New York has a very strong artistic and creative heritage. Throughout the year, there are numerous opportunities to marvel at a wealth of fine and contemporary art. In May 2014, New York residents and visitors will be treated to a vast selection of fairs to suit all artistic tastes. These recommendations are just the tip of the iceberg of what’s on offer:
Collective Design Fair
May 8-11
The Collective Design Fair is a curated selection of contemporary and 20th century design, showcasing a range of emerging and established galleries from all over the world. This year’s highlight includes a special exhibition of work by internationally acclaimed designer, Hella Jongerius, as well as a capsule exhibition that highlights the ongoing significance of Scandanavian design.
Read more at: collectivedesignfair.com
Downtown Fair
May 8-11
Taking place at the historic 69th Regiment Armory on Lexington Avenue and 25th Street, this year’s Downtown Fair will feature a carefully selected group of 50 international galleries, with a strong emphasis on work from the 20th and 21st centuries. As well as the impressive selection of modern and contemporary galleries on display, there will also be a programme of talks including a lecture on the Lexington Armory building and a hosted talk with Katy Donoghue, Whitewall Editor in Chief and renowned designer and architect, Dror Benshetrit.
Read more at: www.downtownfair.com
Outsider Art Fair
May 8-11
The concept of ‘outsider art’ is somewhat of a curious phenomenon. The Outsider Art Fair showcases art by artists that are self-taught, and therefore more detached from the art world. According to the fair’s producer, Andrew Edlin, “Most of the art made by trained artists is informed by art historical references and outsider art is not. I think outsider art tends to be more autobiographical; there tends to be less distance between the artist and the art.” This year’s Outsider features around 50 Galleries, from America, Brazil, France, England, Asia and beyond.
Read more at: www.outsiderartfair.com
Pulse Contemporary Art Fair
May 8-11
For the last nine years, Pulse has been a staple in the New York contemporary art calendar. This year’s fair promises a revitalised platform for the discovery of contemporary art and an evolved series of programming. This year’s exhibitors come from all over America and a select few from Europe.
Read more at: pulse-art.com/new-york
NADA Fair
May 9-11
Founded in 2002, New Art Dealers Alliance (NADA) is a not-for-profit collective of professionals working with contemporary art. This year’s NADA New York fair takes place on Pier 36 at Basketball City at 229 South Street on the East River and is dedicated to showcasing and celebrating new art from rising talents from across the globe.
Read more at: newartdealers.org
Pool Art Fair
May 9-11
The main purpose of Pool is to create a meeting ground for developing and independent artists, as well as the wider artistic community and general public. This is a unique opportunity for art enthusiasts to discover works and artists that will not be shown at any other art fair.
Read more at: www.poolartfair.com
Cutlog
May 8-11
50 Galleries and curators will be displaying art and installations at this year’s New York edition of the Cutlog contemporary art fair, which will be in the Clemente, a Dutch Neo-Gothic building on New York’s Lower East Side. There will also be sculptures in the courtyard and a film festival, as well as a series of performances as an extension of the projects displayed in the booths.
Read more at: cutlogny.org
Frieze New York
May 9-12
Widely renowned as the benchmark for contemporary art fairs, Frieze is housed in a bespoke structure which is located in Randall’s Island Park in Manhattan. 190 contemporary art galleries from all over the world will be showcasing some of the most exciting living artists, alongside a program of various talks and presentations.
Read more at: friezenewyork.com