Seems like just yesterday that I left the Armory Show, but here we go again with another set of art fairs in New York around the second year of Frieze. I have the feeling that the patrons are already adjusting to the venue on Randall's Island, and it does seem more comfortable and less awkward than the Piers although the lighting seemed a bit harsh. As for the fair, most other fairs could learn from Frieze's choice of food options, which are several, varied and mostly reasonably priced. I was impressed with the work in the booths of 2 of the younger galleries, Ramiken Crucible and Wallspace, both New York venues. At Ramiken, the sculptures of Elaine Cameron-Weir combine a classical elegance with a decorative flair.
The abstract paintings of Borden Capalino, which he describes as thermal transfers, combIne a rawness with a symmetric sense of composure..
They have a similar feel o the recent work of Philip Taaffe currently at Luhring Augustine.
Wallspace has mounted a one person show of the photos of Daniel Gordon. These still life images have an artificial look that had me wondering, photoshop, multiple exposure or what?
In fact they are sculptures that he has made and then photographed. The result is that they confront and pay homage to the line of still life from Cezanne to Matisse.
Finally, I was so struck to discover the new work by Teresita Fernandez at Lehmann Maupin. I have followed her work and been an admirer since her formulative years in Miami. Yet these new pieces took me by surprise. They appear like Chinese landscape, vast and peopleless, but the makeup of gold chrome under the India ink images, invariably includes the reflection of the viewer. The result is a combination of the quiet and calm of Eastern images with the Romantic tradition of the sublime landscape.