San Diego, CA

San Diego’s Photo Gem

Published

2 years ago

May 19, 2022

Though San Diego is lower than three hours south of the place I reside, I go to there lower than I might have imagined, principally for lack of causes to take action.

Nonetheless, a latest invitation to go to the Museum of Photographic Arts (MOPA) in Balboa Park in San Diego launched me to a gem I had not appreciated earlier than.

Daybreak #2 by Ruud van Empel. Bequest of Dr. Larry Friedman

Photograph by Ruud van Empel, Courtesy of Museum of Photographic Arts

First, just a few phrases in regards to the Museum. The Museum grew out of a neighborhood group of pictures fans who, starting in 1972, operated the Heart for Images, a museum with out partitions. In 1983, MOPA opened in house donated by the Metropolis of San Diego. MOPA’s everlasting assortment consists of greater than 9,000 pictures and historic objects in addition to over 22,000 objects held inside the Edmund Okay. and Nancy J Dubois Library spanning the historical past of pictures and together with supplies associated to the historical past of pictures and its numerous image-making processes.

The night I visited, two new reveals opened, by Nick Brandt and Jed Fielding, in addition to an set up from the everlasting assortment of works donated by late MOPA board member Dr. Larry Freidman.

Nick Brandt, Charcoal Burning with Giraffe and Employee, 2019, archival pigment print.

Photograph by Nick Brandt, Courtesy of the Baty Assortment

Nick Brandt: This Empty World (on exhibit till October 7) is a powerful set up of labor meant to boost consciousness of environmental degradation and its influence. Brandt is an English photographer, a graduate of St, Martin’s Faculty of Artwork, who started his profession as a profitable music video director for such artists as Michael Jackson, Jewel, Moby and XTC.

Whereas in East Africa, Brandt was struck by the vanishing great thing about the animals and the pure panorama, threatened by human encroachment, environmental destruction, and local weather change. Brandt turned to pictures to specific our human connection to the animal realm and the pure atmosphere, and the way the degradation of 1 impacts the opposite, in addition to a method for Brandt to specific his sturdy emotions on the topic.

“Individuals nonetheless suppose the key concern with the destruction of wildlife in Africa is poaching, however particularly in East Africa it is now not the largest downside,” Brandt mentioned. “The most important downside is the inhabitants explosion that’s occurring. With that comes an invasion of humanity and improvement into what was not so way back wildlife habitat.”

Brandt’s giant format photos (60 X 130 inches) are conceptual works staged by Brandt which are every a significant endeavor. Places are scouted that mirror the place each animal life existed and the place people now encroach. The world to be photographed is made prepared for the animals who’re led there in an natural trend. Brandt permits them to develop into acclimated to the terrain after which shoots photos of them there. The animals depart and the employees or people return. Brandt pictures them after which photo-composites are made that handle, in Brandt’s phrases, “the escalating destruction of the African pure world by the hands of people, displaying a world the place, overwhelmed by runaway improvement, there is no such thing as a longer house for animals to outlive. The folks within the pictures additionally usually helplessly swept alongside by the relentless tide of ‘progress.’”

The size of Brandt’s work and the surreal juxtaposition of untamed animals resembling elephants, tigers or giraffes, and people in industrial trying places make seeing Brandt’s work memorable – and really a lot make the argument for restoring the steadiness between people, the pure world, and the animal realm. Nonetheless, the staged nature of the images, for me, detracted from their influence as artworks at the same time as they continue to be compelling statements of advocacy.

Jed Fielding, Naples #33, 1992, archival inkjet print. Present of Emanuel and Edithann M. Gerard.

In contrast, Encounter: Images by Jed Fielding (on view via September 25, 2022) showcases the work of Fielding, a road photographer who has spent greater than 40 years photographing the folks of Naples, on black and white movie (digitally printed however he makes no digital alterations to the pictures). Fielding, who was additionally current at MOPA, defined he at all times asks for permission to {photograph} somebody, and he generally poses them to seize the kinetic high quality of their presence. Nonetheless, what he snaps is what we see. And what we see is a deeply empathetic portrait of humanity.

“I need guests to go away feeling in another way than they felt after they walked into the exhibition,” Fielding mentioned. “I’d just like the viewers to really feel that it is a new kind of encounter for them. I hope that they may depart pondering that they’ve not seen pictures fairly like this earlier than.”

Seaweed Farms by Michael Kenna. Bequest of Dr. Larry Friedman

Photograph by Michael Kenna, Courtesy of Museum of Photographic Arts

Final, however under no circumstances least, Legacy: Larry Friedman Assortment (on view via September 11, 2022) displays highlights from the gathering that the late Dr. Friedman bequeathed to the Museum, consisting of works of latest pictures that, as MOPA’s web site says, “challenged the notion of what pictures will be.” This contains works by Michael Kenna, resembling Seaweed Farms (2010) which look extra like a Van Gogh drawing than {a photograph} and works by David Maisel that might simply be seen as trying like a Richard Diebenkorn print.

