Painting by Ryan Michael Ford (all photographs by the author for Hyperallergic)
During Armory Week, people like to gripe about art fairs. There’s a certain art world cred that comes with the disdain people demonstrate towards the realities of the art gallery system being laid bare. The Spring/Break fair is different, not because of the way the art is presented (though that’s somewhat true), but more because of the spirit of this scrappy affair that appears to prize quirky projects that often fall outside the purview of more commercial ventures. Whether you’re seeking a rainbow KKK robe (see Jeffrey Songco), giant Cheetos-looking sculptures (paging Andy Harman), a contemporary take on Judith and Holofernes (um, Rebecca Morgan), or Islamic-inspired tile work with penises (Hossein Edalatkhah’s got something you can look at) you can find it here.
The experience may be overwhelming but the location of the fair in the old Condé Nast offices (currently administered by Chashama) overlooking Times Square is an excellent way to see this part of the city through the office windows all around.
Wander the halls and see mostly independent curator-led projects — some galleries and nonprofits sneaked in — and enjoy the energy that feels like a blend of an open studio event and a more conventional art fair.
Here’s a tour of some of the best I encountered during my visit, and stay tuned for Seph Rodney’s take from his visit to Spring/Break.
A view of one part of Jeffrey Songco’s “Society of 23’s Locker Dressing Room” installation at Spring BreakElektra KB’s project offered visitors stateless passportsSculpture by Onyedika Chuke, curated by Dustin YellinAlina and Jeff Bliumis’s “Cultural Tips for New Americans Under Trump,” curated by Ksenia M. SobolevaWork by Andy Harman was placed in a prominent part of the 22nd Floor space, and everyone was referring to them as a ‘Cheetos’ sculpturesRebecca Morgan reimagined Judith and Holofernes with an Americana and fairy tale spin, it was in a room curated by Martina D’Amato and Elizabeth Fodde-ReguerBrett Wallace in his Amazing Industries “start-up” room, curated by Silas Von Morisse Gallery, NYSculptures by Allison Ruttan, curated by Nicholas Cueva“iDevice” sculptures by Brent Owens, curated by Ambre Kelly and Andrew GoriDetail of a wall work by Hiba Schabaz, curated by Field Projects, NYA view of Belladonna, an exhibition curated by Calli Moore, and featuring scultpure Roxanne Jackson, wallpaper by Lauren Clay, paintings by Aliza Morell, and wall sculpture by Calli MooreAlessandro Keegan’s “Savior” (2017), which was part of Mist Wreathed, curated by Kari Adelaide and Max RazdowSculpture by Robert Raphael and prints by Shaan Syed, curated by Jason Andrew, Kanad Chakrabarti, and Sarah Pettitt for Norte MaarA view of a performance by Cate GiordanoArtist Zoe Schlacter dressed to match her textile-based artworkA view of Stephen Ostrowski’s “Side Effects Include: Hope, Nausea” curated by Vivian Chui. The project explores the conversion therapy the artist was forced to undergo by his parents.One of the works in Secondary Inspection Room Akathe Backroom: An Essay, curated Asha Iman Veal Brisebois, and this one is by EJ. Eunjung ParkNew works by Chris BogiaDetail of a work by Hossein Edalatkhah’s “He (Fifty Shade of Blue)” (2015), which was part of the Secret Gay Box curated by John WolfHoward Hurst plays doctor as part of Psychic Pharmacy, he diagnosed me as “Going Nowhere” and prescribed a nap and “Whatever The Rock had 4 Breakfast”Works by Azikiwe Mohammed, curated by Ambre Kelly and Andrew GoriA stump in Rachel Marks’s The Poetry of Earth installation, curated by Ché MoralesWork by Shane Darwent, curated by Trevor King and Clara McClenon or Breezeway GalleryWork by Justin Wood, curated by Lee Wells and Erica EnsmingerSculpture by Zach Hacmon and Paintings by Gal Cohen, curated by Wai Ying ZhaoFernando Orellana’s “You’ll Never Know We Were Here,” curated by Sarah WalkoDetail of an embroidered work by Kelly Sinnapah Mary, curated by Natasha BeckerHugh Hayden’s “Flag” (2012), courtesy Ethan Cohen GallerySculptures by Mel Nguyen in Den of Egodeath by Brooke NicholasWorks by David Kramer, curated by Michael BucklandBryce Zackery’s “300 Dollar Man” (2018), which was a special project curated by Equity Gallery and Oklahoma ContemporarySculpture by Jack Henry and paintings by Christophe Avella-Bagur, Jeanette Hayes, and Brian Willmont in Human Now, curated by Kara BrooksPart of the Eric Mistretta installation, curated by Anna KusteraSound-based works by Foo/Skou Echo Chamber, curated by Gabriel Barcia-ColomboBig work by Rachelle Dang, which was part of Superheated, a project curated by the artist and Jessica MenschWorks by Kellisimone Waits, curated by Sara DriverSculptures by Andrew Erdos, curated by Erin JoyceWorks by Brian Paumier and Joaquin Trujillo, presented by New Art ProjectsA room installation by Melissa Haims, curated by Inliquid Art + DesignSculptures by Gabriela Salazar and paintings by Lumina Wakoa, curated by Adam Parker SmithView of the (Hotel) XX installation curated by Indira Cesarine and The Untitled Space
TheSpring/Break Art Showcontinues at 4 Times Square (Entrance at 144 West 43rd Street), Midtown, Manhattan until March 12, 2018.
