This past weekend, San Francisco was a playing ground for several of its annual shenanigans (between Oktoberfest and LovEvolution fest we didn't have a second free) . But there was a more subtle love fest which you likely missed - one that didn't involve people donning butterfly wings or banana costumes. Well, sort of.
Digital Artists Carve Their Own Space
GAFFTA, a new nonprofit that provides support and work space for digital artists - including the artist who produced the Radiohead video for "House of Cards" -- held their launch fundraiser gala (disclaimer: I was a co-host) in the art gallery space the organization transformed out of an abandoned adult theater in the Tenderloin.
The featured art ranged from data visualization displays to interactive video wall installations. Among the crowd of attendees were Silicon Valley fixtures, including Facebook's Randi Zuckerberg, Twitter's Chloe Sladden, GAAFTA's Joe Brilliant Joe Brilliant and prolific entrepreneur Peter Hirshberg.
Robo.to Launches, Justin Timberlake in Tow
Later that evening, Hollywood and Silicon Valley continued their flirtation as SF-based startup Particle hosted its own launch party for Robo.to, a short-form, video status messaging service Justin Timberlake invests in. Yep, the same pop/movie star who happens to be currently playing the role of one of Facebook's founders in a film dubbed "The Social Network" has staked his claim in the digital world.
In true form, the exclusive Silicon Valley affair attracted the cewebrities (sorry) including the internet's own Justin - Justin Kan of life-streaming startup Justin.tv - to join in the celebration.And it wouldn't be an SF party without costumes, so naturally there was a good stash of bunny ears and fake gold chains for us to don and make stop motion videos with -- a comforting reminder that our city won't ever get tired of playing dress up, even if the outfit is Hollywood.
