Art Fairs Take Over New York During First Week Of March

The first week in March art fairs take over the city. Kicking off the festivities is the

2012 Art Show that leads a contingent of art fairs around Manhattan taking place at t he same time.

Leading the contingent is The Art Show, considered the nation's foremost and longest

running fine-art fair, takes place March 7 through March 11, 2012 in New York City. Organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) to benefit the Henry Street Settlement, the fair presents the nation’s leading art dealers and galleries showcasing a variety of museum quality exhibits ranging from cutting-edge, 21st century works, to masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries.

Expanding its roster for the first time in 24 years, the 2012 Art Show will include 72 of the best galleries* from across the country including five first time exhibiting galleries: Alexander and Bonin, New York City; Crown Point Press, San Francisco, CA; Greene Naftali Gallery, New York City; Anton Kern Gallery, New York City; and Van de Weghe Fine Art, New York City.

The Art Show strikes a dynamic balance among its exhibitors, who come from all over the country to present works by historic, modern, and contemporary artists. As in recent years, the 2012 Art Show will include a number of stand out solo and two-person exhibitions, such as: Cindy Sherman’s “Murder Mystery” collage series from 1976 at Metro Pictures; new work by Suzan Frecon at David Zwirner Gallery; a two-person exhibition of David Wojnarowicz and Hunter Reynolds from P•P•O•W; Dorothea Rockburne at Greenberg Van Doren Gallery; a presentation of Rudy Burkhardt: Photographs and Films of New York from Tibor de Nagy Gallery; new work by Philip Pearlstein at Betty Cuningham Gallery; and “Gaston Lachaise/Louise Bourgeois: An Affinity” a two person installation from Cheim & Read. Other exhibition highlights include: a historic look at Acquavella Galleries, “Acquavella: The First 90 Years”; a group show of women artists at Galerie Lelong; and a thematic exhibition from Mary-Anne Martin/Fine Art entitled “Surrealism in Latin America.”

Daily admission to The Art Show and its Gala Preview on March 6, benefits Henry Street Settlement, one of New York City’s best-known and most effective social services agencies. The Art Show will be held at the Park Avenue Armory at 67th Street City. Admission is $20 per day. The show hours are as follows: Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 8 p.m., and Sunday 12 to 6 p.m. Website: http://www.artdealers.org/artshow.html

*Acquavella Galleries, Inc. Adler & Conkright Fine Art Alexander and Bonin Brooke Alexander, Inc. John Berggruen Gallery Blum & Poe Peter Blum Gallery Tanya Bonakdar Gallery Valerie Carberry Gallery Cheim & Read James Cohan Gallery Conner•Rosenkranz LLC CRG Gallery Crown Point Press Betty Cuningham Gallery D’Amelio Terras Maxwell Davidson Gallery DC Moore Gallery Tibor de Nagy Gallery The Elkon Gallery, Inc. Richard L. Feigen & Co. Debra Force Fine Art, Inc. Fraenkel Gallery Peter Freeman, Inc Galerie St. Etienne Gladstone Gallery James Goodman Gallery Marian Goodman Gallery Greenberg Van Doren Gallery Greene Naftali Gallery Hirschl & Adler Galleries Leonard Hutton Galleries Anton Kern Gallery Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery Michael Kohn Gallery Barbara Krakow Gallery

L&M Arts Margo Leavin Gallery Lehmann Maupin Galerie Lelong Locks Gallery Jeffrey H. Loria & Co., Inc. Luhring Augustine Lawrence Markey Mary-Anne Martin/Fine Art Barbara Mathes Gallery Stephen Mazoh & Co, Inc. McKee Gallery Anthony Meier Fine Arts Menconi & Schoelkopf Fine Art, LLC Metro Pictures Laurence Miller Gallery Mitchell-Innes & Nash Moeller Fine Art New York–Berlin David Nolan Gallery P•P•O•W The Pace Gallery Pace/MacGill Gallery Pace Prints Friedrich Petzel Gallery, Inc. Regen Projects James Reinish & Associates, Inc. Susan Sheehan Gallery Manny Silverman Gallery Skarstedt Gallery, Ltd. Sperone Westwater Leslie Tonkonow Artworks + Projects Van de Weghe Fine Art Washburn Gallery Michael Werner Donald Young Gallery David Zwirner Gallery.

