This evening, I am overwhelmed by the sound of helicopters buzzing incessantly overhead as Occupy Oakland continues to defy those authorities determined to grind it down to dust. The noise keeps me on edge, keeps me from sleep, keeps me in a state of heightened awareness that is not always comfortable, but over in San Francisco another message, equally powerful, is being broadcast loud and clear in a manner far more playful but as challenging to passers-by intellectually, emotionally, artistically, and , yes, politically. On Hemlock Street, right off of Polk Street, is a brand-new mural painted by Ezra Li Eismont, occupying the entire face of a building and announcing to the greater world that the time has come to OCCUPY YOUR MIND . . . .
. . . . and THINK RESPONSIBLY.
After all, that inner meditative world creates the greater active world. We think the future into being.
. . . . and THINK RESPONSIBLY.
After all, that inner meditative world creates the greater active world. We think the future into being.
A bold portrait of Michael Jackson as a zombie occupies the wall between doors, both locked and open, overwhelming the barred windows above and transforming an unprepossessing industrial building into serious and provocative art that suggests that we might all consider that agreeing to Celebrity is agreeing to an existence as a Zombie.
We might -- instead -- Think Responsibly. . . . and then, perhaps??? Act accordingly.
Choose to walk the earth as humans.
We might -- instead -- Think Responsibly. . . . and then, perhaps??? Act accordingly.
Choose to walk the earth as humans.

The door is open.
Act compassionately.
Live in our skin, feel our bones. Laugh. Dream.
Give to others what we know, nestle into the unknown. Cherish new possibility.
Live. And Breathe, always breathe. Inhale deeply and when we exhale, know that NOW is the time to OCCUPY our MINDS.
Live in our skin, feel our bones. Laugh. Dream.
Give to others what we know, nestle into the unknown. Cherish new possibility.
Live. And Breathe, always breathe. Inhale deeply and when we exhale, know that NOW is the time to OCCUPY our MINDS.
Check out Ezra Li Eismont's show, Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep, opening on November 12, right around the corner form this remarkable street mural at the Space Gallery, 1141 Polk Street, San Francisco, and while you're there, spend some time with Little Old One, at Lopo Gallery, opening the same day and featuring the collaborative works of Bunnie Reiss and Monica Canilao.