Passage

'Passage' at Pier 14 on the SF Embarcadero

June 16th, 2007 marked the opening dedication of both Dan Das Mann and Karen Cusolito's sculpture, Passage, and the newly renovated breakwater which is now a public access pier. Pier 14 allows residents and visitors to San Francisco to walk some 637 feet out into the bay for 360 degrees of stunning views. Without the hard work, blood, sweat, and heart of everyone involved this installation could not have happened. Thanks to all! And congratulations to Dan and Karen!

When Passage was originally installed at Burning Man 2005, Event Founder, Larry Harvey, asked the Artist, Dan Das Mann, why the mother and child sculptures were pointed toward the open playa and decidedly away from 'the Man', the effigy which is the namesake of the event. To which Dan replied that the sculptures were leaving Black Rock City, heading out to live their lives in the great big world beyond.

The Black Rock Arts Foundation holds a strong belief that impermanence can bring a different kind of appreciation to public works of art. For this reason, Passage was installed as a temporary exhibition, and, although its display granted an extension, it was finally deinstalled in October 2007. The Black Rock Arts Foundation received numerous calls and emails from the community, lamenting the loss of this loved work of art. But, as a result of BRAF's ground work in placing artwork in a new location, the site has since been designated as a permanent place for temporary artwork. This initiative has received blanket approval from the Bay Conservation and Development Commission (BCDC) for the installation of temporary artworks on the San Francisco waterfront for periods of up to two years.