The annual art and design show benefitting SFMOMA took over Fort Mason Center
Words by CATHERINE BIGELOW
Unlike previous editions of the annual FOG Design + Art, our (in)famous San Francisco atmospherics did not play along. Instead a brilliant, cerulean winter sky framed the bayside piers at Fort Mason Center, where thousands of collectors, gallerists, aficionados, artists, and philanthropists converged to celebrate this beloved four-day fête.
Led by fair director Sydney Blumenkranz and the FOG steering committee (Douglas Durkin, Susan Swig, Sarah Wendell Sherrill, and Brittany Pattner), deep-pocketed patrons beelined on Wednesday, January 22, to a boho-swank preview gala benefitting the arts and education programs of SFMOMA.
Sales were brisk as patrons scored swoon-worthy contemporary and 20th-century objets while savoring craft rye-on-the-road cocktails and gourmet delicacies (caviar, dim sum, mini duck tacos, sushi) at bountiful buffets by McCalls Catering and Events, whose team also expertly weaved silver platters though the crush to satiate discerning palates.
“FOG is small in scale but mighty in spirit and quality,” said SFMOMA Director Christopher Bedford, also a FOG Talks panelist with heralded artist Carrie Mae Weems. “The gala allows us to put our best forward so out-of-town visitors can experience what, in my view, is currently the best museum of modern and contemporary art in the country.”
The stellar roster and Talks topics were corralled by Susan Swig, and even she was impressed: “From connoisseurship to neuroaesthetics, our panelists are dynamic thought leaders. San Francisco is looking great now — we’ve got a new mayor and this 11th FOG feels refreshed, too. There’s an excitement about this moment, with a collective energy to remake our city with renewed vision.” Clearly 2,000 preview party early birds agreed — some of whom also made the scene across town for the 92nd San Francisco Ballet Gala season-opener.
Among the 59 international gallerists in two exquisitely tricked-out piers (and brava to event designer Genevieve Brisebois), were heavy hitters (including Marian Goodman Gallery, Lebreton, Marconi Gallery, David Zwirner, Hauser & Wirth, Fergus McCaffrey) in the Festival Pavilion. And an old-home-week vibe sprouted as fans and friends alighted amid the nearby booths of storied gallerists John Berggruen and Anthony Meier, along with AGO Projects, a groundbreaking Mexico City design firm helmed by dashing duo Rodman Primack and Rudy Weissenberg.
Next door at Pier 2, FOG Focus highlighted emerging and underrepresented artists. One booth elicited heartfelt attention: New York gallerist Charles Moffett had planned a solo show of artist Alec Egan. But, tragically, like so many others, the L.A. artist lost his home, studio, and numerous oil paintings in the horrific Palisades fire. Yet Moffett pivoted with Egan’s watercolors depicting the artist’s maximalist, floral-infused interiors. He also offered a limited-edition Egan print, Night Setting, for $500, with all proceeds benefitting the artist.
Local makers starred at FOG MRKT, an homage to the previous 21POP installation created by designer Stanlee Gatti, who, in 2013, founded FOG. Artisans such as Quince & Co. (founded by Michelin-star restaurateurs chef Michael Tusk and Lindsay Tusk), 500 Capp Street, Blunk Space, and Permanent Collection (founded by Fanny Singer, daughter of legendary culinarian Alice Waters) wowed the crowd with handcrafted wares.
“This year I’m thrilled we’ve included family art programs, including one led by Colette Thiebaud, a granddaughter of Wayne Thiebaud,” said Sarah Wendell Sherrill, a senior VP with Christie’s, also a FOG sponsor. “And there are so many fantastic shows now around town: Mary Cassatt (Legion of Honor) and Amy Sherald (SFMOMA). We’re re-entering a golden era of arts and culture and San Francisco is so energized.”
FOG also falls in the middle of what has loosely been thumbnailed as SF Art Week. Now in its second year, that concept is a concrete reality. Organized by art consultant Emily Counihan, adherents zoom across the map — cramming in as many events within overstuffed week spanning gallery openings, early morning breakfasts or late-night dinners, museum shows, cocktail klatches, and the most exclusive bowling party in town — to celebrate the vast and varied creative community that is San Francisco.
At the official kickoff party on January 18, an overflow crowd descended at the Institute of Contemporary Art — newly relocated in the heart of downtown — founded by curator Ali Gass. And a roar echoed throughout the vast space as Mayor Daniel Lurie (who, on January 8, commenced upon this formidable gig) welcomed revelers.
“Today is a new day in San Francisco. And the days of outsiders defining San Francisco are over. We — we the artists, the innovators, the entrepreneurs — we get to decide our fate and how we define ourselves,” Lurie said. “Our comeback starts with the arts, it will be led by our cultural institutions and attract people from around the world, who can’t wait to return to San Francisco.”
January 29, 2025
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