TOGO

Once heralded as the the biggest contemporary art show in New York, The Armory Show is downsizing and has plans to reinvent itself as a “boutique fair” that gives prominence to new works by living artists.
The 14-year-old event will be a highly curated affair in 2012. In a bid to stay relevant in New York’s fast-evolving art fair scene, Armory Show organizers have chosen to cull their list of exhibiting galleries by 25 percent, down from last year’s 274 to 220 in 2012. In turn, exhibition booth sizes will increase, the show layout will be refined and VIPs will enjoy a lounge that is twice as big as last year’s space.
“This year’s Armory Show is sure to stand out from our past editions, as well as other fairs from around the world,” said Paul Morris, founding director of The Armory Show.
Increased competition from New York-based art fairs including the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) Art Show and the Independent -- art fairs which run concurrently to the Armory Show as part of Armory Arts week -- pushed the Armory Show to rethink its concept.
“For the 2012 edition, we have taken a new direction for the fair,” Morris said. “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. We've engaged Bade Stageberg Cox to relay our floor plan with an intrinsic New York flavor, and have improved our amenities -- from a top-notch gourmet restaurant and café to comfortable lounges throughout the fair.”
With the inaugural edition of Frieze New York looming (the closely followed contemporary fair will make its debut in the Big Apple from May 4-7), the Armory Show has picked an opportune moment to reinvent itself.
The Armory Show will take place from March 8-11 on Piers 92 and 94 in Manhattan, New York City.
 For more information visit:  www.thearmoryshow.com/

Publié le 26.01.2012