Though it may seem that Armory Week and Frieze Week get all the action, the reality is that there is never a dull moment in the New York art world. From the East Side to the West Side, there’s always something happening at the city’s museums, galleries, and various event spaces. And, as was the case this week, with the National YoungArts Foundation hosting its Backyard Ball performance and gala, the wider American art scene also provides plenty of action. Here’s a rundown of this week’s highlights.
Winter Antiques Show Opening Night at the Park Avenue Armory
An annual highlight of the winter art season, the Winter Antiques Show kicked off with a lavish opening celebration at the Park Avenue Armory on January 19. There to enjoy a wide range of work, from ancient art to Old Masters and Neoclassical furniture, and even a selection of Modern and contemporary works, was a well-heeled crowd.
Michael Bloomberg and Diana Taylor at the Winter Antiques Show: Opening Night Party. Courtesy of BFA/Angela Pham and Rommel Demano.
Eula Johnson at the Winter Antiques Show: Opening Night Party. Courtesy of BFA/Angela Pham and Rommel Demano.
Arie Kopelman and Catherine Sweeney Singer at the Winter Antiques Show: Opening Night Party. Courtesy of BFA/Angela Pham and Rommel Demano.
Outsider Art Fair Opening Night at the Metropolitan Pavilion
The wait for complimentary cocktails from Bombay Sapphire was Trader Joe’s-esque on the opening night of the Outsider Art Fair on January 19, stretching out into the lobby where two helpful staffers stood with elevated signs marking the end of the line.
As fair owner Andrew Edlin inaugurated the 25th anniversary edition of the fair, prospective collectors on hand for the occasion included actress Edie Falco, artist Maurizio Cattelan, and artnet News contributing writer Anthony Haden Guest, looking fine after recovering from an accident last year.
Rae Pleasant and Lisa Padovani at the Outsider Art Fair. Courtesy of BFA/Griffin Lipson.
Whitney Larkin and Michael Zeff at the Outsider Art Fair. Courtesy of BFA/Griffin Lipson.
Irina Serrano, Kai Kuhne, and Ilina Bliumis at the Outsider Art Fair. Courtesy of BFA/Griffin Lipson.
Andrew Edlin and Maurizio Cattelan at the Outsider Art Fair. Courtesy of BFA/Griffin Lipson.
YoungArts Annual Backyard Ball Performance and Gala Presented by Max Mara at National YoungArtds Foundation Campus, Miami
Down in Miami, the National YoungArts Foundation held its annual fundraiser on January 14, raising more than $1.5 million for its efforts to support young artists in Miami, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, DC. In addition to recognizing 691 YoungArts Winners, the night saw jazz pianist Jason Moran honored with the Arison Alumni Award, while choreographer Jessica Lang took home the Arison Award Honoree. The first Max Mara Young Visionary Award went to Modern dancer Javon Jones.
The over 700 guests, including Sarah Arison, Will Cotton, José Parlá, and Franklin and Jessica Sirmans, were treated to performances by YoungArts alumns, followed by post-dinner dancing.
Sarah Arison and Rich Kohan at the YoungArts Backyard Ball. Courtesy of Ryan Troy © World Red Eye.
An alumni performs at the YoungArts Backyard Ball. Courtesy of Ryan Troy © World Red Eye.
Roberta and Henry Del Campo at the YoungArts Backyard Ball. Courtesy of Ryan Troy © World Red Eye.
Walshy Fire, Esther Park, and Jessica Frietes at the YoungArts Backyard Ball. Courtesy of Ryan Troy © World Red Eye.
“Known/Unknown: Private Obsessions and Hidden Desire in Outsider Art” Opening Reception at the Museum of Sex
Perfectly timed ahead of the Outsider Art Fair opening, the Museum of Sex presented its own desire-fueled take on self-taught art with an exhibition that debuted January 18. Museum curatorial assistant Lissa Rivera and Frank Maresca, of well-known New York Outsider Art gallery Ricco Maresca, who put together the show, were on hand for the opening, which saw guests enjoy titillating works like an erotic 19th-century dagger with penises for a handle.
