Frieze New York: Modern Complexities

This year sees Frieze New York host its sixth edition at Randall’s Island Park from 5 to 7 May. A collection of ambitious presentations from leading international contemporary and 20th century art galleries will be joined by curated sections showcasing emerging artists, site-specific artist commissions and a talks series. Supported by lead partner Deutsche Bank for the sixth consecutive year, the fair continues its commitment to discovery and artistic excellence. It provides an immersive cultural experience for galleries, artists, experts and art aficionados alike within a bespoke, light-filled structure.

Galleries from six continents, including new exhibitors from Brazil, Guatemala, Japan and Poland, will be in attendance. The list of returning participants include Acquavella Galleries (New York), Gavin Brown’s Enterprise (New York), Tanya Bonakdar Gallery (New York), Matthew Marks Gallery (New York), Marian Goodman Gallery (New York), David Zwirner (New York), Mendes Wood DM (São Paulo) and The Modern Institute (Glasgow). Alongside its main galleries section, Frieze New York also features three platforms to ensure a diverse representation of artistic practices from around the globe. These are Spotlight, Frame and Focus.

Curated by Toby Kamps, Spotlight grows to 31 galleries, each bringing with them a series of solo artist presentations. This year sees increased participation by younger exhibitors, alongside more established galleries. Elsewhere, Frame, a platform for experimentation, shows an increase in international exhibitors, with 17 emerging galleries hailing from 13 countries. A section for experimentation, Frame brings together solo presentations by today’s most exciting new artists. The third section Focus is a platform that supports and subsidises today’s most-promising young galleries to showcase their programmes in stands throughout the fair. A total of 28 galleries from locations as broad as Mumbai and Rio de Janeiro cements Frieze New York’s reputation as a leading international fair.

Alongside emerging and less-established practitioners, the fair promises to excite collectors and enthusiasts with an array of renowned international artists. Exhibiting across the event’s sections will be Lorna Simpson, presenting new paintings and sculptures in her first ever project with Hauser & Wirth (New York); the celebrated American painter John Currin with Gagosian Gallery (New York); Anri Sala, presenting Bridges in the Doldrums (2016) with Marian Goodman Gallery (New York); Keith Sonnier at Pace (New York), bringing together his pioneering neon sculptures with two new series of works; Tala Madani with David Kordansky Gallery (Los Angeles); and Kevin Beasley showing with Casey Kaplan (New York).

There is also an opportunity to preview a selection of artists representing countries in the Venice Biennale later in May, from Carol Bove, representing Switzerland, whose work will be on view alongside the photographer William Eggleston at David Zwirner’s (New York, main) stand; the seminal artist Geta Bratescu, representing Romania, showing alongside experimental conceptual artist Lia Perjovschi with Ivan Gallery (Bucharest, Focus); and the sound and media artist Samson Young, representing Hong Kong, showing with Galerie Gisela Capitain (Cologne).

The Frieze Projects 2017 programme features seven commissions, and is curated by Cecilia Alemani. Participating artist Elaine Cameron-Weir will build a rudimentary structure based on plans for a backyard air-raid shelter; Jon Rafman will transform a gallery stand into a secret cinema; and Dora Budor will supplement the art fair’s usual routine by using cinematic doubling to question perception and reality. As part of the programme, this year’s tribute to a groundbreaking arts space is dedicated to Galleria La Tartaruga in Rome and its experimental exhibition Il Teatro delle Mostre (1968).

Also returning to the fair is Frieze Talks, which this year focuses on themes of agency, politics and perspective. The programme features Claudia Rankine, 2016 MacArthur Fellow, as well as a panel on art and social commitment chaired by Shuddhabrata Sengupta of Raqs Media Collective and featuring artists Tania Bruguera, Anri Sala and Jeanne van Heeswijk. A conversation on “complicating the Modern” from Ann Temkin, Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis Chief Curator of Painting and Sculpture at MoMA, will also take place.

Frieze New York, 5-7 May, Randall’s Island Park, New York.

Visit: www.frieze.com/fairs/frieze-new-york.

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Credits
1. Joe Cole Porter, 2017.