May 2008

Pete_Ipp.jpg, originally uploaded by hypermodern.

Hanging out with Mom in San Francisco fog and roses…

This is a quick once-around of “The Fantastic Solution to Global Warming and Other Conundrums” at Icthus Gallery in San Francisco. Thanks to Mark for the video.
The Fantastic Solution to Global Warming and Other Conundrums - Pete Ippel from Hypermodern - Pete Ippel on Vimeo.

The show is open until May 31st, 2008 so if you’re in the city, come by between 10am and 5pm weekdays. Or you can email me at pete @ hypermodern.net and schedule a special showing

Over the past five years, I’ve been working very hard to make Jackson Manor very livable and professional, and I’m happy to say that with all the support, it’s been a great learning process, and ultimately a resounding success. Nearly 20 dancers have gone on to San Francisco Ballet and scores more are professional dancers throughout the world. Check out the San Francisco Chronicle article on the day-to-day life of 26 pre-professional dancers under one roof.

I am so very thankful for the support and contributions of Patricia Swanson, Kirsten Gamb, Jason Blackwell, Andrew Harvill, and especially Jim Sohm for being such a great mentor, and helping me develop as a manager through his calm and fair example.

I have been moving forward with my show installation bit by bit, and have been working on being diligent with my time while still having time to decompress and relax. Thank you for respecting my need to focus on myself a bit during this potentially stressful period.

I have keeping an old Chinese saying in mind, as excerpted from the Gold Mountain Monastery newsletter based here in San Francisco.

“I make my own destiny and seek my own fortune; fortune and misfortune are not predetermined but acquired by my own actions.”

The newsletter continues…

If we want to stop being muddled and attain understanding, we must first do our best to get rid of our bad habits and faults, for only then can our wisdom shine forth…

This day is already done,
And our lives are that much less.
We’re like a fish in an ever-shrinking pond.
What joy is there in this?
Great assembly!
We should be diligent and vigorous,
As if our own lives were at stake.
Only be mindful of impermanence,
And be careful not to be lax.

Moving forward, I do feel as though my artistic life is at stake at the moment, and I’m investing all my resources to make sure when the opening comes, I’m ready. Procrastination is a fault that I’m growing out of as I have more experience.

I’ve been handing out cards, getting photos ready, and making plans. I also just got a fortune cookie: “You believe in the goodness of mankind”. I do, and I’m excited to share in the joy more each day.