Frieze Masters art fair 2012 London

By artefuse On 10/15/2012 · Leave a Comment · In New York

: Francisco DE ZURBARÁN “Saint Francis in Prayer” circa 1650 oil on canvas 62 x 40 inches €900,000 at Galería Caylus

: A whimsical curatorial pairing – a Warhol “Jackie” from 1964 confronts a Picasso “Jacqueline” from 1962. At Edward Nahem Gallery

: Pseudo CAROSELLI “Allegory” circa 1625 oil on panel 32 x 29 inches €600,000 at Galería Caylus

: René MAGRITTE “La mémoire” 1954 oil on canvas 24 x 20 inches $7,500,000 at Acquavella Galleries

: Jannis KOUNELLIS “Untitled” 1966 wood panel, paint, and metal birdcage 79 x 63 inches €1,200,000 at Cheim & Read

: At center, an exceptional Chiefly root-spire carved in the form of a stylized anthropomorphic figure. Probably (guessing) from New Caledonia, possibly Pouéblo or Diahou. From 17th Century, 83 inches tall. €145,000 at Galerie Meyer

: Jan BRUEGHEL the ELDER “An Extensive Landscape with Travellers on a Road” 1608 oil on copper 7 x 11 inches $1,600,000 at Koetser Gallery

: Alexander CALDER “Two Fish Tails” 1975 painted sheet metal, rod, and wire 76 x 94 inches $8,000,000 at Helly Nahmad

: Alberto GIACOMETTI “Portrait of the Artist’s Brother DIego” 1948 oil on canvas 29 x 24 inches at Thomas Gibson Fine Art Unlimited

: James ROSENQUIST “Calyx Krater Trash Can” 1976 18K gold 4 x 3 x 3 inches (trashcan) 3 inch diameter (lid) $65,000 at Richard L. Feigen & Co.

: Three works by Robert GOBER at Anthony Meier Fine Art

: eorge ROMNEY “Portrait of Anne, Marchioness Townshend” 1794 oil on canvas 88 x 59 inches $625,000 at Richard L. Fiegen & Co.

: ntonio CANAL (called CANALETTO) “The Torre di Marghera” undated oil on canvas 12 x 18 inches €2,200,000 at Robilant + Voena

: Alexander CALDER “Triumphant Red” 1959 painted sheet metal, rod, and wire 110 x 230 x 180 inches $20,000,000 at Helly Nahmad

: Domenico DI ZANOBI (Maestro della Natività Johnson) “Cassone with Scenes of a Battle” circa 1445 – 1481 tempura on panel 18 x 63 inches €1,100,000 at Moretti Fine Art

: Unknown “Vanitas” late 17th Century marble 13 x 14 x 17 inches £400,000 at Daniel Katz Limited

: Albert GIACOMETTI “Femme de Venise VII” 1956 (cast 1957) bronze 46 x 7 x 14 inches edition of six $12,500,000 at Thomas Gibson Fine Art

: Unknown “Female bust” 18th Dynasty (1525 – 1353 B.C.) granite 24 x 20 x 12 inches £200,000 at Rupert Wace Ancient Art

This article is a selection of images and writing from a larger album on Todd Levin’s Facebook page, which we reprinted. Todd Levin is not associated with Arte Fuse.

I went first to main Frieze fair first, intending to document and shoot pics of that as well. But I must say – I found the fair this year in general terms to be the worst incarnation I have seen in all my time attending. I first walked the entire fair to get an overall feel for it, and when I finished, I thought to myself “what a massive load of completely forgettable Art.” It’s not that any particular booths were bad (apologies if any galleries participating feel that I’m singling them out – I’m not). It’s just that the overall feeling I got was simply more stuff banged out for yet another Art fair.

Now – maybe I am suffering from a kind of malaise or ennui or ‘art fair fatigue.’ But I only attend about half a dozen fairs a year. I felt that I could have been anywhere, looking at the same Art, with the same galleries, and very little was lively or engaging. I might add that this is not the fair organizer’s fault, either. They have a nice venue with nice bathrooms and nice food and plenty of peripheral things to do and see, if one is so inclined. But in the end, I suppose I must ask myself “WHY am I here, specifically? WHAT does this particular experience offer me that I can’t find elsewhere?” And the answers are “I don’t really know anymore” and “Not much.”

I think that the real problem is that there are simply too many Art fairs, and not enough quality galleries and Art to fill them. The fair this year could have also been chopped down to half the size, and I do not feel that I would have missed anything probative. (*sigh*) I really feel as if I am reaching a saturation point.

On the other hand, I was not expecting much out of this first year at Frieze Masters, and found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. The venue was lovely. They could still stand to do some significant amount of serious editing here (almost the entire “S” aisle could disappear with no loss whatsoever). But they have the right idea, as long as they keep tight reins on the size of the venue and the quality of work displayed.

Article and Photos by: Todd Levin (reprinted of his Facebook page)

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