay area that the property owner is making him tear it down within 24 hours. They didn't give many details as to why. It was only 1 day away from completion.

Cowboyangel, do you know why? And why did David build it there to begin with? The news didn't specify. It looked beautiful of course... as all of his temples do.

[DVD Burner]

I just saw the local news on ch 3, (not KRON anymore.) and they said he had 48 hours left.

He sure is getting a lot of publicity.

[dragonflyannie]

Oops... that's what I meant. 48 hours.
I saw the same report on nbc11.

[dragonflyannie]

Oh nevermind... I found my answer:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=8119

[cowboyangel]

http://www.brightpathvideo.com/Local_News.htm
here's the link to my website and the interview I just shot with David. He says to send a special message of love to all you guys at eplaya, gee this guy is beautiful!
pics in another post.

[cowboyangel]

from just an hr ago

love, CBA

[actiongrl]

Just got back from there a few minutes ago. All the network affiliates are running something on the 10PM as I understand it, as are the Spanish language networks.

[cowboyangel]

from just an hr ago

love, CBA

[dragonflyannie]

Thank you cowboyangel... that was very touching.

[geekster]

Thanks so much, CA, for taking the time to get that interview. I am still deeply saddened that the woman that has prevented the placement of this art doesn't just come clean.

[stuart]

thanks for that CBA

[stuart]

I agree with the woman in the interview. To me it does not matter if it stood for a day or a year. It has been done. People know. Lives were touched.

[actiongrl]

David was saying earlier that this whole hullabaloo has almost has more impact than if the piece had just stood silently for that community for the exhibition. Now the eyes of the entire Bay Area are on them and giving rise to a little more understanding about a way of life many Marin-dwellers outside the Canal District probably don't pay much attention to.

He also said, "When this temple is torn down, this spot will still be sacred."

[DVD Burner]

Well all I gotta say is good for him.
His Karma is in the right place.

[cowboyangel]

David was saying earlier that this whole hullabaloo has almost has more impact than if the piece had just stood silently for that community for the exhibition. Now the eyes of the entire Bay Area are on them and giving rise to a little more understanding about a way of life many Marin-dwellers outside the Canal District probably don't pay much attention to.

He also said, "When this temple is torn down, this spot will still be sacred."

good point AG. The area is home to many thousands of Hispanic people, many of whom are undocumented workers. They are hard working, honest, good guys, and many of them send their money home to families in Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and other CAmerican regions. I know, because I've talked with them and helped them out on occasion. (ok, so I'm not gonna get a cabinet position). San Rafael is largely a progressive community, with a handful of right wingers. This is after all, the home of Jerry Garcia and Huey Lewis. Sean Penn, Carlos Santana and Bonnie Raitt live near here too. We have the Marin Peace and Social Justice Coalition- a great local activist group. I really hope David, tries to do something else around here. Spreading the Burning Man message is good no matter where it is.

[bullD]

David was saying earlier that this whole hullabaloo has almost has more impact than if the piece had just stood silently for that community for the exhibition. Now the eyes of the entire Bay Area are on them and giving rise to a little more understanding about a way of life many Marin-dwellers outside the Canal District probably don't pay much attention to.

He also said, "When this temple is torn down, this spot will still be sacred."

I think it's a case of ignorance, fear, and selfishness. Mostly selfishness however. Many Marin dwellers pay attention, there locking their doors and not making eye contact while driving through, or avoiding the area all together. That, imo, is paying attention. Paying attention to their own stuffy asses and nobody else. Not giving a damn about welcoming these good people because that's gonna cost em$$$. Not giving a damn about gaining spiritually and culturally from these people and giving the same in return. They can't give. They don't know how to give. Their to busy spending $ on themselves buying fucking high end vehicles like Hummers, eh hem, excuse me, Dummers. It's all about me me me with these people, ok, their right, fair enough. But, when it comes time to get some work done on the casa, don't think for a second that they aren't sending for some day laborers and having Mr. contractor keep a sharp eye on them "cause they steal don't you know." It's fucking slavery. It's fucking oppression. People don't want them here cause they cost money, well, that's true. But, at the same time people think it sure is nice to have them here to do the shit work. I've been experiencing this shit unfold over and over again since I was a fucking infant. It has not changed. Yes, Ceazar Chavez did some great things for his people. Shit, he did great things for laborers period. But, that was just the tip of the fucking iceberg. And, that IMO, is exactly what's going on here. Keeping the people from south of the border at bay, so to speak, keeping them scared, keeping them under thumb. Why? To use and abuse, to get an honest day's work for below poverty wages. What other reasons could there be? OK, I'm sure there are others but sheesh, there are something like 17 or 18 different law enforcement orgs in this county. WTF?!?! For what?! If the people wanted to irradicate the illegals around here, then we sure as shit have the firepower to do so. Keeping them at the illegal, poverty striken, 10 to a 2 room apartment level assures good, cheap, labor.

