SF Gets New 18′ Tall Steel Sculpture in Hayes Valley (For One Year)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

The San Francisco Arts Commission is pleased to announce the completed temporary installation of Oleg Lobykin’s 18-foot-tall polished stainless-steel sculpture, Talking Heads, which will be on display in Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley for one year beginning January 15, 2025.

The sculpture’s form explores the principles of positive and negative space, void and substance. By interacting with their reflections in its mirrored-polished finished, viewers are invited to interpret the artwork’s meaning from their own unique perspectives. Access to the sculpture is free and open to the public during park operating hours, daily from 5 a.m. to midnight.

The installation of Talking Heads continues the Art’s Commission long-standing and widely-popular Patricia’s Green Temporary Public Art Program. The program, developed and implemented in partnership with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and Hayes Valley community partners, has featured a different public artwork on this site annually since 2005.

“Public art plays a vital role in enriching our communities, and Patricia’s Green continues to be a vibrant canvas for diverse and thought-provoking installations, said Ralph Remington, Director of Cultural Affairs. “Oleg Lobykin’s Talking Heads is a perfect example of how art can spark conversation and encourage personal reflection, all while contributing to the dynamic energy of Hayes Valley. The Arts Commission is proud to continue this long-standing tradition of bringing world-class public art to our neighborhoods, creating spaces where both residents and visitors can engage, connect, and be inspired.”

Previous temporary installations in Patricia’s Green include: David Best’s Temple in 2005 and 2015, Dan Das Mann and Karen Cusolito’s Ecstasy in 2010, HYBYCOZO’s Geometric Light Sculptures Dodi and Trillian in 2016, Dana Albany’s Tara Mechani in 2019/2020, and David Normal’s Cathenge from 2022 – 2024.

The Hayes Valley Merchant’s Association uses Interagency Plan Implementation Committee (IPIC) developer impact fee funds to support this local art installation almost every year, which is the result of advocacy efforts from the Hayes Valley community. This opportunity is available to artists from the Greater Bay Area and is announced publicly every year through a Request for Proposals issued by the Arts Commission. Applications are reviewed by a selection panel comprised of local community members and arts professionals, with the panel’s recommendation presented to the Arts Commission for final approval. Artists are contracted to loan their work to the City and their fees cover all project costs, including an artist honorarium. Artists and interested parties may sign up to receive updates and notifications of future public art opportunities on the Arts Commission website.

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