Arts Week miniguide
For the next ten days, Manhattan will be at the center of the contemporary-art world. Here's what to see, when and why (even if you're broke).
Thu Feb 26 2009
The Armory Show and the Armory Show: Modern >>
Click here for an interactive floor plan of the show!
Sanford Smith’s Works on Paper Fair >>
International ArtExpo New York >>
Pulse Contemporary Art Fair >>
WIN BIG!
We’re giving away a pair of tickets to the Armory Show preview and MoMA/P.S.1 after-party benefit on Wed 4. For a chance to win, e-mail a JPEG of your best napkin drawing to ownthiscity@timeoutny.com.
The Armory Show: International Fair of New Art and the Armory Show: Modern
What’s it all about? The IFNA is the best-known contemporary-art fair in New York, and one of the biggest in the world; serious collectors have flocked to it since 1999. This year, see works from 176 international galleries. The Modern show is ancillary to the IFNA; 67 dealers will showcase, with a focus on historically significant works, and blue-chip contemporary works (think Richard Prince).
What can I do besides stare at pictures? Eat and drink your way across the exhibition spaces—there are multiple restaurants and lounges—or meet the artists. At Ronald Feldman’s booth, hang with Christine Hill and peruse her “Volksboutique Armory Apothecary,” where she’ll sell “remedies” for contemporary ailments. Along Pier 94, you’ll find Kenny Scharf painting a huge, cartoon-style mural. You might even be able to hail his souped-up golf cart, Carzy Roy-Al (we’re told it’ll be driven by “a spaceman”) for a free ride between piers. On Wednesday 4, pony up for a sneak-peek preview at the Piers, followed by a benefit party for MoMA and P.S.1., featuring Gang Gang Dance and a DJ set by Justin Miller of DFA.
Hook me up! Piers 92 (Modern) and 94 (IFNA), Twelfth Ave between 52nd and 55th Sts (212-645-6440, thearmoryshow.com). Mar 5--7 noon--8pm; Mar 8 noon--7pm. $30 per day, students $10, combination day pass to the Armory Show and VOLTA NY $40, four-day pass $60. Shuttles run every 20 minutes between the Armory Show and VOLTA NY, Mar 5--8 2--9pm. Preview party and benefit: Museum of Modern Art, 11 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (moma.org/armoryshow2009). Wed 4 8:30--11pm, $100 and up (includes Armory Show preview access 6--8pm and entry to the party).
WIN BIG!
We’re giving away a pair of tickets to the Armory Show preview and MoMA/P.S.1 after-party benefit on Wed 4. For a chance to win, e-mail a JPEG of your best napkin drawing to ownthiscity@timeoutny.com.
NEXT: Sanford Smith’s Works on Paper Fair >>
 The Armory shows |
 Sanford Smith |
 International ArtExpo |
 Fountain Art Fair |
 Scope |
 VOLTA |
 Bridge Art Fair |
 Pulse Art Fair |
Sanford Smith’s Works on Paper Fair
What’s it all about? Smith launched this fair in 1988, after he noticed that every gallery he visited had a closet full of works on paper—drawings, prints, watercolors, photographs, illustrated books, posters—that couldn’t compete with more expensive art for wall space. They receive spotlight treatment here; 46 galleries pool 3,000 to 4,000 of their best paper-only specimens, spanning from old masters to the contemporary.
What can I do besides stare at pictures? Call ahead to arrange a walking tour of the rest of the Park Avenue Armory (212-616-3930, armoryonpark.org), a gorgeous historical landmark. A Tiffany glass fireplace with an American eagle, walnut and mahogany walls, and the Silver Room are among its many attractions.
Hook me up! Park Avenue Armory, 643 Park Ave at 67th St (212-777-5218, sanfordsmith.com). Fri 27 noon--8pm; Sat 28, Sun 1 noon--7pm; Mon 2 11am--5pm. $20, two-day pass $30, with student ID $10.
NEXT: International ArtExpo New York >>
The Armory shows |
Sanford Smith |
International ArtExpo |
Fountain Art Fair |
Scope |
VOLTA |
Bridge Art Fair |
Pulse Art Fair |
International ArtExpo New York
What’s it all about? Where fine-art dealers, gallery owners, publishers, architects and interior designers go to discover new talent and pick up the necessities. The first two days are trade only, but the final three are open to consumers.
What can I do besides stare at pictures? In addition to ogling the goods of 500-plus exhibitors, check out Justin Bua’s one-man show “The Beat of Urban Art,” in which he brings his drawings and paintings to life (Saturday 28 and Sunday 1 at 2pm); a book sale and signing follows. Register at justinbua.com and get into the ArtExpo free.
Hook me up! Javits Center, halls 3B, 3D and 3E, 655 W 34th St at Eleventh Ave (216-328-8926, artexpos.com). Sat 28 10am--6pm; Sun 1 11am--6pm; Mon 2 10am--2pm. $15, seniors and students $5, children under 12 free.
