>> whoa. [laughter] [applause] he has >> been my biggest tavon, along with my mother, my sons, my family. antiwhite to mayer brown, whose job potential in me when i was right -- and thank you to mayer brown, who saw potential in me right out of college. i would like to thank allçççu have assembdee hereççç raisee from the beginning of my career to this juncture. you supported me. you shared with me, you laugh with me, you stood by me. and because of you, and i am committedç long ago today whats right and defied the goodçq forç the city of san francisco. çtogether weç have plenty ofxk ahead of us, and i humbly ask for yourççç help and support. forxd now, i am honored, and i wouldçñr like to askççoku!cea joyous occasion. thank you, from the bottom of my

heart. çççççñrxdççç[cheçççç zçthank you,vç ççmayor brow. ççç[applause] çç >> welcome to "culturewire." today we are at recology. they are celebrate 20 years of

one of the most incredibly unique artist residency programs. we are here to learn more from one of the resident artists. welcome to the show, deborah. tell us how this program began 20 years ago. >> the program began 20 years ago. our founder was an environmentalist and an activist and an artist in the 1970's. she started these street sweeping campaigns in the city. she started with kids. they had an exhibition at city hall. city officials heard about her efforts and they invited her to this facility. we thought it would coincide with our efforts to get folks to recycle, it is a great educational tool. since then, we have had 95 professional artists come through. >> how has the program changed over the years? how has the program -- what can

the public has an artist engage with? >> for the most part, we worked with metal and wood, what you would expect from a program like ours. over the years, we tried to include artists and all types of mediums. conceptual artists, at installation, photographers, videographers. >> that has really expanded the program out. it is becoming so dynamic right now with your vision of interesting artists in gauging here. why would an artist when to come here? >> mainly, access to the materials. we also give them a lot of support. when they start, it is an empty studio. they go out to the public area and -- we call it the big store. they go out shopping, take the materials that, and get to work. it is kind of like a reprieve, so they can really focus on their body of work. >> when you are talking about

recology, do you have the only sculpture garden at the top? >> it is based on work that was done many years ago in new york. it is the only kind of structured, artist program. weit is beautiful. a lot of the plants you see were pulled out of the garbage, and we use our compost to transplant them. the pathway is lined with rubble from the earthquake from the freeways we tour about 5000 people a year to our facility, adults and children. we talk about recycling and conservation. they can meet the artists. >> fantastic. let's go meet some of your current artists. here we are with lauren.

can you tell us how long have been here so far and what you're working on? >> we started our residency on june 1, so we came into the studio then and spent most of the first couple weeks just digging around in the trash. i am continuing my body of work, kind of making these hand- embroidered objects from our day-to-day life. >> can you describe some of the things you have been making here? this is amazing. >> i think i started a lot of my work about the qualities of light is in the weight. i have been thinking a lot about things floating through the air. it is also very windy down here. there is a piece of sheet music up there that i have embroidered third. there is a pamphlet about hearing dea -- nearing death. this is a dead rabbit. this is what i am working on

now. this is a greeting card that i found, making it embroidered. it is for a very special friend. >> while we were looking at this, i glanced down and this is amazing, and it is on top of a book, it is ridiculous and amazing. >> i am interested in the serendipity of these still life compositions. when he got to the garbage and to see the arrangement of objects that is completely spontaneous. it is probably one of the least thought of compositions. people are getting rid of this stuff. it holds no real value to them, because they're disposing of it. >> we're here in another recology studio with abel. what attracted you to apply for this special program? >> who would not want to come to the dump? but is the first question. for me, being in a situation that you're not comfortable in

has always been the best. >> what materials were you immediately attracted to when you started and so what was available here? >> there are a lot of books. that is one of the thing that hits me the most. books are good for understanding, language, and art in general. also being a graphic designer, going straight to the magazines and seeing all this printed material being discarded has also been part of my work. of course, always wood or any kind of plastic form or anything like that. >> job mr. some of the pieces you have made while you have been here. -- taught me through some of the pieces you have made while you have been here. >> the first thing that attracted me to this was the printed surface. it was actually a poster. it was a silk screen watercolor, about 8 feet long. in terms of the flatwork, i work with a lot of cloddish. so being able to cut into it come at into it, removed parts,

