ART Chicago and the NEXT Art Fair

April 30 thru May 3
Opening Preview
April 29
located at the
The Merchandise Mart

Art Chicago® 2010, the annual international fair of contemporary and modern art, brings together the world’s leading emerging and established galleries. Art Chicago offers curators, collectors, artists and art enthusiasts a comprehensive survey of current and historic work, from cutting-edge to modern masters in a wide variety of media including: painting, photography, drawings, prints, sculpture, video and special installations.

More than an art fair, NEXT is a showcase for the world’s talents and an adventure in cutting-edge culture. An opportunity to redefine the relationship between art and its public, NEXT is a portal to seeing contemporary art in new, innovative, eye-opening ways. NEXT will include works from both commercial and non-commercial arts organizations--galleries, project spaces, art publications and key private contemporary collections from around the world.

SOFA Chicago 2009

Novemeber 6-8
Celebrating its 16th year, SOFA CHICAGO 2009, the Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair, returns to Navy Pier. Presenting works from top international galleries and dealers. Also featuring special exhibits by renowned museums, universities and arts organizations, as well as an extensive lecture series. New this year are SOLO booths at SOFA, featuring works by individual artists outside of the more formal structure of the gallery’s exhibit booth.

The overall show this year is much smaller (70 galleries rather than the 100+ of years past) although the show seemed just as grand! Take you time viewing furniture by the late Sam Maloof and ceramic works by Ruth Duckworth - booths featuring art (2D and 3D) by renoun as well as emerging artists ... it was a nice blend of young and old, traditional and contemporary. Glass was still strongest medium, but it was great to see quite a bit of 2D work in there and a lot of fresh new ideas in all mediums. There was certainly a buzz of excitement and surprizingly, with the economy so low, there were a lot of red dots!!! I would say there were more smaller and affordable works this year, compared to the last, but works in all price ranges were available and being purchased.
Nicely done well worth the $15. entry fee!

DECEMBER and Miami Art Fairs ...

WOW a week not to miss (Dec. 2 thru 7, 2008) in Miami if ART is your thing! Art Basel is the main event to some ... but I am more into the satellite fairs - A better mix, more of what is new and now - and hey, art that someone in my position can actually buy if something catches my eye!!!

MY QUICK OVERVIEW:

Art Miami - Top level - over 100 galleries, both national and international. So much to see - whether you like paintings, photography, sculpture, video ... fresh faces or the masters. All was well organized and easy to enjoy. My Favorite: Wilde Gallery / Artist: EVOL/CT'INK. Spray paintings on cardboard!
http://www.wilde-gallery.com/artist_evol.html check it out!

Aqua - Wynwood and Hotel - This used to be my favorite show ... we went opening night, there was a great turnout and the art was interesting. I still love the open hotel setting! but I leaned towards liking Aqua Wynwood much better (over all my #1 show) ! The location was a little hard to find and the aisles were hard to follow in the beginning (more like a maze) but relaxed booth settings, it did not feel like a trade show. A wonderful mix of art, unique - great quality, edgy and variety of art and medium. Favorite: Kasia Kay Art Projects / Artist: Qin Fengling - http://www.kasiakaygallery.com/ a different form of painting right out of the tube - close up or from a distance the work says a lot!

Red Dot - Great Fair! Nice overall look and feel, Organized well and wide aisles - approximately 40 galleries. This show seemed to be a little safer in the work shown - not too edgy, but interesting, I might even say decorative. It was nice to see 3D objects more integrated with the 2D pieces - but don't let that scare you away - make the effort! They are located right in the middle of the Wynwood Art District so it is easy to find and get to.

Bridge - Wynwood seemed a little disorganized looking, the quality of the fair overall was a little more experimental and edgy, maybe even rough at the edges, but a great start for a first time non-hotel show! ... A good selection of international galleries.
The Hotel fair always has a great bustle to it ... a perfect place to sit out front to people watch.
The hotel was not full room to room with art, so we were disappointed there, but we enjoyed the presentation and liked EVERYTHING in the room by: Toomey Tourell http://www.toomey-tourell.com/ not a total bust after all. Great Bloody-Marys at the bar!

NADA - This fair always gets the greatest verbal buzz ... I guess I just don't understand conceptual art as much as everyone else. I thought in years past the craftsmanship and overall mix of work was much better than what I saw this year. It is a great place to see what is new and what young artists are going thru in their experimental phases ... don't skip it, but go with an open mind.

SCOPE - This fair I liked a lot - edgy with a polish. We attended Wednesday and the galleries were still hanging work and putting on the final touches, which was a little distracting, but the quality was fantastic and the work and ideas were fresh! I noticed a few continuing (popular) techniques from fair to fair - one was a focus on cut paper art, the other was graffiti artists moving to the next level. Favorite Artist here: Shepard Fairey.

PULSE - This fair was segmented into multiple rooms, each area had a different feel to it. Great galleries and fine quality in the artists. We went slow and really enjoyed the whole thing. I can't say I had a favorite gallery or artist, I always like the work by: Brian Dettmer - Again cut paper seems to be a new trend of art ... and I like it!

Art Now - This fair seemed to be artists representing themselves, more than a gallery feature - More entry level and less refined. best find ...
lobby had facinating photography by Stasys - the Thomas Masters Gallery http://www.thomasmastersgallery.com/artist_view.php?id=77 (a personal favorite of mine!)

there are more ... we ran out of time!