The idea for the gallery came about in the Fall of 2007 when two local artists were approached by a real estate agent representing the owner of a building that was formerly The Switchboard. This old building, built in 1947 and located at the corner of Howard and Folsom, is a classic example of industrial Art Deco architecture.

What was once the center of communications technology for the west coast had been sitting empty for almost 10 years. Though there were many ideas floating around about what to do with this space, no one could quite agree on what to do with it. In fact, up until that time there had been little interest or activity by any large corporations who could have quickly taken over the space.

When these two artists saw this out of use building they realized they had the opportunity to bring an old industrial building back to life using all the latest technology available today. They realized they could create a place where they could live and work among like-minded people and share their ideas. And so began the idea for BAD Gallery in San Jose, California.

I founded BAD in 1997 as a gallery, café, and event space to promote provocative art and technology in the heart of Silicon Valley. Since then, we have fostered a growing community of artists and innovators.

The name BAD is an acronym for “Barely Attuned Device”. The term “BAD” was popularized by the media in the 1950s to describe the image of a rebellious teenager, an image that has evolved over time into “bad-ass” meaning someone who is confident, aggressive, even arrogant. We like this double meaning, because we think it reflects our goals for both art and technology: to break new ground and to challenge conventional wisdom.”

BAD Gallery is an art gallery in San Francisco’s South of Market district that exhibits digital and media art, video art, net art, computer art and emerging technology. BAD Gallery also gives lectures and workshops on programming, digital techniques and media theory.

The gallery’s mission is to exhibit work that reflects the latest advancements in technology and its possibilities for artistic expression. As a leading venue for avant-garde technology-based art, BAD Gallery has brought together such cutting edge artists as Cory Arcangel, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Vuk Ćosić, Mark Napier, Joachim Sauter, Bill Seaman, Greg Niemeyer, Marco Brambilla and Chiyomi Ishikawa. We are currently researching new potential artists for our upcoming shows. If you are interested in submitting your work or would like to be involved with the gallery in any way please contact us.

We also have a blog which we use as a platform to express our thoughts on the intersection of art and technology. We invite you to join us in this ongoing conversation about our world today through the lens of digital media.”

The availability of new technology is accelerating the development of art, and it’s also allowing artists to more easily find an audience. Not only are there new tools, but the Internet has allowed fine artists to have a greater presence.

       Artists aren’t just creating work that can be appreciated in galleries; they’re also able to connect with people all around the world who appreciate their work.

        The gallery’s mission is to promote technology and art and to allow both fields to inspire one another. Its goal is to bring about a sense of creativity in others as it sees in itself.

        Here you’ll find information about featured artists, upcoming events, and much more. We hope you come in, enjoy what we have to offer, and take part of this innovative community!**

        For more information: http://badgallery.org/blog/

Switchboard is an art gallery in the heart of Silicon Valley. It’s mission is to invigorate and engage the artist/viewer relationship through art and technology.

Switchboard is located at 1175 Kooser Road, Palo Alto.

We are the hackers. And we will change the world.

We are the artists and makers who dream of taking back what is ours, who want to create a new, more open world where everyone can share their creations without fear of being exploited by media conglomerates or corporate interests.

This is our time to shine. Some of us will create art, some of us will make and build things, some of us will bring up children in a new world where they can grow and be strong and challenge themselves and others to learn and invent and make new things.

And this is our time to fight for it. To defend those who are being pushed out of the way for changes that only benefit a few at the expense of many; to defend those whose creativity is stolen from them in order to enrich a few already-rich companies and individuals.

Taken from Wikipedia: “A switchboard operator (also switchboard attendant, telephonist or telephone operator) manages a telephone switchboard, which connects calls through an electrical switching system within a telephone exchange”.

Gallery of art made with Vintage Electronic Switchboards.