The Week in Art: Frieze Madness Takes New York City

It was a busy week.

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys at a Pioneer Works party. Courtesy of photographer Neil Rasmus and BFA.

As one might expect, it was even busier in the New York art world than usual during this Frieze Week, as collectors descended on Randall’s Island. Here’s a recap of some of the highlights of the many, many parties and events held in honor of the occasion at New York’s, museums, galleries, and other cultural destinations—and that’s not even counting the Met Ball!

Pioneer Works’ Third Annual Village FĂŞte 
Pioneer Works founder Dustin Yellin was flanked by New York first lady Chirlane McCray and actors Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard as he posed for photos at Pioneer works on May 1. “Dustin is an old friend of Peter’s and mine, so we’re here supporting him,” Gyllenhaal told artnet News, before she was dragged away for another photo op.

Other celebrities on hand included Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz, Jemima Kirke, and Liv Tyler. Guests enjoyed an oyster bar, specialty cocktails from Bombay Sapphire Gin, musical performances, and a special demonstration of TiltBrush, a new virtual reality experience.

Liv Tyler, Dustin Yellin, and Chirlane McCray at the Pioneer Works Village Fete. Courtesy of photographer Angela Pham and BFA.

Liv Tyler, Dustin Yellin, and Chirlane McCray at the Pioneer Works Village Fete. Courtesy of photographer Angela Pham and BFA.

Esperanza Spalding performs at the Pioneer Works Village Fete. Courtesy of photographer Angela Pham and BFA.

Esperanza Spalding performs at the Pioneer Works Village Fete. Courtesy of photographer Angela Pham and BFA.

Maggie Gynllenhaal, David Bryne, and Peter Sarsgaard at the Pioneer Works Village Fete. Courtesy of photographer Neil Rasmus and BFA.

Maggie Gynllenhaal, David Bryne, and Peter Sarsgaard at the Pioneer Works Village Fete. Courtesy of photographer Neil Rasmus and BFA.

Stacey Bendet at the Pioneer Works Village Fete. Courtesy of photographer Angela Pham and BFA.

Stacey Bendet at the Pioneer Works Village Fete. Courtesy of photographer Angela Pham and BFA.

The Tate Americas Foundation’s Fourth Artists Dinner Fundraising Gala
The Tate Americas Foundation‘s Artists Dinner was held at the iconic Frank Gehry-designed IAC building in West Chelsea on May 3. It raised $1.5 million for the Tate Americas Foundation, funds that will be used to buy North and South American art for the institution.

The roster of attendees was a seemingly endless list of art world VIPs, including Tate director Nicholas Serota, Brooklyn Museum director Anne Pasternak, Tommy Tune, Agnes Gund, MoMA PS1 director Klaus Biesenbach, artists Ilya Kabakov, Wolfgang Tillmans, Bruce Nauman, and Rashid Johnson, and dealers Jack Shainman, Anthony d’Offay, David Zwirner, and Dominique Levy.

Sir Nicholas Serota

Sir Nicholas Serota

Agnes Gund and Klaus Biesenbach at the Tate Americas Foundation Dinner. Courtesy of photographer Benjamin Lozovsky for BFA.

Agnes Gund and Klaus Biesenbach at the Tate Americas Foundation Dinner. Courtesy of photographer Benjamin Lozovsky for BFA.

SIXTY LES’s Tiki Tabu Bar Grand Re-Opening
The Frieze week event, featuring the sounds of DJ Mia Moretti, celebrated the grand re-opening of the hotel’s 7th floor bar. 

Amidst an immersive, tiki-themed installation by designer Misha Kahn, performance art favorites Petra Collins and Madelyne Beckles, who were dressed in pastels and floral prints, took to the bar to crush fruit and ice against the counter (and themselves) before serving the grimy punch in wine glasses.

Petra Collins, Elena Soboleva, Madelyne Beckles. Courtesy of Sam Deitch for BFA.

Petra Collins, Elena Soboleva, Madelyne Beckles. Courtesy of Sam Deitch for BFA.

Mia Moretti. Courtesy of Sam Deitch for BFA.

Mia Moretti. Courtesy of Sam Deitch for BFA.

JiaJia Fei, Antwaun Sargent. Courtesy of Sam Deitch for BFA.

JiaJia Fei, Antwaun Sargent. Courtesy of Sam Deitch for BFA.

Bernard Frize: Dawn Comes Up So Young” at Galerie Perrotin 
Galerie Perrotin celebrated Frieze New York by hosting its first New York exhibition of work by French painter Bernard Frize, who creates gorgeous flowing colored canvases by blending acrylic and resin. Opening attendees included the Armory Show’s Benjamin Genocchio, and artists Alicja Kwade, JR, and Sophie Calle.

The night also allowed Frize to finally meet painter Sue Willliams, who had mentioned in an interview some time ago that she was a fan of his. Frize was too shy to reach out to her himself, but the gallery extended an invitation to the opening, allowing the two to connect after years of mutual admiration.

Bernard Frize, Emmanuel Perrotin, Sophie Calle, and JR. Courtesy of photographer Max Lakner and BFA.

