Last week in Aspen, The Aspen Art Fair (July 29–August 2) set the illustrious Hotel Jerome aglow with more than 900 local and international guests. A vibrant and diverse gathering of creatives, philanthropists, cultural figureheads, and more rejoiced in the inaugural fair’s sweeping presentation of nearly 30 global exhibitors.
Aspen Art Fair Co-Founder and Director Becca Hoffman, and Co-Founder, Bob Chase, joined President and CEO of Anderson Ranch Arts Center Peter Waanders, and Trustee of Denver Art Museum Tina A. Walls for the VIP cocktail, mingling with eminent patrons and collectors Barbara and Bruce Berger, Barry and Lisa Cohen, as well as Courtney and Karen Lord. Artists such as Dustin Yellin, Marcos Acosta, Crystalle Lacoultre, and Jody Guralnick enjoy the preview alongside a myriad of advisors, dealers, and exhibitors including James Barron, Jac Forbes, Nancy Hoffman, and many more.
Becca Hoffman, Bob Chase at The Aspen Art Fair at Hotel Jerome, Aspen, CO, Opening Preview and Reception, photo by Zach Hilty, courtesy of The Aspen Art Fair.
A Cross-Disciplinary Art Fair in a Luminous Setting
“We have conceived a new type of cross-disciplinary art fair that aims to re-think, re-examine, re-engage, and re-invigorate, connecting and convening a dynamic set of international and creative communities in Aspen in a luxurious, social setting,“ said Co-Founder and Director Hoffman.
“Our goal is to add to the vibrant and expanding international contemporary art and cultural scene in Aspen, engaging residents and visitors with a program of compelling and relevant events annually at the fair and year-round in one of the most desirable luxury destinations in the world,” added Bob Chase, Co-Founder and owner of Aspen’s Hexton Gallery, and a National Council Member of the Aspen Art Museum and Anderson Ranch Arts Center.
Iván Argote, “Bells_ A Place for Us,” 2021, Bronze, 137 × 85 × 5 cm, Unique, courtesy Perrotin.
Robust Partnerships at Aspen Art Fair
In dynamic partnership with Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Aspen Art Museum, Aspen Chamber Resort Association, Aspen Film, Buckhorn Public Arts, Pardon Collection, and Resnick Center for Herbert Bayer Studies, the meticulously curated encounter was a forward-thinking art fair brimming with singular home tours, intimate conversations with renowned speakers, live performances, exclusive screenings, artist awards and residencies, and additional festivities.
Zanele Muholi, “Vukile, Adams Mission, Durban South,” 2021, courtesy Southern Guild.
The Hotel Jerome Dazzled with Works by Over 90 Artists
With the Hotel Jerome’s latest honor of receiving the revered MICHELIN Key, was the ideal setting in the picturesque city for exhibitors hailing from over 12 countries to reveal their awe-inspiring commissioned projects. The trailblazing creativity of more than 90 artists was on display, with must-see works spanning sculpture, photography, painting, installation, works on paper, and design. Prominent spaces including Casterline | Goodman Gallery (Aspen, CO and Santa Fe, NM), Hedges Projects (Los Angeles, CA), Miles McEnery Gallery (New York, NY), Ronchini (London, UK), and Southern Guild (Cape Town, South Africa and Los Angeles, CA) were seen beside Perrotin, Taschen, Secci (Florence, Milan, and Pietrasanta, Italy), and more.
“Our goal is to add to the vibrant and expanding international contemporary art and cultural scene in Aspen,”
Bob Chase
Stanislaw Trzebinski, “Toxic Bloom,” 2 of 4, 2022, photo by Hayden Phipps, courtesy Southern Guild.
Art and Cultural Activations Galore
In collaboration with the celebrated Anderson Ranch Arts Center, the Anderson Guest Artist Prize will be bestowed upon a visionary who will be immersed in one week of studio access at the Ranch, following in the footsteps of luminaries like Kenny Scharf, Catherine Opie, Mickalene Thomas, Ed Ruscha, and Theaster Gates.
Art and cultural activations were also sparked at the noble hotel and throughout the vivacious city. A majestic mural installation by Aspen-based artist Jody Guralnick with Nancy Hoffman Gallery sparked vibrant dialogue at the hotel, while a screening of the cutting-edge documentary TAKING VENICE (2023) was presented by Aspen Film within the Aspen Film Isis Theatre.
In addition, the radiant group exhibition, titled “A Place For Us,” deftly curated by Laura Smith Sweeney of LSS Art Advisory was on view at the Hotel Jerome. 12 momentous artists including Iván Argote, Jamal Cyrus, Gabriel de la Mora, Leslie Hewitt, Samuel Levi Jones, Caroline Kent, and Zanele Muholi offered meditative explorations through hypnotic media ranging from blown glass to pulped law textbooks.
