As we noted yesterday, art fair season is upon us in full force this weekend. With so many events happening around the capital, it would be hard work to take it all in, and the best advice one can offer is to try to see as much as you can without making it all a rushed annoyance of cab rides. Possibly even better advice, however, would be to make a point to check out the new presenters this year in addition to the established leaders like Frieze.
Building on their successes in New York and Miami, Chicago-based Bridge Art Fair now brings their event to London for the first time. The opening night reception took place last night at the Trafalgar Hotel, which will play host to the fair through Sunday. Bridge is occupying the entire 120-room hotel, giving over 60 international exhibitors one temporary home to showcase their diverse works, among them Daniel Edwards' controversial sculpture depicting a dead Prince Harry.
If dead royalty isn't your cuppa, the more playful side of Bridge may be. Chicago artist Marie Walz has a room devoted to her exploration of a lifelong obsession with a pop idol, Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes. The photography and screen prints on display not only gleefully celebrate their subject, but also prompt us to examine what aspects of our identities we derive from celebrity and the extent to which that celebrity itself is a constructed identity. While rumour has it that Mr. Rhodes was spotted at Frieze, we think he'd find more to his liking at Bridge and should perhaps consider paying a visit to this fun and interesting exhibit.
Image: Armed Response #07, Julianne Rose, 2006. Courtesy: Galerie 13 Sevigne, Paris, France.
Bridge Art Fair at the Trafalgar Hotel, 2 Spring Gardens, Trafalgar Square. General admission open from 12 - 8 p.m. from 12 - 13 October 2007 and from 12 - 6 p.m. on 14 October 2007. Cost: £10.
