Frieze New York 2016: Prudent Galleries and a Subdued Fair

Frieze New York 2016 opened with a cautious atmosphere, as gallerists prioritized safe, salable works over ambitious displays. The fair, held at a notoriously inconvenient location, risked becoming a one-day event, with most sales expected on the first day. Victoria Siddall, the new director, had limited influence over exhibitors' conservative choices. Major galleries including Cheim & Read, White Cube, Matthew Marks, Lisson, and Chantal Crousel presented straightforward, reassuring booths, while Gagosian debuted a renewed collaboration with Damien Hirst. Gavin Brown also opted for a restrained presentation. Notable exceptions included Marian Goodman, who showed William Kentridge alongside sketches for his Rome project "Triumphs & Laments"; Fergus McCaffrey, with a stand dedicated to Richard Nonas; and Fortes Vilaça, featuring sculptures by Los Carpinteros. Italian galleries Alfonso Artiaco, P420, and Frutta stood out for their refinement. The special sections—Projects curated by Cecilia Alemani (recently appointed curator of the Italian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale), Frame, Spotlight, and Focus—offered more risk-taking and research-oriented works. Despite the subdued atmosphere, the fair aimed to prioritize sales to top collectors over spectacle.