GEN ART VANGUARD NEW CONTEMPORARY ART FAIR PRESENTED BY FAGE® TOTAL ANNOUNCES 2008 PROGRAMMING AND EVENTS

FAIR DATES: December 4 – 7, 2008
LOCATION: 2135 NW 1st Avenue, Miami, FL 33127, Wynwood Arts District

Gen Art Vanguard New Contemporary Art Fair presented by FAGE Total proudly announces a dynamic programming and events schedule for its inaugural fair. Programs include large scale and site-specific individual artist installations curated by Vanguard Fair Director Francesco LoCastro, commissioned artist installations presented by title partner FAGE Total, live painting, performances, and exclusive artworks auctioned on-site. Gen Art Vanguard Fair will also present a series of dynamic panel discussions focusing on the New Contemporary art movement.

Gen Art Vanguard Fair New Contemporary Art Fair presented by FAGE Total was founded by Gen Art to provide a fine art exhibition platform for emerging artists and to give leading contemporary art galleries access to an international network of collectors.

As the first annual art fair of its kind, Gen Art Vanguard Fair represents a new forum, committed to advocating the historical significance of New Contemporary, while showcasing cutting edge talent that is mastering the amalgamation of Fine Art and mainstream culture. The goal of the art fair is to further advance the dialogue of new contemporary art movements, from their cultural roots to their current influence. For a complete schedule of Vanguard Art Fair, including special programming and events, performances, exhibitors and featured artists, visit the official Vanguard Art Fair website at http://genart.org/x/vanguard.

FAGE Total Artistry: Installation and Auction
As part of their partnership with Gen Art, FAGE Total, the title sponsor for the inaugural Vanguard Fair, will commission three renowned artists – Gary Baseman, James Marshall (Dalek), and AJ Fosik – to create three custom contemporary works inspired by the brand’s attributes, which will be exhibited within Gen Art Vanguard Fair as a special exhibition throughout the weekend.

The three artists will also participate in FAGE Studio: Discover. Taste. Create. – wherein each artist will host a classroom-like session with children from the Arts for Learning organization. The sessions will take place in the outdoor tent on Thursday, December 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and Saturday, December 6:00 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

James Marshall (Dalek) and Gary Basemen will have their FAGE Total Artistry piece auctioned in the exhibition space via eBay at
http://stores.ebay.com/fagetotalartistry , from December 4 - 11, with all proceeds benefiting the Arts for Learning program.
AJ Fosik’s piece will go on to be showcased at FAGE Total’s U.S. headquarters.

EVENT SCHEDULE
VIP and Press Preview
Thursday | December 4 | 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

VANGUARD Panel Discussions Presented by Gen Art
Thursday | December 4
Outsider to Insider | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Art of Branding | 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Vanguard Official Party
Friday | December 5 | 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m
Featuring live painting by artist Lebo and sounds by DJ Ray Milian

FAGE Studio—Discover. Taste. Create.
An education initiative for Arts for Learning featuring FAGE Total Artists AJ Fosik, Gary Baseman, and James Marshall (Dalek),
Thursday | December 4 | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Saturday | December 6 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Cocktail Receptions
Thursday | December 4 – Sunday | December 7 | 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Complimentary cocktails courtesy of Bombay Sapphire

General Admission and Fair Hours
Thursday | December 4 | 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday | December 5 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday | December 6 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday | December 7 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

ADMISSION INFORMATION
GEN ART VANGUARD ART FAIR IS COMPLIMENTARY AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
TICKETS ARE ONLY REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE VIP PREVIEW ON DECEMBER 4 AS WELL AS THE OFFICIAL VANGUARD FAIR PARTY ON DECEMBER 5
VIP TICKETS:
Includes access to VIP Preview on December 4, Official Party on December 5, access to VIP Lounge and gift-bag at Official Party
Gen Art Associate Producer and higher-level members: 2 complimentary tickets
Gen Art Platinum Members: $20/ticket (complimentary general admission)
Gen Art Silver Members: $20/ticket
Non-Members: $40/ticket

OFFICIAL PARTY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS:
Includes access to Official Party and complimentary beverages
Gen Art Platinum Members: 2 complimentary tickets
Gen Art Silver Members: $10/ticket
Non-Members: $20/ticket

**Executive or Associate Producer Members receive complimentary tickets to not only VANGUARD, but more than 25 events throughout the year. To become a Gen Art member, visit www.genart.org or call 305-695-8200.

PROGRAMMING
Vanguard Panel Discussions
Presented by Gen Art
Thursday | December 4 | 2:00 p.m. – 4 :30 p.m.
Post-event reception to follow courtesy of Bombay Sapphire

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: Tate Dougherty, Director of Contemporary Art, Bonhams New York, Pablo Aravena, Filmmaker “Next: A Primer on Urban Painting”

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: Francesco LoCastro, Founder, Pop Art Studios and Vanguard Fair Director; Gordon Hull, Co-founder, Surface to Air; Eunice Liriano, Director of Marketing, LeSportsac

Artist Live Painting Performance
Friday | December 5 | 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.

