As the lovely night arrived I, along with my bro slice, Artikalz; The First Division, Bane and Clockwork; and Drew Dirt, the photographer, made our way fashionably EARLY (A first for me) to the party. Everyone, besides Drew and I, were scheduled to perform that evening. Before entering the house’s backyard we noticed a friendly looking young gal sitting behind a table. Apparently, she was the active doorman, oops, doorwoman for the night. Doorwoman’s fingers began moving a mile a minute as she silently communicated to a friend sitting to her right.

“What the fuck is going on?” I initially thought to myself, as the mute conversation ensued. The girl to the right sashayed toward the backyard. Minutes later, she brought out the birthday boy, who wore a fedora, button down shirt, jeans, and an appropriately festive lei. Before you ask, yes, the party was indeed a Hawaiian-themed party. I must admit, it was my first time ever getting laid without any cosmos in me (I know, I had to say it).

All of the typical ingredients to create an “I’m gonna get FUCKED UP and overstay my welcome” party were in sight: A kiddy pool full of booze. Check; a bar with, yes, a bartender. Check; enough food to feed a small village. Check. But something in my gut told me that this party was different from most parties I have attended. The hand signals the woman at the front table used seemed like second nature to half the people there. The party was…wait for it… a deaf party. Say what!? Yes, they do exist. How the hell do you perform for a crowd of deaf people, you ask? A grand question indeed, but not everyone was deaf and some were only partially deaf. But this did spark some curiosity in me. I wondered if there were more places that the deaf community partied. Low and behold, there is a website that keeps the hearing impaired community informed of the deaf party scene.

Besides my interesting discovery, and my failed attempt to learn sign language with my “smart phone” (no thanks to you Palm Pre), I got some awfully swell footage of the performances. So sit back and enjoy the footage.

I shimmied and Harlem shook my way through the crowd to get a view of the art. There were art pieces of animals with glowing eyes, girls in hand-drawn black-and-white illustrations, shadowy figures positioned in photos that I swear must have been from World War II (sue me if I’m wrong), and even an alter of sorts for weed, yes, weed.

The beer I drank earlier was wearing thin and I needed to get to work. Low and behold my luck was bestowed upon me (I never use bestowed, but it sounds nice on paper). I ran into a few artists and two attendants whom all were not too shy to speak in front of the camera. Cody Cochrane, a North American artist, and Tim Schafer, a Bay Area artist, spoke about their art and why they do what they do. And two guests of Minna, Aaron Arabian and David Felice, gave their views of Minna and some of the artwork. So sit back and enjoy four minutes of funtastic fun at an art gallery that even you, yes you, should skip your way over to.

San Francisco’s Mission District is teeming with hundreds of tags and murals. The community is very receptive of the artwork and has become a proving ground for up and coming muralists and painters. If anyone knows the name of any of these pieces or the bad ass responsible please contact us. You can also check out more photos in the Photography section of Treazon.  Click to view slideshow.

This "Wharf Rat" was found next to the old arcade on Pier 39.

Famed English tagger Banksy has apparently been up to some good on a recent visit to San Francisco to promote the American debut of his new feature film Exit Through the Gift Shop which first appeared at Sundance earlier this year. This image is of one of the artists more famed elements, the depiction of a working class “wharf rat” as they are known by fans and onlookers alike. Residents have reported that there may possibly be up to a dozen unique “Banksies” in varying districts throughout San Francisco. This rat is located at Pier 39 near the old arcade museum.

“Banksy? Banksy what? I don’t know what that is but you cant just go around sprayin’ rat likeness all over town you know.”: – Disgruntled onlooker.

Detail of the tag at Broadway and Columbus

The tag of the child in a gas mask calling in an air strike on the corner of Columbus and Broadway in North Beach is visible from City lights books through a window next to a copy of Wall and peace on display. Call it coincidence but I believe this minute detail is a testament to the thought and creativity he puts into all of his pieces.

“This will look nice when its framed.” – Banksy

It may already be too late

In a similar style, there have been reports of Banksy’s work showing up in San Francisco’s Mission District, most notably the Indian Chief who is holding a spear that was integrated into a preexisting No Trespassing sign. His message seems clear and stands as another glimpse of the artists consciousness of not only “his” environment but also the vibrant history and culture surrounding the city.

“If at first you don’t succeed – call an airstrike.” – Banksy

Just between 19th st. & 20th st. on Valencia lies Amnesia, a divey little joint that you just cant help but forget,  and adorning it roof is the depiction of a small child rocking a hoody with paint bucket in tow standing sheepishly next to the words “This will look nice when its framed.”

The piece really stands out when your waking south bound on Valencia and hopefully since it’s on top of Amnesia it wont be going anywhere anytime soon.