What is magic? How do we see it everyday?
What are dreams? Are they always in our minds?
Do we use them as a portal to drive us to our wildest desires?
Our greatest fears?
How do magic and dreams shape our future?
Our fortunes?
Our transformation?
Our creations?
Merchants of Reality is sending out an open call for all artists who wish to explore the realm of the unseen. To delve into our dreams and meet each other where our subconscious minds intersect.
We invite you to submit anything that relates to your ideas of magic, dreams, and fortune. Any and all interpretations of these topics are welcome. Come create a portal with us and venture through the unexpected dimensions of the Mind/Universe.
What awaits for you at the end of this portal is an answer to your unanswered questions.
Bring your creations to Merchants of Reality and become a part of our larger than life shrine dedicated to the world that lies behind the curtains of everyday existence.
The event will be free and open to the public, see you then!
The night following St. Valentines Day, February 15th, Merchants of Reality presents Mystic a mid month Music show that sustains the theme of our 8th at 8 gallery show MAGIC/DREAMS/FORTUNE (see flyer post previous)
The 15th will feature returning band The Stages of Sleep as well as goose-bump inducing Ghost Town Jenny and the experimental work of Eli-CP. $5. Doors @ 8pm. 9th @ Folsom. Merchants of Reality
Flyer illustration by Will Ratliff @ www.willratliff.com
Joshua Nissen King
Works In Progress Packet
Finally got around to shooting a couple photos of the pieces I’m working on in the studio. some have received more attention for better or for worse. Im pleased with where I am headed, although I recognize some of these works have been more like journal entries, complete spew of my conscience.
Enjoy…
What’s happening in the art cave?
After long hours in the edit suite here at Merchants of Reality, “Blaze” is complete! Check it out online. You may recognize the effect footage from “Evolving Paint” and a timelapse I did with Matt Kassouf.
Friday Sep. 28th @ 8pm
John Espey has produced several videos through Merchants of Reality and explored e-waste sculpture, electronics, aquaponics, and painting. He works freelance on video and film projects around the Bay and brings his education in Biology to his work.
Come check out this special show at Merchants of Reality.
Hello interwebers!
This video “Muni Transfer”, is made by Mike Torchia and John Espey and was premiered at Mike Torchia’s “The Past Year” show here at Merchants of Reality that ran through August. It was extremely fun to make and got a very positive response, especially from the bus drivers! I had always had the dream of having a really giant transfer, and knew that once I created them, I needed go get on some buses! The video was filmed entirely on the date of the pass July 30, 2012. Muni Transfers are unique tickets with social connotation attached to them, remaining a hotly debated topic, and are quintessential San Francisco items, representing the mass transit system.
One of the prints will be featured in The Coalition on Homelessness Art Auction this Thursday. Please come out and support, the event is September 13th at the SoMArts Cultural Center, 934 Brannon Street. Joshua King will also have a print avaliable in the Auction, we’d love to see you there!
*Mike Torchia
Brought to you by Merchants of Reality, “poprocks” is a short film featuring the hilarious Chris Love, the sincere Karla Mi Lugo, the dashing Joshua King, and the mind bending Baraka Noel.
The film was directed by John Espey, Emelia Loomis, and Baraka Noel. It is the first dialogue driven short film produced through Merchants of Reality. The team also included cameras from JD Basquiat, Meredith Connor, Bisi Obateru, and Kym Wells.
Special thanks in the credits go to Jack Morris for the use of his audio equipment, making for a much more exploratory and rewarding editing experience.
“eggtoss” (in-progress)
48”X60”
oil, acrylic, spray paint, mixed technique on wood panel
Joshua Nissen King
about three painting sessions in on this one
built the panel on the 9th and 10th of july, I have been glued to my painting studio for the past five days
Ahoy there!
It has been a year and we are still building a dream over here at Merchants. We would love if you would come celebrate with us. We are so lucky to work in this space and have the opportunity to manipulate our tangible realm to suit our needs.
Come on down to 285 9th st. @ Folsom on July 8th @ 8pm to see what we have done to the space!
We’ve launched our storybook kickstarter! Thanks to all who came out to the show. We appreciate your support. Check in regularly for updates. WE’VE ADDED A BONUS REWARD! The first and last four backers will receive a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted magic animal totem wand, so get those while they last. Our fundraising end date is July 9th, the day after Merchants of Reality’s one year anniversary.
love,
bem & Larissa
May 8th at 8pm is our Small Things Show! This video shows the construction of Shane, Larissa, and John’s miniature landscape. The landscape is the second they have made together, the first being for the Death Medicine Band music video. This design features a running river, and suspension mount from the wall.