Jackie Sider and Walter Durkacz at the opening of “Known/Unknown: Private Obsessions and Hidden Desire in Outsider Art” at the Museum of Sex. Courtesy of Kelsey Stanton/BFA.
Mimi Lester and Brynn Whites at the opening of “Known/Unknown: Private Obsessions and Hidden Desire in Outsider Art” at the Museum of Sex. Courtesy of Kelsey Stanton/BFA.
Serge Becker, Lissa Rivera, Dan Gluck, and Frank Maresca, Mimi Lester and Brynn Whites at the opening of “Known/Unknown: Private Obsessions and Hidden Desire in Outsider Art” at the Museum of Sex. Courtesy of Kelsey Stanton/BFA.
Maripol and Jo Shane at the opening of “Known/Unknown: Private Obsessions and Hidden Desire in Outsider Art” at the Museum of Sex. Courtesy of Kelsey Stanton/BFA.
Opening for Etel Adnan, Gerhard Richter, and Cynthia Daignault at FLAG Art Foundation
The Flag Art Foundation was packed with artists on January 19—the institution was debuting two shows, but one of them, “Cynthia Daignault: There Is Nothing I Could Say that I Haven’t Thought Before,” involved no less than 36 different artists. As a starting point for the exhibition, Cynthia Daignault solicited other artists to contribute works, then made copies of their submissions. Following the opening, the museum held an intimate dinner at Dan Kluger’s long-awaited restaurant, Loring Place.
During the lively dinner, which many of the artists in the show attended, Daignault expressed her gratitude to Glenn Fuhrman and the FLAG foundation, describing the challenges and resistance she had met with in initially pitching the show. Fuhrman also spoke, praising Daignault’ efforts and devotion while also describing his awed reaction to Etel Adnan’s work (on the 9th floor) and explaining the inspiration for the Adnan/Richter pairing.
Jon Rider, Stephanie Roach, Cynthia Daignault, Risa Daniels, and Glenn Fuhrman at the opening for Etel Adnan, Gerhard Richter, and Cynthia Daignault at FLAG Art Foundation. Courtesy of Shane Drummond/BFA.
Opening for Etel Adnan, Gerhard Richter, and Cynthia Daignault at FLAG Art Foundation. Courtesy of Shane Drummond/BFA.
Conor Backman and Chason Matthams at the opening for Etel Adnan, Gerhard Richter, and Cynthia Daignault at FLAG Art Foundation. Courtesy of Shane Drummond/BFA.
Cynthia Daignault at the opening for Etel Adnan, Gerhard Richter, and Cynthia Daignault at FLAG Art Foundation. Courtesy of Shane Drummond/BFA.
Sotheby’s and Paul Kasmin Gallery Opening Reception for “Naturalia” at Paul Kasmin and the Hotel Americano
It was a busy night for openings on January 19, with Sotheby’s New York and Paul Kasmin celebrating their new collaborative show, “Naturalia,” which featured work that spans six centuries. Artist Walton Ford, who’s monumental 2008 canvas Loss of the Lisbon Rhinoceros is paired in the exhibition with a copy of Albrecht Dürer’s iconic rhino print from the auction house’s Old Masters department, was among those on hand for the reception at the gallery and the after party that followed at the Hotel Americano.
Ikue Fenwick, Lex Fenwick, and Paul Kasmin at the opening for “Naturalia.” Courtesy of BFA.
Holly Gleason, Udo, and Emily Orsburn at the opening for “Naturalia.” Courtesy of BFA.
Paul Kasmin at the opening for “Naturalia.” Courtesy of BFA.
Walton Ford, Danny Moynihan, and Paul Kasmin at the opening for “Naturalia.” Courtesy of BFA.
Sotheby’s Old Masters specialists Jonquil O’Reilly. Courtesy of Sotheby’s.
Additional reporting by Eileen Kinsella.