Destination Downtown: Union Square
media contact: DP&A, Inc., David Perry / (415) 676-7007 / news@davidperry.com
Now through October 13: Daily 9am – 9pm
Destination Downtown: Union Square Photos from the Selle Collection
Exhibit in Flood Building West Windows Facing Cable Car Turnaround Reveals San Francisco’s Forgotten Past
Kick off Event for Media, Wednesday, August 7 at 6pm
26 July 2024, SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Union Square San Francisco (www.visitunionsquaresf.com), with its vibrant history and iconic locales, comes alive in an engaging digital installation showcasing Union Square photographs from the Selle Collection. Curated from a treasure trove of over 1.3 million candid snapshots never exhibited in San Francisco, this site-specific public art project offers a unique glimpse into the city’s dynamic past, a time when going downtown was a special event, an adventure.
Now through October 13 (Daily 9am – 9pm, with best visibility from dusk onward)
Destination Downtown: Union Square Photos from the Selle Collection is on exhibit in the windows of the historic landmark Flood Buildings west windows facing the Cable Car Turnaround at 1 Powell Street. More information is available online at https://community-arts.org/projects/destination-downtown/
Note for Media: A special kick-off and press availability will take place on Wednesday, August 7 at 6pm at the Cable Care Turnaround, Powell & Market Streets.
“We celebrate Union Square’s rich past while embracing the future through initiatives like the Downtown Destination project,” said Marisa Rodriguez, CEO of the Union Square Alliance. “These snapshots showcase downtown as the thriving heart of social and cultural life, inspiring us to continue modernizing our traditions through initiatives like Union Square in Bloom and the innovative redesign proposal for Powell Street both of which seek to invite visitors to return to rediscover the Square and forge new heartwarming memories.”
From families leisurely shopping to couples enjoying a night out, the photographs capture the essence of 20th century life in downtown San Francisco. These commercial snapshots were the work of freelance photographers, led by Joseph Selle, who captured everyday moments at vibrant/lively intersections such as the Flood Building, Market Street, Powell Street, and Union Square itself.
”Joseph Selle and his team of photographers documented a transformation in downtown San Francisco,” said Michael Lerner, Creative Director of the exhibition. “These remarkable images have languished unseen for almost 50 years. As San Francisco contemplates its future, the installation invites us to imagine the lives of the people who lived here decades ago.”
Taken between 1955 and 1986, these photographs were sold as souvenirs to passersby, a testament to the downtown’s vibrant street culture. Many of these images, unseen for decades, are now displayed for the first time at the very location where they were taken, offering viewers a journey through time.
Visitors to the exhibition, located in the window of the Flood Building at Powell and Market Streets, will recognize familiar landmarks that have shaped the city over the decades—ornate lamp posts, and iconic cable and street cars.
“As San Francisco evolves, these forgotten photographs documented its storied past,” added Andrew Eskind, Project Consultant and Archivist.
Karin Flood, President of the Flood Corporation and Union Square Foundation Board member, shared her personal connection to the historic landmark: “The Flood Building stands as a testament to San Francisco’s enduring spirit and resilience. It’s a privilege to see these archival photographs alongside the building that has been a cornerstone of Union Square’s history.”
The exhibition, supported by a grant from the Union Square Foundation, is a collaborative effort with Community Arts International.
For more information on Destination Downtown, visit https://community-arts.org/projects/destination-downtown/
The installation is free of charge and operates every day from 9:00 AM until 9:00 PM opposite the Cable Car Turnaround in the windows of the Flood Building at 1 Powell Street. It runs until October 13, 2024.
Exhibition Credits:
● Michael Lerner, Creative Director
● Elsa Cameron, Program Consultant
● David Suurballe, Photo Curation
● Hugh Livingston, Media Consultant and FX Programming
● Andrew Eskind, Photographer and Director, PhotographyDatabase.org
● Mary Panzer, Historian and Curator
● Christopher DeWinter, Graphics
● Kim Ireland, Web Services
● Karin Flood, President, Flood Corporation
About Union Square Foundation: The Union Square Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization existing to establish a renewed ‘sense of place’ for the Union Square Area by supporting diverse artistic, cultural, and culinary programs and projects – and by cultivating a welcoming caring community for all humankind.
The Foundation provides critical support to both create and maintain a clean, safe, and beautiful environment that serves to enrich its public spaces for the enjoyment of San Francisco’s residents and visitors. Learn more at https://www.unionsquarefoundation.org.
About Community Arts International: Community Arts International (CAI) is a non-profit organization that fosters collaboration to bring art to non-traditional venues. For over 40 years, CAI has been dedicated to making art accessible to a diverse public audience as part of their daily lives. We commission and manage architecturally integrated artwork in airports, hotels, hospitals, office buildings, and outdoor spaces. CAI also curates museum-quality exhibitions and advises on acquisitions for private and public collections. Learn more at https://community-arts.org/.
About the Union Square Alliance:The Union Square Alliance serves members and creates a high-quality visitor experience by managing and activating public spaces, attracting new investment, and advocating for the District’s future success. Union Square is the vibrant heart of San Francisco and an international destination where visitors come to enjoy exceptional retail experiences, luxury hotels, world-class cultural institutions, and great public spaces found only in the City by the Bay. A lively 27-block community surrounding Union Square Park in the heart of San Francisco makes up the Union Square Alliance. It is generally bordered on the north by Bush Street, on the east by Kearny Street, on the south by Market Street and on the west by Taylor Street. For more information on the Alliance, go to visitunionsquaresf.com/
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