NYC Art Fairs 2007
After hitting the Armory, Scope and Pulse art fairs, Team CH has put together a selection of artworks from the major shows taking place in NYC this weekend. The Armory show seemed bigger and better than ever this year, consolidated into the lower level of Pier 94 for a more accessible layout. Scope’s new digs in tents at Lincoln center lent the affair a more polished feel without losing the madcap performative edge of previous years. Pulse assembled a great lineup of smaller galleries.
Occupying its own booth at the Armory Germaine Kruip‘s mechanized sculpture “Counter Composition” (pictured above right) sets simple geometric shapes in motion for a mesmerizing effect. The rotating pieces endlessly disrupt and reform into a diamond shape and the reflective stainless steel surface throws slivers of light onto walls, floors and viewers.—Josh Rubin
Glenn Kaino’s installation (left) “Learn to win or you will take losing for granted,” presented by The Project Gallery is an eye catching 7 3/4′ x 7 3/4′ chess board made of wood and wood crates. Playing with the classic theme of good vs. evil, the pieces are cast bronze depicting different hand gestures with both negative or positive connotations, depending on which “team” you are on. Click on image for a detailed view.—Tim Yu
The first piece I saw walking into the Armory remains one of my favorites. Giusseppe Gabellone at the Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin in Paris exhibited a vertical structure made of cut mirrors affixed to a wooden structure (above right, click for detail). Untitled, the work measures 102″x62″x62.” Looking at the structure transforms and divides the space offering a kaleidoscope-like view while maintaining an aggressive stance.—TY
From a series called “Sneak Like a Panther,” Nina Braun’s knit and felt sneakers (pictured above left), exhibited at Scope with Helium Cowboy, are hard to resist. Emulating various brands—from Nike to Etnies—the shoes look goofy and lopsided in their new form. —Ami Kealoha
Of the many porcelain and hard clay sculptures at this year’s Armory, one of our favorites is this porcelain piece by Chinese artists Liu Jianhua presented by Arario Gallery from Seoul, South Korea. The well-dressed ladies recline in such natural and relaxed positions—yet they are headless. Adding to the mystery of the piece, it’s presented on an antique oriental plate.—TY
Zadok Ben-David‘s stainless steel sculptures, called “Autumn Reflections,” are finely detailed representations of trees and their shadows in miniature—each tree is about 4″ tall. Shown with Seoul’s Janet Oh Gallery at Scope, each tree is an elegant construction made from a single piece of metal.—AK
Hyper-real and tiny (this piece, pictured above left, measures just 6″x4″), Mike Bayne‘s oil paintings depict mundane portraits of American domestic architecture, most often the single-family home. —Jonah Samson
My favorite piece in the Armory, Daniel Zeller‘s meticulously rendered works (pictured, above right) reference topographical maps, satellite images and undefined organic forms. The resulting otherworldly landscapes are far, far better seen in person. —JR