                                                The Armory Show

Running in tandem with The Art Show is the contemporary The Armory Show. Taking place across town at Piers 92 and 94 at 55^th Street and 12^th Avenue from Thursday, March 8 to Sunday, March 11, 2012, it showcases leading contemporary and modern art from around the world. The Armory Show is presented in two sections:

*The Armory Show–Modern on Pier 92 is dedicated to international dealers specializing

in historically significant Modern art, and will present 71 exhibitors representing nine counties. This year, The Armory Show will inaugurate three exciting programming initiatives:

-- Armory Film, curated by the Moving Image Fair, will feature an international selection of contemporary video and experimental films.

-- Solo Projects, a section dedicated to single artist presentations, will debut on Pier 94 featuring eleven leading young dealers from around the world.

-- Media Lounge presents on-site programs including Armory Film, Open Forum, the lively talk series, and Armory Performance will take place.

A section of the fair is dedicated to international dealers specializing in historically significant Modern art that will include blue-chip work from leading fine art dealers including Galerie Thomas (Munich), James Goodman Gallery (New York), Simon Capstick-Dale Fine Art (New York), Marlborough Gallery (New York), Galerie Ludorff (Düsseldorf), Oriol Galeria d'Art (Barcelona), Wetterling Gallery (Stockholm) G.A.M. Galleria d'Arte Maggiore (Bologna), Hollis Taggart Galleries (New York) and Michael Rosenfeld Gallery (New York).

Solo Projects is a new addition to the 2012 fair featuring dedicated single artist presentations with Dario Escobar at Josée Bienvenu Gallery (New York); Galeria Lucia de la Puente (Lima) presenting work by Billy Hare; Francois Ghebaly Gallery (Los Angeles) and Nicole Klagsbrun Gallery (New York) showing Patrick Jackson; Wallace Whitney at Horton Gallery (New York); Tom Fairs at KS Art (New York); Katharine Mulherin Contemporary Art Projects (Toronto) showcasing Mike Bayne; Clifford Owens on view at On Stellar Rays (New York); SEVENTEEN (London) displaying Kate Owens; TEAPOT (Cologne) showing Christian Eisenberger; and Jennifer Dalton at Winkleman Gallery (New York).

The Armory Show is also introducing a new private VIP hour, offering VIP ticket holders the opportunity to view works, speak to dealers, and walk the floor for one hour daily before the fair opens to the general public.

The fair will also feature an expanded array of gourmet food options by Great Performances, with menus focusing on local and seasonal items.

*The Armory Show–Contemporary on Pier 94 will feature 120 leading international exhibitors, 19 invited exhibitors in Armory Focus: The Nordic Countries, 11 exhibitors in

the inaugural edition of Solo Projects and seven organizations participating in the Not-

for-Profit Section. In total, 30 counties will be represented. Long-time exhibitors include Lisson Gallery (London), Sean Kelly (New York), Victoria Miro (London), Galerie EIGEN + ART (Berlin), Marianne Boeksy (New York), Peter Blum (New York), Andrew Kreps Gallery (New York), Galleria Continua (San Gimignano, Beijing, Le Moulin), Mai 36 Galerie (Zurich), Sies + Höke (Düsseldorf), Nathalie Obadia (Paris), Massimo de Carlo (Milan), Galerie Krinzinger (Vienna), Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects (Culver City) and Kukje Gallery/Tina Kim Gallery (Seoul, New York).

The Armory Show also welcomes a selection of important new international dealers to the 2012 fair, including David Zwirner (New York), Sprüth Magers (Berlin), Gallery Hyundai (Seoul), Greene Naftali (New York), Galerie Guido W. Baudach (Berlin), Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont (Paris), Klosterfelde (Berlin), Poligrafa (Barcelona), RAMPA (Istanbul), and On Stellar Rays (New York).

Other Pier 94, highlights include a new, site-specific installation, made especially for The Armory Show by Michael Riedel at David Zwirner (New York); a collaboration between Greene Naftali (New York), Galerie Krinzinger (Vienna) and Galerie Guido W. Baudach (Berlin) to present Norwegian artist Bjarne Melgaard; a three-man exhibition of Olafur Eliasson, Ragnar Kjartansson and Birgir Andresson by i8 (Reykjavík); the work of heralded American sculptor Alice Aycock presented by Galerie Thomas Schulte (Berlin); a curated booth at Sean Kelly (New York) highlighting the gallery’s younger artists including Alec Soth, Peter Liversidge and Kehinde Wiley; a two-person installation from Gallery Hyundai (Seoul) featuring works by the internationally renowned artists Ai Weiwei and Lee Ufan; Philippe Parreno, Tala Madani and Leigh Ledare at Pilar Corrias (London); Bob van Orsouw Gallery (Zurich) will feature works by Ernesto Neto, Hannah Greely and Julian Opie; a solo presentation of renowned artist Leon Golub at Ronald Feldman Fine Arts (New York); a Wang Du installation at Galerie Laurent Godin (Paris); a new series by Andres Serrano, Anarchy, will debut at Edward Tyler Nahem Fine Art (New York); a solo booth of 2012 Whitney Biennial artist Kate Levant at Zach Feuer Gallery (New York); and a solo presentation of new paintings, videos and wall drawings by Fabrice Hyber at Galerie Jérôme de Noirmont (Paris) in advance of the artist’s exhibition at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, in fall 2012.

