New Temporary Sculpture Installation by Oleg Lobykin Have People Talking and Turning Heads in Hayes Valley

SAN FRANCISCO, January 15, 2024 – 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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About the Artist
Oleg Lobykin (Russian, b. 1966) is a sculptor and also specializes in the restoration of landmark architecture and sculpture. Oleg has roots in a tradition of the old work craft of stone carving yet considers himself “an international man and product of globalization.” He defies labels and strives to show how old and new, timeless and contemporary, familiar and unexpected elements can combine to reveal hidden truths. His work explores connections between what is known and emerging insights about the nature of life. He is a sculptor interested in conceptual art and likes to use modern tools and technology as an opportunity to reach new heights. 

Lobykin exhibits in the San Francisco Bay Area and has completed a number of projects in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Japan. Clients have included Stanford University, The Presidio Trust, The City of Cupertino, The City of San Jose, Cathedral Stoneworks Inc., The Denver Public Library, Yale University, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Cloisters), The Cathedral Church St. John the Divine, The Jewish Museum NYC, Alabama Limestone Co., & Artists and Architects. For more information about the artist, please visit: https://www.lobykin.com/ 

About the Art on Market Street Poster Series 
The San Francisco Arts Commission has commissioned new artworks from artists on an annual basis since 1992 in partnership with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) and Clear Channel. Now in its 31st year, the program has partnered with over 120 artists since its inception, commissioning over $1.2 million worth of art, showcasing a wide breadth of artistic styles, themes and topics centered around San Francisco. Up to four artists are commissioned annually by the Arts Commission to create a series of at least six unique works of art that responds to a theme specific to San Francisco. To learn more, visit sfartscommission.org/artonmarketstreet 

About the San Francisco Arts Commission  
The San Francisco Arts Commission is the City agency that champions the arts as essential to daily life by investing in a vibrant arts community, enlivening the urban environment and shaping innovative cultural policy. Our programs include: Civic Art Collection, Civic Design Review, Community Investments, Public Art, SFAC Galleries, and Art Vendor Licensing. To learn more, visit sfartscommission.org.