Golden Gate Park’s Doggie Diner heads replaced with Burning Man art

Fully assembled across from the Skatin’ Place, the 20-foot-high fabric and metal sculpture reads “NO DANCING.” Cyclists whom SFGATE saw passing by it Friday morning read the words aloud and chuckled as they coasted along with cameras up, snapping photos. They seemed to appreciate the contradiction: After all, the Skatin’ Place and nearby Lindy in the Park are staples of loud music and exuberant dancing — at the former, on roller skates and often in costume. 

The irony is intentional. The sculpture’s actual name is “Over Ruled,” and it first appeared at Burning Man this year, accompanied by art cars with booming sound systems, like the “turtle car” that popped up recently at Oakland’s Lake Merritt. Viewers are meant to boogie down in defiance of the bold rule.

A closer look reveals quotes in white tracing the center of the sculpture’s vivid red letters, transcribed from interviews with actual people about times they broke society’s expectations. The anecdotes are meant to shift viewers from joyous rebellion to “genuine contemplation of how rules shape our society,” says a statement on the website for Looking Up Arts Foundation, which created the installation. 

“Over Ruled” replaces the decidedly less deep, but no less inspiring, Doggie Diner heads. These historic landmarks spent several months nearby on the Golden Mile this year, during which one was dramatically set ablaze. Most recently the heads have been making their home again on Treasure Island, in front of the San Francisco Fire Department’s training facility, of all places.

At Burning Man, spotlights illuminated “Over Ruled” at night, casting shadows of nearby dancers onto the letters, but the work will not be lit up at Golden Gate Park, according to a spokesperson from the San Francisco Parks and Recreation Department.