Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States California San Francisco Defenestration
Defenestration is permanently closed.

This entry remains in the Atlas as a record of its history, but it is no longer accessible to visitors.

Defenestration

Furniture tries to escape an abandoned building in San Francisco.

San Francisco, California

Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
View from the street   http://likecool.com/Defenestration_in_San_...
View across the corner   http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/look/lo...
  http://likecool.com/Defenestration_in_San_...
  http://www.metaphorm.org/
  http://www.metaphorm.org/
  http://www.metaphorm.org/
Bill Sorro Community (under construction) 12/2016   Curbed San Francisco
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Standing on Howard Street in front of a wall of graffiti, look up and try not to flinch. A grandfather clock appears to be falling out of the window of the abandoned tenement building. Upon a second look, you see that the grandfather clock is bent, twisted and, luckily for the pedestrians on the busy street below, not falling at all. Beds, clocks, bureaus, floor lamps and other furniture hang on the outside of the building creating a surreal experience for the viewer. The furniture is secured with earthquake-proof brackets that are rumored to be stronger than the building itself. The artist, Brian Goggin, who, according to his artist statement, looks for inspiration in "unexpected locations or methods of presenting the work," created this site-specific installation on the abandoned and graffitied Hotel Hugo building at the edge of one of San Francisco roughest neighborhoods. In 1997, with the help of over 100 volunteers and a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, Goggin built "Defenestration" using cast-off, abandoned or found-on-the-street furniture to reflect "the harsh experience of many members of the community."

The installation was only supposed to last one year. Fifteen years and one restoration later, in 2012, it is still delighting visitors and passers-by.

The first level of the building has also been transformed into a gallery for rotating exhibits by street muralists and artists.

Alas, as of 2014, Defenestration has been, dismantled. However, "There is also talk of installing some of the pieces on buildings along the Sixth Street corridor." 

 

Related Tags

Outsider Art Architectural Oddities Lost Wonders Architecture

Know Before You Go

From the Powell St. Muni/Bart Sation. Turn Right off of Market, walk two block down 4th St. Turn Right on Howard and walk two blocks to Howard.

Community Contributors

Edited By

jcf, hrnick, cae1, dhrtzell...

  • jcf
  • hrnick
  • cae1
  • dhrtzell
  • mblanos
  • mbison

Published

July 21, 2009

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • Furniture Gallery in the Sky - CNN
  • http://www.cnn.com/US/9703/17/fringe/flying.furniture/index.html
  • Defenstartion
  • http://www.metaphorm.org/pages/portfolio/defenestration/defen.html
  • Defenestration
  • http://www.defenestration.org/
  • http://sf.curbed.com/archives/2015/03/25/hugo_hotel_now_partly_defenestrated_affordable_rentals_rising.php
  • http://sf.curbed.com/maps/mapping-san-francisco-biggest-construction-projects/bill-sorro-community
Defenestration
Howard Street and 6th Street
San Francisco, California, 94103
United States
37.779431, -122.407195
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

The Box SF-Historic Pressroom and Mercantile

San Francisco, California

miles away

American Bookbinders Museum

San Francisco, California

miles away

Prelinger Library

San Francisco, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Francisco

San Francisco

California

Places 217
Stories 50

Nearby Places

The Box SF-Historic Pressroom and Mercantile

San Francisco, California

miles away

American Bookbinders Museum

San Francisco, California

miles away

Prelinger Library

San Francisco, California

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of San Francisco

San Francisco

California

Places 217
Stories 50

Related Places

  • Exterior of Castle, with cemetery .

    Greenback, Tennessee

    Fortress of Faith (Greenback Castle)

    One man has spent decades faithfully constructing this unique brick and cinderblock castle.

  • La Maison Sculptée.

    Amanlis, France

    La Maison Sculptée

    An enchanting work of outsider art, full of whimsical sculptures and carvings.

  • The House of Mugs a/k/a The Cup House

    Collettsville, North Carolina

    The House of Mugs

    A cabin completely covered in coffee mugs, where visitors are welcome to leave one of their own—if they can find an empty nail.

  • Quetzalcoatl’s Nest

    Naucalpan, Mexico

    El Nido de Quetzalcóatl

    An Aztec snake god has taken the material form of an apartment complex.

  • Shangri-La Stone Village

    Prospect Hill, North Carolina

    Shangri-La Stone Village

    A retired tobacco farmer's pet project turned into a sturdy miniature city.

  • The Forevertron by Doc Evermor.

    Sumpter, Wisconsin

    Dr. Evermor's Forevertron

    "World's largest scrap metal sculpture" stands in an outdoor sculpture garden in the middle of Wisconsin.

  • Randyland, Pittsburgh

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    Randyland

    Found art has transformed this Pittsburgh neighborhood into a psychedelic dream.

  • The Zorthian Ranch

    Altadena, California

    Zorthian Ranch

    The cobbled together compound of a deceased artist which now serves as a filming location.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.