Will Pia Camil’s Ponchos Come to the New Museum?

If you managed to wrangle a ticket to the VIP preview of this year’s Frieze New York, you may remember the hullabaloo surrounding racks of free (yes: free) ponchos designed by artist Pia Camil. In an artist statement, she described the ponchos as “habitable paintings” meant to function as personal, portable environments.

One of the things we enjoyed most about the fair’s opening day was watching art world cognoscenti elbow each other out of the way for a piece of technicolor swag, so imagine our delight to learn that Camil will open a solo show called “A Pot for a Latch” in the New Museum’s lobby gallery in 2016.

From January 13–April 17, paintings and sculptures by the Mexico City-based artist will be on display, along with a site-specific installation that transforms the space into a shop, inspired by traditional vendor displays, “in which the monetary value of each object is supplanted by its personal history and significance.” In other words, get ready to barter for your favorite items in the makeshift shop.

Photo: Kate Shanley.

Does this mean there may be a return of the ponchos? As we originally predicted, the garments became something of a street style staple during the events surrounding Frieze week (though we haven’t spotted one in quite some time), and we can’t be the only ones who wouldn’t mind getting another opportunity to get one.

On Thursday, December 17, the artist is planning on offering limited-edition sweatshirts in the lobby to visitors who have an item to exchange; Camil designed the mystery garments in collaboration with Lorena Vega.

“Pia Camil: A Pot for a Latch” is on view from January 13–April 17, 2016, at the New Museum in New York.