{local} the "character project" is coming to SF

Last summer, USA Network, in collaboration with the Aperture Foundation, sent out 11 prominent photographers to capture the character of America. Now the book is out, and a traveling exhibition will visit a number of cities, including San Francisco on May 8 and 9th (I'd tell you exactly where the exhibition is going to be, but the project's sadly annoying and flash-heavy website just doesn't work very well).
The effort has lofty intentions:

"Character Project is USA Network's ongoing initiative committed to celebrating America's characters -- the interesting, dazzling and distinctive people, from all walks of life, who make this country extraordinary."

Yes, there's a marketing hook: USA Network's "Characters Welcome" tagline is at the root of it all, but who cares? The network gave meaningful work to some wonderful photographers, including Mary Ellen Mark (whose photo is used above), Richard Renaldi, Jeff Dunas, Marla Rutherford to name a few. It'll be a show worth checking.