This year, the flagship Art Basel fair has several new developments: a new director of the Swiss fair, Maike Cruse (a specially created role), the launch of its brand Art Basel store, and the Parcours section now moved closer to the fair. Here's my overview: On Day 1, I visited Messeplatz, the large square in front of the fair, which has been turned into a wheatfield as part of an art installation by Agnes Denes. I then explored the Galleries sector, where I spoke with Louis Kasmin from Hazlitt Holland-Hibbert (London) and Jordi Mayoral from Galeria Mayoral (Barcelona). On Day 2, I returned to the Galleries to talk with Valentina Volchkova from Pace gallery about Jean Dubuffet's Banc-Salon sculpture, which resembles a bench. Later, I walked through the Unlimited section, which its curator, Giovanni Carmine, described as “a little town of art.” On the last day, I explored Parcours, Art Basel’s public program. Basel, Switzerland, June 13-16, 2024
Tag: artfair
Frieze New York 2024
Frieze New York 2024 returns to the Shed in Hudson Yards from May 1-5 with a lineup of 68 participating galleries. This year, the fair feature many solo booth presentations with an emphasis on abstract art. Notable highlights include: Alex Katz at Gladstone, Leo Valledor at Silverlens, Dewey Crumpler at Jenkins-Johnson, and Holly Hendry at Stephen Friedman. First-time participant Madragoa gallery from Lisbon wins Focus Stand Prize award. A special mention goes to self-taught artists: Reverend Joyce McDonald, Mame-Diarra Niang, Thornton Dial, as well as New York artist and performer Kembra Pfahler. Despite challenging economic conditions, the 12th edition of the fair reports robust sales. New York, NY May 2, 2024