Frieze is a very British modern art occasion, and as part of our love of all things British we sent Art Consultant Oliver Durey to report back from Frieze 2011.
This year’s Frieze Art Fair was once again a truly British affair as Regent’s Park played host to over 170 galleries from around the world under glorious sun-drenched (well most of the time) canvas.
The mood was cautiously upbeat as both collectors and the public turned out in force to view some of the finest contemporary art available. Thomas Dane Gallery attracted a constant buzz throughout the week with Michael Landys’ ‘Credit Card Crunching Machine’ – crowds watched in amazement as this giant Heath Robinson monolith crunched its way through onlookers credit cards, with the brave donors rewarded with a rather wonderful freeform mechanical drawing signed by the artist. The rest of the stand was occupied by a rather gorgeous salon hang featuring among others Bridget Riley and Kelley Walker.
After covering the 21,000 square metres of exhibits we were left in need of refreshment but luckily Mark Hix was on hand with his pop up bar and restaurant, and for a lighter treat Gail’s was on hand in a newly designed space by Carmody Groarke which for the first time allowed visitors to sit out in the open under the canopy of one of the parks magnificent trees.
Come Sunday afternoon the sun was out and the Frieze Sculpture Park bathed in warm autumn light, the star of the show Will Rymans’ Icon: a firm favourite with the passing public.
Words by Oliver Durey.