New York City has been always considered to be an ultimate art and culture getaway. One can find absolutely everything - from French Impressionism to the Russian constructivism art works, from Luc Godard films to Japanese botanic gardens. It's impossible to be bored in NYC.
Aside from the many art institutions, there's plenty of both educational and entertaining events. Name anything and most likely it either exists and/or 'comes' to NYC, like Cirque du Soleil and/or Bolshoi Theatre ballet. All in all - one is always tempted in NYC and it's not hard to plan one's weekends, it's hard to make a selection of what to see, hear and/or try.
One of the largest art events - The Armory Show - is one of those global events, which spreads over a few days as it's absolutely impossible to see it all one one day and even then - one ends up running around the exhibition halls, trying to fit the enormous amounts of the art works - and digest it at the same time - in present into just a few free hours he/she gets off from some other million things to see and do in the city.
This year was no different. The Armory Show 2013 took place on March 7th thru March 10 at the Piers 92 and 94 in Manhattan. However, this year's event presented some difficulties: at the same time with the Armory Show, another great art event was taking place - The Scope Art Show, as well as the early spring weather dropped some rain/snow storms upon the city, making it even harder to navigate around the city. Nevertheless, thousands of people came to The Armory Show, filling up the multiple long hallways of the art displays under the roofs of the Hudson River piers.
The organizers of the show decided to separate the contemporary arts works into two distinctive collections - the Modern MoMa (at Pier 92) - featured the modern art works from paintings to photography, while the other one - Contemporary (at Pier 94) - featured the many multimedia projects - from video and audio installations to 3D animations and so on.
The overwhelming amount of the art presenters - the art galleries and organizations from around the world - were on site to explain the featured art works, help to browse their catalogs and make a sale. This is why I'd advise to visit The Armory Show on the first or second day, because you'd then see the complete collection of the arts. Last year I ended up going to the art show on the very last day and many of the art works, which I'd assume to be the best ones, were gone and the SOLD OUT signs graced the walls where the art works were used to be.
The Armory Show is not new to the New York City art scene. A leading international contemporary and modern art fair and one of the most important annual art events in New York, The Armory Show takes place every March. It is devoted to showcasing the most important art works of the 20th and 21st centuries from the artists, most of whom are living artists. In its fifteen years of the fair has become an international institution, combining a selection of the world's leading galleries and exhibitions throughout New York City. Click here for more information and history of the show.
Personally, I'm always excited to see the works from the Nordic artists: Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, and Netherlands, as well as the works from the German, Japanese and South American artists. Ever since my trip to Berlin and Stockholm last August, I've been even more appreciative of the Bauhaus, Cubism, Constructivism and Minimalism art schools. And this year's art show was once again such a treat for both the eyes, mind and heart that I wish I cold do all four days of the show.
It’s unfortunate for those, who are not living in New York City, because one of the things that makes this city so exciting to live in is the plenty of the art shows and art galleries.
Each year hundreds of art galleries from around the world bring together the modern art of all mediums – from paintings and sculpture to multimedia. This year was no difference. The galleries from the US, Europe, Latin America, Canada and Asia featured the modern art works. It was a real indulgence for the art lovers.
In additional to the main two pavilions of the art work showcases - Pier 92 and 94 - there were many mini art shows, exhibitions, talks, presentations, showcases and interviews available throughout the city and its boroughs.
The following art events that were part of The Armory Show took place around the city: MTA Arts for Transit: Robert Kushner, Harlem Biennale “Music in the Air”, “We Are STILL here: Art IN the Bronx”, “Longwood Arts Project, In the Realm of Dreams & Fears”, “Organic Abstracts at Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum”, “The Dealer’s Perspective”, “TriBeCa Loft Atelier Presents Works by Master Italian Architect Aldo Rossi 2013″, and so on. Click here to see more.
New Yorkers often say that they are ones of the luckiest in the world to be able to see some great modern works from around the world, featured all in just one city.
The Armory Show was broken to two piers to exhibit the modern art of all genre and medium. Pier 94 was dedicated to the multimedia projects, some of which I captured on camera.
To see more photos and videos from the show, go to my design blog "Uncensored Design".
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