L'Officiel Art

Armory Week 2020: The Ultimate Guide to What to Do and What to See

From galleries to author talks, these events are sure to keep you inspired throughout art week.
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Calling all art fanatics: if you're in New York (or headed there), this week is filled with tons of events for all those who are art-obsessed. And while it's commonly known as Armory Week 2020 for the established contemporary art show of the same name, other art fairs and events, like Spring/Break and Scope, are happening all over the city. From artist panels to gallery openings, there's truly something for everyone at Armory Week 2020, whether you follow all industry happenings closely or are looking for a taste of what the art world has to offer.

With so much going on during this weeklong celebration of art, it can be hard to know where to begin, but we're here to help. Read on for your definitive guide to Armory Week 2020, and get ready to spend the next few days embracing all things artsy in New York City.

The Armory Show

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When: March 5-8

Where: 711 12th Avenue, Pier 90, and Pier 94

What: Founded in 1994, The Armory Show is New York City’s premier art fair and a leading cultural destination for discovering (and collecting) the world’s most important 20th- and 21st-century art pieces. The show features presentations by international galleries, artist commissions, and public programs. Last year, it celebrated its 25th anniversary, but this year is shaping up to be just as exciting thanks to both the work on display and a series of talks with industry game-changers.

What To Do:

In Conversation: Cultural History, Collectivism, and Censorship

During this talk at Armory Week 2020, Jeffrey Gibson and Eugenie Tsai will discuss Gibson’s process of organizing the exhibition "Jeffrey Gibson: When Fire is Applied to a Stone it Cracks," which is now on view at the Brooklyn Museum. The conversation will provide insights into concepts of the show and highlight issues of cultural history, identity, and representation.

Catch In Conversation: Cultural History, Collectivism, and Censorship on Friday, March 6 at 12:30 pm at Armory Live Theater on Pier 94.

Photo via the Brooklyn Museum

In Conversation: Cultural History, Collectivism, and Censorship
In Conversation: Art and Luxury
In Conversation: Art and Luxury

Artnet News editor-in-chief Andrew Goldstein speaks with fashion designer Sander Lak (the creative mind behind Sies Marjan) regarding the crossover of their two industries. Is the line between art and fashion shifting? The two will discuss this topic in depth.

Catch In Conversation: Art and Luxury on Saturday, March 7 at 2 pm at Armory Live Theater on Pier 94.

Photo via Instagram / @siesmarjan

In Conversation: Truth, Fiction, and Memory

Writer, curator, and activist Kimberly Drew is a true fixture in the worlds of art and fashion, and with 244,000 Instagram followers in addition to plenty of high-profile projects to her name, she's a highly sought-after voice as the industry charts its path towards the future. On International Women's Day, the creative will speak with artist Howardena Pindell, and it surely will be an insightful conversation that you won't want to miss.

Catch In Conversation: Truth, Fiction, and Memory on Sunday, March 8 at 2 pm at Armory Live Theater on Pier 94.

Photography: Annelise Phillips for L'Officiel Italia

In Conversation: Truth, Fiction, and Memory

Spring/Break

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When: March 4-9

Where: An entire two floors of 625 Madison Avenue, between 58th and 59th Streets

What: Spring/Break is an internationally recognized exhibition platform using underused, atypical, and historic New York City exhibition spaces to activate and challenge the traditional cultural landscape of the art market. This year's show is titled In Excess, so naturally, the works are headed to Madison Avenue, above a block that includes several renowned luxury stores. Contemplating "more is more" amidst debates on climate change and capitalism, this event will definitely make you think.

Some curators include:

  • 532 Gallery | 550 Gallery | Abigail Ogilvy Gallery | Alessandra De Benedetti | Ali Seradge | Ambre Kelly + Andrew Gori | Andrew Cole + Grace Lerner | Andrew Sendor | Anna Cone | Anna Kustera | Anna Zorina Gallery | Anthony Haden-Guest + Jicky Schnee + Nin Brudermann | a-s-t-r-a

Independent Art Fair

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When: March 6-8

Where: 50 Varick Street, New York City. Why not start out your post-fashion-month cultural events by reminding yourself that Spring Studios hosts more than just New York Fashion Week?

What: Independent Art Fair aims to inspire relevant art encounters for a well-informed and devoted contemporary art audience. It's the event to attend if you want to learn who's next in the art world, and it has an overall exhibition feel, making it about enjoying the artist's vision in addition to the common goal of supporting their work.

Some exhibitors include:

  • A Gentil Carioca | Adams and Ollman | Air de Paris | Company Gallery

Scope Art Show

"Waterfall" by Brendan Monroe, 2020

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When: March 5-8

Where: Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea (125 W 18th St)

What: The New York edition of a fair that also has events in Miami and Basel, Scope represents groundbreaking contemporary work. The fair will welcome 60 international exhibitors and will continue its legacy of critically-acclaimed VIP programming with strategic partnerships, a focused schedule of events, and talks. Celebrating its 20th year, Scope is as modern a show as ever.

What To Do:

  • Coffee of Grace
    • As the official coffee sponsor of the event, Coffee of Grace was founded in an effort to help rebuild the economy in Rwanda while also empowering and supporting women. In addition to serving coffee at SCOPE New York, Coffee of Grace will be displaying woven baskets from female Rwandan makers. These hand-woven baskets will be on-sale and 50% of the proceeds will be given back to the women who made them.
  • Von Motz | Special Project

    • Polish artist Mateusz von Motz’s work challenges the viewer to see crystals as “bling brutalism.” To get an idea of his style, picture concrete animated by the shiny colored film. The coexistence of the concrete and brightly colored reflective film invites the viewer to encounter both painting and sculpture.

  • Brendan Monroe | Special Project 

    • Brendan Monroe is a sculptor and painter whose work explores abstracted matter, motion, and perception translated into a graphic black and white language. It's this dual quality that makes his work so impressive. Monroe has also created a custom front entrance piece to welcome visitors into the show. A special edition run of 100 prints will be available for purchase at the show. A portion of the proceeds will be going towards funding future artist projects at SCOPE Art Shows.

David Zwirner Openings

Work by Al Taylor

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Recent works by Swedish painter Mamma Andersson in a collection titled "The Lost Paradise," will be on display from March 4-April 11 at 533 West 19th Street. Celebrating her fourth exhibition with the David Zwirner gallery, the artist has found success in a unique combination of textured brushstrokes, loose washes, stark graphic lines, and evocative colors. The same week, David Zwirner is opening a new exhibition on Al Taylor, which will be open from March 5-April 18 at 537 West 20th Street. Spanning the last decade of the artist’s career, the works on view focus on Taylor’s fascination with Hawaii—its scenic beauty, history, oceanic culture, and the daily lifestyle of the Hawaiian people.

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