Yo! Yesterday the L Train was extremely wacky and I changed my predetermined fair schedule from Pulse to The Armory. I hailed a cab at Union Square and after hitting traffic all along the West side highway I finally made it to Pier 94; Contemporary Art. Upon entering the fair I was shocked by the amount of people present! Luckily I already had a ticket and was able to bypass the long lines that were both inside and outside the entrance.


I quickly made a beeline to the lounge, organic beer in hand, finally felt ready to weave through the eager crowds looking for the best deal or most outlandish piece for um…blogging or tweeting. An early favorite were Gothic figurative watercolors by Ulrika Minami Warmling, shown above, from Galleri Charlotte Lund, Sweden.


I looked for artists that I know personally or have followed and took note of those who I hadn’t heard of. Monitor based in Rome featured magazine collages in wooden frames and plastic sleeves that didn’t necessarily fit the frame. The work caught my eye before I even I realized it was the work of Nico Vascellari who I’ve mentioned here before.


Zach Feuer stood in his booth taking in the crowds and on the outer wall of his space were sculpture assemblages that reminded me of Jessica Stockholder (with organic/biodegradable elements) but were by Feuer artist Phoebe Washburn.


Michelangelo Pistoletto, whose recent solo exhibition Cittadellarte at the Philadelphia Museum of Art closed in January, has always been a favorite of mine as is the Arte Povera movement. However in doing so, I fell victim to what was happening frequently as I walked through Pier 94; people posing with and in front of the art, something I usually despise. Within the context of the Armory, one can’t help but wonder if it may be less about acquiring and selling (even though that is the core) and more about the event as a cool, hip, place to go. I thought of this as I sauntered down the aisles, head spinning and neck aching from the whiplash of looking at This! That! And! beautiful, cool people hanging out at Peres Projects booth. The Armory is a great outlet and an undeniable resource offering a peek into the art market and work that is being made throughout the world.


Even in the age of globalization and technological advances, there is still something special about standing in front of a work of art. I liked watching people walk up to, squint, giggle, point or try NOT to step on loose bits. The act of looking is also an experience that cannot be replicated and in that sense, what art fairs have the possibility to do is construct a stage or platform. Those who are brave enough to buy a ticket can step inside and if they are lucky and afford the possibilities, foresee financial & the potential enjoyment of living with art, may walk away with more then a memory of what they saw. Some people, may walk away with art.

Image above, Yinka Shonibare from Anna Schwartz Gallery, Australia.
More soon.
xo

— Posted from my iPhone
Http://www.katyhamer.com