Frieze: We’ve Got You Covered

The Frieze Art Fair is an annual “must see” event in the contemporary art calendar. CMCI’s Dr Richard Howells was invited to the professional preview:

This year’s Frieze ranges –as ever- from the mediocre to the magnificent (and much else besides). There is –as usual- too much to take in, but a few impressions stand out.

Howells’ highlights include Grayson Perry’s tapestry “The Adoration of the Cage Fighters” (Victoria Miro Gallery”, Ged Quinn’s “Ghosts and Benedictions” series (Stephen Friedman Gallery) and the show-stopping “Our Parents” by Zhang Huan (White Cube). The latter is huge and made in ash on linen in 2008.

Prices are rarely shown at Frieze (“if you have to ask you probably can’t…”); the heavyweight Gagosian Gallery not even bothering to label their works and artist (“if you don’t already know it’s Damien Hirst…”).

But of course, Frieze (and especially on professional an private view day) is so much more than an art fair. It’s an anthropological experience. You could even argue that it’s the people who are the real exhibits.

And Dr Howells’ prize for the most stupid overheard question goes to the expensively dressed woman contemplating a potential purchase and asking a leading international contemporary art gallerist: “Do you think it’s a good one?”.

The Frieze Art Fair continues in Regent’s Park, London until 6 pm October 14^th.