Joining Frieze in January 2015 as the Artistic Director for the Americas and Asia, Abby Bangser has brought over 10 years of experience in the art industry (at institutions like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California) to assist in the global success of the fairs, particularly with galleries, programming, and audience building. We spoke to Bangser to learn more about the 2016 edition of Frieze London, including what to expect from two of Frieze London’s special sections—”Focus” and “The Nineties”—as well as “Spotlight,” one of the curated sections at Frieze Masters.
WHITEWALLER: What is not-to-miss at this year’s 13th annual Frieze London and Frieze Masters?
Photo by Linda Nylind.
ABBY BAGNSER: At Frieze London, one of the major highlights is the number of ambitious solo presentations across the fair, including an immersive installation by James Turrell at Kayne Griffin Corcoran and monographic presentations by female artists such as Francis Upritchard (Kate MacGarry, London) and Channa Horwitz (Ghebaly Gallery, Los Angeles), as well as P.P.O.W.‘s ambitious presentation representing five decades of feminism with works from artists Carolee Schneemann, Betty Tompkins, Portia Munson, Aurel Schmidt, and Erin Riley.
At Frieze Masters, there are fascinating juxtapositions of period and genre, including through innovative gallery collaborations. This year, we’re really looking forward to Salon 94 (New York) and Bernard de Grunne (Brussels)’s presentation of figurative works by Judy Chicago with African and Oceanic sculptures on their stand that has been designed by the architect David Adjaye. There are also a number of extraordinary objects that will be on view at the fair, including an Egyptian mummy mask from the 26th Dynasty (Ariadne Galleries, New York) and Les Enluminures (New York)’s presentation of illuminated manuscripts, miniatures, and Medieval and Renaissance gold rings.
WW: Can we expect anything brand new from this year’s program and/or special curated sections?
AB: This year at Frieze London, we are pioneering a new section, “The Nineties,” which will revisit groundbreaking exhibitions from the decade and highlight important collaborations between dealers and artists. Curated by Nicholas Trembley, key highlights there will include Massimo De Carlo gallery (Milan)’s stand which will revisit Aperto 1993 at the Venice Biennale, a recreation of Wolfgang Tillmans very first exhibition at Daniel Buchholz’s gallery in 1993, and an installation of Karen Kilimnik‘s presented by 303 (New York).
At Frieze Masters, we are introducing a new curator for our “Spotlight” section—Toby Kamps from The Menil Collection in Houston. “Spotlight,” which brings together thoughtfully designed, museum-quality single artist presentations to reveal foundational movements in art by pioneering 20th-century figures worldwide, has also grown this year to 21 stands, featuring an international selection of artists from India, Western and Eastern Europe, as well as the United States.
WW: Are there any emerging galleries or artists that we should especially keep our eyes open for?
AB: Absolutely! Our “Focus” section, a longtime highlight of Frieze London, showcases emerging talents worldwide, features 36 galleries that are 12 years of age and under. The section includes strong representation from new-generation London galleries, as well as the emerging scenes in New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Shanghai, and Berlin. Some highlights in this year’s fair include Chewday’s Frieze debut, presenting work by Gabriele Beveridge, and Southard Reid presenting works by Celia Hempton. Taiwan and Guatemala will also be represented at Frieze London for the first time with Chi-Wen Gallery bringing works by Yin-Ju Chen, and Proyectos Ultravioleta presenting works by Elisabeth Wild and Vivian Suter.
WW: Where do you like to wind down after a long day at Frieze London?
AB: I like joining friends at gallery dinners and seeing how everyone is enjoying the week, getting a sense for what their highlights have been. Two of my favorite spots for dinner are Bocca di Lupo and Quo Vadis. A drink at a hotel bar such as Claridge’s or Dukes is also always a treat.
To read more about Frieze London 2016, pick up the latest copy of Whitewaller in London this week.
