Local artist creates new S.F. project

June 8, 2005

By DANE GOLDEN
ARGUS-COURIER STAFF

Petaluma artist David Best, known for his extraordinary structures at the annual Burning Man festival, has built a new 40-foot-high installation in his signature style in newly opened Hayes Green Park in San Francisco. It is made almost entirely from recycled scrap wood pieces.

The Hayes Green Temple was commisioned by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom as a temporary installation in conjunction with the United Nations World Environment Day conference June 1-5, where 68 mayors from around the world convened in San Francisco to address common environmental concerns.

The majority of the funding for the project was raised privately through the Black Rock Arts Foundation. "Some people donated $5,000, and some people donated $20," said Best, "but they were all treated equally."

He said he hoped the temple could be a place for people "to reflect on the good and painful things in their life."

It took about a month for 30 volunteers to pre-assemble the parts of the sculpture, and three more days to finish the installation on-site. "I'm grateful to everyone who participated, including the city [of San Francisco]," said Best.

"This project opens the door for other artists in the community to put temporary sculptures up." He said that his installation will be up for about 90 days, and then followed by a new temporary installation every few months.