The 2012 Armory Show opened with throngs of collectors flooding the gates, sipping champagne, and ogling the expanse of works on display. Galleries both contemporary and modern brought out their finest inventory and flaunted young artists left and right.
Some of the highlights include Rachel Feinstein’s Gargantua (2011) alongside works by Diana Al-Hadid, Adam Helms as well as sculptures by Donald Moffett all carefully curated in the front section of Marianne Boesky’s booth. The cold palette and intensity of these works were complimented by striking paintings by Barnaby Furnace in the back.
Sean Kelly has a carefully created outside wall of photographic portraits: three Alec Soths were flanked by two prints by Robert Mapplethorpe. Inside the booth, a decadent Kehinde Wiley popped while images of the Houses of Parliament by Idris Khan had a poetic effect in tune with the artist’s series utilizing musical scores.
Galerie Forsblom has on display a weighty array of painting and sculpture including an installation by multi-media artist Tony Oursler and sculptures by Stephan Balkenhol complimented by a beautiful purple Jason Martin. Rounding off the booth was wall-hanging by Jacob Hashimoto.
Yossi Milo Gallery’s booth coalesces around a powerful photograph of a screaming soldier by the late Tim Hetherington whose estate they now exclusively represent. One adjacent wall was flanked with two photograph by South African documentarian Pieter Hugo and the other with a giant Matthew Brandt.
Nyehaus’s booth is an homage to the ‘60s and “American Masters” with red text on Warhol, Rauschenberg, and Oldenburg alongside works by all three including images of Robert Mapplethorpe by Warhol and a sculpture of sweets by Claes Oldenburg.
Lisson Gallery is showing works by Julian Opie, Anish Kapoor, Lee Ufan and others from an impressive group of artists represented.
At Pier 92, Galerie Thomas’ sprawling booth features a large flower painting by Marc Quinn and a monumental assemblage titled Elisabeth (2006) by Anselm Kiefer.
The Armory Show will be up through Sunday, March 11th. Be sure not to miss it!