What’s different this year from previous shows? As Paul Morris, Founding Director of The Armory Show explains, it is smaller and more selective. “For the 2012 edition, we have taken a new direction for the fair. Most notable is that The Armory Show is now a smaller, more boutique fair that enriches every experience for the many collectors, curators and guests who come to The Armory Show to see the greatest art from around the world."

The Armory Show's third edition of Armory Focus has turned its attention to the dynamic art community of the Nordic countries. This invitation-only component of The Armory Show, Armory Focus: The Nordic Countries is curated by the esteemed Malmö Konsthall director Jacob Fabricius and features galleries from Denmark, Norway,

 Sweden, Finland and Iceland. Participating exhibitors include: Galerie Anhava (Helsinki), Martin Asbæk Gallery (Copenhagen), Beaver Projects (Copenhagen), Gallery Niklas Belenius (Stockholm), Galleri Bo Bjerggaard (Copenhagen), Crystal (Stockholm), D.O.R. (Oslo), Dortmund Bodega (Oslo), ELASTIC (Malmö), Fruit & Flower Deli (Stockholm), i8 (Reykjavik), IMO (Copenhagen), Galleri Magnus Karlsson (Stockholm), Christian Larsen (Stockholm), NOPlace (Oslo), Galleri Susanne Ottesen (Copenhagen), David Risley Gallery (Copenhagen), Galleri Christian Torp (Oslo) and V1 Gallery (Copenhagen).

Additional features of The Armory Show 2012 include the work of commissioned artist Theaster Gates who will be featured at Kavi Gupta (Chicago); the eclectic and engaging Open Forum talk series curated by Amanda Parmer of the Whitney Independent Studies Program; the inaugural edition of Armory Film; an acclaimed VIP program and a lively opening night party benefiting The Museum of Modern Art. One ticket covers both shows. Website: www.thearmoryshow.com

                                                The Satellite Art Fairs

Concurring with The Armory Show is the VOLTA New York Art Fair. For the fifth

consecutive year, Volta presents a rigorously curated selection of exceptional talent from 80 galleries, representing 25 countries and 45 cities. The spotlight this year is on Nordic Countries with six galleries represented. Solo projects from notable and emerging international artists will offer a dynamic gaze into the current art

climate and salient contemporary positions — regardless of the

2011 show sculpture

artist or gallery's age. In addition the cutting-edge art fair will also feature content beyond the limits of the exhibitor booth.

HomeBase Project, the non-for-profit, artist-run cultural initiative, presents the US launch of its artistic craft Ignatz Bier, brewed at the HomeBase LAB in Berlin. HomeBase Project holds a talk and auction of their products on Saturday at the fair.

NURTUREart Non-Profit Inc., which provides exhibition opportunities and resources for emerging artists, curators, and local public school students, shows photography from New York City artist David Schoerner, featured in NURTUREart's 2011 Open Call.

The contemporary art online marketplace www.Artspace.com  presents a sensory immersion space by assume vivid astro focus, plus works by artists in partnership with leading cultural institutions worldwide.

VOLTA NY complements the exciting program of art presented by its sister fair, The Armory Show, with shared VIP access and the Open Forum Talks Program, plus direct shuttles connecting both fairs.. The fair is located at 7 West 34 Street, off Fifth Avenue. There is a free shuttle bus service between Volta and The Armory shows. VOLTA NY's official sponsor Gallerist hosts an online version of the fair, extending its duration and reach to global collectors via a high-resolution, dynamic display.

VOLTA was founded in Basel in 2005 by dealers Kavi Gupta (Chicago), Ulrich Voges (Frankfurt) and Friedrich Loock (Berlin). The eighth edition in Basel, VOLTA8, will coincide with Basel Art Week and will be held from June 11–16, 2012.

