This isn't just another book that reprints and reproduces street or graffiti art -- Annice Jacoby infuses Street Art San Francisco: Mission Muralismo with all the literal, figurative, emotional, political, cultural and historical vibrancy, color, understanding and context that IS the Mission Mural Movement in San Francisco.
I felt like I was reading and viewing a visual poem or ode to the glorious, sometimes misunderstood, but always engaging, captivating, compelling and exciting graffiti, mural, street art in San Francisco's similarly described Mission District.
I happened to be in Los Angeles when this book caught my eye as it stood on top of a collection of art books at a book store (look at the cover - how could it not?). When I picked it up, I was immediately transported and felt literally "on the streets of San Francisco" (sorry for the TV Show reference). After purchasing the book, I felt that not only was I viewing these amazing works of street art but also getting "schooled" in this movement's history and current context populated by talented diverse artists of all ages, cultures and backgrounds through excellently written pieces by the leaders, thinkers, artists, and "movers and shakers" related to the microcosm of "street art of San Francisco", especially in the world within that world in San Francisco's Mission District.
The forward by Mexican American and legendary musician Carlos Santana provides its own interesting introduction to this world and the profoundly written insights that accompany the beautifully arranged and reproduced art all gave me a serious but entertaining education into an art movement whose roots, reasons and reality may have previously been unknown to those who view, walk by and appreciate the rawness, beauty and cultural phenomenon that is graffiti/mural or street art.
This book is a must read and see for anyone who appreciates, values and is moved by the street art around them - in whatever city they live in - but especially if they live IN or NEAR San Francisco and/or are visiting San Francisco.
Buy this book and bring it with you and visit the sites like Clarion Alley in the Mission District (or stroll around ANYWHERE in the Mission District) to see these works of art...you will have a greater understanding of and more appreciation for what you see and you will NEVER look at graffiti, mural art, street art or San Francisco's Mission District the same way again!
But this book is really NOT just for those who live in or near or are visiting San Francisco - really it is a wonderful art history meets art current meets art book meets the best coffee table art book you'll ever want to have.
Understanding the art around us (literally on our streets) - its background and context - I believe helps us to understand the world around us, our neighbors, the diverse cultures in our own cities and countries and of course - ultimately - ourselves.
I loved the book's dynamic and more unusual layout, typography and "look"- which was so perfect given the book's subject matter and the art within. It was like special attention and time was taken to give the reader a well thought out visual adventure at every turn!
I highly recommend this book - it has become a "colorful" and beloved new addition to my own library of art and culture books.
