artMRKT San Francisco

05.17.12

(with assistance from Kathryn Arnold)



Artist website do's and don'ts. Click Here.

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artMRKT San Francisco: Opening Night Preview Benefit.

Exhibitors: Adler & Co Gallery San Francisco, Andrea Schwartz Gallery San Francisco, Aperture Foundation New York, Axiom Contemporary Los Angeles, Boltax Gallery Shelter Island New York, Brian Gross Fine Art San Francisco, Cain Schulte Contemporary Art San Francisco, Catharine Clark Gallery San Francisco, Center Street Studio Boston, Charlie James Gallery Los Angeles, Coagula Curatorial Los Angeles, Cynthia Reeves Projects New York, David Lusk Gallery Memphis, DCKT Contemporary New York, Dean Project New York, Dolby Chadwick Gallery San Francisco, Eli Ridgway Gallery San Francisco, Elins Eagles-Smith Gallery San Francisco, Ever Gold Gallery San Francisco, FOLEYgallery New York, Forum Gallery New York, Foster Gwin Fine Art San Francisco, Fouladi Projects San Francisco, Frey Norris Contemporary & Modern San Francisco, Gail Severn Gallery Sun Valley, Gallery KM Los Angeles, Gallery Paule Anglim San Francisco, Gallery Sam Berkeley, George Lawson Gallery Los Angeles, Gilman Contemporary Sun Valley, Graystone Contemporary Fairfax, Hackett | Mill, Art Dealers and Advisors San Francisco, Hespe Gallery San Francisco, Highlight San Francisco, Jack Fischer Gallery San Francisco, Jenkins Johnson Gallery New York/San Francisco, Jennifer Kostuik Gallery Vancouver, Jerald Melberg Gallery Charlotte, Jill George Gallery London, Jordan Faye Contemporary Baltimore, Julie Nester Gallery Park City, Kala Gallery and Print Room Berkeley, LeBasse Projects Los Angeles, Like the Spice Brooklyn, Linda Fairchild Contemporary Art San Francisco, Mark Wolfe Contemporary Art San Francisco, Meyerovich Gallery San Francisco, Mindy Solomon Gallery St. Petersburg, FL, Modernbook Gallery San Francisco, Modernism Inc. San Francisco, Muriel Guepin Gallery Brooklyn, Nancy Hoffman Gallery New York, Newzones Gallery of Contemporary Art Calgary, Oehme Graphics Colorado, Park Life San Francisco, Patricia Sweetow Gallery San Francisco, Paul Thiebaud Gallery San Francisco, Peter Blake Gallery Los Angeles, Red Truck Gallery New Orleans, Rena Bransten Gallery San Francisco, Rosier Gallery San Francisco, Roy Boyd Gallery Chicago, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art San Jose, Scott Richards Contemporary Art San Francisco, Seager Gray Gallery Mill Valley, Shark's Ink Colorado, Skidmore Contemporary Art Los Angeles, Sloan Fine Art New York, Spoke Art Gallery San Francisco, Tally Beck Contemporary New York, Timothy Yarger Fine Art Los Angeles, Verge Center for the Arts Sacramento, Weinstein Gallery Minneapolis.

Review by Kathryn Arnold: Like any big party, everyone is here at ArtMRKT opening night. Housede in the Concourse Exhibition Center 7th Street at Brannan, the venue is filled to the brim with art and people. The close-knit intimate experience is perhaps just for this very fine evening, but it is nice while it lasts.

Where else can you see a Roy de Forest with a Rauschenberg in close proximity, each being offered for sale? Nearby is San Francisco's own Michelle Pred's Umbrella work with hanging scissors, a small representation of her series using confiscated items from TSA screenings and, in addition to that, reminiscent of Magritte.

Art to be seen everywhere. One can choose to focus on just about anything, from works which inspire the soul to textual works on signage that make one laugh. As far as I can see, only one ceramic vase is exhibited, with intricate detail and firing involvement. Some works with feathers and wood and other such materials are on display nearby, but by far, the majority are paintings and wall works. Some digital aspects, but certainly not in full force at this art fair.

One could spend days and not nearly see it all-- rather like visiting Italy. I note multiple sculptures/installations in center areas where the visitors are passing by, barely even noticing their existence, like a Caravaggio in a church.

With three art fairs going on in the city this weekend, this one shows no lack of audience. Prime evening, prime location and omg, can't get enough of the great art.

Comment by AB: I finally make the scene on Sunday afternoon and have included additional pics.

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