The Armory shows |
Sanford Smith |
International ArtExpo |
Fountain Art Fair |
Scope |
VOLTA |
Bridge Art Fair |
Pulse Art Fair |
Fountain Art Fair
The Armory
shows
Sanford Smith
International
ArtExpo
Fountain Art Fair
Scope
VOLTA
Bridge Art Fair
Pulse Art Fair
Scope New York
What’s it all about? One-person and thematic shows are the name of the game here, with 55 exhibitors from more than 20 countries displaying. Be sure to stop by the 2,000-square-foot tent housing Cheap Fast and Out of Control, a SCOPE Foundation pop-up store selling art, books, vinyl, silk-screened shirts and more at egalitarian prices (“of the artists, for the artists, by the artists”).
What can I do besides stare at pictures? Cinema programs will be staggered throughout each day: “On the Contrary: Recent Artist Videos from the Middle East” screens March 5; George Kuchar’s “Videographic Violations Sinema Show,” plus an artist talk, falls on March 8. Also, March 5--8, catch live music performances by Christy & Emily, Flaming Fire II and Abacus.
Hook me up! Lincoln Center, Damrosch Park, 62nd St between Amsterdam and Columbus Aves a(212-268-1522, scope-art.com). Mar 5--7 noon--8pm; Mar 8 noon--7pm. $10--$100.
The Armory shows |
Sanford Smith |
International ArtExpo |
Fountain Art Fair |
Scope |
VOLTA |
Bridge Art Fair |
Pulse Art Fair |
VOLTA New York
What’s it all about? Conceived as a boutique platform for contemporary art, VOLTA is the “sister fair” to the Armory Show, and featuring solo booths dedicated to 78 emerging artists. This year’s theme is “Age of Anxiety”; appropriately, Brian Hugh Warner (Marilyn Manson) will be displaying.
What can I do besides stare at pictures? At 5pm on March 6 and 7, hit the tenth-floor lounge for two public art talks, “Re-Inventing Non-Profits in NYC” and “The Curated Art Fair: Trend or Necessity,” respectively. The Tribeca Grand Hotel (2 Sixth Ave between Walker and White Sts) is hosting a film screening and performance-piece program in tandem with VOLTA. Back at the fair, clothing brand and gallery Imperfect Articles offers its limited-edition screen-printed and hand-dyed T-shirts. And come hungry: Sweet Tooth of the Tiger, staffed by contemporary artist and pastry chef Tara Strickstein, presents Suck-it!, an edible project serving sweets to visitors, artists and dealers.
Hook me up! 7 W 34th St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (ny.voltashow.com). Mar 5--8 1--9pm; $15, combination pass with Armory Show $40. See Armory Show for shuttle bus info.
The Armory shows |
Sanford Smith |
International ArtExpo |
Fountain Art Fair |
Scope |
VOLTA |
Bridge Art Fair |
Pulse Art Fair |
Bridge Art Fair
What’s it all about? In a veritable potpourri of contemporary galleries (such as Craig Scott), emerging galleries (like Brooklyn’s Broadthinking and Like the Spice) and international spaces, 60 exhibitors show 1,200 to 1,500 works ranging in price from $500 to $50,000. Don’t miss the live performances and installations as part of Extremely Hungary, a yearlong fest showcasing contemporary Hungarian arts.
What can I do besides stare at pictures? Wondering what it all means? ARTOUT, an experimental collective, gives festivalgoers the chance to chat one-on-one with artists about their work. And get this: At the opening party, online-avatar performance group Second Front will project a virtual happening, Al Hansen’s Car Bibbe II, which previously appeared in the online-only world of Second Life.
Hook me up! The Waterfront, 222 Twelfth Ave between 27th and 28th Sts (bridgeartfair.com). Mar 5 7--10pm; Mar 6, 7 noon--8pm; Mar 8 noon--7pm. $10--$25.
NEXT: Pulse Contemporary Art Fair >>
The Armory shows |
Sanford Smith |
International ArtExpo |
Fountain Art Fair |
Scope |
VOLTA |
Bridge Art Fair |
Pulse Art Fair |
Pulse Contemporary Art Fair
What’s it all about? Now in its fourth year in New York, PULSE bridges the gap between alternative and mainstream art fairs, offering curated contemporary works from 101 exhibitors and 26 countries. Most pieces range from $2,000 to $35,000, though a few break six figures.
What can I do besides stare at pictures? The fair is broken up by a series of large-scale installations, including Penelope Umbrico’s Suns from Flickr and Laure Prouvost’s personalized sound space, You Are the Only One. “PULSE Profiles,” a twice-daily program of informal talks, occurs at 3 and 6pm; dealers and curators at different booths discuss their artists’ work. Also worth noting: “PULSE Performances” includes Miriam Cabessa’s Slow Motion Action Painting, a canvas created live during the fair’s opening day; and during Gary Carsley’s INSTITUTE for KONTEMPORARY ESTHETIC AROUSAL, the artist will cover Ikea furniture with landscape photographs.
Hook me up! Pier 40, 353 West St at Houston St (212-255-2327, pulse-art.com). Mar 5--7 noon--8pm; Mar 8 noon--5pm. $20, seniors and students $15.
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The Armory shows |
Sanford Smith |
International ArtExpo |
Fountain Art Fair |
Scope |
VOLTA |
Bridge Art Fair |
Pulse Art Fair |
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