Art fair season has arrived in Los Angeles, bringing a vibrant array of exhibitions and events to the city. Frieze Los Angeles, the L.A. Art Show, Felix Art Fair, and the Other Art Fair are among the major attractions this year. Frieze Los Angeles, held at the Santa Monica Airport, features over 95 galleries from more than 20 countries.
Christine Messineo, director of Americas at Frieze, notes that approximately 40% of the presenting galleries have a presence in Los Angeles. The fair includes a pop-up by a South L.A. artist, a large-scale installation by a late artist featured at LACMA, and a site-specific piece by a beloved L.A. assemblage artist. Proceeds from some works will go towards the Los Angeles County Relief Fund and supporting refugees and asylum seekers affected by recent fires.
The L.A. Art Show, now in its 30th edition, celebrates the city’s resilience at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Producer and director Kassandra Voyagis has organized the event to pay tribute to first responders, with a live mural titled “Heroes” by artist Robert Vargas.
Frieze hosts global art showcase
The show offers free admission for firefighters and their families and includes a space presenting art that survived the fires. Felix Art Fair returns for its seventh year at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, showcasing art in a unique setting. Co-founder Dean Valentine highlights the event’s local focus, with notable participants such as Babst Gallery, Fernberger Gallery, and Timothy Hawkinson Gallery.
The Other Art Fair, presented by Saatchi Art, has moved to Atwater Village for its 13th iteration. Highlights include a new mural by Judy Baca, photo portraits by Anna Marie Tendler, and the “MFA’s of LA” section featuring emerging artists from top graduate programs. Global fair director Nicole Garton emphasizes the fair’s commitment to supporting artists impacted by recent wildfires.
In addition to the fairs, several exhibitions are taking place during art week. Helmut Lang opens his first solo institutional exhibition in the L.A. area at the MAK Center for Art and Architecture, while Hauser & Wirth presents two new exhibitions: George Rouy’s “The Bleed, Part II” and David Hammons’ “Concerto in Black and Blue.”
With a wide range of experiences and exhibitions, Los Angeles art week promises to be a rich tapestry of creativity and community resilience, offering something for everyone to engage with and enjoy.