FOREVER

Cushion Works is on the second floor of an active cushion-making factory in the Mission District. The cushion makers keep the foam downstairs— where they welcome clients, and the feathers on the third floor—where they sew. In between, they host the gallery and a small number of artist studios.

The building is across the street from Whiz Burgers; Planet Clean Laundry; and Balompie, an El Salvadoran restaurant. It’s down the block from Supreme Pizza, a chiropractor’s office, and Chuck’s Takeaway, a sandwich shop.

Another block down, a two-story brown building occupies one corner of the busy intersection of 18th and Mission. It has sat empty for years, and its long, curved façade is covered in graffiti. Birds come and go through open windows. It has a vertical marquee with a pair of clocks at the top, one on each side. Behind broken glass and missing neon, their faces reveal two different times. Facing north, it’s 9:56. Facing south, it’s 5:37.

Just above the boarded-up door, the word “FOREVER” is tagged in silver across a surface painted pale pink.