nn Getty is another Bay Area collector of the arts. The Getty family has been collecting art since the beginning of the 20th century, and Ait has been a ‘natural’ part of the family’s succession so much so that Mrs. Getty feels that, “My children are much better patrons of the arts because they purchase living artists, and they all make studies of the arts. I buy dead artists, but I do like modern art and photography.”

Mrs. Getty has a large collection of glass art by modern artists, which includes pieces from well-known artists such as Dale Chihuly, but she is very proud of a new commission by Nikolas Weinstein, an abstract wave that has been installed in her residence in Hawaii. Mr. Weinstein began by building a full-scale model of the home’s entry and then created the sculpture to fit into the space. Mrs. Getty is also thrilled with a pair of glass benches she commissioned from John Lewis for her bathroom in the same residence. She will be adding a “Lucite towel” to drape off one of the benches.

Mrs. Getty has a positive outlook on the Bay Area art scene. Though she still travels the world to collect her art, she has found many wonderful artists and galleries locally, which are included in her collection. Mrs. Getty’s favorite piece? “My Badminton chair, of course,” reproductions of which are part of the Ann Getty House Collection shown Photography: Curt Walton at Shears & Window.

Andy Warhol, “Self Portrait (Fright Wig),” 1986 © 2007 Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts/ARS, New York As long as there is art, there will be art collections and art collectors. And as the Bay Area art community and market continue to expand, how fortunate for the rest of us to be able to see more of them and Walking through the estate is a journey of immersion. It is an entire to be able to touch a spark of the divine – art. experience in form and a feast for the soul and the senses, and is perfectly described by Dr. Head: “I don’t just collect art, I live in it!”

By Curt Walton orah and Norman Stone, two Bay Area collectors, both started collecting European modern art in the early 1980’s and Collectors’oet-philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, a mere law Ms. KingEdition Pfaff also reminds us the important relationship between Neventually became interested in contemporary art. Norman student in 1768, stepped into Dresden’s new art museum for the the “collector” and a “specialist” such as an auction house – which is studied painting at the San Francisco Art Institute, and Norah focused Pfirst time and described the scene: constantly educating the collector, helping him or her know what to look on photography at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. They for to enhance a private collection. “We try and take the fear out of joined a museum “accessions” group in 1990 where participants donated “. . . the profound silence that reigned, created a solemn and unique buying at auction. Education is key.” She says. “The more information a certain amount of money toward purchasing pieces of art. The late impression, akin to the emotion experienced upon entering a House of provided to the buyer, the better collector they’ll be.” John Caldwell, who was the chief curator of painting and sculpture at God, and it deepened as one looked at the ornaments on exhibition the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art at the time, became their which, as much as the temple that housed them, were objects of orty-five miles south of San Francisco, nestled in the foothills of mentor. Their extensive travels with Mr. Caldwell opened up the world of adoration in that place consecrated to the holy ends of art.” Saratoga, is the 25-acre French country estate of W. Donald Head. contemporary art to them. A number of the pieces they collected from F‘Estate’ does not quite convey the grandeur and magnificence this period were donated as fractional gifts to the SFMOMA. They collect This direct emotional communication that defines what is considered of the property, which is reminiscent of a famous palace or museum in museum quality art, which they plan to give to a museum or museums. ‘art’ is precisely why we love to surround ourselves with it. Creativity Europe. Working with Mr. Caldwell gave the Stones a focus that has driven their and inspiration are what make us unique—we personalize our spaces, passion for their collection, which now includes the work of Richard creating or appreciating art through whatever means are at our disposal. The grounds and its several buildings provide not just a setting for art, Prince, Sherrie Levine, Jeff Koons and Matthew Barney. Additionally, We are drawn to forms of art and artists with a singular talent that seem but are themselves works of art filled with hand-carved marble, bronze, much of their collection’s point of view came from Thea Westreich, their to make a connection with us. and steel sculptures. The grand loggia featuring the “Fountain of the New York-based art advisor, who was also very close to Mr. Caldwell Tritons,” leads into a circular room adorned with Michael Taylor frog and shared the same mindset. The Stones have collaborated with Ms. From cave drawings, to the child’s drawing on the refrigerator, to a work chairs, and stunning Rossi silver and glass cabinet comprised of Buccellati Westreich for the past 20 years. by a master, people in all ages have collected art in one form or another. silver and Lalique crystal. The focal point of the room is a spherical Modern art collecting outside of religious or government institutions Lalique table set on a floating hardwood floor trimmed in tortoiseshell The Stones both love conceptual art, and this became an area of major gained popularity during the Renaissance and continues to the present baseboards. Two of the buildings, comprised of three floors each, are interest. Marcel Duchamp and Andy Warhol, along with Joseph Beuys, The Badminton chair photo courtesy of Ann Getty day – evolving from ‘curiosities’ to extensive collections representing painstakingly laid out with such detail as to allow the visitor to soak in the influenced the Stones in the beginning, and they eventually purchased the best. beauty and splendor. One of the floors houses most of Dr. Head’s crystal Warhol’s self portrait, which now adorns one of the walls of their San collection. There are two cases filled with the work of artists such as Francisco dining room. This 9’x9’ red and black painting is Norah’s The Bay Area is home to some of the most prominent art collectors in James Houston from Steuben Glass and many other pieces of Steuben. favorite piece in their collection. Norman favors two almost-completed the world and the movement here is “very strong in contemporary art” Works from Paul Stankard, Lino Tagliapietra, Toots Zynsky, Klaus Moje, James Turrell works currently under construction on their Napa Valley says Laura King Pfaff of Bonham & Butterfield’s auction house in San Marvin Lipofsky, Christopher Reis, Stephen Powell, William Morris, Dale property, which includes a small cabernet sauvignon vineyard. The Francisco. In the past, collectors have traveled to the East Coast, Frankfurt Chihuly, Latchezar Boyadjiev, and Howard Ben Tre surround the walls. A Turrell works are referred to as “skyspaces,” and one is situated in a pool and London, bringing it back and over the years, this contemporary art stroll through the balcony affords one the experience of getting up close designed by San Francisco-based architect, Jim Jennings. The lighting Curt Walton is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of World Art Glass Quarterly has passed through generations and is now bought and sold out here on with “Crows” by Woytuk. for the pool was created using fiber optics so the color of the water can with offices based in the newly-renovated Julia Morgan mansion in San Jose, the West Coast. And while the contemporary art market is strong in New be changed easily. California. The publication showcases the finest artists, architectural and art York, she points to “growing activity in San Francisco” for the category, “Each artist usually comes to the estate and personally installs glass in the world. For more information, visit www.artglassquarterly.com. World Art Glass Quarterly anticipates opening their new art glass gallery, J.Morgan Now the Stones’ collection has a strong conceptual base. They continue and notes, “Contemporary art is the lead collecting and selling category their artwork,” Dr. Head explains. What does he think of the Bay Gallery in San Jose, California in June 2007. For more information, visit www. for the art community in the Bay Area.” Area art scene? “It’s magnificent, huge, cutting edge, everything you to collect minimalist art, moving images, sculpture, photography, jmorgangallery.com. could imagine.” painting and drawing.