SFMOMA

This Thursday, head to the rooftop garden at the SFMOMA and join Meatpaper in kicking off the museum’s spring event series. On hand to welcome you—coffee-inspired charcuterie, meat-inspired desserts and, of course, coffee from Blue Bottle. Admission to the party, which runs from 6-8 p.m. is free with half-price museum admission, and tasting plates are $5.

Blending film techniques with a mastery of painting, Belgian artist Luc Tuymans explores themes of history, memory and mass media. The exhibit showcases a comprehensive array of his work to date, with about 75 key paintings from 1985 to the present. The artist is influenced greatly by Northern European painting tradition, as well as photography, television and cinema.

75 and fabulous. In honor of its 75th anniversary on January 18, the SFMOMA presents a free weekend celebration from January 16 to 18. Programming includes an encore presentation of Bill Fontana's Sound Sculptures Through the Golden Gate originally shown at SFMOMA in 1987 for the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, family film screenings and hands-on art projects, a presentation about SFMOMA's outreach program to conserve art in the community, craft workshops designed by Allison Smith, multimedia tours of collections and more.

Philly-based artist and mad mechanical scientist Max Lawrence is setting up shop at SFMOMA's museum garage windows between Minna Street and Natoma Alley. Lawrence (aka Electric Conductor) will be presenting a self-sustaining light orchestra, which will hold nightly concerts. Comprised of rewired toys and homemade synthesizers, the "band" doubles as a mural by day before it comes alive at night. See for yourself at the opening reception on January 9 from 5 - 8 p.m., where you'll also hear music by Baths, Double Brainbow and the said animatronic band Kimber Lite and the Pipes.

On January 18, SFMOMA marks its 75th year as a pioneer in contemporary work. The modern art museum has been breaking new ground since 1935, always pushing the envelope and challengeing conventions. From mounting Jackson Pollock's first solo museum exhibition in 1945 to standing behing the emerging Mission School scene in the mid-1990s, SFMOMA has never failed to stand out.