Frieze London Enlists Gray Wielebinski for Scented Loos; Michelle Grabner's Major Gift; Gagosian Shrinks London Presence
For the September edition of Frieze London, artist Gray Wielebinski has been tasked with revamping the public restrooms, incorporating urinal and toilet rim deodorizers infused with a unique scent by Dean's Bottom, which comments on the excesses of the art world. This project seeks to enhance the often inadequate restroom facilities at art fairs. In another development, artist Michelle Grabner has contributed more than 2,000 artworks to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, including both her creations and items from her personal collection. Additionally, Gagosian Gallery will close its two-story London venue after three years, reducing its presence to two locations, while also planning to exit Basel, reflecting a broader trend of downsizing among major galleries.
Key facts
- Frieze London commissioned artist Gray Wielebinski to reimagine its public bathrooms for the September edition.
- Wielebinski is developing urinal and toilet rim deodorizers with a custom scent produced by Dean's Bottom.
- The scent's smell is undisclosed, but the press release describes the bathrooms as 'a site of refuge and exposure'.
- Michelle Grabner gifted over 2,000 works to the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
- The gift includes 300 pieces by 50 artists from Grabner's personal collection, including Mary Heilmann, Robert Longo, Pat Steir, and Victor Vasarely.
- Grabner's donation also includes archives from her tenure at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
- Gagosian Gallery is closing its two-story space in central London after three years.
- Gagosian also plans to vacate its Basel location, as reported by the Art Newspaper.
- Pace Gallery previously announced shrinking its London footprint after laying off 50 staffers and removing 50 artists.
- The closures reflect a broader trend of mega-galleries reassessing their global presence.
Entities
Artists
- Gray Wielebinski
- Michelle Grabner
- Mary Heilmann
- Robert Longo
- Pat Steir
- Victor Vasarely
Institutions
- Frieze London
- Dean's Bottom
- John Michael Kohler Arts Center
- School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- Gagosian Gallery
- Pace Gallery
- Art Newspaper
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- Sheboygan
- Wisconsin
- United States
- Basel
- Switzerland