Website: www.voltashow.com

A second satellite show running March 7 to11 is the SCOPE Art Show which will present over 50 international galleries from four continents and sixteen countries including China, Mexico, Japan, Korea, Brazil, Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, Germany, UK, Spain, and Canada. Upholding its unique tradition of solo and thematic group shows that provides attendees a chance to experience a view of the emerging contemporary art market.

This year the show is being held in the 30,000 square-foot pavilion on 57th Street and

12th Avenue, across from The Armory Show. Some 50 international galleries and museum-quality programs will highlight groundbreaking, emerging work in contemporary art and beyond.

The SCOPE pavilion will also be home to the newly launched SCOPE Foundation Series, showcasing a variety of projects, events and performances across multiple creative genres, including art, design, film and fashion. Proceeds from this series will benefit The SCOPE Foundation, creating continued opportunities for emerging artists and galleries worldwide.

With over 45 art fairs spanning more than a decade, SCOPE has solidified its position as the premier showcase for international emerging contemporary art and multi-disciplinary creative programming. SCOPE’s extensive reach enables an unrivaled opportunity for networking with art patrons, creative professionals and a culturally relevant public audience. SCOPE Art Shows in Miami, Basel and New York have garnered extensive critical acclaim, with sales of over $200 million and attendance of over 425,000 visitors.

The new monumental location aims to highlight SCOPE’s core mission of introducing international galleries alongside museum quality programming, collector tours, screenings, and special events. Open 11 am to 7 pm Thursday to Sunday. Special VIP showing Wednesday 3 pm to 8 pm. Website: http://www.scope-art.com/Index.php/new_york 

                        Smaller Art Fairs Participating In Art Week.

*The New City Art Fair focuses on Japanese art. Ten participating galleries from Tokyo and Osaka will participate in a show that shows works by local artists who were affected by the 2010 earthquake and tsunami, and the country’s subsequent economic troubles. Taking place in Chelsea  at the hpgrp Gallery NY at 529 West 20^th St., there is no admission. A special reception will be held on March 8 from 5 to 9 pm. Other days the fair is open 11 am to 6 pm; to 7 pm Friday and Saturday; Sunday to 5 pm.

*The Independent Art Fair is devised by, and for, gallerists. It will take place at the former Dia Center for the Arts building at 548 West 22 Street on the second, third, and fourth floors of the building. Running March 8 to 11, the project will be open to the public free of charge. Independent was conceived by Elizabeth Dee and Darren Flook and  developed in conjunction with creative advisor Matthew Higgs and co-directors Jayne Drost and Laura Mitterrand. For 2012, architect Christian Wassmann, in addition to conceiving exhibition spaces, will create a site specific environment on the roof of the building hosting a café and a selection of publications.

*Then there’s The Moving Image that takes place at the Waterfront New York Tunnel, at 269 11^th Avenue. March 8 to 11. Open 11 am to 8 pm, to 4 pm on March 11. Website: www.movingimage.info

*The Fountain art fair is an exhibition of avant garde -artwork from more than 40 galleries. It takes place at the 69^th Regiment Armory at 68 Lexington Avenue at 25^th Street from March 9 to 11. Open 1 pm to 7 pm daily. Discounted tickets available on line. in New York during Armory week, Miami during Art Basel Miami Beach and Los Angeles during Pacific Standard Time weekend. Website: www.fountainartfair.com

*Pool Art Fair New York, inspired by the French tradition of Artists Fairs, starting from the famous 1863 Courbet's Salon des Independents, (AKA Salon des Refusés) PooL is dedicated to unrepresented artists. The fair offers an exciting alternative to the "Art Fair" experience for dealers and collectors as well as the general public by creating a meeting ground for outstanding unrepresented artists and the large public of contemporary art professionals. It takes place at the Flatiron Hotel at 9 West 26^th Street from March 9 to 11. Open daily 3 pm to 10 pm; to 6 pm March 9.

Website: http://www.poolartfair.com /

*The SPRING/BREAK Art Show takes place in The Old School located at 233 Mott Street, in lower Manhattan. Featuring the projects of 23 curators, the show will abandon the traditional focus on galleries – offering a “break” from the typical art-fair model – and showcase a range of New York City’s curatorial voices, all surrounding a single exhibition theme entitled Apocalist: the end of the world. New art works will be on display, arranged by curators that represent the more recent creative contributions of the Lower East Side, Williamsburg, Gowanus, and Bushwick. Open 12 to 9 pm from March 8 to 11. Website: http://www.springbreakartshow.com