Art in La La Land
Los Angeles is clearly all about the movies, so props to Frieze for leaning into that stereotype and having their first L.A. edition of the fair at Paramount Pictures Studios. The coolest part of the fair was definitely the Backlot where special projects were set up in movie sets and restaurants like Roberta's kept the pizza and wine flowing.
The best part of an art fair is discovering new galleries and artists...so I'll start with my favorite's from my non-New York regulars.
Night Gallery - Los Angeles
I was SO excited to see Night Gallery's booth, especially when I found out it would be exclusively devoted to their artist (and one of my favorites) Claire Tabouret. I love the new technique she seems to be trying out with painting on faux fur, it makes for a really interesting texture.
The Modern Institute - Glasgow
All the way from Scotland (my homeland, about 4 generations ago), The Modern Institute had a really solid booth starting with this work by Duggie Fields.
Susanne Vielmetter Gallery - Los Angeles
Kim Dingle was definitely my favorite discovery of Frieze LA. Susanne Vielmetter devoted their entire booth to the artist.
Mendes Wood DM - São Paulo, Brussels, New York
Solo booths seemed to be a major theme at Frieze - with Mendes Wood following trend by showing off exclusively Brazilian artist Paulo Nimer Pjota.
The Box - Los Angeles
The Box brought out a fun sculpture by Los Angeles Free Music Society.
Parker Gallery - Los Angeles
Hannah Greely had not only work at Parker Gallery's booth, but one of the most popular sculpture's (and most photographed) of the fair - thanks to it's positioning, a cluster of close-lines outside of the studio in the Backlot.
The Regulars
I may see these galleries all the time in New York but they all brought something special to Frieze.
303 Gallery - New York
303 had a very sleek booth devoted to California artist Doug Aitkin.
Hauser & Wirth - LA, New York
Hauser made a surprising move and had a booth that looked like it walked straight out of Mike Kelley's imagination (and it did), that was definitely more for show than sales. #respect.
Marian Goodman Gallery - New York, Paris, London
Marian Goodman kept with the California theme and showed off a decked-out John Baldessari booth. Even the kids loved it.
Greene Naftali - New York
Greene Naftali got funky with this 'boyfriend' sculpture by Lutz Bacher and work by Mathieu Malouf. They also got colorful with this painting by Peter Halley.
Lehmann Maupin - New York, Hong Kong, Seoul
Lehmann Maupin brought out an impressive collection of works by Do Ho Suh. Locks, fire alarms and many more in his signature transparent sculpture style.
Jack Shainman Gallery - New York
Jack Shainman brought my favorite color (cobalt blue) in works by Carrie Mae Weems as well as this basketball sculpture by Hank Willis Thomas.
Gagosian brought some heads by Thomas Houseago.
Now for...drum roll please... The Backlot. Or I should say, fake New York (very convincing though).
Is it a Frieze Fair if you don't eat at Roberta's?
There were lots of cute little shops...including one crystal shop. Because nothing is more California than crystals.
The most popular special project by far had to be the 'art physic' by Lisa Anne Auerbach from Gavlak Gallery.
Despite freezing, I had a great time and hope there will be another edition next year.