I fully acknowledge that not all white folk from Marin are this way; there are some good, no, great people here. Not enough though. I have always said and will always say, I would much rather be with a pack of rabid dogs than some of the people in this county.

Mr. Best, good on ya!

[cowboyangel]

whew Bulld, I gotta say, I don't think your piece is reflective of most people here, I would know, because I hang out on the streets, hang with the Marin activist crowd, the workers and I think you leave too desolate a picture here. When they execute people, as David said, just next door, some of the most inspirational people come out for the protest, like Mike Farrell, from TV's M.A.S.H. and now with Death Penalty Focus. I've known some rich Marinites that give beaucoup bucks to worthy causes. Sure there is self centeredness here just as in other places. I just don't see the same thing you are seeing right now

[bullD]

Cool. Sounds like you surround yourself with the people you describe. And, to that I say, good on ya! (my damn australian buddy has me saying that all the time now)
Let me reiterate, there are some great people in Marin, just not enough, imo; like a handful out of a drum of jelly beans. But, that's better than none at all, I'll take it. Perhaps my words are a bit extreme(still sticking by them though), ok, but I would be curious what your opinion would be if you didn't hang with the activist crowd and yet still held your views. The opinion might be different.
My friend, I might be totally wrong in saying this but, I think that the activist crowd is unfortunately a dying breed being suffocated by the necessity to have shite loads of income just to sqeek by here in Marin. Yeah, I know, you don't need money to be an activist, but it sure helps. Again, perhaps that is said ignorantly but it is a feeling I have had for a while and, I suppose that is based on some bitterness with the bleak outlook for myself ever owning a piece of land in this place that I love. I need a time machine to take me back to a time when hard work really meant something...

At any rate, I think that there is much more happening in the whole Marin Latino/White man dynamic.

On a smaller note, what is right is right, and I have to say the owner of the land where the temple is has the right to say get rid of it, insurance reasons or no insurance reasons. I wonder though, has she ever had any latino day laborers work for her?

[cowboyangel]

I wish I knew who the lady was, I'd like to talk to her. You could be right about the activist age set. I do see more 40-60 year olds than 20-30's
But the people at College of Marin who are activists are mostly from the later group. I worked on Supervisor Susan Adams campaign and there was a good representation of young people working for her too. It is stressful payin the bills out here, but I still believe it's worth it..I worked hard and now I'm tired of hard work and would like to have more time to do the things that really get me going.

[Bob]

Never apologize for living in Marin.

[Bob]

Or Petaluma.

[geekster]

And I will say it again, I am just so sad that something that could have been such a wonderful bonding catalyst between people has been destroyed. It could have been such a great way for that local community to find some common ground with others and feel a basic human bond here. I little piece of me died when I heard it had to go and that is the honest truth.

It is an opportunity thrown away because of greed and maybe bigotry. I want so much to witness the teardown but I would loose my job if I did. Tomorrow is a major day in a big project I am working on. Fuck.

[DVD Burner]

And I will say it again, I am just so sad that something that could have been such a wonderful bonding catalyst between people has been destroyed. It could have been such a great way for that local community to find some common ground with others and feel a basic human bond here. I little piece of me died when I heard it had to go and that is the honest truth.

It is an opportunity thrown away because of greed and maybe bigotry. I want so much to witness the teardown but I would loose my job if I did. Tomorrow is a major day in a big project I am working on. Fuck.

Really doesn't sound like anything new to me. It happens all the time in so many diffrent ways all over the world. Tons of times in the states.

BTW I always have fun in the north bay. San Rafael gets too hot for me sometimes.

[Isotopia]

I just saw on the local news here in the bay area that the property owner is making him tear it down within 24 hours. They didn't give many details as to why. It was only 1 day away from completion.

