(Frieze Frame!) Frieze Frame!

Day One at Frieze Art Fair:
I made it through only 1/5 of the 170 gallery stalls in my 4 hours at the fair today. I will be going back tomorrow to check out the Sculpture Park, and again on Saturday to see the rest of the fair. Tomorrow I must also squeeze in a few of the satellite fairs going on in the city, including P.A.D. (Pavilion of Art & Design).

And now for a little postmodern nostalgia. It has been in my head all day, and now it will be in yours too! (you're welcome)

Fancy a Pint?

I survived another Tuesday- my longest day of the week. A full day of lectures on emerging art markets- today was trends in the Arab and Iranian market since 1998- a seminar with presentations on individual artist valuations, a lecture on estimating for the modern market, and an evening of British Gothic architecture; I could sure use a cold one.  Funny that in the last 15 minutes of my Architecture lecture (yes, this is the EXTRA class that I signed up for), he showed these two Hogarth prints: "Gin Lane" and "Beer Street", published London 1751.
As a commentary on the "evils" of gin drinking and the "benefits" of beer drinking, it coincides with The Sale of Spirits Act (or Gin Act) of 1751. "Gin Lane" depicts the debauchery which was associated with the the availability of cheap gin. As pointed out by our esteemed lecturer Harry Mount (he is the primary reason that I am taking the class), the architecture depicted within the first print includes views of the slums of  St. Giles in the Fields, with Hawksmoor's St. George's Church (Bloomsbury) in the distance. In the second print, the benefits of drinking beer, rather than gin, are apparent in the health and well being of the Londoners depicted. And in the background, a new public house is under construction.  By 1830, the Beer Act further relaxed the laws around beer sales and led to the mass building of Beer Houses throughout London, especially as part of terrace house developments. Within the first year over 400 Beer Houses were built across England; over 40,000 within eight years.  

There are actually a lot of things to be discovered in these prints. So pour yourself a pint and have a look!

Bright Young Things

David Batchelor @ Saatchi Gallery

This week it is all about contemporary art here in London. The art-smart set lands in Regent's Park from 13-16 October for Frieze Art Fair. Sotheby's and Christie's host contemporary themed sales this week as well.
Today we received special preview tours of both sales. In my opinion, the lots that Christie's has on offer are more impressive in terms of variety and quality of works. However, Sotheby's does have a Fausto Melotti sculpture as part of their Italian 20th Century collection sale. He is a personal favorite of mine!
My "contemporary week" actually started last week with First Thursday in East London. A few classmates and I met up at Whitechapel Gallery to start our evening walking tour of galleries in the east end. Passing, but not stopping, the delicious Indian Restaurants of Brick Lane, we made our way to Redchurch Street winding our way up to Hoxton Square where we capped the night with a few drinks. Not bad for a first "first".
Friday night was spent wandering Victoria & Albert Museum and enjoying the free concert by tango revolutionaries Fugata Quintet. The nuevo tango of Astor Piazzolla filled The Gamble Room, the elegant original refreshment room at the museum. It was spectacular!
As it happens, I have been spending a great deal of time at the V&A. Between research visits to the National Art Library and special viewings in the Prints & Drawings Room, I have been making my way through the galleries one by one. This is not a museum you can see in a day, or three even!
Saturday hiatus...working on research for my next essay...
On Sunday the weather continued to amaze! I set out for the Art London (another art fair) at the Royal Hospital Chelsea followed by a swing through Saatchi Gallery and the "The Shape of Things to Come: New Sculpture" exhibition. New-ish works from 20 sculptors. I'm afraid that the show made me mourn the loss of traditional technique- something I have been conflicted about since my visit a few weeks ago to Gagosian Gallery to see Mike Kelley's "Kandor/Exploded Fortress of Solitude" installations. I never realized just how ubiquitous polyurethane foam has become in contemporary art.
Now, I must rest up for the week (and finish my presentation for class tomorrow). I will be sure to post images from Frieze- our class has tours of the fair on Thursday and Friday. So be sure to check back!

Study Aid

Been a bit busy lately, but I've got some time before I need to start worrying about essays again, and, oh yeah, exams!
So, more to come soon...