NEW YORK—Frieze New York finally landed in Randall’s Island (which is a part of Manhattan) marking the first time the London-based art fair has ventured to New York. After being shuttled aboard school buses from East Harlem or approaching from the East River by water taxi (some even rode bicycles to the remote location), fair goers arrived at Frieze. The main venue is an enormous, snaking white tent where more than 170 U.S. and international galleries are exhibiting contemporary art, complemented by a waterfront sculpture park.
Inside, blue chip dealers showed work by internationally renowned artists alongside cutting-edge galleries featuring more eccentric offerings. There is a pair of big metal sculptures that form the number “88.” At Salon 94, an early-model car is equipped with hydraulics that enable its rear end to expand and contract. Several galleries feature pairs of busts. And visitors were eager to be photographed within a curved, mirrored labyrinth and behind a turquoise-colored, perforated metal screen. Kara Walker was among the thousands taking it all in.
Frieze New York runs from May 4 to May 7, 2012.
All photos by Arts Observer
Above, Frieze opens at 12 noon each day and by early afternoon on Saturday, hundreds waited in line to enter. Top of page, foreground, “Aufenthalt/Stop,” 1974 (bicycle, cans, bag, dummy, jacket, trousers and shoes) by Vlassis Caniaris at Team Gallery of New York. In background, “Untitled (88),” 2011 (steel, two parts) by Banks Violette.
“Natascha,” 2010 (white neon) Paulina Olowska at Metro Pictures.
“Trabantimino,” 2002-10 (mixed media) by Liz Cohen at Salon 94. The artist is in the driver’s seat demonstrating how the car’s rear expands and contracts.
“Trabantimino” is a “hybridized car and kinetic sculpture that combines a former East German Trabant with a Chevrolet El Camino that was exhibited at [Salon 94] in 2010.” Collapsed it measures 112 inches and expanded it is 226 inches.
Clockwise, from left, “World Mirrors #743,” “World Mirrors #187,” “World Mirrors #51” and “World Mirrors #807 (all 2011, UV printing on brushed aluminum) by Yann Serandour at gb agency of Paris.
The National Mall in Washington, D.C., with the U.S. Capitol by Dan Bayles at Francois Ghebaly Gallery of Los Angeles.
More than 170 U.S. and international galleries are participating in the contemporary art fair.
“Lipstick and Mustache,” 2010 (synthetic resin, paint, eyeglasses and photo collage) by Huda Lutfi at The Third Line of Dubai. In background, paintings by Farhard Moshiri.
“Sons,” 2011 by Daphne Wright at Frith Street Gallery.
From left, “Around the World Alone (Ancient Mariner)” 2011 and “Around the World Alone (Slocum) 2011 (both encaustic, terracotta, metal and wood) by Sean Landers at Greengrassi of London. In background, “Act 3 (#25-36),” 2011 (silkscreen on paper, 12 parts) by Janice Kerbel.
“2 Semicircle Mirror Labyrinth,” 2012 (high polished mirror plates and metal frame) by Jeppe Hein at Galleri Nicolai Wallner of Copenhagen.
“Felicity No. 3,” 2008 (ash on linen) Zhang Huan at White Cube.
“The Waves,” 2011 (painted steel and rust) by Martin Boyce at The Modern Institute/Toby Webster Ltd.