Preview by Brad Balfour
The Armory Show
September 8 – 10, 2023
11 a- 7p Fri./Sat Sun. til 6p
Javits Center
29 11th Ave.
New York, NY 10001
Founded in 1994, The Armory Show, is not only one of the biggest art fairs in NYC, it’s the most prominent one. Running from September 7th to the 10th, it’s at the Javits Center and is constantly growing.
A cornerstone of New York’s cultural landscape since its founding in 1994, The Armory Show brings the world’s leading international contemporary and modern art galleries to New York each year. With roots in the legendary Armory Show of 1913, the fair plays a leading role in the city’s position as an important cultural capital — if not THE global capital. Through elevated presentations, thoughtful programming, curatorial leadership, meaningful institutional partnerships, and public art engagements, the show provides a focus for the launch of the fall/winter cultural season. September is unofficially known as the art world’s back-in-action month. As a result, the fair has prompted other shows and group exhibitions collectively described as Armory Art Week — a raft of art fairs for that happen during this week in September.
New York galleries will stay open late for The Armory Show Gallery Night with over 40 galleries in Lower Manhattan participating. They will remain open until 8pm on Friday, September 8, in celebration of Armory Week.
The 1913 Armory Show — also known as the International Exhibition of Modern Art — was organized by the Association of American Painters and Sculptors in 1913. It was the first large exhibition of modern art in America. The three-city exhibition started in NYC’s 69th Regiment Armory, on Lexington between 25th and 26th Streets, from February 17 until March 15, 1913. The show became an important event in the history of American art by introducing Americans to the experimental styles of the European avant garde, including Fauvism and Cubism. The show was a catalyst for American artists, who became more independent and created their own “artistic language.” One might say that the many art fairs that are now infused into the international art scene also serve as a catalyst for both artists and art buyers.
This year’s Armory Show has over 225 leading international galleries exhibiting, representing more than 35 countries. The Solo section focuses on intimate presentations of work by a single emerging, established, or historic artist working in the 20th or 21st century. The Focus portion is dedicated to emergent and established solo- and dual-artists outside the mainstream. The Platform secretion of the show is oriented towards large scale installation pieces that challenge the canon of art.
Special programming for the show includes Armory Talks panel discussions, Armory Week Events that happen across the city and special private guided tours of the show. Tickets are on sale now.
To learn more, go to: https://www.thearmoryshow.com/