San Francisco, California has a thriving scene of what is often referred to as “high society.” This small group of wealthy people attends numerous glamorous social events with each other throughout the year where they dress up, mingle and financially support the local cultural institutions and other charity organizations that organize these parties. This series documents the behavior of the individuals in this community while they are at these events. It explores the way people act when they put themselves on display in this public arena and hints at the complex relationships between the individuals in this small world.
San Francisco, California is one of the last cities in America to have a thriving scene of what is often referred to as “high society.†This small group of wealthy people attends numerous glamorous social events with each other throughout the year to financially support local cultural institutions and other charity organizations.
The galas to celebrate the openings of the opera, symphony and ballet as well as galas in support of local museums are some of the most high profile events for those who wish to be a part of such society. These elaborate events give participants a chance to dress up, mingle with one another and generally see and be seen on the social stage. While some donors prefer to keep a low profile, those who attend the galas generally do so to put themselves on display and be part of the scene. Anyone with enough money can buy a ticket to some of the larger galas, but there is a subtle social hierarchy in place that dictates which families and individuals are at the top. Some people attend the highest profile events and put on their best show with the hope of maneuvering into one of these social circles. Such an outright display of wealth seems ostentatious to most outsiders, but the cultural institutions and other charity organizations in the city rely on the patronage of these donors for the majority of their funding.
This series documents the behavior of the individuals in this community while they are at these events. In addition to providing a glimpse into the lives of people from this particular socioeconomic class, I am interested in exploring the theatricality that is intrinsic to those that choose to be a part of this world. I am working to show how people behave when they put themselves on display in this public arena as well as to hint at the complex relationships between the individuals in this small world.