Support the arts
What’s cool about the FOG Design+Art fair
The event at Fort Mason has assembled 46 international galleries and design dealers, and the receipts from opening night alone raked in more than $1 million. Running through Jan. 21.
Fort Mason was definitely the place to be seen on Wednesday.
In a city often starving for fashion, it’s rare to witness a place so packed and dressed up at the beginning of the year. Now in its 10th run, the FOG Design+Art Fair kicked off with hobnobbers, socialites, art aficionados, gallery owners and creators.
The Jan. 17 preview gala felt as much about the art as it did about rocking an outfit, and admittedly my favorite moment was spotting this woman casually strolling in a $12,000 Schiaparelli black velvet midi. Busy and unbothered —
I went in expecting a de Young Open vibe but it was definitely more art sale. FOG assembled 46 international galleries and design dealers for “an unforgettable experience unique to San Francisco,” as the pitch goes, and the receipts from opening night alone raked in more than $1 million.
Many artists felt elusive to interview, but plenty of galleries and their friends talked my ear off. One artist stood out: Lucy Sparrow felt like the centerpiece of Pier 2, the section of the event designed for underrepresented creators. Having just downed a couple fried tater tots nearby, I genuinely thought MoMA set up a bagel shop in the middle of this event, and that Sparrow stood behind the counter making them. It took a few minutes to realize the entire damn thing was handmade in felt.
I made a couple of quips to Sparrow, who herself looked more busy and bothered; a slightly harried vibe as her hands worked quickly to assemble $250+ pieces for ravenous attendees.
Her agents stood nearby warming up the crowd: “Look at you, what are you wearing?!” they said while eying my gown. An artist would later comment to me that the agents were “proper Brighton women” — definitely the sort to get a drink with.
There’s a ton to take in between two neighboring piers, and for the untrained eye like mine, I gravitated toward the most attention-grabbing pieces. Anicka Yi’s suspended kelp pods resemble cocoon-like structures, and animatronic insects flutter about inside each pod. I mean it’s a little creepy, and I’m sure that’s part of the point. The moths actually felt mesmerizing to spot.
My favorite conversation was with Michaela Yearwood-Dan, a London-based oil artist who took up pinch pots “as a hobby.” I asked her the most obvious questions drawn from my considerable background in ceramics, having taken one high school and one community college class, resulting in an unfortunate teapot, a couple of bowls, and a mezuzah I painted at Color Me Mine. Armed with that background, I wondered: were her beautiful pinch pots high- or low-fire glazes?
Medium, it turns out. Apparently there’s a setting on the kiln — who knew? She learned pottery the same way I approach fashion locally: finding nearby experts with greater knowledge and taking all the kind wisdom they offer. Or as I told her: draining them like a succubus.
I’ll say this for these events: I love the food. A seated area in Pier 3 offered plentiful macarons, lemon bars, cake, and savory items, too. Another waiter wandered the venue with mochi donuts, and I snagged a root beer float at a station that also appeared to make a sorbet and bubbles combo.
The fair boasts an impressive curation of talks, live drawings, and other interactive installations, many that I missed Wednesday. FOG Design + Art only runs through Sunday, with day passes affordably available at $35, and children 12 and under are free. I encourage you to check it out and catch one of their talks, too.
Saul Sugarman is editor in chief of The Bold Italic.
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More photos from FOG Art + Design Preview Gala
All taken by Drew Altizer Photography
