Illusion is an annual interactive arts happening that has been taking place for the last seven years in a row in San Francisco’s artsy La Misión neighborhood. Last Saturday’s event was announced as the last one of these series, originally conceived by Latino poet Adrián Arias, which is sad because there is not such another event of the kind that congregates so many Latino artists of the Bay Area at the same time under the same roof.
On Saturday, 77 artists from all disciplines, ranging from visual arts to music, dance, performance and installations, all dressed in white, gathered in a large white-paper-wrapped room and during four hours created unique art pieces on the walls while the public, invited to wear only black, walked by and interacted with the artists — sometimes even participating and adding their talent to create the works.
With live music provided by local singers like Meklit, flamenco performance La Tania and an acoustic set en español by San Francisco’s favorite Rupa (without the April Fishes though) the night was truly a surreal experience; the only problem being the heat and lack of oxigen that made the crowded room feel like a sauna. Next time (let’s cross our fingers and hope they change their minds and do another one) instead of wearing black they should ask people to come in bathing suits.