I think this is all pretty much a reflection on the state of things in our society and NOT anything to do with 'evil' landowners. The litigious nature of people in general throughout the US is such that any prudent property owner interested in keeping what is theirs probably should take measures to insure that their livilihood and assets aren't placed in jeopardy. Sure it sucks but who can actually blame the people who've made the complaint?

[geekster]

Iso ... if the property owner had calmly walked up to David and said something like "There has been a mistake. You got permission from the person that leases the market. I own this property and I am afraid someone might get hurt and I would get sued. I need you to take it down." I would feel completely differently.

What I understand happened is the woman came unglued and said things like "I dont want 'those people' on my property" or something to that effect. David isn't completely innocent in all this either. From the interview CBA posted, I took away that the curator of the city art display that this was part of was probably not aware of the scale of the shrine and now that everyone WAS aware of it, David himself said he doubted he would be able to build it without a rigorous permit process.

I just wanted the woman to come right out and say to the people of that community why she didn't want the shrine there. She cited insurance reasons and I would buy that if a statement from the insurance company could be released noting that they made the decision before the structure was red tagged (and not notified after the fact to cover her ass).

My gut feeling is that the truth is something close to "I resent these poor immigrants because I feel they are reducing the value of my property and I don't want them congregating on it." My understanding was that she was quite abusive verbally to the woman that leased the property and who had given David permission to place the shrine. If she is a bigoted asshole, I wouldn't mind having a whole lot of light shined her way so that is exposed in the community for what it is. If she has a legitimate issue with her insurance company, that is valid too.

[geekster]

Evidently someone in the family has a clearer head ... This from this morning's newspaper from Marin ...

Copyright 2005
Marin Independent Journal (Marin, CA)

February 2, 2005 Wednesday


HEADLINE: Fear of lawsuit dooms San Rafael artwork

BYLINE: Jennifer Upshaw, IJ reporter

A nearly complete wooden chapel constructed in San Rafael's Canal Area as
part of a temporary art exhibit will be taken down today after land-owners
complained the structure could expose them to a lawsuit.

The interactive public art exhibit presented by Art Works Downtown, titled
"Offerings and Sanctuaries," includes pieces recently blessed by the City
Council for outdoor display on city property.

But "Chapel," a 30-foot-high intricately designed wooden structure by
Petaluma artist David Best of Burning Man fame was built on private property,
which does not require city permission.

The flap surfaced Monday, when property owners at 151 Bellam Blvd. learned
for the first time the day before that the chapel would sit on their land, home
to a popular market.

Exhibit officials obtained permission from Bellam Produce proprietor Julie
Long but not from her landlord, the Haginicols family of San Rafael. Long said
she approved it, as long as exhibitors took care of city permissions.

Curator Phyllis Thelen, who said she thought she was dealing with the
decision-makers directly, said it was her understanding no permits were required
for a temporary installation on private property.

Multiple violations involving, height, setbacks, a lack of permission from
the fire marshal and no permit, among other things, garnered a "red tag"
stop-work order Monday from Code Enforcement Manager Lynda Ferris.

The art's backers have 48 hours to take down the chapel or face a $500 per
day, per violation fine, administrative costs and the cost to demolish the
structure. They said they'll remove the artwork today.

"We support public art and we're sorry that there's a miscommunication
between the business owner and the property owner," city spokeswoman Lydia
Romero said. "We hope in the future that doesn't happen with more public art
that's around our city in the future."

The property owners insisted they have no issue with the art, but expressed
serious trepidation about the health and safety of passers-by.

"We have nothing against the artwork," Leo Haginicols said. "It's
nice-looking. We have nothing against the worship. Our issue is liability."

Concern also sprung from news that passers-by could light candles in the
wooden structure, and that, once the community tired of the work, that the
30-foot-high chapel would be burned, the property owners said.

Thelen said the piece would have been torched at the popular Burning Man
festival in the Nevada desert, not at the San Rafael location.

Exhibit officials are working on alternative sites to relocate the art in the
hope they can dismantle it and erect it elsewhere. Property owners in
high-traffic areas in the Canal who may be interested in housing the chapel
should call Thelen at 451-8119.

"We're going to find a way to get David's work in front of the public,"
Thelen said. "That's art and the public. We'll get there. We'll find a place for
David."

