TFAA

Laura Owens, Untitled, 2012 courtesy of Gavin Brown

When I first heard that Frieze was landing in Randall’s Island this year I joked with a colleague, “great, should we book a room in the Bronx for the weekend?”  I was pleasantly surprised by the easiness of travel, although I did have a cab take me, against my protest, to Roosevelt Island one morning.  The fair itself was spacious, light, airy and delightful.  Everything felt fresh.  I left with the impression that perhaps there is no longer room for the Armory Show in the New York art fair extravaganza as Frieze has done it better.

 Here are some highlights from Frieze 2012:

Best Booth:  Stephen Friedman Gallery

At last, a booth that incorporated both design and contemporary art.  How seamlessly they meld.  Friedman’s booth felt fresh and inspiring.

Two Rooms designed by Vance Trimble, Stephen Friedman Gallery

Best Installation:  Jay DeFeo at Galerie Eva Presenhuber

Jay DeFeo, the often overlooked California process oriented artist, had the best installation of fifteen works on paper at Galerie Eva Presenhuber.  Prices started around $90,000 for the modestly sized works, but the installation showed the beautiful transition between her color and black and white works on paper.

Jay DeFeo, Untitled (Eternal Triangle Series), 1980

Other Highlights:

Lari Pittman, How Sweet the Day After This and That, Deep Sleep is Truly Welcomed, 1988 at Regen Projects

Sarah Morris, Big Ben, 2012 at Petzel

Elliot Hundley at Andrea Rosen Gallery

Robin Rhode at Lehman Maupin

Billy Sullivan, Delia, 1972 at Nicole Klagsbrun

Peter Schoolwerth, Portrait of "The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds" (after De La Tour), 2012 at Miguel Abreu

Ai WeiWei at Lisson