Following a five-year hiatus, San Francisco-via-NYC hip-hop artist Aesop Rock recently returned with his first solo album since None Shall Pass. Released by the Rhymesayers label, Skelethon is the rapper’s effort to come to terms with the death of a close friend, as well as the deterioration of several friendships and close relationships. “Death has become commonplace in my life,” he says. “The past few years was an endless period of skeletons. But, hopefully, Skelethon will help put all of this behind me. It’s like a giant purging—like finishing a chapter and preparing to jump into the next one.” Aesop will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our recent feature on him.
Aesop: The California Academy Of Sciences is located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, and it’s magnificent. It’s an institution that houses thousands of plants, animals and stellar science exhibits ranging from a four-story indoor rainforest to the Academy’s “living roof,” which basically looks like the land where the Teletubbies live, and much, much more. Their website can offer way more info on the specs and range of individual exhibits, but just from the point of view of a museum goer/science lover, this place takes the cake. The actual building, which was opened at its current location in 2008, is an architectural masterpiece that doubles as the “greenest museum on the planet.” The entire museum sort of needs to be seen to be believed, as it’s just too much to sum up in a short blurb, but in short: Every inch of this place was built to promote scientific exploration to the community of S.F. in a smart, poetic and exciting fashion. There’s no way to walk through this place without a huge smile on your face and an ever-expanding appreciation for the natural world around us. Cal Academy is a joy. Plus they have an albino alligator.
Video after the jump.
