STYLE 1 MEDIA >>> THE ARMORY SHOW

The New York 2011 Armory Arts Show

Piers 92 & 94, 711 12th Avenue, NY, NY | 03.03-06.2011 | by Merry Esparza

Style 1 Media

The thirteenth edition of The Armory Show, the most prestigious international art fair held annually in New York City, took place from March 3rd through March 6th. Featuring 275 prominent contemporary and modern art galleries from 31 countries, the show presented a wide range of 20th and 21st century work in exhibitions and installations. (left: Marjorie Strider: Green Triptych, 1963; Hollis Taggart Galleries, New York). Armory Focus, an annual invitation-only component that recognizes outstanding work from a notable art community, invited 18 Latin American galleries to participate this year, including dealers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. The Armory Show's Open Forum presented a series of conversations and panels featuring top figures in the art world.

The 2011 Armory Show was dedicated to late gallerist and art world legend, Pat Hearn, who at the age of 45 succumbed to liver cancer in 2000. On March 2nd, Armory Show Executive Director, Katelijne de Backer spoke at a press conference to kick off the preview day at Pier 92. Joining her were Mayor Michael Bloomberg; NYC & Co. Chief Executive Officer, George Fertitta; Armory Show Founder and Vice President, Paul Morris; Art Dealers Association of America President Lucy Mitchell-Innes; Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Director, Glen Lowry; and New York City Cultural Affairs Deputy Commissioner, Margaret Morton.

Notwithstanding Mayor Bloomberg's attempts to keep press questions focused on the arts and The Armory Show, journalists fired off a volley of questions about public school teacher layoffs. Regarding the controversial "Last In, First Out" (LIFO) rule as it applies to teacher layoffs, the Mayor said: "We must repeal LIFO. Anything short of that is not a solution." In answer to a question about whether he could see himself taking up painting, as Winston Churchill did, the Mayor replied: "I think we all have to understand what we're good at. I am better as a patron than as a creator."

In conjunction with The Armory Show, a wide array of art events and exhibitions were held throughout New York City, highlighting museums, galleries, and non-profit organizations. On March 2nd, the Museum of Modern Art hosted a party for The Armory Show featuring a performance by singer-songwriter Kate Nash. Other events included Uptown and Museum Mile; Soho Night; Long Island City Night; Chelsea Day; Brooklyn Night; and the Lower East Side/Downtown Night. The 23rd Annual Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) Art Show, the longest running national art show, featured 70 American galleries. Other concurrent art fairs included Volta NY, Pulse, Scope New York, Verge, Red Dot, Moving Image, Independent and Fountain.

For more information, please visit: The Armory Show