Five Things: Fog Design + Art Fair at Fort Mason
Author:Sarah Virginia WhiteIt is high time San Francisco had its own modernism fair, and the inaugural FOG Design + Art will satiate even the most discerning design appetites. Kicking off today and running through Jan. 19 at Fort Mason, the fair features more than 40 galleries and firms, many of which are showing in SF for the first time.
At last night’s gala opening, I got a sneak peek at exhibits by some of my personal favorites, including Hedge and The NWBLK in SF and Reform Gallery and Gray Gallery in LA. But if you didn’t pony up the $150 it took to party with the patron set (proceeds benefit SFMOMA), there’s a wealth of good stuff to see all weekend, when tickets run a reasonable $15 ($20 at the door) for unlimited admission. Check out some of our highlights.
From left, Simon and Nikolai Haas
The Haas Brothers
I don’t know if its the Icelandic sheepskin-wrapped furniture or the fact that this design duo is from my home state of Texas, but I couldn’t tear myself away from the gorgeous exhibit of furniture from these brothers (who’ve also created pieces for Versace ads). On a recent trip to Iceland, Nikolai Haas stopped at a gas station for a quick meal of lamb and walked out with a set of plush sheepskins, which, with his brother Simon, he promptly turned into oversize lounges, chairs and ottomans—complete with horns and bronze feet. Recline on their maximalist white chaise at the R & Company booth about halfway down the fair.
The best in beastly design from the Haas brothers—check out their newest designs at the fair.
A Conversation with Ron Arad, Saturday at 1 pm
One of only a few programmed events at the fair, this aims to be a low-key discussion with the London-based designer, led by SFMOMA’s Jennifer Dunlop Fletcher. As department head and associate curator of Architecture and Design, she’ll surely provoke a thoughtful, relevant discussion of Arad’s work. To experience his pieces in person, head to Hedge gallery’s booth, which features “Slow Outburst,” a free-standing crushed Fiat 600 (see rendering, above).
To think, it’s mere flour, egg and water. We loved 21pop at FOG Design + Art
21POP
Designer Stanlee Gatti teamed up with local restaurateurs to create an unusual sight at a classic modernism fair—a popup shop. 21POP explores the intersection between culinary arts and design and will feature culinary creations, accessories and design objects from its giant booth right at the entrance to the fair. Watch master chefs shape the perfect orecchiette, then take home a package of fresh pasta for your post-fair nosh.
Poised, 2013 by Paul Cocksedge
Paul Cocksedge, Poised
By itself, the gravity-defying curve of this desk by Paul Cocksedge is enough of a reason to head to Fort Mason. Poised was created by the British designer and can acutally withstand the weight of person standing on it (you might have also spotted it on the cover of Wallpaper a few months back). New York’s Friedman Benda gallery brings this recent work to FOG, and we suggest you have a look.
Joana Vasconcelos
Joana Vasconselos
I’d heard a bit about the textile machinations of Portuguese artist Joana Vasconselos, but seeing her work in person is another thing. Head to Gallery Seomi (the first booth in the center ailse as you enter the fair) to see her pieces that play with color and scale in an altogether stunning fashion.
FOG Design + Art Fair, Jan. 17 – 19 at Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion in San Francisco.
