Inside The Fog Design+Art Fair Opening Gala

Photo Credit: Andrew Caulfield for Drew Altizer Photography

Despite the torrential downpour and gusty winds, San Franciscans came out last night in full force to attend the 6th annual Fog Design+Art Fair preview gala. The well-attended event kick-started the festivities to the weekend-long contemporary art fair. Proceeds from the opening night party benefited the SFMOMA’s exhibitions and education programs.

Fog’s steering committee: Roth Martin, Katie Paige, Stanlee Gatti, Susan Swig, Allison Speer and Douglas Durkin

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer Photography

According to the fair’s program, Fog is named for the infamous weather phenomenon characteristic to the Bay Area, “Fog is a platform for design and art that shifts, morphs, and reveals itself through multiple forms and dimensions.” One of the things that makes Fog unique is its changing lineup of galleries. The steering committee—a group of local luminaries consisting of Douglas Durkin, Stanlee Gatti, Roth Martin, Katie Paige, Allison Speer, and Susan Swig—oversee the selection of the participating dealers. With 53 galleries from all over the world, it’s truly an international affair—and with a mix of people from New York, London, and Asia all gathered under one large roof, it was a festive and lively art-inspired evening.

Photo Credit: Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

The doors opened at 4:30 p.m. with VIPs invited to check out the goods before the crowds arrived later, after 6 p.m. Bars that served Meiomi, Kim Crawford, and Ruffino wine, Fort Point beer, and Hangar One vodka cocktails were set up throughout the event space. Culinary stations, McCall’s Catering was behind the food, were also stationed in between the exhibits and featured a wide range of delicious delights including charcuterie, sushi, dumplings, steak and horseradish mashed potatoes, tater tot poutine, pork buns, and vegan ravioli. The most raved about food carts were the fried chicken stands. Crispy fried chicken tenders were smothered with Cholula queso to create an indulgent and innovative take on the Southern comfort favorite.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

While art was on everyone’s minds, it was hard to focus on the pieces when there was so much mingling to be done. After the holiday break, the social set was ready to get back in the swing of things. Along with the modern art wheeling and dealing, engagements were announced and vacations discussed.

Photo Credit: © PaeWhite and Neugerriemschneider, Berlin

What about the art? Some of my favorites: Hostler Burrows Alice in Wonderland like-exhibit with a massive hanging crystals chandelier and abstract gold dog sculptures; David Kordansky Gallery’s orb-like sculptures; Neugerriemschneider’s smoky Pae White tapestry and Olafur Eliasson pentagonal light fixture; and Beatriz Milhazes vibrant and colorful Yogurt collage at Berggruen. Karma, a gallery from New York, showed the prettiest pink glitter piece by artist Alex da Corte—my absolute preferred artwork at the fair. Perhaps the most Instagrammed exhibit was from Haines Gallery: Ai Weiwei’s Forever, a geometric arrangement of gold stainless steel bicycles.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

People watching was at its best as the chic fair goers wore there most artsy and creative attire. Fair sponsor Fendi was well represented—Chrisa Pappas and Lisa Zabelle both sported the Roman brand in a plaid suit and LBD respectively. Animal print was a trend—Katie Traina, Sloan Barnett, and Alison Pincus wore spots and skins. Color was also popular with Komal Shah, Victoria Rogers, and Pamela Joyner wearing Skittle brights.

Fog Design+Art is currently open to the public through Sunday at Fort Mason.