Why, you might ask, does a city with one of the world’s highest concentrations of contemporary art galleries also need to host seasonal extravaganzas where hundreds more galleries pour into the city to share their wares? Good question, but there’s no time to ponder it now, because it’s Armory Week! There are a few changes to the lineup this time around: the typically concurrent ADAA Art Show happened last week; the video-centric Moving Image fair has jumped ship for Frieze Week in May; the Collective Design fair has done the opposite, joining Armory Week; and the New York Antiquarian Book Fair happened to land this week. Here’s a look at what’s in store.
As you tear around town, don’t forget to stay hydrated, dress warm — there’s a winter storm watch in effect for Wednesday, which is the day all the VIPs will trek to the Armory Show — and follow Hyperallergic on Instagram for photos from the fairs all week.
Independent
When: March 9–11 / Friday and Saturday, 12–7pm; Sunday, 12–6pm ($25)
Where: Spring Studios (50 Varick Street, Tribeca, Manhattan)
Falling somewhere between the Armory Show and NADA on the blue-chip-to-eccentric spectrum, Independent has sharpened its program this year to focus on solo, two-artist, and historical presentations. So, for instance, German gallery Delmes & Zander will host a booth of works by the late Romanian artist Alexandru Chira; Garth Greenan Gallery is bringing paintings by the Native American artist Jaune Quick-To-See Smith; and Alden Projects will be showcasing the fruits of William N. Copley’s various and multifarious publishing projects. This more tightly curated approach seems likely to make the fair one of the week’s standouts.
–Benjamin Sutton, Hrag Vartanian