Seems MOPA is much more particular than I imagined. Impartial museums solely dedicated to Images are rarities. There are just a few within the US; and in June 2020 The Annenberg Area for Images in Los Angeles closed completely. MOPA jogged my memory of the myriad methods this “lens-based medium,” whether or not journalistic and real looking, or summary and inventive, can educated, inform, problem, and carry our spirits as an expression of the imaginative and prescient of those that see the pictures of our world.

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Related Topics:Featured Jed Fielding Museum of Photographic Arts Nick Brandt San Diego

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San Diego, CA

First all-electric tugboat in U.S. christened on San Diego Bay

Published

7 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

First all-electric tugboat in U.S. christened on San Diego Bay

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — History was made today in San Diego. The first of its kind, all-electric tugboat, the eWolf, was officially christened on San Diego Bay Tuesday.

The eWolf will begin commercial service this week.

Instead of burning diesel fuel like other tugboats, the eWolf is the first all-electric powered harbor tugboat in the United States.

Operating with zero emissions and other sustainable technology, the eTug delivers high-power capability, safety and efficiency, the announcement said.

Maritime, energy and logistics solutions company, Crowley, christened the eWolf on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.

Built by Master Boat Builders in Coden, Ala., the 82-foot vessel delivers 70 tons of bollard pull, which is stronger than the traditional tugboat.

Unlike tugboats that burn diesel fuel, the eTug uses a more environmentally friendly and sustainable power source, which will be charged at a station on the shore.

The eWolf is not only a game changer in sustainability, it’s also the most advanced technologically. It features next generation radar, sonar, and more.

The goal — to reduce pollution and improve the air quality for San Diego.

In the first 10 years of its use, the eWolf will reduce 2.5 tons of diesel fuel pollution and 3,100 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution compared to a conventional tugboat, according to Crowley.

Crowley was joined at the vessel christening by project partners including the Port of San Diego, San Diego County Air Pollution Control District, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Maritime Administration.

“The eWolf is a historic milestone in the maritime industry and Crowley’s legacy, and underscores our company’s commitment to serve as global sustainability leaders and innovators. The all-electric tugboat is the most technologically advanced vessel of its kind, and eWolf will help our customers and communities reach their decarbonization goals while delivering capabilities that strengthen our vital supply chain,” said Tom Crowley, Chairman and CEO. “We congratulate the people whose tireless dedication brought the eWolf to fruition with our partners at the federal, state and local government, setting a new standard not just in America, but globally.”

At the christening, the vice president of Crowley said San Diego now has the most advanced and safest operating vessel ever built.

“Crowley’s first-of-its-kind electric tugboat is a game changer. It checks all the boxes by providing environmental, economic, and operational benefits for our communities and maritime industry,” said Frank Urtasun, Port of San Diego Chairman. “This is truly a story of teamwork and collaboration. We are proud to work with Crowley and our state and local partners on this and other electrification initiatives at and around our port, including electric cargo handling equipment like our all-electric mobile harbor cranes, our microgrid, vessel shore power, and more.”

The name was chosen as a nod to a tugboat in the company’s initial fleet, the Sea Wolf, which operated more than a century ago in California.

Dan Plante contributed to this report

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San Diego, CA

Your Guide to the Best Things in San Diego, 2024 | San Diego Magazine

Published

14 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

Your Guide to the Best Things in San Diego, 2024 | San Diego Magazine

By Danielle Allaire, Sara Clemence, Beth Demmon, Randy Dotinga, María José Durán, Leorah Gavidor, Cherie Gough, Mateo Hoke, Troy Johnson, Lili Kim, Marissa Kozma, Kai Oliver-kurtin, Nicolle Monico, Cole Novak, Amanda Parmele, Will Riddell, Amelia Rodriguez, Jay Smith, and Claire Trageser

A solar eclipse may have blocked out most of SD’s legendary sunlight a few months back, but our city is shining brighter than ever. Michelin bestowed a constellation of stars on our always-innovative food scene.

The city’s sports fever heated up, drawing two more pro teams to the landscape. Locals joined hands to pull a few beloved institutions from the brink (see Coop’s and The Harp). A mega revamp of a particular iconic North Park hotel beckoned hordes of visitors—and a gazillion international eyes. Even orcas want to live here.

And when disaster struck—catastrophic flooding, especially in the county’s most under-resourced areas—San Diegans came together to save and rebuild the lives of those impacted. Courageous residents helped rescue grandmas. GoFundMes got funded. Volunteers scooped away water and cleared debris.

Then, we kept pushing this place forward, creating community and starting small businesses and making more and more cool things. Here are over 100 of the coolest of them. Check ’em out, then go forth and make your own list. Or start your own thing. This town’s big enough for all of us.

