The London Art Fair opened to the public today in Islington. It's a massive art trade fair with modern and contemporary art to buy. There were many smart, be-scarved or brightly tie-d artsy types manning stalls looking bored or eating sandwiches and lots and lots of interesting art to ponder, point at and take photos of, which is apparently acceptable (I'm taking a photo to see if Flavia likes it, yah....).
This is a serious art fair so mostly everything is out of Londonist's price range (even the Fair Catalogue was a tenner) but there were some excellently Londony things to keep us amused, including the silkscreen featured above. We also liked a London road map with birds tapestried into it sitting on A-roads like branches. Kate Moss put in an appearance as Myra Hindley and Pete Doherty's blood pictures were up for sale.
The Fair also includes a special photography exhibition, curated by some Fine Art postgrads at Goldsmiths, called Photo50: untitled tales subverting narratives and a whole room dedicated to Art Projects, a subsidised section showcasing 21 galleries from the more challenging end of contemporary art.
There are still some complimentary tickets floating about but if you have to pay, buy in advance and take a whole day. It's definitely a pleasant place to hang out, mingle with the art world, imagine being able to buy something and poke about all the various offices at the BDC.
The London Art Fair is at the Business Design Centre, Islington until Sunday and open till 9pm today and tomorrow. Tickets are £10 in advance, more on the door. Talks and tours are free with valid fair ticket but do reserve your place in advance.
Image of silkscreen print courtesy of artist, Alberto Duman. See the real thing and other in the series at stand 49.
