Frieze frenzy

image via TNT magazine

London’s own Frieze Week kicks off this Thursday, spiraling up in places where the city has barely recovered from economic woe. The festive extravaganza totals five contemporary art fairs (Frieze, Sunday, Sluice, Moving Image and Multiplied) setting up camp simultaneously in different borrows, bubbling up an art furor on par with Armory week in New York. (There are also other alternative fairs such as PAD and Moniker). Joining the Frieze frenzy, White Cube is opening its brand new space on 12 October in Bermondsey, and by the same occasion, snatching the title of London’s largest commercial gallery space. Many art institutions are also adding their own event in the mix: Serpentine gallery will organize a two-day “Garden Marathon” event curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Tate Modern just opened Gerhard Richter’s retrospective and newly commissioned work by Tacita Dean for the Turbine Hall, and a host of other galleries are opening their new shows during the same calendar period. We should expect a great many pop-up shows, talks, and other events yet to be confirmed. In all likelihood, London’s entire art scene, big and small, is taking part and throwing in the best they’ve got. As a measuring stick, Hiscox insurers estimated that the total value of Frieze’s art on show will amount to USD$350 million. A much smaller figure compared to Art Basel’s USD$1.6 billion, Frieze is however a place where dealers, collectors, curators, artists and the curious look out for the sharpest “cutting edge” in art. M-KOS will be on location at Frieze, reporting all the details.

Frieze Art Fair
at Regent’s Park,
13 – 16 October 2011
Over 170 galleries will be exhibited at the Frieze this year. In the Frame section, 25 galleries will present solo artists. Sculpture park located in the beautiful English garden will display outdoor sculptures by 12 artists curated by David Thorpe. Frieze Projects commissioned eight artists this year including Pierre Huygue, Christian Jankowski, Laura Prouvost. Plus, films, music, talks and much more.

Sunday Art Fair
at Ambika P3
13 – 16 October 2011
The Sunday art fair had its first edition last year as an alternative to sadly missed Zoo art fair, comes back again showcasing 20 international galleries. It is organised by three of the participating galleries: Croy Nielsen (Berlin), Limoncello (London) and Tulips & Roses (Brussels) and sponsored by the Zabludowicz Collection.

Sluice Art Fair
at 26 South Molton Lane, Mayfair
15 – 16 October 2011
Sluice art fair is a new initiative by the London based artist Karl England and curator Ben Street. Sluice focuses on primarily (but not solely) artist run not-for-profit spaces providing a platform for young galleries and project spaces to exhibit their artists’ work, gain exposure and encourage dialogue between artists, curators and audiences.

Moving Image – Contemporary Video Art Fair
at Bargehouse, Oxo Tower Wharf
13 – 16 October 2011
Moving Image contemporary art fair, initiated by New York’s Winkleman Gallery at this year’s Armory week in New York has its debut in London. 27 artists are presented by participating galleries and non-profit institutions which were selected by the curatorial advisory committe.

Multiplied – Contemporary Editions Fair
at Christie’s South Kensington
14 – 17 October 2011
Launched last year, Multiplied Contemporary Editions Fair will feature 40 galleries presenting contemporary editions by emerging to the best known artists.

Moniker International Art Fair
at Village Underground
13 – 16 October 2011
Moniker Art Fair highlights the international scope of street art and beyond and make its return following their successful debut last year.

Pavilion of Art & Design London
at Berkeley Square
12 – 16 October 2011
PAD returns its 4th year in Mayfair bringing together exceptional works of Modern Art, Design, Decorative Arts, Photography, Jewellery and Tribal Art from 1860 to today.

Other exhibitions not to miss during Frieze Week

● Gerhard Richter: Panorama at Tate Modern, through 8 January 2012

● The Unilever Series: Tacita Dean at Tate Modern Turbine Hall, through 11 March 2012

● Pipilotti Rist: Eyeball Massage at Hayward Gallery, through 8 January 2012

● Grayson Perry: The Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman at Brithsh Museum, through 19 February 2012

● Haroon Mirza: I saw square triangle sine at Camden Arts Centre, through 8 January 2012

● Wilhelm Sasnal at Whitechapel Art Gallery, 14 October 2022 – 1 January 2012

● Anri Sala at Serpentine Gallery, through 20 November 2011

● Mike Kelley at Gagosian Gallery Britannia Street, through 22 October 2011

● Yang Fudong: One Half of August at Parasol Unit, through 6 November 2011

● Phyllida Barlow: Rig at Hauser & Wirth, through 22 October 2011

● Charles Avery: Place de la Révolution at Pilar Corrias, through 16 December 2011

● Raqib Shaw: Paradise Lost at White Cube Mason’s Yard, through 12 November 2011

● Post Modernism: Style and Subversion 1970–1990 at V&A, through 15 January 2012

● Joan Jonas: Volcano Saga & Drawing Language at Wilkinson Gallery, through 20 November 2011 (Volcano Saga); 15 January 2012 (Drawing Languages)

● They don’t know why, but they keep doing it – Ideas after ideology at Waterside Contemporary, through 5 November 2011

● Miriam Cahn at the David Roberts Arts Foundation, through 17 December 2011

● Rebecca Warren: Come Helga, This Is No Place For Us II at Maureen Paley, through 20 November 2011

● Cory Arcangel: Speakers Going Hammer at Lisson Gallery, through 12 November 2011

● Cara Tolmie: Descripton 5 at Supplement, through 6 November 2011

● Michelle Dnegan: Posing as a subject amongst subjects at Maria Stenfors, through 23 October 2011

● Tracey Emin at 6 Fitzroy Square, London, through 12 November 2011

● Jacob Kassay & Franz West: Room In London at ICA, through 13 November 2011 (Jacob Kassay); 29 January 2012 (Franz West)