Armory Week is upon us. With a selection of parties, openings, and curator-led tours of some of the most noteworthy exhibitions to choose from (in addition to treats like an Exclusive Winter Walkthrough of the Storm King Art Center), here’s the skinny on what to see. (For preview coverage of the fair and Armory Week, check out Plan Your Armory Week 2015 With Our Guide to the Best Art on Show, What Are Top Art Dealers Bringing to The Armory Show 2015 and Why?, and What Top Galleries Are Bringing to the ADAA Art Show.) As you plan your itineraries, here are a few VIP events not to miss. And you may want to get your hands on a VIP guidebook.
TUESDAY March 3
The Art Show Gala Preview at the Park Avenue Armory
This special Gala Preview for the 27th edition of The Art Show is hosted by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA). The preview includes 39 solo and two-person, and 33 thematic exhibitions by the nation’s leading galleries. Drinks and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. The 27th Annual Art Show benefits Henry Street Settlement and takes place on March 4-8. Tickets available for purchase here.
Park Avenue Armory, 67th Street, 5:30–9:30 PM.
“Tatiana Trouvé: Desire Lines” Opening Reception by Public Art Fund
Public Art Fund offers up hot beverages and sweet treats in celebrating the unveiling of Tatiana Trouvé’s new commission for Central Park. The artist’s sculpture will serve as a gateway into the park. Different-sized spools of rope will represent the lengths of 212 of Central Park’s trails. RSVP required.
Doris C. Freedman Plaza, Central Park, 60th Street & 5th Avenue, 12–1 PM.
WEDNESDAY March 4
The Armory Party 2015 at MoMA
A preview and party to benefit the Museum of Modern Art. Enjoy a live performance by Kelela and DJ Sets by Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), with special guest DJ’s Business Class (Lawrence Abu Hamdan), E*vax (Ratatat) and Ezra Koenig (Vampire Weekend). One ticket will earn you preview passes (MoMA vernissage Access) to the Armory Show at noon on March 4, as well as entry to the MoMA Armory Show Party. VIP tickets grant you private access to Björk and a special DJ set by Lawrence Abu Hamdan. VIP entrance opens at 8 pm, and general admission at 9 pm. For ticketing, visit the website. Additionally, for private curator-led tours of the MoMA’s The Forever Now: Contemporary Painting in an Atemporal World and Cut to Swipe, you will need to RSVP and a handy copy of the VIP Events pamphlet distributed with an Armory Show VIP Pass.
Museum of Modern Art, 11 West 53 Street, 8 PM–midnight.
THURSDAY March 5
Young Collector’s Party at Soho House
Soho House opens its doors for an exclusive Young Collector’s party. The late-night affair will be hosted by Noah Horowitz, executive director of the Armory Show, Laura de Gunzberg, chair of Dia’s Contemporary Associates, Julie Solovyeva, cultural programmer at Soho House, Tali Jaffe, executive editor of Cultured magazine and Lawrence Abu Hamdan, 2015 Commissioned Artist. By invitation only.
Soho House, 29-35 9th Avenue, 9 PM.
“Carousel” by Chris Moon Pop-up Exhibition Opens
This solo exhibition by British artist Chris Moon reveals six of the artists’ recent works. Moon dedicates his return to New York with a show that reflects his creative environment of Chelsea. He draws on the carousel in the Chelsea Piers for inspiration, and aptly bridges the gap between an artists’ ecosystem and his artistic production. The exhibition runs from March 5-8, in conjunction with the Armory Show and Independent Art Fair. The venue, a pre-war building in Chelsea, will be demolished shortly after staging. A documentary film accompanies the show: British director Jack Bond will film Moon throughout the pop-up as part of an upcoming film project.
Pop-up at 164 11th Avenue, 7–11 PM.
“The Hugo Boss Prize 2014: Paul Chan, Nonprojections for New Lovers” opens at the Guggenheim
Last year, artist Paul Chan was selected as the winner of the Hugo Boss Prize, a biennial award honoring visionary artists in contemporary art (see Paul Chan Wins Hugo Boss Prize). On Thursday, the Guggenheim will celebrate Chan’s exhibit opening with a private reception organized by the museum’s honorary chairman, Peter Lawson-Johnston, chairman, William L. Mack, president, Jennifer Blei Stockman and director, Richard Armstrong. The cocktail also features leading Hugo Boss representatives, including Claus-Dietrich Lahrs, chairman and CEO, and Gerrit Rützel, president and CEO of Hugo Boss Americas. By invitation only. (For a private curator-led tour of On Kawara-Silence at the Guggenheim, get your hands on a VIP guidebook to the Armory.)
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue, 6:30–8:30 PM.
PULSE New York Young Collectors Cocktail at the Metropolitan Pavilion
A special evening curated by PULSE and presented by Perrier, featuring custom cocktails and a curator-led tour by Kristen Sancken. The evening also includes performances by Chargaux. VIP passes grant admission for 2 to this private event and provide unlimited access to the fair and VIP Lounge. By invitation only.
The Metropolitan Pavilion, 125 West 18th Street, 6–8 PM.
FRIDAY March 6
The Armory Show Focus MENAM Party
In collaboration with Edge of Arabia and Art Jameel, the Armory Show celebrates its MENAM (Middle East, North Africa, and the Mediterranean) focus section. Hosted by Noah Horowitz, executive director of the Armory Show, Fady Jameel, president of Abdul Latif Jameel Community Initiatives, Stephen Stapleton, director of Edge of Arabia and Omar Kholeif, the 2015 Armory Focus curator.
Hotel Americano, 518 West 27th Street, 9 PM–midnight.
Preview of the Hort Family Collection
This annual private tour of the Hort family collection is one of the highlights of Armory Week, for those who can get an invitation. See the new hanging from a selection of the 3,000-plus artworks in the collection. This past year, it was a treat to see several large canvases by Christian Rosa and Jonas Wood. Do get there early, as it does become crowded with VIPs.
The Hort Family Collection, 6:30 PM
Art After Dark at the Guggenheim
Join the Guggenheim for an after-hours private viewing of “On Kawara—Silence” and other current exhibitions. After the public has left, the museum halls will fill with an artist or curator-selected musical playlist. The bar will be serving wine and beer. General admission is $20 and free for members. Find tickets here.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, 1071 Fifth Avenue, 9 PM.
SATURDAY March 7
Exclusive Winter Walk through of the Storm King Art Center
Storm King President, John P. Stern, and Director and Curator, David R. Collens, will walk you through the Storm King Art Center during this private, outdoor tour. Storm King boasts a 500-acre landscape of hills and woodlands, and a collection of over 100 important sculptures by the likes of Alexander Calder, Claes Oldenburg, and Richard Serra. The event is outdoors, dress appropriately. RSVP required.
Storm King Art Center, 1 Museum Road, New Windsor, 12–2 PM.
PULSE After-Party
Celebrate 10 years of PULSE New York with exhibitors, VIP guests and the press. RSVP by March 6. By invitation only.
Hotel Americano, 518 West 27th Street, 9 PM–midnight.