Defenestration

San Francisco is a melting pot of freaks, geeks, conservatives, liberals, hippies, hipsters and punks. Despite the magnitude of differences, I believe that San Francisco residents all have the shared quality, as pack rats, to hold on to our clutter. We all have issues with throwing stuff away and hoarding our junk in the back of the closets stuffed behind our winter jackets. This notion of getting rid of clutter is liberating and cleansing. And this is a sentiment that Brian Goggin, an artist, expresses through an installation called ‘Defenestration.” “Defenestration” is on the corner of 6th Street and Howard Street. It is eye catching, perplexing and very “Dr. Seussish.” The multi sculptural mural involves couches, tables, chairs, lamps, clocks, bed frames and other various furniture items, bolted to the outside of the building in such a position that they appear to be literally jumping out of the windows. There is something oddly refreshing and comical about a myriad of furniture trying to commit suicide; or from a more positive perspective, escape to freedom. Hence the name, Defenestration, which literally means the act of throwing a thing or a person out of a window.

The installation, put together by Brian Goggin, has a “love it or hate it” reputation. The furniture, draped outside of the building, is humorous and ironic or pointless and silly to some viewers. Goggin has attributed this installation to a feeling of release. He believes that, “The act of 'throwing out' becomes an uplifting gesture of release, inviting reflection on the spirit of the people we live with, the objects we encounter, and the places in which we live.” Maybe this is the reason why many San Franciscans feel indifferent towards “Defenestration.” We all want to live by this example, cleanse ourselves of our clutter but find it difficult at times.

There have been signs pasted to this edifice that tell us it's doomed for demolition and rumors that it will be put on the market soon. And this is all the more reason to stand outside of it, perhaps a street length away, and breathe in its beauty and originality. Perhaps you will also understand the liberating sentiment that Goggin had hoped his installation would inspire or maybe you will just go back to your old pack rat, hoarding ways.

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http://www.defenestration.org/
http://www.metaphorm.org/
All Photo Credits: Unknown