ARTISTS
New Art Fair Highlights Miami Hotspot
Fresh out of Miami for its inaugural edition is the highly-anticipated Art Wynwood, displaying the hottest trends in Contemporary art. 鈥淭he Wynwood Arts District is going through a great period of urban and commercial revitalization,鈥� said fair organizer and director Nick Korniloff, and the opening of this new event perfectly befits the burgeoning art hotspot. Showcasing over 500 artists from 13 countries, the first Art Wynwood features paintings, conceptual art, photography, sculpture, video, new media, and urban street art.
黑料不打烊
08 Feb, 2012
Images from the innovative new Wynwood Art fair, set to open next week: (from top) work by artist Retna, courtesy of Goldman Properties; Courtesy of Waterhouse and Dodd; "Wynwood Walls," courtesy of Goldman Properties.
Fresh out of Miami for its inaugural edition is the highly-anticipated Art Wynwood, displaying the hottest trends in Contemporary art. 鈥淭he Wynwood Arts District is going through a great period of urban and commercial revitalization,鈥� said fair organizer and director Nick Korniloff, and the opening of this new event perfectly befits the burgeoning art hotspot. 鈥淎rt Wynwood will further distinguish the Wynwood Arts District as a leading cultural destination for acquiring contemporary art annually.鈥� Showcasing over 500 artists from 13 countries, the first Art Wynwood features paintings, conceptual art, photography, sculpture, video, new media, and urban street art.
We first met Korniloff in December, when he directed the critically-acclaimed Art Miami, the headlining event of Miami鈥檚 art week. A veteran of the art fair platform, Korniloff says Wynwood was launched with a similar devotion to the local art scene, but this fair will have a decidedly more urban flavor, capturing the lively spirit of the Wynwood district. (Left: "Untitled," (1970) by John Chamberlain. Courtesy of Arcature Fine Art, Palm Beach).
黑料不打烊 caught up with Korniloff ahead of the first edition of Art Wynwood, which opens next week. The director dished on the details of this cutting-edge contemporary fair, and why he believes Art Wynwood will benefit the district and strengthen the art market.
黑料不打烊: How did the idea for Art Wynwood come about?
Nick Korniloff: We have been preparing for an additional art fair for President's Day Weekend over the last 3 陆 years. The economy, timing and format prevented us from launching two previous editions. I spoke with local Miami business and gallery districts months leading up to the 2011 edition of Art Miami, who were in full support of us launching the fair and creating a stand-alone international event outside of Art Week that would be commercially viable for the entire district. We began promoting the fair the day Art Miami opened (November 30th) and within an eight week period, received more than 80 applications. We're proud that we kept our focus quality-driven, leading us to ultimately cut back the size of the fair rather than dilute it.
(Above Left: Courtesy of C. Grimaldis Gallery)
MA: What makes Art Wynwood unique from other art fairs?
NK: Art Wynwood will capture the essence of the Wynwood Arts District, with a more urban feel, and represent a high energy reflective of the District. It will be simultaneously accessible and intimate, and will offer a comprehensive look at the overall contemporary art market and what it has to offer for emerging, mid-career and cutting edge artists, and even modern masters. Art Wynwood is supported by a very good selection of Miami galleries that make up 25% of the fair and have helped build the Miami art scene over the years (Bernice Steinbaum, Dot 51, Now, Cernuda, Pan American, and Durban Segnini). We have great installations that have been provided by participating galleries and institutions, and we鈥檒l have a dedicated Art Video New Media Lounge, curated indoor and outdoor sculpture, and two fantastic installations that have been commissioned by Tony Goldman and Goldman Properties. (Right: Courtesy of Pan American Art Projects)
MA: How do you think Art Wynwood will affect the area, and art market in general?
NK: All off-site events will be held at venues within the district, making the fair an overall international marketing tool for the region over time. The area holds some of the best private collections in America...this is due both to the investments that many private collectors, citizens, artists, gallery owners, and community leaders have made, and the proliferation of art fairs like Art Miami that attract more than 50,000 art enthusiasts and collectors to the area each December. There is a tremendous amount of global equity that has been developed with well-heeled local and international art collectors when it comes to firsthand knowledge of experiencing the Wynwood Arts District. Our immediate goal is to position a quality fair in the marketplace and to reach out to our dedicated local loyal art collecting base, along with international collectors and visitors who call South Florida home during the winter months. (Below: Courtesy of Ginnochio Gallery)
MA: What are the challenges of curating an event like this?
NK: Timing 鈥� we are producing this show in a very short time span, so the availability and access to works are limited; however, the level of interest has been very high and the international galleries, collectors and local art community are all collaborating with us. A lot of important dealers considered participating but were a little short on time to transfer their works from abroad or have their artists prepare works for this year. We are excited to have a full year to work on the development and curatorial aspects for the 2013 edition.
MA: Do you have any favorite works, or special highlights that are taking place at the fair?
NK: In support of Art Wynwood, our good friend Tony Goldman will bring what he describes as 鈥渢he flying
murals of Wynwood鈥� to the fair鈥檚 VIP Lounge. Under his aegis, six murals by international artists will be installed, including a Retna work from the Collection of Janet and Tony Goldman, an existing piece from How & Nosm, as well as new murals from DAZE, Aiko and Futura. The large-scale works will be suspended above the lounge. Additionally, artist Ron English will create an installation on site in six separate vignette areas of the fair featuring his Cameo Deer series of murals and sculptures. The one-man Peter Sarkisian show featuring tiny
video and projectors in the Bernice Steinbaum gallery is also incredible (pictured above). Peter has really taken his work to a new level, and the installation and design of Bernice鈥檚 stand will really enhance the experience for all attendees. There will be interesting indoor sculpture presented by Westwood Gallery/ NY from their young light artist Adela Andea. Her works are extremely colorful, creative and unique, each like a snowflake 鈥� one-of-a-kind. (Above Right: Peter Sarkisian's "Mind Under Matter/Matter Over Mind," courtesy of Bernice Steinbaum Gallery; Above: "Cameo Deer in Beacon Landing," by Ron English, courtesy of Goldman Properties).
Art Wynwood鈥檚 opens President鈥檚 Day Weekend, from February 16-20 at the Art Miami Pavilion in Miami鈥檚 Wynwood Arts District.
Written by 黑料不打烊 Staff
What are your predictions for this new fair? What works would you like to see at next year's edition? Share your thoughts below.
