Barnes' Ghost Bike art show opens today in San Francisco.
Artist Genea Barnes is opening her Ghost Bike project this Friday, July 1, in San Francisco. The show is called “Remembering” and is at Gallery 28, 1228 Grant Ave., in North Beach, San Francisco, CA. The opening reception will be Friday, July 1, 2011 from 6pm to 9pm. Wine tasting will be sponsored by Artesa Vineyards and Winery. Barnes’ work, as well as the work of 9 other artists will hang from June 29 to July 28, 2011.
For those who don’t know, a ghost bike is a bicycle that is painted all white and locked to a sign near where a bicyclist was killed or hit. They serve as a memorial for those who have been injured or who have lost their lives on a bicycle. Ghost bikes were created in St. Louis, Missouri in 2003. They have since appeared in many cities around the world. More information on ghost bikes can be found at ghostbikes.org.
Barnes says: “I discovered Ghost Bikes while shooting in New York in May 2010. I was touched by the sentiment, and profoundly affected by the visible reminders of how fragile life is and how we as a society must be more aware of our surroundings if we are going to keep each other safe. One can pass a memorial hundreds of times and eventually forget that it is there to commemorate a human life. In an effort to remind us that these installations are to signify a spirit that is no longer with us, I have taken photographs of (living) people in my studio and transformed them into “ghosts” to serve as a symbol of the person who may have lost their life at the ghost bike location; to further emphasize that these people will not be forgotten, and that their lost lives will inspire others to be more cautious when riding a bicycle or driving around bicyclists. It could have been you or someone you love. “
