One of the leading international contemporary art fairs, Frieze London, returned to the heart of the UK’s capital, London’s Regent’s Park, for its 12th edition. This year’s event brings together 162 of the world’s top contemporary galleries to the UK and features exhibitors from 25 countries.
New York based artist Kaws was heavily present at the Perrotin Gallery, from his giant Companion sculptures to colourful canvases.
Artist Carsten Holler transformed the Gagosian booth into a giant and fun playground Kinder Garten, with oversized dice and giant scrabble, where visitors were invited to squeeze a plush octopus, much to the children’s delight.
With a price tag of $300K, Jamie Lee Byars created a pink silk Hat for Ten for the Michael Werner Gallery. Ten participants, all dressed in black, interact and collaborate in a form of contemporary dance, all connected through the hoods.
Sunny smiley objects from Takura Kawata, Jayson Musson and the Smile Face Museum adorn the walls of the New York gallery Salon 94 with a canary-yellow floor, bringing a happy face to the visitors.
Brit artist Mark Wallinger selected works by different artists in order to recreate Sigmund Freud’s Hampstead study for the Hauser&Wirth booth. In the corner, oblivious to the dialogue between the conscious and unconscious, is Christoph Buchel’s Sleeping Guard. And for 80,000 Euros you can buy the concept, not the man.
The most expensive price tag goes to Damien Hirst at the White Cube Gallery. The two part work of fish in formaldehyde from 1993 Because I can’t have you I want you sold for £4 millions within the first 15 minutes of the VIP opening.
Colour is also a big theme for several galleries, from Yves Klein and Jason Martin at Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac, to Steven Shearer & Lothar Hempel at Stuart Shave/Modern Art.
Photo credit: Butterfly.
