Bass & Reiner Gallery has its first opening reception tonight, November 22, from 7-10pm, for its inaugural exhibition Bang!, featuring works by Nando Alvarez-Perez, John Ciamillo, Heather Engen, Angela Fox, Malena Lopez-Maggi, Minji Sohn, and Tobias Tovera. A new space in the Mission District, Bass & Reiner was founded by Mariel Bayona, Chris Grunder, Emily Reynolds, and Cléa Massiani.
There’s something magical about a brand-new gallery’s very first opening. The excitement is palpable as young, emerging artists and curators forge new partnerships and, together, blaze new trails through the local art scene. The preparators, who are also likely the co-founders, have to ready the gallery space not only for a new show, but for the inaugural show; tearing out carpet, painting walls, adding gallery lighting, finding people to donate time and materials, renovating whatever multi-use commercial space it was previously, often all on a shoestring budget. All that hard work is an echo of the furious zeal of individuals who want to impact the art world in positive ways and seek to mine their own potential. If that isn’t exciting, I don’t know what is.
rogue/rave 