The artist said he wished it could stay for the day laborers the chapel was
intended to serve.

"I'm only disappointed for the people," said Best, who added that city
officials were "absolutely gracious" throughout the controversy. "I'm
disappointed for the woman coming in at 6 o'clock to get her groceries who can't
stop and pray in here."

Long, the store owner, was among those who said she was sorry a compromise
could not be reached.

"I wanted this for my customers," she said. "My God, it's so beautiful."

Early yesterday afternoon, San Francisco resident Jessie Siciliano, 31, in
the area visiting a friend, stuck her head in the store to inquire about the
work.

"Are you kidding me?" she said when she learned the piece must be removed.
"That's sad. It's really a beautiful piece of art."

Contact Jennifer Upshaw via e-mail at [email protected]
Copyright 2005
Marin Independent Journal (Marin, CA)

February 2, 2005 Wednesday

LENGTH: 645 words

HEADLINE: Fear of lawsuit dooms San Rafael artwork

BYLINE: Jennifer Upshaw, IJ reporter

BODY:

http://media.mnginteractive.com

A nearly complete wooden chapel constructed in San Rafael's Canal Area as
part of a temporary art exhibit will be taken down today after land-owners
complained the structure could expose them to a lawsuit.

The interactive public art exhibit presented by Art Works Downtown, titled
"Offerings and Sanctuaries," includes pieces recently blessed by the City
Council for outdoor display on city property.

But "Chapel," a 30-foot-high intricately designed wooden structure by
Petaluma artist David Best of Burning Man fame was built on private property,
which does not require city permission.

The flap surfaced Monday, when property owners at 151 Bellam Blvd. learned
for the first time the day before that the chapel would sit on their land, home
to a popular market.

Exhibit officials obtained permission from Bellam Produce proprietor Julie
Long but not from her landlord, the Haginicols family of San Rafael. Long said
she approved it, as long as exhibitors took care of city permissions.

Curator Phyllis Thelen, who said she thought she was dealing with the
decision-makers directly, said it was her understanding no permits were required
for a temporary installation on private property.

Multiple violations involving, height, setbacks, a lack of permission from
the fire marshal and no permit, among other things, garnered a "red tag"
stop-work order Monday from Code Enforcement Manager Lynda Ferris.

The art's backers have 48 hours to take down the chapel or face a $500 per
day, per violation fine, administrative costs and the cost to demolish the
structure. They said they'll remove the artwork today.

"We support public art and we're sorry that there's a miscommunication
between the business owner and the property owner," city spokeswoman Lydia
Romero said. "We hope in the future that doesn't happen with more public art
that's around our city in the future."

The property owners insisted they have no issue with the art, but expressed
serious trepidation about the health and safety of passers-by.

"We have nothing against the artwork," Leo Haginicols said. "It's
nice-looking. We have nothing against the worship. Our issue is liability."

Concern also sprung from news that passers-by could light candles in the
wooden structure, and that, once the community tired of the work, that the
30-foot-high chapel would be burned, the property owners said.

Thelen said the piece would have been torched at the popular Burning Man
festival in the Nevada desert, not at the San Rafael location.

Exhibit officials are working on alternative sites to relocate the art in the
hope they can dismantle it and erect it elsewhere. Property owners in
high-traffic areas in the Canal who may be interested in housing the chapel
should call Thelen at 451-8119.

"We're going to find a way to get David's work in front of the public,"
Thelen said. "That's art and the public. We'll get there. We'll find a place for
David."

The artist said he wished it could stay for the day laborers the chapel was
intended to serve.

"I'm only disappointed for the people," said Best, who added that city
officials were "absolutely gracious" throughout the controversy. "I'm
disappointed for the woman coming in at 6 o'clock to get her groceries who can't
stop and pray in here."

Long, the store owner, was among those who said she was sorry a compromise
could not be reached.

"I wanted this for my customers," she said. "My God, it's so beautiful."

Early yesterday afternoon, San Francisco resident Jessie Siciliano, 31, in
the area visiting a friend, stuck her head in the store to inquire about the
work.

"Are you kidding me?" she said when she learned the piece must be removed.
"That's sad. It's really a beautiful piece of art."

Contact Jennifer Upshaw via e-mail at [email protected]