BWW Reviews: Frieze- Go Now. This is THE Art Fair to See

Stop reading, leave the house and head to Frieze on Randall's Island. The art world is waiting outside your door across the river on that other island you never go to. The fair is that good, that diverse and that much of an international art extravaganza that it is that simple- get there!

Where as the Armory is the show to miss given the unfriendly nature of the crowded piers and the aura of sadly missed cruises, Frieze, in it's second year in NYC has staked it's claim as THE show to see of all the art fairs.

Gregor Hildenbrandt's repurposed cassette tapes

This originally London based show has it all. There is an outdoor sculpture garden and an interior layout that is easy to follow. Under one very long tent is more art than even the 8 Billion Dollar Man-Stevie Cohen can afford- I think.

How do you review a show with so many great gallerist, artists and art at almost every corner? An even harder task would be to decide what to buy? I did not have to worry about that, the $20 parking fee blew out my budget at the start.

A fellow critic, artist and friend, Anthony Haden-Guest was tackling the duel task by imposing a fictitious budget to see what he would buy if he had $1,000,000. He quipped that though he quickly bumped his allowance to $25,000,000 he had not spent a dime as of yet.

In the aisle art world elite mingle unassumingly as they are happy to share what they see and like. Ok, not many do this but one couple did; I enjoyed speaking with Mr. and Mrs. Hort. Michael selflessly exposed the unflattering raw truth behind many collector's motives, cares and thoughts as they buy art a few years ago in panel presentation I attended. The Hort's open up their collection to students throughout the year and become a sort of small fair themselves for a short moment as the art world cognescenti swarm to their downtown home for a free NY Bagel and to let everyone know, yes, they were invited here too, they belong . The couple pointed out a few artist they collect that were represented in booths around us as we discussed art. They liked the show very much but they did not see anything new.

Van Gogh and Duchamp's moustached Mona

What of this view for the new? Is art like the new and improved Tide. Is it a product and do us consumers need to be force-fed a steady stream of new toys, ideas and tastes? Can't some artist in say 1889 have gotten it right, ended the game, stopped the search and just settled in on the one, the ideal, the be it all end it all of the art world? Does such a one exist or is NEO an illusion (it might be best to brush up on your pop science-fiction)?

If instead of Vincent I had hinted at Marcel- The Champ many might have agreed. Many conceptualist and formalist see art ending (or beginning) with Duchamp. But the little I have learned from 52 go rounds our hot yellow bouncing ball is that it is the path, the trail and that there is no end game and goal much like a Wagnerian composition's lack of resolution and capitulation.

Union rat non-art object McCarthy's comment on Koon's art Koon's faux balloon dog-art?

I would stay inside and enjoy the fair and one of the many informative talks if you are so inclined to hear about art you can see. The outdoor sculpture garden was a let down and felt like an after thought. I am not sure if it was how the art was set in the space or the lack of stellar 3 dimensional work. It may have been the tone set by the inflatable McCarthy sculpture at the main entrance that pokes fun and pays homage to Jeff Koons at the same time. There was a more appropriate inflatable sculpture for a Koons comment near the ever winding side-road to the fair; It was the infamous inflatable rat that signifies non-union workers in the house and 'rats us union boys did not get the job.'

Kendell Geers foil series

I would prefer a show of "I can do anything you can do but smaller" in the art world. Everyone seems to be infatuated with size! Mr. Geer's is not. His poignant piece of a Buddha cast by pressing aluminum foil around the form is more my cup of tea. Cheap materials and small sized works speak privately and softly and invite contemplation. They do not shout,'look, I have a big budget, I am a big artist." There is a bit of fun poked at religion and the 'I see the Virgin Mary in my grilled cheese thing' going on here.

Michael Bauer "The shadow of Bob Seger"

London made a strong showing in what must feel like a home based show plunked down in the colonies for a brief moment. Alison Jacques Gallery caught my eye with Michael Bauer's work and indeed just about everything in the booth did so. Seventeen Gallery never lets me down and presented a challenging booth of mixed conceptual play and wires. Greengrassi's booth was interesting and was shared by a top NY gallery. London continues to be at the forefront of the art world.

Tel Aviv's presence was felt at the fair. Yes, Israel is known for it's unique blend of almost infiltrative personal video and fine visual arts. Orson was correct in "The Third Man" and though Switzerland was present at Frieze it is Germany and Israel, countries with tough pasts that continue to put out creative artists and more than cuckoo clocks. No pain no art. In all fairness Mr. Welles' assumption is no longer applicable and you could easily argue Switzerland is one of the prime centers of the global conceptual movement.

You don't need me to highlight this show for you. The show itself is a highlight a bright spot of the art world tucked away on a little isle off our tiny isle. Get there before it and the art goes back to London, Berlin, Dubai,Israel,LA (that other country in the US) and other corners of the art world.

New 2013 Opening Hours
Friday, May 10: 11am-7pm
Saturday, May 11: 11am-7pm
Sunday, May 12 : 11am-7pm
Monday, May 13: 11am-6pm

Last entry one hour before closing.

Frieze New York 2013 Guide

To post a comment, you must register and login.