Peace on Patricia's Green

The newest art installation on Patricia’s Green was installed recently. While originally expected to be in place before the election, Tony Labat’s “Big Peace IV”, a powder-coated steel structure symbolizing the 50th anniversary of the Peace symbol, is in place for the inauguration of a President who ran on a background of Hope, a theme of Change, and a motto of “We Can Do It”.

The temporary art installation is sponsored by the San Francisco Arts Commission, with special thanks to the SF Public Utilities Commission and the Recreation and Parks Department. The artwork itself is courtesy of the artist and Gallery Paule Anglim. Tony Labat was born in Havana, Cuba in 1951, and received his Bachelor’s degree from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1978 and his Masters in 1980. In 1985 Tony began teaching at the Art Institute, and is currently Chair of the New Genres Department.

photo: Paul Olsen

Tony Labat has exhibited internationally over the past 25 years, and created Big Peace in 1987. Ten years later, to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Summer of Love, Big Peace II was proposed for Golden Gate Park. It was first approved by the City, but the project was later cancelled due to public outcry. 40 years after Woodstock and the Summer of Love, Big Peace IV has found a place in Hayes Valley.

Mr Labat is known not only for his Peacerelated sculptures, but for a body of work that also includes performance and video. More information can be found on his website, www.tonylabat.com.

Big Peace IV, like all art installations on The Green, is temporary. After several months, it will be replaced with another work, this one by local artist Mark Baugh-Sasaki, which is expected to remain through the summer. That artwork is being sponsored by Hayes Valley Arts Coalition.

As can be seen in the accompanying photo, Patricia’s Green is designed to have a space not only for art installations, but for children to play, adults to linger, and all to enjoy. See the article elsewhere in this issue for the effect Patricia’s Green has had on neighborhood involvement.