Each wall of the Root Division building has a different work of art on it, from the double entrance doors down to the light fixtures. The building’s exterior is painted with silhouettes of children in an outdoor scene, offering a comforting contrast to the rest of 17th Street in the Mission District of San Francisco. Positive phrases splatter across the front in colorful graffiti representing the organization’s mission; supporting culture, artists and education in the Bay Area.

The night of Feb. 15, 2008, Root Division held a full house of artists, directors and supporters to see the premiere of no-budget, Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Music Videos with live performances and director commentary sponsored by Locus Arts.

Locus Arts, an all-volunteer organization of Asian American artists and supporters dedicated to promoting community consciousness through the arts through events. Brandon Bigelow, an SF State business graduate, coordinated DIY Music Videos.

“We think it’s a unique event in that it’s bringing together random Asian American artists that are interested in working with other talented people and the combination of short time and no money,” Bigelow said.

After the premiere at Root Division, the videos would be available online, open for public voting. Amy Lam, member of the Locus Arts programming committee, helped with idea to offer a prize as an incentive for artists and directors.

“We were able to involve ourselves with San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival through just talking with them,” Lam said. “They were really interested because they offered to debut the videos on www.asianamericanmedia.org.”

The director and artist who receive the most online votes, wins the opportunity to show their music video at the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival (SFIAAFF) and the artist will get the chance to perform live. This year’s SFIAAFF is March 13-23, 2008.

For more information, visit:
www.locusarts.org
www.asianamericanmedia.org
www.rootdivision.org