Had a wonderful afternoon yesterday at the press preview for the 2011 AIPAD show at the Armory in New York City. Meeting new folks I had only known through the internet and blogs, such as Susan May Tell and Elizabeth Avedon, long lost high school classmate Andrea Meislin of Andrea Meislin Gallery, fellow blogger Ruben Natal-San Miguel of Art Most Fierce, and nice chats with gallery owners Yossi Milo, Bruce Silverstein, Deborah Bell, Spencer Throckmorton, and others who were all refreshingly upbeat and ready for a long weekend ahead. It was also nice to see some Philadelphia representation from Gallery 339 and Paul Cava. I chatted with Martin McNamara of Gallery 339 about the ever improving state of photography venues in Philadelphia
This is a fabulous photography show with something for everyone. At least for everyone's eye, certainly not everyone's budget. Pricing seems cautiously robust and confident. The air of optimism among many dealers I spoke to regarding a turn around after several down years is tenuous at best, although more than a few galleries have returned to AIPAD after several years hiatus, adding to a low buzz of energy in the hall that we all hope means good years ahead for the photographic art collecting world.
Here are some of the things that caught my eye...
Books! (Some very expensive books!!) There are two photo book dealers at the show, Harper's Books, and Jeff Hirsch Books. I could have spent my entire time at the show browsing through what these dealers had on shelves and display cases. Lot's of vintage Japanese photo books, and a full range from early books such as New York by Alvin Langdon Coburn ($75,000) to the first artist book by Ryan McGinley ($9500). The trio of books below really got my attention; New Topographics ($1500), Anonyme Skulpturen ($9500), and New Industrial Parks (Baltz) ($2750). They would all look great in my library!
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| Jeff Hirsch Books (AIPAD 2011) |
Favorite dealer display was Deborah Bell Gallery. Such a unique and eclectic mix going on in that booth I found myself walking through it over and over. Bell is displaying some very interesting prints by G. P. Fieret, Andy Warhol, Marcel Broodhaers, Marcia Resnick, and a corner devoted to the current exhibit at the gallery in Chelsea, Susan Paulsen: Sarah Rhymes With Clara
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| Deborah Bell Gallery (AIPAD 2011) |
Another solid display was the choice of Weinstein Gallery of Minneapolis to present a one man show of Alec Soth.The display is Soth's most recent body of work, Broken Manual. Big bold prints by a contemporary master was a nice balance to the historical and vintage master works throughout the halls. Alec Soth will be participating in one of the panel discussions to be held on Saturday. Photography Now: How Artists Are Thinking Today will discuss the issues contemporary artists are dealing with. The other panelists participating with Soth will be Julie Saul, Larry Fink, and Shirin Neshat.
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| Weinstein Gallery (AIPAD 2011) |
