A Field Guide to Frieze Masters 2013
Running alongside Frieze London, on Regent’s Park’s Gloucester Green, is Frieze Masters, 130 galleries showing art from from the ancient era through the 20th century, with the purpose of offering “a contemporary perspective on historical art.”
1. When is it? How do I get tickets?
Frieze Masters takes Place in London’s Regent’s Park, Friday, October 17 through Sunday, October 20, 2013. Buy your tickets here. If you plan to visit both Frieze London and Frieze Masters, save by purchasing a combined ticket.
2. What is the difference between Frieze Masters and Frieze London?
While both fairs are located within walking distance in Regent’s Park, Frieze London offers contemporary art of the 21st century and Frieze Masters offers art from before the year 2000.
3. Spotlight
Frieze Masters is divided into two sections: the main gallery section and Spotlight, 23 galleries that were specially chosen to each feature the work of a single artist from the 20th century. Curator Adriano Pedrosa advised on the Spotlight selection, which represents works by artists from Austria, Argentina, Benin, Brazil, Egypt, France, Germany, India, Italy, Lebanon, Serbia, South Africa, the UK, and the USA.
4. Historical Works of Art
At Frieze Masters this year visitors can see historical works of art from artists including Jan Breughel the Elder, Pieter Breugel the Younger, and Spanish Old Masters Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, Jusepe de Ribera, and Diego Velázquez. Modern works by Francis Bacon, Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, and Jackson Pollock can be found as well. In addition the public can visit an 11th-century stone seated lion and medieval gargoyles at the Sculpture Park.
5. Important Players in Frieze Masters 2013
Participants in this year’s Frieze Masters were selected by a committee consisting of Jean Luc Baroni, Richard Feigen, Sam Fogg, Thomas Gibson, Anthony Meier, Fabrizio Moretti, and Iwan Wirth.
6. Selldorf’s Tent Space
The fair’s translucent tent complex was designed by Annabelle Selldorf of Selldorf Architects, a New York-based firm known for their art-centered structures, ranging from museums to collector’s homes and including New York’s Neue Galerie and Hauser & Wirth’s new location in Chelsea.
7. Frieze Talks
The major programming effort at Frieze Masters is a series of talks that reflect the fair’s mission and convene contemporary artists, art world professionals, and art historians to discuss the intersections of art today and in history. Talks are coordinated by Jasper Sharp, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. All talks will subsequently be available as podcasts at at friezemasters.com.
Beatriz Milhazes in conversation with Prof. Martin Roth; Thursday, 17 October 3:00pm
Beatriz Milhazes, whose paintings combine cultural imagery from her native Brazil with her own modernist aesthetic, will speak with Martin Roth, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
John Currin in conversation with Letizia Treves; Friday, 18 October 3:00pm
John Currin, the New York-based artist whose works often include inspirations from Renaissance painting converses with Letizia Treves, Head of the Curatorial Department and Curator of Italian and Spanish Paintings 1600-1800 at the National Gallery, London.
Catherine Opie in conversation with Michael Govan; Saturday, 19 October 3:00pm
American Catherine Opie, whose photographs dialogue with the conventions of art history will speak with Michael Govan, CEO and Wallis Annenberg Director of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Richard Wright in conversation with Jasper Sharp; Sunday, 20 October 3:00pm
Richard Wright, who transforms architectural interiors through his paintings speaks with curator Jasper Sharp of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
8. Sculpture Park
A short walk East of the Frieze fairgrounds in Regent’s Park’s English Gardens is the Sculpture Park, which is free and open to the public. Including works from Frieze London as well as Frieze Masters, Sculpture Park includes new contemporary works as well as historical sculptures. Selected by Clare Lilley, Director of Programme at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, this year’s park includes works ranging in date from the medieval period through the present. In addition to an 11th-century lion and 13th-century gargoyles, included are works by Matt Calderwood, Helen Chadwick, Alice Channer, Judy Chicago, Marilá Dardot, Elmgreen & Dragset, Gimhongsok, Jeppe Hein, Amar, Kanwar, Joan Miró, Oscar Murillo, Peter Peri, Jaume Plensa, Norbert Prangenberg, Yinka Shonibare, David Shrigley, Takis, Bernar Venet, Rachel Whiteread, and Richard Woods.
9. Frieze Food
Frieze Masters hosts Michelin-starred Italian restaurant Locanda Locatelli. A favorite among Londoners, Locatelli offers a traditional à la carte menu including pastas, salads, and risottos, accompanied by Italian wines. Additionally, Umu offers a custom menu for the fair including bento boxes, hot dishes like ‘fish and chips’ tempura, and a full bar with Japanese cocktails, sake, wine, and champagne.
10. Take A Tour!
For an additional fee visitors can sign up for a professionally led tour, offering an introduction to the fair and a surefire way to get the most out of the Frieze Masters experience. An especially good idea if you have a limited amount of time to spend at the fair, guides share fair highlights and an in-depth look at the Spotlight section. Find out more here.
Photograph by Lyndon Douglas, courtesy of Lyndon Douglas/ Frieze; Photograph by Graham Carlow, courtesy of Graham Carlow/ Frieze; Frieze Masters Talks; Frieze Masters 2012, photograph by Polly Braden, courtesy of Polly Braden/ Frieze.
Explore Artsy’s Frieze London and Frieze Masters features and follow our editorial coverage of the fairs.
