Art in Trash Closes Civic Center

FBI Visits Ar+space!

March 23rd, 2007
So 8:30 this morning, I finish my shower and step out of the bathroom. I see four big guys in cheap suits standing around the living room. Michael my housemate says “Andy, this is the FBI. FBI, this is Andy”. The biggest agent goes, “We are the FBI”, his voice suggesting I’d never believe that coming from Michael unless he confirmed it, too. Tightening my bathrobe and blinking my eyes, I replied, “I’m clean!”.

I asked what they wanted and they said they were talking to Michael, nothing for me to worry myself about. Mike seemed his usual friendly self, so I took my cue to head upstairs. They stood around some more, he showed them some art and then they left.

Mike came up, and of course I go, “What the **** was that???!!!”. He tells me the story.

Last August we had an art show, “Get Off the Phone” - and one of the artists, Dave Hardy did a piece (photo by Alan Bamberger from his artbusiness.com review, posted here), using a Russian RPG shell (non-explosive) he bought at an army-navy surplus store. He made it up to look like a phone. Cute.

Months go by. The artist donates the art piece. Actually we have a good bit of art around that always seems to be "donated". Kind of a problem, actually.

So last week we were getting ready for a new show. I asked Michael to clean out the garage. He throws the RPG away.

Wednesday was garbage night so we put the cans out. A homeless guy goes through the trash looking for bottles and cans and treasure.

Early this morning the cops find the homeless guy hanging out in the alley behind the Superior Court building at Civic Center, which is where homeless people hang out. The cops see the RPG art. They freak out, majorly.

They bring out helicopters. They bring out more cops. They bring out meter maids. They bring out firemen, and lots more cops. They bring out the FBI. They close the entire Civic Center between Van Ness and Polk for an hour, right at rush hour. They re-route Muni lines 19, 47, and 49. They snarl traffic all over the city.

The homeless guy tells them where he found the RPG art: Arspace.

And that’s why the FBI visited us.

To be fair, as Michael says, “They were just doing their job”. They were polite, curious and inquisitive. All four of them. They didn’t beat us up. They particularly seemed to like the “Bohemian Chicks” show that’s up right now. (closing reception next Thursday night, 1286 Folsom at 9th!). I thought we’d sell at least one “Sluts Unite” T-shirt, but I guess they couldn’t do that on duty.

The secret to a good life, I’ve always said, is good stories. This qualifies.