My boys and I enjoyed a daylight “sneak peek” of the sixth annual San Francisco Halloween Ghost Ship event. This year’s location was an old warehouse in the shipyard district at Pier 70 in the Dogpatch neighborhood. What is the connection to found or repurposed art, you might be asking yourself? Ahoy matey. . . most of the art installations are built from scratch using recyclable or salvaged materials, made by some of the Bay Area’s most dynamic large scale production artists. For example, the mountable shark was built in one week using cardboard. Other pieces, like the Nautilus Submarine Art Car inspired by the movie 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, was built by the Five Ton Crane Arts Group. “5TC” is a full service design, build and consulting group in the production and fabrication of interactive and educational works of art.
Pier 70 itself is being recycled and repurposed. San Francisco Mayor Lee has declared the investment in the Central Waterfront development to be among his highest priorities, particularly that of Pier 70. The goal is to restore and maximize these historic buildings for mixed-use without overlooking their importance to San Francisco’s maritime history. In truth, the annual Ghost Ship event is less horror and haunt, and more a tip of the hat to our city’s unique seafaring history.
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