NEW YORK.- The 11th annual Editions | Artists’ Book Fair (E|AB) – the oldest and longest running art fair that is free to the public – attracted over 6,000 visitors during Halloween weekend, surpassing last year’s attendance and cementing E|AB’s position as one of the nation’s most popular contemporary print fairs.
64 contemporary dealers and publishers from 7 countries participated this year, reflecting a six percent increase over last year. The fair drew many seasoned and budding collectors, artists, and art enthusiasts. Those in attendance included: Fashion designers Narciso Rodriguez and Andy Spade; collectors Bill Ehrlich, Ann Fensterstock, Kathy Fuld, Leslie and Jo Garfield, and Frank Williams; art advisors Patti Gilford, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz, Todd Levin, Chris Miers, Nancy Reinish, and Jane Richards; curators Susan Dackerman of the Fogg, Cynthia Burlingham from the Hammer Museum, Kevin Salatino of LACMA, Samantha Rippner and Nadine Orenstein of the Metropolitan Museum, Deborah Wye of MoMA, Cliff Ackley from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Innis Shoemaker from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and David Kiehl from the Whitney Museum of American Art among many others.
In a comprehensive post-fair survey, exhibitors described the fair as being “very energetic” with a “lively and intelligent crowd.” Despite the recent economic downturn, many dealers and publishers posted surprisingly strong sales, including Burnet Editions, Columbia University, Esopus, Forth Estate, Granary Books, Virginia L. Green, I.C. Editions, Luïscius Antiquarian Booksellers, XX Multiple Galerie, Jean-Yves Noblet Contemporary Prints, Elizabeth Phillips, Specific Object/David Platzker, and Cade Tompkins Editions.
Art works sold throughout the fair include pieces by John Cage, Bruce Conner, Anna Gaskell, Anthony Gormley, Chris Martin, Yuri Masnyj, Ryan McGuinness, Julie Mehretu, Tom Otterness, Enoc Perez, Raymond Pettibon, Ed Ruscha, Sarah Sze, Richard Tuttle, Lawrence Weiner, Hannah Wilke, and the artistic team Allora & Calzadilla.
In addition, all 10 prints created on-site of a portrait of Michelle Obama by artist Mickalene Thomas and hosted by Brand X Projects, Inc. were sold to benefit the Books for Kids Foundation.
The Opening Night Preview benefiting the exhibitions and programs at P.S. 1 Contemporary Art Center drew over 350 attendees. DJ’s Lovett/Codagnone set the pace for a spirited evening.
During a VIP event on Friday morning, E|AB exhibitors welcomed 138 museum curators and special guests from across the country. Saturday evening, collectors groups from the Cleveland Museum, Fogg Art Museum, Guggenheim, Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA and the Whitney Museum of American Art were welcomed to a champagne reception sponsored by Henriot. The spacious venue and lively atmosphere was enhanced by special events such as the artonpaper talks with artists James Siena, Richard Tuttle and Phoebe Washburn as well as artist Jason Polan’s publication 100 PEOPLE I SAW AT THE EDITIONS|ARTISTS BOOK FAIR created on-site.
This year, E|AB sold over 100 of its limited edition lithographs “Scared of his own ghost” by Marcel Dzama during the opening weekend. The sale of the lithograph subsidizes E|AB’s free admission policy.
E|AB is most grateful to fair sponsors agnes b., Henriot Champagne, Kartell, and Art on Paper.
The 2009 Editions | Artist’s Book Fair will take place 22 to 25 October 2009.