On the evening of December 5, during the Gen Art Vanguard Party, accompanying the artist Lebo’s installation series, will be a live painting performance. Often described as two-dimensional Be-Bop storytelling, Lebo has created live paintings with a host of musical icons, including the Beastie Boys, Burning Spear, Les Claypool and Thievery Corporation.

Complimentary Bombay Sapphire cocktails will be served to those 21 years and older daily from 4p.m. - 6 p.m. Bombay Sapphire master mixologist Milo Rodriguez will lend his expertise and creative skills at the Vanguard Art Fair VIP and Press Preview and Official Party serving up this season’s hottest Bombay Sapphire gin cocktails.

Independent Artist Installations Curated by Francesco LoCastro
Vanguard Fair Director Francesco LoCastro will curate Individual Artist Installations within the art fair exhibition space. The installations will present the broad arc of the New Contemporary movement’s diverse genres. Selected artists include Colin Christian, Sas Christian, Lebo, Justin DeGarmo, Reinier Gamboa, Eurydice Kamviselli, Kris Lewis, Carlene Munoz, Don Shearer, Macuria Nicholas Montolanez and Kiki Valdes.

GEN ART VANGUARD 08 EXHIBITORS
Antikulture Gallery Miami, Florida
Carmichael Gallery Los Angeles, California
Galerie d’art Yves LarocheMontreal, Canada
M Modern GalleryPalm Springs, California
Murphy Design Art Books San Diego, California
Pop Art Studios and GalleryMiami, Florida
Satellite GalleryAsheville, North Carolina
Thinkspace GalleryLos Angeles, California

FEATURED ARTISTS:
Lebo, James Marshall (Dalek), Gary Baseman, David van Alphen, Ana Bagayan, Robert Bellm, Jonathan Bergeron, Mike Bertino, Cathie Bleck, Jonathan Boam, Darren Booth, Brandon Boyd, Katherine Brannock, Calef Brown, Ryan Bubnis, Marc Burckhardt, Christopher Buzelli, Ray Caesar, Luke Chueh, Dave Chung, Robert Connett, Molly Crabapple, Amy Crehore, Leslie Ditto, Doodles, P-Jay Fidler, AJ Fosik, Andrew Foster, Ken Garduno, Ill Gill, Matt Haber, Robert Hardgrave, Ryan Heshka, Jordin Isip, Jason Jacenko, Kinoko, KMNDZ, Zane Kozak, Kukula, Travis Lampe, Daniel Hyun Lim, Tommii Lim, Jen Lobo, Lola, Dan May, Brandi Milne, Mark Murphy, Joel Nakamura, Andrew Neyer, Clinton Neuhaus, Kathie Olivas, Brandt Peters, Luke Ramsey, Ekundayo Reid, RG, Mark Ryden, Chris Ryniak, Kim Scott, Jeff Soto, Nathan Spoor, Matt Stallings, David Russell Talbott, Yoko Tanaka, Gary Taxali, Peter Taylor, Jon Todd, Joe Vaux, Alexei Vella, Jonathan Viner, Marco Wagner, Cynthia Walton, Nicholas Wilton, CROME, DOLLA, Tatiana Suarez, KRAVE, Johnny Robles, Jean “Turf One” Labourdette, Martin Wittfooth, Other, Jonathan Bergeron, Francois Escalmel, Heavyweight Collective, Omen, Brandt Peters, Sas Christian, Kris Lewis, Colin Christian, Rainier Gamboa, Don Shearer, Eurydice Kamviselli, Justin DeGarmo, Kiki Valdes, Macuria Nicholas Montolanez, Carlene Muñoz, Brandon Dunlap, Joe Ledbetter, Amanda Visell, C215, Charming Baker, Chris Stain, Dan Baldwin, Eine, Flip, Flavio Samelo, Guy Denning, Fefe Talavera, Hush, Know Hope, Labrona, The London Police, Sesper, Sixeart, Thais Beltrame, Will Barras, Mark Jenkins, Alex Hornest, Graffiti Research Lab, Allison Sommers, Amy Crehore, Andrew Hem, Anthony Pontius, Andy Kehoe , ARMSROCK, Audrey Kawasaki, Bo130, Brandi Milne, Brian M. Viveros, Camilla d’Errico, Cherri Wood, Damon Soule, Dan-ah Kim, David MacDowell, ELBOW-TOE, Esao Andrews, Fafi, Imminent Disaster, Joao Ruas, Kelly Vivanco, KMNDZ (aka Johnny Rodriguez), KuKula, Matthew Feyld, Michael Alvarez, Microbo, Mr. Jago, Paul Barnes, Peter Taylor, Reuben Rude, Robert Pokorny, Sarah Joncas, Seth Armstrong, Stella Im Hultberg, Stephen Smith (aka Neasden Control Centre), Timothy Karpinski, Tony Philippou, Yosuke Ueno, Nicole McConville, Gabriel Shaffer, Brian Mashburn, Ryan Ford, Sean Pace, Taiyo La Paix, Alli Good, Cory L. Bradley, Ruth Whiting, Dustin Spagnola, Ted Harper and many more…