To take in the myriad art fairs popping up during Armory week in New York, the eye must travel. A few of our most seasoned on-lookers report what’s caught their gaze so far.
1
“At Independent, I thought Andrea Büttner’s installation at David Kordansky was quite beautiful. At the Armory, I liked Raed Yassin’s “Ruins in Space,” at Kalfayan Galleries, for its romantic optimism. And Susanne Vielmetter’s booth was really well curated. The works by Charles Gaines, Sadie Benning, Dan Levenson, and My Barbarian made sense together not only visually but in a sociopolitical context as well—something that seems rare at an art fair.” —Pati Hertling, curator
Susanne Vielmetter at Independent. Courtesy of the gallery.
2
“I had a small pop-up booth for my website, Art Markit, at the Armory Show, so I got to explore the fair at length. I’ve been admiring Kiki Smith’s large work on paper at Lorcan O’Neill. She’s one of the most unique voices of our generation. The work is compelling and timelessly gorgeous!” —Doreen Remen, Art Production Fund co-founder
Pictured: Kiki Smith, Gathering, 2014. Courtesy of Galleria Lorcan O’Neill via Artsy.net.
3
“Two favorites of mine: Isabelle Cornaro’s resin cast of carefully arranged toy block-like forms. The wall relief is hauntingly simple, with almost an unfinished quality. The other is Matt Paweski’s powder-coated steel and exotic wood toy-like objects. They resemble carefully articulated scale models.” —Rafael de Cardenas, interior designer and architect
Pictured: Isabelle Cornaro, Homonymes III (#1, Pink spray), 2015. Photo by Dawn Blackman
4
“Being married to the art world—literally!—has its perks. At the vernissage for the Armory Show, I noticed there is a fearless, artful exuberance to the way fairgoers dress. It could easily distract one from the fair itself. For me, the highlights were Glenn Kaino at Honor Fraser, Kehinde Wiley at Roberts and Tilton, and the bevy of Alice Neels at DC Moore—a perennial favorite of mine.” —Cynthia Rowley, designer
Pictured: Alice Neel, Moonlight, Coney Island, 1933. Courtesy of DC Moore Gallery, New York.
5
“At the Armory, Nari Ward’s soulful neon slogan at Lehmann Maupin, and Carol Bove and Karla Black’s vibrant tableaux at David Zwirner. At Independent, Nicolas Party’s striking painting at The Modern Institute. And at ADAA, Lorna Simpson’s stunning atlas of wigs at Salon 94.” Cecilia Alemani, curator and director of High Line Art
Pictured: Lorna Simpson at Salon 94. Courtesy of the artist and the gallery.
6
“At Emanuel Layr’s booth at Independent, Lili Reynaud Dewar teaches us that our work as feminists is not yet done.” —Piper Marshall, curator
Lili Reynaud Dewar at Emanuel Layr. Courtesy of the artist and the gallery.
7
“At Independent, I thought Andrea Büttner’s installation at David Kordansky was quite beautiful. At the Armory, I liked Raed Yassin’s “Ruins in Space,” at Kalfayan Galleries, for its romantic optimism. And Susanne Vielmetter’s booth was really well curated. The works by Charles Gaines, Sadie Benning, Dan Levenson, and My Barbarian made sense together not only visually but in a sociopolitical context as well—something that seems rare at an art fair.” —Pati Hertling, curator
Susanne Vielmetter at the Armory. Courtesy of the gallery.
