National and international galleries are set to showcase works of art by 20th and 21st century artists at the 2nd annual Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco (Art SV/SF). The four-day event – Art Miami’s international contemporary and modern art fair on the West Coast – returns to the Bay Area on Columbus Day Weekend (Oct. 8–11) at the San Mateo County Event Center, with a VIP private preview on Thurs, Oct. 8. New for the 2015 edition, Art SV/SF is working with guest curator Christine Duval to present a special thematic exhibit that introduces new media artists who use, create or leverage on software. In addition, London-based artist duo Walter & Zoniel will debut its latest artwork, Prelude To Spectra, at this year’s event.

“Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco is a cultural destination event that offers visitors a variety of unique, inspiring and high-quality artwork that’s truly unparalled on the West Coast,” said Nick Korniloff, director, founder and partner with Art Miami LLC. “As the epicenter of 21st century innovation, this region is a natural place to bring sophisticated buyers together with world-renowned international galleries to showcase works in traditional and new media. In addition, the educational programs we offer will cultivate new collectors and inform connoisseurs.”

This year’s program will feature a carefully selected group of international art galleries exhibiting:

• a wide range of contemporary and modern art and design
• curated exhibitions
• projects showcasing the latest works in technology + art and new media
• educational programs designed to cultivate new and established collectors

London-based artist duo, Walter & Zoniel, will display the site-specific installation, Prelude To Spectra, at Art SV/SF. This large-scale practice performance piece welcomes the public to participate and engage with the facade of the San Mateo County Event Center by catapulting colorful paints onto the entrance of Art SV/SF. Once the installation is fully complete, the project will be performed in its full entirety in 2016 in the U.K. whereby the facade of a historical building will be covered with biodegradable paint by the audience. Prelude To Spectra is a step towards the full artwork, opening up Walter & Zoniel’s creative process as an interactive performance in itself. 

Among the many galleries participating:

• ARCHEUS/POST-MODERN (London) – specializes in Post-War & Contemporary Art

• Berry Campbell Gallery (New York) – features Post-War Modern and Contemporary art
• Galeria Casa Cuadrada (Bogota) – the International Art Fair held annually in the capital of Peru

• Modernism Inc. (San Francisco) – specializing in contemporary American and European paintings and works on paper

• Yufuku Gallery (Tokyo) – specializing in abstract sculptures made with ceramics, metal, glass and lacquer

A number of high-profile cultural partners will also be part of this year’s Art SV/SF, including:

• SFADA – Founded in 1972, the San Francisco Art Dealers Association (SFADA) promotes the highest standards of connoisseurship, scholarship and ethical practice within the gallery community.

• ZERO1 – A Silicon Valley arts organization that connects creative explorers in art, science and technology to provoke new ideas that shape a more resilient future.

• Stanford Art Spaces (SAS) – One of the largest galleries in the Bay Area, with more than 50 works in each show.
• One Art Nation (1AN) – An online international art community that connects collectors and enthusiasts with art galleries, auction houses and art businesses through a focused and interactive art education, promotion and events platform.

• Silicon Valley Creates – Organization seeks to ignite investment and engagement in arts and creativity in the Silicon Valley community.

• Yerba Buena Center for the Arts – Organization founded in 1993 to address the need for an accessible, high-profile San Francisco venue devoted to contemporary visual art, performance and film/video representing diverse cultural and artistic perspectives. 

“On a universal level, Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco provides attendees the unique opportunity to experience world-class art, including on-site installations, interactive and new-media art, artist talks, book signings and fair tours that attract a wide range of audiences and taste levels,” said Christine Duval, Art Silicon Valley/San Francisco guest curator.

As part of Art SV/SF’s mission to strengthen support for San Francisco Bay Area museums and nonprofits, the fair is donating $1 from every ticket purchased to charity. Cultural partners include Stanford Art Spaces, San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (SJICA), Shipyard Trust for the Arts (STAR), Tim Hyde and University of CA Davis Art Studio, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and many more.

Tickets to Art SV/SF start at $15. A VIP private preview takes place on Thurs, Oct. 8 from 7:30-10 p.m., while a platinum VIP preview kicks off the evening between 6-7:30 p.m. Art SV/SF has partnered with Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley which offers its guests complimentary shuttle service to and from the fair.

For more information, please visit www.artsvfair.com.