Unfortunately, I only had one day to dedicate to the art fairs in New York last weekend. I decided on visiting two venues: The Armory Show (obviously) and Scope, because I know (and collect) the artist Mariana Vilafane, who was showing at Mark Hachem, Paris. I ended up spending most of the day at Scope (while catching up with old friends), and ended up running through the contemporary section of the Armory Show in an hour (time management is not my greatest strength). For what it's worth, here is a brief overview of the most important things I saw at both fairs:
Scope: I was dissapointed with the overall quality at Scope - I felt Scope Miami was far more interesting. But at any fair, there are pearls to be found. Here are my personal highlights:
mini galerie of Amsterdam (www.minigalerie.nl) represents European artists (mostly with a street art background) who create abstract work of exceptional quality and intelligence. One collage by Dutchman Jeroen Erosie was my favorite work of the entire fair - I couldn't resist and purchased it. The multi-layered wood cut-outs of the artist team Graphic Surgery also deserve mention.
Licht Feld Gallery of Basel, Switzerland (www.lichtfeld.ch) presented a series of attention-grabbing paintings by the German painter Peter Dauphin Genannt Muth. Combining figurative borrowings of old Japanese woodcuts with contemporary industrial imagery, they were a commentary on the Fukushima nuclear accident. These were paintings in loud colors, not to my personal taste, but noteworthy, in addition to their painterly quality, for the originality in taking on this subject (this painter definitely has his own distinct personal style).
The artist team Gentleman's Game (www.brandonandjason.com) uses various paper transfer techniques to create colorful, whimsical, visually spectacular collage-like works on canvas evocative of surrealism and 19th century illustration. A real discovery! These are two artists to be watched and followed.
Galerie LeRoyer of Montreal (www.galerieleroyer.com) presented two large pieces by Guy LeClef, each consisting of two painstakingly interwoven photographs of women - works with a real wow effect. It would have been fun to discuss their artistic merits with a group of fellow art lovers - I think opinions would have been very divided (ie did they have real depth or were they all show - I'm still wrestling with them myself).
One doesn't think of Minneapolis as a hub of contemporary art, but I highly recommend art lovers visit the site of Instinct Art Gallery (www.instinctmpls.com), which presented a number of quality artists at the fair, Kate Casanova being particularly noteworthy (I have a weakness for nature collages).
Finally, Mark Hachem Gallery of Paris presented the works of two exceptional artists I need to bring up: Mariana Vilafane is an Argentian artist of great imagination. She presented a series of complex spiral cutouts created with the help of an old record player - beautifully crafted work with emotional intensity. A work by the French artist Micka was, from a standpoint of both artistic level and crafsmanship, the single strongest piece in the fair - a multi-layered glass (or plexiglass) work with a complex system of circular lines producing different color and depth effects depending on the viewing angle - think of 21st century cybernetic art evoking the spirit of Naum Gabo.
Armory Show: Again, I ran through in an hour, but here are my quickly-gleaned personal highlights:
Ani Molnar Gallery of Budapest (molnaranigaleria.hu) presented a series of small monochromatic abstractions evoking natural forms by Andras Ernszt. At less than $1000 each, these would have been good pieces for the beginning collector.
Bruce Silverstein of New York (www.brucesilverstein.com) presented a series of photographs by Mishka Henner. These were satellite photos of oil derricks that he apparently tracks down online and crops to meet his needs. The result? Stunning abstract gems that drive the debate about the state of our earth.
Susanne Vielmetter of Los Angeles (vielmetter.com) presented a large abstract painting by Nick Aguayo, a stunning piece in orange, black and green that calls out "Here I am." It was a work that reminded me that originality is still possible using completely conventional painterly means.
Yosi Milo Gallery, New York, (www.yossimilo.com) presented several strong abstractions on chromogenic paper by Marco Breuer, along with two huge Gursky-esque photos of church facades. (the gallery focuses on photography and works derived from photographs or integrating photographic processes).
I hope to have more time next year!
My Web site: www.marcelgrichter.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mgfr2005
Scope: I was dissapointed with the overall quality at Scope - I felt Scope Miami was far more interesting. But at any fair, there are pearls to be found. Here are my personal highlights:
mini galerie of Amsterdam (www.minigalerie.nl) represents European artists (mostly with a street art background) who create abstract work of exceptional quality and intelligence. One collage by Dutchman Jeroen Erosie was my favorite work of the entire fair - I couldn't resist and purchased it. The multi-layered wood cut-outs of the artist team Graphic Surgery also deserve mention.
Licht Feld Gallery of Basel, Switzerland (www.lichtfeld.ch) presented a series of attention-grabbing paintings by the German painter Peter Dauphin Genannt Muth. Combining figurative borrowings of old Japanese woodcuts with contemporary industrial imagery, they were a commentary on the Fukushima nuclear accident. These were paintings in loud colors, not to my personal taste, but noteworthy, in addition to their painterly quality, for the originality in taking on this subject (this painter definitely has his own distinct personal style).
The artist team Gentleman's Game (www.brandonandjason.com) uses various paper transfer techniques to create colorful, whimsical, visually spectacular collage-like works on canvas evocative of surrealism and 19th century illustration. A real discovery! These are two artists to be watched and followed.
Galerie LeRoyer of Montreal (www.galerieleroyer.com) presented two large pieces by Guy LeClef, each consisting of two painstakingly interwoven photographs of women - works with a real wow effect. It would have been fun to discuss their artistic merits with a group of fellow art lovers - I think opinions would have been very divided (ie did they have real depth or were they all show - I'm still wrestling with them myself).
One doesn't think of Minneapolis as a hub of contemporary art, but I highly recommend art lovers visit the site of Instinct Art Gallery (www.instinctmpls.com), which presented a number of quality artists at the fair, Kate Casanova being particularly noteworthy (I have a weakness for nature collages).
Finally, Mark Hachem Gallery of Paris presented the works of two exceptional artists I need to bring up: Mariana Vilafane is an Argentian artist of great imagination. She presented a series of complex spiral cutouts created with the help of an old record player - beautifully crafted work with emotional intensity. A work by the French artist Micka was, from a standpoint of both artistic level and crafsmanship, the single strongest piece in the fair - a multi-layered glass (or plexiglass) work with a complex system of circular lines producing different color and depth effects depending on the viewing angle - think of 21st century cybernetic art evoking the spirit of Naum Gabo.
Armory Show: Again, I ran through in an hour, but here are my quickly-gleaned personal highlights:
Ani Molnar Gallery of Budapest (molnaranigaleria.hu) presented a series of small monochromatic abstractions evoking natural forms by Andras Ernszt. At less than $1000 each, these would have been good pieces for the beginning collector.
Bruce Silverstein of New York (www.brucesilverstein.com) presented a series of photographs by Mishka Henner. These were satellite photos of oil derricks that he apparently tracks down online and crops to meet his needs. The result? Stunning abstract gems that drive the debate about the state of our earth.
Susanne Vielmetter of Los Angeles (vielmetter.com) presented a large abstract painting by Nick Aguayo, a stunning piece in orange, black and green that calls out "Here I am." It was a work that reminded me that originality is still possible using completely conventional painterly means.
Yosi Milo Gallery, New York, (www.yossimilo.com) presented several strong abstractions on chromogenic paper by Marco Breuer, along with two huge Gursky-esque photos of church facades. (the gallery focuses on photography and works derived from photographs or integrating photographic processes).
I hope to have more time next year!
My Web site: www.marcelgrichter.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mgfr2005
