An Ideal Itinerary
As the fairs move forward this year, there's more to do than ever - both inside and out
As the fairs move forward this year, there's more to do than ever - both inside and out
Tuesday 4th October
In town early? Then be the first to check out the multi layered installation by Philippe Parreno in the Turbine Hall of Tate Modern, which opens today. In the museum’s other spaces, spot the ten works currently on display that were purchased at Frieze London between 2003 and 2014 by the Outset Frieze Fund for Tate, and check out the museum’s much-discussed new extension, the Switch House, for yourself. Be sure not to miss the Viewing Terrace on Level 10: St Paul’s Cathedral never looked so good.
Wednesday 5th October
Frieze London and Frieze Masters throw open their doors to those with preview access. Others might fancy a visit to the Barbican to see Bedwyr Williams’ theatrical intervention in The Curve – encounter a talking goat and a depressed hypnotist – then carry on to lunch locally at art-world favourite St John or Shoreditch’s much-fêted Clove Club. In the afternoon, have a look at the Abstract Expressionism show at the Royal Academy – and Dover Street Market’s expanded new offering in Haymarket for window shopping – before heading to the Serpentine Galleries, where this year’s spectacular Pavilion by Bjarke Ingels is joined by a clutch of smaller Summer Houses by five architects, including 93-year-old Yona Friedman. After that, a Martini-dash to the newly refurbished Berkeley Hotel might be in order, or, for dinner, the East End stalwart Bistrotheque has a pop-up in Sloane Street for the season.
Thursday 6th October
Both fairs open to the public and Frieze week is truly underway. At Frieze Masters, be sure to see Spotlight – curated for the first year by Toby Kamps of The Menil Collection – which focuses on undersung work of the 20th century. In 2016 there is a strong feminist presence, with artists including Nancy Grossman and Joan Semmel. It’s then just a 15-minute stroll through the park (or a hop on the free shuttle) to Frieze London, where Swiss curator Raphael Gygax has commissioned six Frieze Projects. Among them (in its UK premiere) is Coco Fusco’s Observations of Predation in Humans: A Lecture by Dr. Zira, Animal Psychologist (2013) – a lecture-cum-performance that draws on Kafka, neuroscience and Planet of the Apes, which starts at 7pm. Between 6pm and 8pm, it’s West End Night, with special viewings of the displays at galleries including Sam Fogg, Annely Juda, Dominique Lévy and Robilant+Voena, as well as Lygia Pape at Hauser & Wirth, Jeff Koons at Almine Rech, Laura Owens at Sadie Coles, Tacita Dean at Frith Street, Tala Madani at Pilar Corrias and Giuseppe Penone at Marian Goodman. Then join the queue at The Palomar in Soho (18 months old, and still red-hot) for Israeli cuisine, or at its brand-new sister, The Barbary in WC2; or make a reservation at Gregory Marchand’s recently opened Frenchie.
Friday 7th October
Be sure to swing by the Koenig Books pop-up to get yourself a copy of frieze A to Z: a celebratory publication of some of the magazine’s finest articles, marking its 25th anniversary this year. It makes perfect preparation for today’s Frieze Talks panel at Frieze London which looks back on the art of the 1990s, (full Frieze Talks listings at frieze.com). Then head over to The Nineties to revisit some of the decade’s seminal exhibitions, from Michael Landy’s 1990 installation Market to Wolfgang Tillmans’ 1993 show at Buchholz. Today’s rising talents, meanwhile, are gathered in the Focus section for emerging galleries, curated by Fabian Schöneich (Portikus, Frankfurt) and Jacob Proctor (Neubauer Collegium, Chicago). This year’s new exhibitors hail from locations including Berlin, Bejing, Guatemala City and New York. Finish up with a Mediterranean snack at the buzzy new branch of Morito in Hackney Road.
Saturday 8th October
Take the morning to experience the five performance and participatory works that make up Frieze London’s Live – including one by Egypt’s Mahmoud Khaled – at its new location in the Focus section’s central square. Refuel with small plates from Peckham-based pop-up Artusi for or a more indulgent lunch, book the Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli at Frieze Masters. Then saunter through Collections, where Sir Norman Rosenthal has curated a series of intimate presentations of De Stijl furniture, Russian constructivist ceramics and other highly collectible, museum–quality works. If you’re inspired to start assembling your own collection, consider a session with Frieze Bespoke, which offers tailored introductions to art and dealers, to suit your individual taste and budget (bookable through frieze.com). Saturday night is East End Night, when dealers including Carlos/ Ishikawa, Herald St, Stuart Shave/ Modern Art and Maureen Paley – with new works by Maureen Gallace – will be welcoming visitors after hours, as will influential non-profits Chisenhale Gallery (showing Peter Wächtler).
Sunday 9th October
Catch one of the Frieze Masters Talks, which are curated this year by Jennifer Higgie of frieze and Frieze Masters magazines, and Tim Marlow of the Royal Academy – then hit some fresh air at the Frieze Sculpture Park. The selection by Clare Lilley, Director of Programme at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, features outdoor work by Lynn Chadwick, Jean Dubuffet, Goshka Macuga, Alicja Kwade, Claes Oldenberg and more (download the Frieze Sculpture Park Guide app for Lilley’s audio commentary, courtesy of the Art Fund). Your apricot and wild honey ice cream from La Grotta Ices – find them on the deck at Frieze London – will be well deserved.