Bernard Frize, Emmanuel Perrotin, Sophie Calle, and JR. Courtesy of photographer Max Lakner and BFA.

Sue Williams and Bernard Frize. Courtesy of photographer Max Lakner and BFA.

Sue Williams and Bernard Frize. Courtesy of photographer Max Lakner and BFA.

Pace Gallery Celebrates James Turrell & Richard Tuttle
Following the opening of Pace’s new Richard Tuttle and James Turrell exhibitions, Marc and Arne Glimcher invited friends of the gallery to the the Standard Hotel for a special dinner previewing chef Dan Kluger’s forthcoming restaurant.

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, guests, who included artists Julian Schnabel, Deborah Kass, and Chuck Close, as well as Anne Pasternak, Klaus Biesenbach, and Art Production Fund’s Casey Fremont, enjoyed spicy margaritas and the sounds of a Mexican band.

Linda Jablonski, Patricia Cronin, and Isolde Brielmaier at Pace Gallery Celebrates James Turrell & Richard Tuttle. Courtesy of photographer Leandro Justen and BFA.

Linda Jablonski, Patricia Cronin, and Isolde Brielmaier at Pace Gallery Celebrates James Turrell & Richard Tuttle. Courtesy of photographer Leandro Justen and BFA.

Julian Schnabel and Marc Glimcher at Pace Gallery Celebrates James Turrell & Richard Tuttle. Courtesy of photographer Leandro Justen and BFA.

Julian Schnabel and Marc Glimcher at Pace Gallery Celebrates James Turrell & Richard Tuttle. Courtesy of photographer Leandro Justen and BFA.

Eve Xanthopaulos and Chuck Close at Pace Gallery Celebrates James Turrell & Richard Tuttle. Courtesy of photographer Leandro Justen and BFA.

Eve Xanthopaulos and Chuck Close at Pace Gallery Celebrates James Turrell & Richard Tuttle. Courtesy of photographer Leandro Justen and BFA.

New York EDITION and Whitewall Launch Frieze New York Guide
On May 4, NY Insiders and LAND (Los Angeles Nomadic Division) celebrated the publication of the launch of Whitewaller’s Frieze New York guide with an exclusive party at the New York EDITION hotel’s Lobby Bar.

The evening’s hosts included Laura De Gunzburg, chair, Yvonne Force Villareal, Michael Xufu Huang, and Hank Willis Thomas.

Michael Xufu Huang at the New York EDITION to celebration the launch of the Frieze Guide. Courtesy of photographer Matteo Prandoni/BFA.

Michael Xufu Huang at the New York EDITION to celebration the launch of the Frieze Guide. Courtesy of photographer Matteo Prandoni/BFA.

Caroline Owens, Michael Klug, and Marina Khorosh at the New York EDITION to celebration the launch of the Frieze Guide. Courtesy of photographer Matteo Prandoni/BFA.

Caroline Owens, Michael Klug, and Marina Khorosh at the New York EDITION to celebration the launch of the Frieze Guide. Courtesy of photographer Matteo Prandoni/BFA.

Philharmonic Off the Grid, Volume 3, at Housing Works Bookshop
In its new Off the Grid series, the New York Philharmonic is bringing chamber music to the people in unexpected settings such as Mario Batali’s Eataly and Soho’s Housing Works Bookshop. Attendees at the latest free concert on April 29, which featured seven Philharmonic musicians, won tickets through a lottery, and enjoyed complimentary beer, cocktails, and passed hors d’oeuvres. Performance highlights included a rousing rendition of Johannes Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 5 on string quartet.

Philharmonic Off the Grid, Volume 3. Courtesy Devra Berkowitz for the New York Philharmonic.

Philharmonic Off the Grid, Volume 3. Courtesy Devra Berkowitz for the New York Philharmonic.

Philharmonic Off the Grid, Volume 3. Courtesy Devra Berkowitz for the New York Philharmonic.

Philharmonic Off the Grid, Volume 3. Courtesy Devra Berkowitz for the New York Philharmonic.

The Steinway Commission at Christie’s at Rockefeller Center
On May 4, Piano manufacturers Steinway & Sons launched their new collaboration series pairing visual artists with musician with Grammy winning jazz composer and pianist and art superstar Mark Bradford, who was just selected to represent the US at the next Venice Biennale. The night kicked off with a champagne cocktail reception in Christie’s elegantly appointed galleries, where highlights of the upcoming contemporary sales were on view.

Glasper, who was seeing Bradford’s wild design on the piano in real life for the first time, then played a striking piece of music he wrote for the night. It was followed by a lively panel discussion, led by Studio Museum of Harlem director Thelma Golden.

Steinway-Mike Sweeney - Brook Hazelton - Thelma Golden - Robert Glasper

Left to right: Mike Sweeney, of Steinway Pianos, Brook Hazelton of Christie’s, Studio Museum director Thelma Golden, and musician and composer Robert Glasper.

Steinway-Robert Glasper and Guests 2

Robert Glasper performing music specially composed for this Steinway piano designed by Mark Bradford.

Additional reporting by Eileen Kinsella and Rain Embuscado.


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