Best Spring 2015 Art Events In San Francisco
Seduction: Japan's Floating World (credit: Asian Art Museum)
Some excellent choices for art-related events in San Francisco may appeal to your personal calendar this spring. Consider reflections on 17th century Japanese brothels, 18th and 19th century oil paintings on loan from Edinburgh, 20th century Paris couturier gowns via Brooklyn and 21st century contemporary art pieces for sale. Plus, of course, there's the 31st Bouquets to Art, an annual favorite.
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 581-3500
www.asianart.org Dates: Feb. 20 through May 10, 2015
Take a virtual trip to imperial Japan of the mid-17th century. The floating world represented an escape from a highly structured society, both as a state of mind and as an actual locale through the diversions available in brothel districts and Kabuki theaters of the Yoshiwara red light district. One of the 50 pieces on display is a 58-foot-long hand-painted scroll offering viewers a sort of backstage tour. Paintings, prints, luxurious Japanese robes, woodblocks and decorative arts tell the story. On the same dates, "The Printer's Eye: Ukiyo-e from the Grabhorn Collection" complements the exhibition by showing Edo-period (1615–1868) printmakers.
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 750-3600
www.deyoung.famsf.org
Dates: March 7 through May 31, 2015
Cheers to Scotland! Interest is mounting around this exhibition of 55 pieces spanning 400 years on loan from Edinburgh's Scottish National Gallery, Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Sandro Botticelli's 15th century "Virgin Adoring the Sleeping Christ Child" is among the works that have never previously been viewed in America. Selected artists Vermeer, Velázquez, Veronese and Botticelli have no paintings in the permanent collection, while other works complement existing ones by El Greco, van Dyck, Monet and others.
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 750-3600
www.legionofhonor.famsf.org
Dates: March 14 through July 19, 2015
Spanning most of the 20th century from 1910 to 1980, more than 60 stunning costumes and 30 costume accessories are making their way from back East, where the Brooklyn Museum in cooperation with the Metropolitan Museum of Art has an outstanding collection. The intersection of fashion and museums has produced some wonderful shows drawing huge interest, especially over the past decade. American designs, haute couture and ready-to-wear, French couture is represented by the talented hands of Jeanne Lanvin, Elsa Schiaparelli, Coco Chanel and Hubert de Givenchy.
de Young Museum
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 750-3600
www.deyoung.famsf.org
Dates: April 15-19, 2015
Ever popular and fleeting, due to the fragile nature of this special event, the 31st annual exhibition will only last one week. Creative floral designs and designers draw inspiration from the museum collection. Following an opening gala, there are activities for children, lectures, demonstrations and more to raise funds in support of programs and exhibits at the de Young and the Legion of Honor. As this show takes place during the National Galleries of Scotland exhibition, a $1 upgrade opportunity is available for Bouquets to Art ticket holders.
Fort Mason Festival Pavilion
2 Marina Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(212) 518-6912
www.artmarketsf.com
Dates: April 30, 2015 through May 3, 2015
Since 2010 in an expanding number of cities, the art fair is about "creating the highest quality fair experience by connecting collectors with dealers," meaning that everything is for sale. An opening night gala benefits the Fine Art Museums of San Francisco. Last year, more than 70 galleries exhibited their best of local, national and international art, and Art Market San Francisco was called "one of the best places to be when it comes to West Coast exhibitions."
