Author: Alfredo Casuso

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

https://community-arts.org/projects/destination-downtown/

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/

# # #

Union Square Alliance Statement on Saks Fifth Avenue

“With the recent news coverage of the purchase of Neiman Marcus Group by Saks Fifth Avenue parent company HBC, consolidation between brands is to be expected nationwide. We are seeing retailers with high end clientele offering appointment service. Saks Fifth Avenue stores in Napa and Palo Alto have already made the transition to appointment-only operations. We look forward to Saks continuing to be a part of Union Square’s luxury market as they find innovative ways to serve their customers and navigate through this transition.”
— David Perry, spokesman Union Square Alliance

media contacts
Omer Tuval
+ 972 52-222-0936

Or Moshe
+ 972 50-831-0665
media@bringthemhomenow.net

After Revealing Photos of Female Observers in Hamas Captivity: Parents Demand Immediate Meeting with Prime Minister

*Ayelet Levy Shachar, mother of Naama Levy: “The Prime Minister asked me to join him on his flight to the U.S. for his speech to Congress, and I explained that I cannot and will not feel comfortable joining him until I see that the negotiations regarding my Naama’s release are completed”*

With the return of their daughters and other hostages closer than ever, the families of the female observers held a press conference this evening (Tuesday). They demanded an immediate meeting with the Prime Minister before his trip to Congress.

Ayelet Levy Shachar, mother of Naama Levy:
“The Prime Minister asked me to join him on his flight to the U.S. for his speech to Congress, and I explained that I cannot and will not feel comfortable joining him until I see that the negotiations regarding my Naama’s release are completed. Until then, I’m staying here in Israel and continuing to fight to save my Naama. As the deal progresses and Naama and all other hostages are saved, I could come and join even with her in his delegation.

Meanwhile, I’m staying here and asking you, look into her eyes, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister. Meet with us immediately so we can make her voice heard. This is not the time for trips; this is the time to close a deal and bring the hostages home. Netanyahu: First a deal, then you can travel. This is not the time for showy trips; this is the time to advance an agreement and bring the hostages home.”

Shira Albag, mother of Liri Albag:
“Our girls and all other hostages face daily life-threatening danger. As reported yesterday, we were informed of the importance of exhausting all efforts in the coming days – before the Prime Minister’s trip to Washington. Gallant told us, “When a deal wasn’t feasible, I told you. Now it is! So here I say: this is the closest we’ve ever been!” Now is the time to sign! It’s time to bring back my Liri, it’s time to bring everyone back.

Netanyahu, you promised us, and it’s time to deliver. We demand a meeting with you now, before your trip. You owe us at least this much”.

Albert Ariev, father of Karina Ariev:
“My little Karina, only 19 years old, is in Gaza. Today, you see footage of Karina and her friends in their first days of captivity. It’s so vivid – Karina sitting on a mattress on the floor, with an exhausted and desperate look. She has a shocking bandage on her head with dried blood. On her leg, you can see fresh blood stains seeping into her pajama pants. There are strong marks of handcuffs and binding on her wrists. Swelling in her hands indicates that Karina was bound for a long time. You see one frame, but in the video, you can see facial wounds likely caused by shrapnel when the terrorists invaded the shelter.

The agreement currently on the table is the closest we’ve ever been. Since the morning of October 7th, Karina’s words are etched in my memory: “Dad, I’m scared.” And I am helpless; I can do nothing. My little daughter, wounded, bleeding, has been in Gaza for over nine months! All we ask is for Karina back; we want our small family to be whole again”.

Shlomi Berger, father of Agam Berger:
“Mr. Prime Minister, this is a personal appeal to you, first, close the deal! Then you can travel safely and return safely. This is not the time for trips when your presence here, at the most critical time for our country, is essential. 

To the world in general and Qatar in particular, I say – the picture of Haniyeh that was deliberately and intentionally placed behind our daughters shows that there is no separation between the military wing and the political bureau of the Hamas terrorist organization. Those who give them shelter will have to provide explanations when the time comes. They are all jointly responsible for the terrible massacre and for holding all the hostages for more than nine months, 284 days”.

Orly Gilboa, mother of Daniella Gilboa:
“I address the Prime Minister – Today you met with representatives of the parents of sixteen observers who were murdered on October 7th. They were all friends of Daniella, close friends in heart and soul. They all did everything for the country and stood bravely until they were murdered and burned by Hamas terrorists on that cursed Saturday. We are all one family, and as such, I know that the families approached you and shared their genuine and heavy concern that our daughters might join the list of the murdered.

The families told us they expressed to you that their healing depends on the safe return of our daughters. Our struggle is shared – it’s the struggle of the hostages’ families, the bereaved families, and all of Israel.

I repeat my request, Prime Minister, to meet with us before your departure to Congress. I reiterate that if you choose to travel for a speech – let it be a speech declaring an immediate hostage deal. A deal that will restore the strength, the joy, the power of the State of Israel, and most importantly, bring back my Daniella.

This struggle is not just ours; it belongs to the families of the hostages, the bereaved families, and all of Israel. I implore you again, Prime Minister, to meet with us before you leave for Congress. If you must go to give a speech, let it be one that announces an immediate deal for the hostages – a deal that will restore Israel’s strength, joy, and power, and most importantly, bring my Daniella home.”

Attached photos credited to: Paulina Patimer