For those who are tuned in with the machinations of what is commonly known as ‘the art world,’ Frieze is undoubtedly a familiar name. For those who aren’t, allow us to shed some light. Frieze is one of the foremost tastemakers in contemporary art. Not only are they responsible for four of the leading international contemporary art publications, they also put on some of the year's most highly anticipated contemporary art fairs.
This week, Frieze New York takes over Randall's Island Park from May 5-8. The fair brings together hundreds of the world's top contemporary art galleries—so if buying is your thing, this would be the place to do it. But while art fairs are a dime a dozen these days, Frieze New York is actually quite unique in that they inject a needed jolt of freshness into what can be an otherwise commercial atmosphere with talks, performances, sound installations, and a thing called Frieze Projects.
Frieze Projects are site-specific works commissioned exclusively for Frieze New York that introduce a wild-card element into the scripted plot. This years projects, curated by superstar curator Cecilia Alemani, are especially stellar…and weird…and worth the trip. Check out the rundown below, and get yourself out to Randall’s to see what all this strange buzz we're hearing is about. The big, big news is the return of art world prankster extraordinaire Maurizio Cattelan.
Two things to know: there will be a live donkey, and you may get something slipped into your pocket.
This year's Frieze Projects artists are:Maurizio Cattelan
A special project celebrating Daniel Newburg Gallery, the pioneering gallery that was open from 1984-1994.
Heather Phillipson
The London-based artist will reimagine the sinuous, serpentine shape of the fair's tent as a giant spinal cord.
Eduardo Navarro
Performers will animate the park in new ways, by capturing the unpredictable passing of clouds.
Anthea Hamilton
The artist will reinterpret the Kar-A-Sutra, an iconic project by Italian architect Mario Bellini.
Alex Da Corte
The artist will interrupt the island's flat landscape with a giant inflatable balloon-work floating above the fair.A professional pickpocket will secretly drop miniature sculptures into visitors’ pockets and bags.
David Horvitz
Sounds good, right? Here's all the info you need to attend:
Frieze New York
May 5-8, Randall's Island Park
Schedule:
Thursday, May 5, 11am-7pm
Friday, May 6, 11am-8pm
Saturday, May 7, 11am-7pm
Sunday, May 8, 11am-6pm
Tickets:
Buy your tickets in advance online ($45 for adults/$29 for students/$10 for 25 and under). They can't guarantee tickets will be available onsite, so don't find yourself in the situation where you trek all the way to Randall's Island and you can't get in. If you like to live dangerously and you get there and tickets are available, bring a card, because they're not taking cash.
Directions to Randall's Island Park:
They lay out all the transportation options and schedules here, but the easiest way to get there is the Frieze Ferry or Bus. You can buy transportation tickets when you buy your fair tickets.
GIFs by Balarama Heller.
