I’m on-site at the inaugural Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair! Our VIP and Press preview this afternoon launched the fair programming and events. In the morning, FAGE Total hosted the first Lunch and Learn program with artist AJ Fosik to benefit Art for Learning. Artists James Marshal (Dalek), Gary Baseman, and AJ Fosik were on-site for photos and interviews with the media. Graffiti Research Lab’s James Powderly and Evan Roth (who Gen Art and Francesco LoCastro flew in from Hong Kong) were on-site putting finishing touches on their wall installation, using conductive ink on canvas. Graffiti Research Lab will be performing at the Official Party tomorrow night, 8pm to midnight, which will also feature live painting from artist LEBO, Bombay Sapphire cocktails and sounds from DJ Ray Milan. Afternoon panel discussions were rescheduled for Saturday, December 6 from 2 – 6pm and are open to the public. Panels include ‘Outsider to Insider’, ‘The Art of Branding’ and ‘Graffiti Research Lab’ (see details are below and be sure to pencil these panels in your itinerary! Enjoy complementary cocktails, smartwater, and all the FAGE Total yogurt you could desire). Later in the afternoon Bombay Sapphire got the attention of fair guests with a special presentation of Synchronized Swimmers. James Marshal (Dalek), Gary Baseman, and AJ Fosik were on-site for photos and interviews with the media. More soon to report tomorrow, plus additional photos once I get a chance to sync my iPhone! Check out www.genart.org/x/vanguard for additional information about the fair and to purchase tickets to the Official Party on Friday, December 5.

FAIR DATES: December 4 – 7, 2008

LOCATION: Charcoal Studios 2135 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 331 (across from PULSE art fair )

Keep reading…

GEN ART VANGUARD NEW CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR PRESENTED BY FAGE® TOTAL

UPDATED PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS – PANEL DISCUSSIONS RESCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY | DECEMBER 6 | 2 – 6pm

PROGRAMMING

Friday, December 5 – Vanguard Official Party (ticket required)

Saturday, December 6 - Vanguard Panel Discussions, Presented by Gen Art

Post-event reception to follow courtesy of Bombay Sapphire

VANGUARD Panel Discussions Presented by Gen Ar

Outsider to Insider | 2:00 p.m.

The Art of Branding | 3:30 p.m.

Graffiti Research Lab | 5:00 p.m.

Outsider to Insider | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

How contemporary street artists are moving from outside the establishment to major galleries, auction houses and museums.

Over the past ten years a vibrant new underground art scene emerged in the wake of 1980’s New York graffiti. This movement has grown globally and evolved beyond the early masters of spray-paint to include a seemingly endless innovation of medium and form with only one common thread: public presentation of art in non-traditional, often unauthorized settings. In recent years these artists have been embraced open armed by the art world establishment and the work that they once risked jail time to share with the public is now showcased at major galleries, for sale at auction houses, and adorns venerable institutions of art. This is not the first time, nor is it the last time, art world outsiders have become insiders. Bonhams Contemporary Art expert Tate Dougherty and other experts will discuss the process using street art as a case study.

Moderator: Seth Carmichael, Owner and Gallery Director of Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art

Confirmed Panelists: Pablo Aravena, Filmmaker “Next: A Primer on Urban Painting”; Editor and Founding Publisher of Overspray Magazine; artist Roadsworth.

The Art of Branding | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

As the channels for discovering new art and artists ever expand, this panel will both address the dissolving boundary between fine art and commercial branding as well as the growing trend of both commissioning artists to create works, which enhance their corporate brand image, and aligning with artists for more “gallery-esque” exhibitions surrounding a particular product. The panel will feature points of view from artists, corporate marketing experts, journalists, and curators.

Moderator: Carrie Schupper, Director of Special Programs, Gen Art

Confirmed Panelists: Gordon Hull-Surface to Air, artist Chris Mendoza, Francesco LoCastro, Founder, Pop Art Studios and Vanguard Fair Director; artist LEBO and other

Graffiti Research Lab | 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m

Graffiti Research Lab will present their award-winning working in open-source technology, including LED Throwies, L.A.S.E.R. Tag and the L.A.S.E.R. Stencil. A 15 minute Q and A will follow.

Moderators: James Powderly and Evan Roth, Cofounders of Graffiti

(all photos by Logan Fazio, except photo of Gary Baseman by Debra Anderson)