Behold, a 49-foot humpback whale emerges from the asphalt. This is the Street Whale. It swims down the Golden Mile along the center of JFK Promenade. No need to imagine. It’s really here.
Street Whale is a pure passion project by Reuben Rude. It’s a bold idea that was quickly conceived and lovingly executed. The Street Whale is half mural and half sculpture. It includes a ground painting, a humped head and an 11-foot tall tail. The tail rises from the walkway. The Street Whale is made entirely of reclaimed wood.
Reuben Rude was born in San Francisco in 1969. He spent much of his childhood in the woods of Mendocino County. He lived without indoor plumbing or television. Rude realized early on that professional baseball was not his future. Art would be his main pursuit. He attended art school in the city of his birth. He lives in San Francisco to this day. He makes paintings, sculptures, murals, posters and all manner of commercial art.
The artist says that making art is a physical act. There is an idea. There is planning. There is a goal. But the process of building and constructing is the real thing. The work occupies his body. It allows ideas from his subconscious to make it onto the board or space. This is especially true at a large scale. The intense physical nature of making this piece resulted in work that unfolded almost magically.
The Street Whale is part of the Golden Mile Project. This project has transformed the 1.7-mile roadway. It has become a malleable canvas for local artists.
The Street Whale features two pieces. There is a hump and a flipped tail. These were constructed out of reclaimed wood. The parts are painted with soft tones of blues, browns, yellows, reds and oranges. Some planks feature intricate patterns. Rude even recreated protruding eyes on the whale sculpture using reclaimed materials.
The street where the Street Whale resides is closed to vehicle traffic. There is no parking. Access the area by Fulton Street at Park Presidio Blvd. Walk through the Rose Gardens. The park is public and open 24 hours.
The Street Whale is more than just art. It’s a reminder of the beauty and fragility of nature. It is a testament to the power of art to transform public spaces. As you admire this magnificent creature, remember the importance of protecting our oceans and the creatures that call them home. The Street Whale swims as a symbol of creativity, sustainability and community spirit.