Art installation or dump? Why not both?
The world shutting down during COVID 19 lead me to find many outdoor (and distanced) gems in my own backyard. My partner suggested we visit this place called the Albany Bulb, but he made me promise not to look it up in advance. When the site constantly unfolded and revealed new wonders, I was so glad I kept that promise.
The Albany Bulb is a man made peninsula in the San Francisco Bay that was used as a dump of construction materials. In 1984 it was decommissioned as a landfill, and has gradually turned into a hiking area, nature reserve, and playground of urban art. Discarded columns and pieces of paved roads have been turned into canvas, drift wood and rebar transformed into sculptures.
Every corner turned brought me to a new unexpected and unbelievably creative installation that is always in flux as visitors to the Bulb add their own imprint and offerings. On top of all that, the peninsula offered the best unobstructed view of San Francisco that I have ever seen.
Here is just a sampling of what the Albany Bulb offered me that day, and I encourage you all to explore this unique feature of the Bay.
P.S. I returned more recently after my original writing of this post and truly got to understand the evolving nature of the installation art at the bulb. So many of the pieces I discovered on my first trip had been taken down and repurposed into something new, and that's exactly what is meant to happen. The pieces of art here mimic the nature around it; it's all seasonal and while one thing comes and goes it is reused in a new, beautiful arrival. I also took my film camera for the second visit, and the photos turned out so cool! Take a look!
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