MY ARMORY SHOW HIGHLIGHTS
March 7-10, 2013 - Pier 92 / 94, New York
With Noah Horowitz at the helm and Eric Shiner of the Warhol Museum curating the Focus Section ‘America’ it is a stellar iteration of the fair. The excitement of the centennial celebration, which commemorates the hundredth anniversary (though only fifteenth year) of the fair harkens back to when European modernism, championed by Duchamp, stirred the American artscape. The rest is matter of art legend, but it’s clear that whether catalyzed through the 1913 show or the product of the 20th century history, the new chapter of American art is self-aware, self-critical and pointedly witty. Here are my picks of what to see:
C L E A R I N G, Pier 94, Booth 621
I just can’t resist praising the work of Ryan Foerster, whose oversized snapshot photos are worn down by natural elements and chance to effortlessly become unique almost-painterly abstractions. The series on view includes pieces that were exposed to Hurricane Sandy and the bleached, splattered and detritus-ridden surfaces reveal the processes of nature upon them. At $6,000 for the unique works, they are certainly a rare find.
Craig F. Starr Gallery, Pier 92, Booth 434
This uptown dealer whose beautifully designed booth is filled with post-war treasures, including a drip-painted Joel Shapiro and a 30-part silkscreen piece of Agnes Martin, whose study of line and plane never lack spectacle in their stillness.
Francis M. Naumann Fine Art, Pier 94, Booth 803
The booth is a tribute to the centennial and Duchamp’s ubiquitous Descending Nude. It presents a salon style array of staircases being descended through a cross-temporal look at the iterations of the theme, from Mike Bidlo to Marcel Dzama.
Jack Shainman Gallery, Pier 94, Booth 708
Known for well-installed booths, this year does not disappoint. Seeing the metallic tapestries of El Anatsui next to Nick Cave’s Soundsuit and scenes of infrared photographer Richard Mosse is a wholistically sensory profusion in the best of ways.
Gallery Espace, Pier 94, Booth 727 & Gallery Wendi Norris, FOCUS, Booth 912
Chitra Ganesh's comic-like works leave a strong impression. Made of collaged elements from 1970’s comic books distributed to Indian children to promote Hindu values to emigrants abroad, these bizarre cultural pastiches in intoxicating cocktail colors are captivating studies of culture.
Rod Bianco Gallery, Pier 94, Booth 809
The collaboration of Sverre Bjertnes & Bjarne Melgaard play an ode to the 80’s superstar dealer in the The Beauty of Mary Boone. “A love letter” set in a psychedelic Norwegian cabin outfitted with wood paneling and Chanel suits. The booth also coincides with an opening of the White Columns show by the duo.
Galerie Thomas Modern, Pier 92, Booth 216
Thomas’ booth features a collection of Gerhard Richter, Tom Wesselman, Joan Mitchell, Sam Francis and Chuck Close that would rival any Post-war Evening auction. The real treat is the Otto Piene, dated from 2003 which (coincidentally) has a twin from 1962 at Galerie Koch a few booths over.
