Have you been visiting one or more of the Art Fairs lately, or actively being part of one?
In New York, for example, even the press missed some of the fairs. The Armory, Nada, Scope,
The Independent New York and more. Not to Forget VOLTA, on pier 90, pretty close to the Armory (piers 92, 94). Hard to believe that these two fairs have the same owner – and even harder:
If you have been visiting one of these two fairs you would not have even noticed that there is another fair so close. No signs, no reduced tickets, no visitors exchange. hey, ever heard about marketing? Cross Selling? No? Too bad… And no press obviously on VOLTA. A short article on artnet (one of the sponsors), pretending that it has been a good fair. Well, the sponsors have to be positive, but if you have asked the exhibitors… they had another impression.
Welcome to New York?
The majority of the exhibitors would not have signed this promo.
Perhaps, New Yorkers and the press are just overfed with Art Fairs and
all the other events related to the Arts.
But ignoring a fair right next to the promiment Armory is a no go.
And the same owner. ‘Pfui’ we would say.
Asian Art Week followed right behind, the ‘copy pasters’-week, and so on and so on…
Besides the fairs, a MoMA visit is always worth it. Not only because of their collection –
saw the Francis Picabia exhibition… fantastic. A classic exhibition of his works, you accompanied Picabia through the years of his life and his reflection of decades in (art) history. Picabia’s cite
” The head is round so that thoughts are able to change direction.” describes his approach to the different art trends of the 20th century. Cuban born, with multi-national heritage and having been living most of his life in France, his work also responds to both World War I and II, and his cultural (and political) influences. I would say, an art opportunist in a way.
Trump Tower? Rockefeller Center? Clear decision – Rockefeller Center. Even more with the huge Linnenbrink drip painting in the new lobby. Have a sneak view from the outside… opening soon… Central Park has been only a short walk up to the north, a quick tea time in one of the restaurants close to the park. Ready to walk up the rocks, spotting for squirrels, strolling a bit along the walkways and then back to the hotel – busy again to find a spot to eat out. Quite easy in that area we have been based, although the name of the quarter sounds not so promising: Hell’s Kitchen. Sometimes, in the hotel, I felt like being actually right there: None of the promising electronic buttons did work (ON/ OFF, ALL IN/ OUT: What the h*** for?), TV has not been working properly and most of all the bathroom door nearly cut my toe off the very last day. OK, OK, survived – and the panoramic view has been amazing, really.
Flying to NY: Thank you air berlin for this fantastic view onto Iceland’s coast; and back to Berlin @JFK: The fastest security control I ever experienced…
So, here, after Art Cologne (they will establish a second fair in Berlin, Art Berlin), the famous Gallery Weekend with new spots/ halls expanding in every direction (including frantic ‘one night stand’ exhibitions… but to attract visitors they even have to fly Mme Huppert in, just do simple name-dropping, ‘Uh, Bryan Adams is also owner, wow…‘ or install history relived (or history repeats?) art…), the art circus is travelling again – documenta 14 in Athens (JUN 10, Kassel will open – if you were able to find your way through this all-so-confusing and not-inviting-at-all website), Venice Biennale… save travels, for everybody and everything.