Wednesday, March 7, 2012

New York's art fair season gets underway


New York's art fair season kicks off tomorrow with The Armory Show vernissage. This year the stakes are higher with Frieze waiting in the wings ready to launch in New York in May. But The Armory Show is rising to the challenge, upping its game with a suite of new moves: a less-is-more approach (the number of participating galleries has been reduced by 25%); encouraging galleries to focus on solo or selective group shows; collaborating with Moving Image, NY to stage the inaugural edition of Armory Film; and partnering up with Paddle8, adding web-based exhibitor presentations and transactions to the mix, along with early access for plugged in collectors. The Armory Show is also also aiming to be a user-friendlier fair with wider isles, improved public and VIP spaces and architecturally-enhanced access between Pier 92 (The Armory Show - Modern) and Pier 94 (The Armory Show - Contemporary).