it is part of the process of negotiating the final form. >> how do you jump from the two dimensional work that you create to the three-dimensional? maybe going back from the 3f to 2d. >> everything is in the process of becoming. things are never said or settled. the sculptures are being made while i am doing the collages, and vice versa. it becomes a part of something else. there's always this figuring out of where things belong or where they could parapets something else. at the end goal is to possibly see one of these collage plans be built out and create a structure that reflects back into the flat work. >> thank you so much for allowing "culturewire" to visit this amazing facility and to learn more about the artists in

residence program. is there anything you like our viewers to know? >> we have art exhibitions every four months, and a win by the public to come out. everybody is welcome to come out. we have food. sometimes we have gains and bands. it is great time. from june to september, we accept applications from bay area artists. we encouraged artists from all mediums to apply. we want as many artists from the bay area out here so they can have the same experience. >> how many artists to do your host here? >> 6 artist a year, and we receive about 108 applications. very competitive. >> but everyone should be encouraged to apply. thank you again for hosting us. >> thank you for including us in "culturewire." ♪

[applause] >> not a sunny day, a joyous day. good morning, everybody. we are under some time constraints because they are l -- mayor lee and members of the

board have some additional responsibilities and i want to give them the opportunity to say a few words. there are a number of community leaders alike to a knowledge as well. i want to express gratitude for the court of appeals ruling today that strikes a devastating blow to the legal defense of proposition 8. the well reasoned decision reveals marriage discrimination for what it is. discrimination. it powerfully affirms the constitution goes a promise of equal protection under the law. this fight began eight years ago, almost to the day when they are gavin newsom will lead decided to issue licenses to same-sex couples. [applause] shortly after, san francisco would distinguish itself as the first government in american history to strike down marriage laws that discriminate against

same-sex partners. fortunately, we would not be alone. in addition to the brave plan, we successfully recruited to does another series - -cities -- cities and counties statewide. we are still fighting in california today, six states issue marriage licenses to same- sex couples. we owe a debt of gratitude to all that began in this building eight years ago. together, we started an argument for a quality. and we put a human face on marriage discrimination. i speak for everyone in my office when i say how honored we are to continue to work alongside the american foundation for equal rights.

the outstanding legal team and the couple's the represent. -also very proud of the deputies in my office that worked so hard on this appeal. the deputy city attorney's. i also want to thank all the city officials whose support has been instrumental from the beginning. i know the terms city family is sometimes criticized, but i can't think of a better, more fitting expression of what it means to have the strong support of mayor lee and the board of supervisors with a cause that matters so deeply to california and the nation. we will take your questions shortly, but the mayor and members of the board have some additional obligations.

i want to give them the opportunity to say a few words haland express their thoughts. [applause] >> thank you, dennis. i have often said this is the year of the dragon, and that means you have to confront your challenges. what a way to confront this challenge that has been with us for some many years. this is the greatest opportunity i have seen, it is one that i truly am celebrating with the city family, but i most want to thank the people that have battled this for some years. on behalf of all families in the state of california, and this is a family issue, one that we felt we were on the right side of history for some many years. without hesitation, i want to

thank our city attorney and they're wonderful staff for continuing this battle all the way to the federal court. eight years ago, i watched as all of you, various levels of city hall, we knew that we were on the right side of history that many years ago. we knew that there would be some fights ahead of us. we did the writing and as your city minister at that time, going through and getting the marriage is ready. we are doing the same thing, we are getting ready. because your constitutional rights should not have to wait. they really should not have to

wait for everybody else to catch up. i know that we still have a court proceedings that will be studying, but we need to take this opportunity to thank everyone that is often part of this great movement. i had a chance of a couple weeks ago to join mayors across the country on the freedom to marry movement, and you are hearing that more and more mayors and the states are accepting, recognizing the constitutional rights. for this court of appeals to have made such a significant ruling on this california proposition, it is very historic and very significant. most importantly, in addition, people worked very hard in the communities worked very hard. the hundreds of families that have been waited for so long --

waiting for so long. this is how the society comes together, moments where we can celebrate and recognize there is no difference among all of us. this is a family, in large part, for humanity. congratulations. [applause] >> of what like to point out, the u.s. conference of mayors, these that they have taken to brought in the constituency. i want to have the mayor for his leadership in that effort. and mayor jerry sanders from san diego. he was a witness in this case, and we owe him a tremendous debt of gratitude. >> if i hadn't mentioned it, gavin newsom was brave 8 years

