Customer Reviews

Street Art San Francisco: Mission Muralismo

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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.

In Street Art San Francisco: Mission Muralismo, Annice Jacoby gives phenomenal insight to a movement whose history has remained unknown for far too long. This book recognizes some of the greatest street artists in the world, and renders astute background information on them, helping the reader enjoy their works even more. It also provides exceptional insight to the current state of the movement, shedding light on the wonderful community outreach and youth development programs that have been built around this impressive culture.

Showcasing more than three decades of street art, its vibrant colors and bold compilations make it as entertaining as it is educational. Its in-depth analysis of the techniques and process used to create these masterpieces is unparalleled by any other book on the market. If you are an art enthusiast, or planning a trip to the San Francisco area, this book is an invaluable resource and will surely make an impressive addition to your personal library, just as it has to mine.

With a moving foreword by musician Carlos Santana, artist and author Annice Jacoby has truly outdone herself. Her book has helped me appreciate, even more, the art and culture found in the city of San Francisco.

I'm a little bit biased, I grew up in the Mission and am a huge fan of its murals. This book does a great job of documenting them over the years, its wonderful that they have been reproduced with such beautiful photographs. Thanks Annice!

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"Each city has its own fingerprint of style and story. However, here in the Mission, in San Francisco, I see a level of CULTURA that inspires the world." So writes Carlos Santana in the opening sentence of Street Art San Francisco, a book packed with powerful, vibrant reproductions of murals and street art, past and present, which have graced walls, sidewalks, garage doors, and other architectural surfaces throughout the Mission District of San Francisco. These images are augmented by short essays and stories, which reveal background history, interpret meaning, and address issues specific to murals such as ownership and conservation.

Above all, the murals in this book serve as potent examples of how the visual can speak loudly and immediately about pressing social issues. Many of the murals describe social injustices - speaking in pictures about everything from labor rights to immigrant displacement to environmental degradation. They also express the joys of community collaboration.

The Precita Eyes Muralists feature prominently in the book. Currently led by Susan Cervantes, they were founded in 1977. As one Precita Eyes muralist says, "Murals strengthen neighborhoods, transmute the darkness of the Mission into its strength, convert violence into beauty, and provide an alternative vision." It is heartening to see the way murals have been used to engage young people and the disenfranchised, and also how they have been used to honor and celebrate the rich diversity present in the Mission District.

This 300-page hardback is so densely packed with images, it feels as if they are bursting off the page. It is a book that can be picked up again and again, each time discovering something new.

This is a beautiful, well-made book containing a collection of San Francisco "peoples" mural art dating from the 1970s to today. Lots of large, full color photographs that showcase not only the art, but San Francisco itself. My favorite pages were those that showed before and after images. You are first shown a large unpainted wall of a building. Then you can see the transformation after the mural is applied. Another one of the murals shown looks to be about 8 stories high. Amazing.

Subjects include activism, religion, politics, history, cultural icons, folklore, city scenes, portraits, and much more.

This book succeeds in capturing the energy and life of the Mission muralists and their works of art. It's good to see these artists getting some well-deserved recognition.

Artists, photographers, enthusiasts..buy this book.

It's art, photography of art, words, history, culture, all brilliantly composed and combined in this amazing piece of work.

Like I said, buy it.

I bought this for my 24 year old son who lived in San Francisco. He loved it! He enjoyed reading about the street art in the city, especially the ones in the Mission District. It was a beautiful, brightly colored book which made a great Christmas gift!

This is a visual knockout-- a must see for anyone interested in urban art and culture. The text works as a compliment to the visuals and takes the reader on an artistic, intellectual and political ride through the Mission Disrict of San Fransico. Ms. Jacoby had the vision to recognise the District"s specialness years ago. This book has gone through a long gestation which has made it all the better since there is now moe mural art to photograph and discuss. Perhaps there will be a sequel since the District is a works in progress. I hope so. Lastly, at its price it is a super buy.

This dynamic, inspired collection is no ordinary coffee table tome. In thoughtful, concise essays, Jacoby has included the history of muralismo, SF politics, portraits of the artists and sociological analyses of transformed neighborhoods and buildings. Anyone interested in muralismo, painting, San Francisco history and SF present will delight in this thoroughly researched, always engaging gorgeous book by Abrams.

A cinematic tour-de-force except it's a book! The pages are ALIVE just like the neighborhood
where the art got born - jammed with energy, color, texture, wit, pulse, reverence and irreverence
in equal measure. This deeply nourishing offering can be a tasty browsing treat or a full-course
meal. Shelf-life? Infinite.
Andrew Voigt
Musician/Electrician