The Armory Show opened its fifteen edition on March 7 ran and ran through until March 10. New York’s largest art fair, it is devoted to showcasing the most important artworks of the 20th and 21st centuries. The year 2013 marked the 100th anniversary of the first show in 1913 which introduced American audiences to major figures in the European avant garde.
The Armory now has to compete with a of number of younger art fairs in New York. The Art Show run by the American Dealer’s Association (March 6 – 10) which celebrated its 25th anniversary this year is known for its blue chip pieces. Independent (March 8 – 11) with no booths, walls or admission charge is considered the edgier fair and features more concept driven works than the Armory. Back in its original Chelsea location, some 40 galleries were spread over three floors of the former Dia building. And then there is the London-born Frieze New York (May 10 – 13) which the Armory’s new director Noah Horowitz revealed is the fair that pushed them to raise the bar.
Jason Farago of the Guardian reports that many of the most prominent galleries didn’t participate at this year’s Armory. New York dealers such as Marian Goodman and Luhring Augustine have chosen the ADAA fair, while Gavin Brown and Maureen Paley are exhibiting at Independent. And all four of those will be at Frieze in May, as will Hauser & Wirth
Several galleries who have stayed away in the last years have returned including Galerie Eva Presenhuber, while Larry Gagosian participated in his first Armory.