ago. that was something that i have been very fortunate to take up, it is a cause that we will continue. [applause] >> we are very lucky to have a tremendous support of supervisors that have been supportive. and i would like to invite supervisor scott winer an -- wiener and newly appointed supervisor chrstine olague. [applause] >> i know i am speaking on behalf of the board to talk about how incredibly excited we all are today. i can say that personally, my past life as a deputy city attorney, i saw firsthand, the steady leadership of my former

boss and our great city attorney, dennis herrerra. every so often, we get a court ruling that reaffirms our faith in the judicial system and in our constitution. back with a supreme court struck down the abomination amendment out of colorado that would have made gay people and lgbt people second-class citizens. today, to have federal appeals court to recognize the basic humanity of lgbt people everywhere, it is a time for celebration and a time for all of us come together as a community. we have to get back to work because the fight is not done

and we have to pass through to the very end where we have marriage equality for every single person in this country. [applause] >> i wanted to mention a supervisor david campos. he can't be here because he is ill. he wanted to send his greetings and he will be thrilled about this decision. it reminds me how wonderful it is to live in san francisco. i love san francisco, it is a great city. this is a civil rights victory but it is also a human rights victory. we have a right, just like everyone else, to be married, divorced, to walk down the middle of oklahoma openly queer in the middle of the day and

not be harassed and persecuted for who we are. i believe this is a wonderful day for all of us that are not just lgbtq activists, but human rights activists. we want to be treated in a humane way, it is just that simple. i want to thank all of the activists that fought so hard to make sure that this day happen, maybe we will catch up with spain and other parts of europe. it is such a catholic country and it has been legal there for many years. we will get there. i am confident of that. >> i want to thank the supervisors. we have everybody here.

and before we open it up for questions, i know that there are representatives here from senator leno's office, members of the equaly california. thank you for being here. there is another elected official i like to give the opportunity to come up sf few words, how that as our treasurer-- and say a few words, and that is our treasurer. >> as a member of the gay community and as an elected official, more importantly, the incredible work like nclr, and equality california, they have championed the cause. i have seen some many representatives that have kept this issue alive and to make

sure that people never forget allen gordon it is that everybody in our state and in our country have equal rights. >> i know we have representatives here. we'll open it up for questions. right now there is a stay in place from the ninth circuit court of appeals. we will have to wait in see what happens. the other side has the opportunity to seek a hearing or to try and competition for the u.s. supreme court. for now, the state stays in place and we will take it one step at a time and to monitor as the legal proceedings developed. i will be in close contact with the mayor if that should change. he has assured me that the city mechanisms and machinery stand ready to do whatever it can to

expedite marriages in the event that it was to be something that we could do. right now, we are taking it one step at a time. [inaudible] >> i have instructed the county clerk to immediately communicate with all of the county clerk's across the state to make sure we are using the same forms. we want the dignity to be reflected in every jurisdiction of this state when the decision is handed down. and that has also been the wonderful part of it. we treated everyone with a the same dignity, that is what people wanted. >> [inaudible] >> the earliest that they could

issue them in his 21 days. and we will monitor closely the next three weeks to see how things work. >> the proponents could petition and ask the ninth circuit to extend the stay. i would not be surprised if they did. they will have to do that before the mandate issues. >> [inaudible] >> i think you are correct, it is very unlikely that it will be denied.

right now we have to see if they will petition for review in the next 14 days. the earliest that if there was not a petition for review, the very earliest something could happen would be going before the supreme court if they were to accept its in the late fall or early winter of this year, but that is a very aggressive timeline. >> [inaudible] >> i did. >> [inaudible] >> that's correct. that's correct. that's correct. >> [inaudible] >> yeah. i mean, this is -- if you go back and look at a briefing in

this case, that is the exact argument that the city made and terry argued in the ninth circuit. in the chronicle this morning, there could of been a variety of ways that this case went. the ninth circuit chose a narrow approach that applies only to california. and based upon the panoply of rights that are already given to lgbt people in califormiania, there was no rational basis to have prop 8 be declared constitutional. they said it was so focused on taking the dignity away from same-sex couples that there was

no rational basis whatsoever. it could not be reconciled with the panoply of rice that are already provided to lgbt people in california. they aplpiplied it only to california. we are very gratified by how thoughtful and well-reasoned to the ninth circuit's opinion was , and we continue to a look forward to making the arguments. >> [inaudible] >> i can say we are disappointed of zero. the most important thing is to make sure that we have the ability to marriage same-sex couples in california. that is