Courtesy of the Gaslamplighter

Best Upgraded Take on Your Fave Dive

Gaslamplighter

Gaslamplighter is more than a glammed-up karaoke palace with a not-hyped-enough burger (a double-stack of juicy Wagyu beef served in a O’Brien’s strikes again. One of the Louis Vuitton knockoff). It’s a fifth-generation San Diego success story. Owner Frankie Scuito’s great-great-great grandparents opened San Diego’s first first deli with a liquor license, and his uncle and dad brought us the dark, cozy karaoke icon The Lamplighter. For the sister concept, Scuito and his brother put in ultra-upscale roaring-’20s décor, enlisted the city’s top cocktail minds, and garnered all the Gloria.

San Diego Futbol Club soccer player standing on Snapdragon Stadium ahead of their inaugural 2025 season in the MLS — Courtesy of San Diego FC

Best Team That Hasn’t Won A Single Game… Yet

San Diego FC

Soccer and San Diego are pretty tight right now. That bond will continue to grow when San Diego FC joins MLS in 2025 as the league’s 30th team. The club will look to cultivate homegrown talent like local teenage goalkeeper Duran Ferree) and give San Diego its first major sports championship since 1963. Oh, and one more thing: The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, a part-owner of the club, is now just the second Native American tribe in the country to have an ownership stake in a pro sports team.

Best of San Diego 2024 featuring an aerial view of the $1 Billion Chula Vista Bayfront Project — Photo Credit: Cole Novak

Best Bay-utification

Don’t get us wrong—roadwork and city renovations aren’t always our idea of positive news (especially when they add 15 minutes to our commute to work). But this $1.2 billion bayside project in Chula Vista is promising to be worth leaving the house a little earlier. Scheduled for completion in 2025, the redevelopment will include a new park, resort, convention center, RV resort, and residential area, creating space for locals and visitors to enjoy Chula Vista to the fullest.

Best Postpartum Power-lift

Fit4Mom

Held outdoors in the fresh air, Fit4Mom’s stroller-based classes incorporate resistance bands and structures like stairs, curbs, and walls to get mamas moving. Headquartered in San Diego, the fitness company has eight franchise locations across the county and more than 250 nationwide. Especially popular among new mothers on maternity leave and stay-at-home parents with young kids, Fit4Mom is a great avenue to make mom friends, seek parenting advice, and ease back into exercise postpartum.

Best Day in the Dirt

Coastal Roots Farm

Everyone needs to get their hands dirty sometimes. Thursday, Friday, and Sunday mornings, parents cart their little ones to Coastal Roots nonprofit Jewish community farm in Encinitas for Nature Play. Designed for kids ages zero to 10 and their families, the program is run by farm staff, who oversee interactive storytime, animal encounters like feeding chickens, and other sensory activities, including play in the outdoor “kitchens.” Afterward, stop by their pay-what-you-can farm stand (those in need can get up to $30 of produce free) to take home organic veggies and herbs.

Best of San Diego 2024 Reader's Picks featuring the Little Italy farmer's market — Courtesy of Little Italy Mercado

See our reader’s top picks across the city

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San Diego, CA

Moose Toys Heads to San Diego Comic-Con with MrBeast Lab Exclusives

Published

22 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

Moose Toys Heads to San Diego Comic-Con with MrBeast Lab Exclusives

Moose Toys, a leading innovator in the toy industry, revealed their new collaboration with MrBeast, also known as Jimmy Donaldson — the world’s most subscribed YouTuber and a dedicated philanthropist. The new line, MrBeast Lab, includes a range of small-scale collectibles along with action, vinyl, and collector’s figures. It is set to hit the U.S. market in July and expand globally through the fall, but attendees at San Diego Comic-Con will be able to get their hands on a SDCC exclusive, as well as limited edition items.

You can find Moose Toys at San Diego Comic-Con Booth #301, where they’ll be offering two MrBeast Lab items. The first is a 3.5″ tall San Diego Comic-Con exclusive MrBeast Lab Fuzzy Panther Vinyl Figure, which features a unique flocked texture, defined detailing, and display-ready packaging. It is limited to 3000, and will be available for $14.99.

The second item is a MrBeast Lab Alpha Panther Mutator, a limited-edition figure featuring an exclusive blue chrome finish, glow-in-the-dark crystals, and more than 20 points of articulation. The 5.5″ figure is part of the recent launch of MrBeast Lab Mutators, “the wildest experiment from the world of MrBeast Lab”, but it stands apart from the other figures in the line. This iteration was designed and styled to represent MrBeast’s iconic panther logo, and has a “completely new and elevated unboxing experience” in which the premium packaging touts “restricted access”. Fans will have to remove an exterior sleeve before unfolding the lab-themed box to unveil the limited edition Alpha Panther inside. Pick it up for $29.99 at San Diego Comic-Con and Walmart Collector Con only.