Hamptons Art Fairs Are International Affairs

Didn’t make it to Basel or FIAC this year? Not to worry. Some of the most prominent international and U.S. galleries have taken booths at our Hamptons summer art fairs. ArtHamptons, artMRKT Hamptons and Art Southampton are the big three—and they’ve come up with some exciting events to coincide with their exhibitions. Get your hands on VIP passes for exclusive previews and parties. What seems to separate East End summer art fairs from, say, the Armory Show or The Art Show is that serious buyers and admirers alike are here for la dolce vita. Replace that hurried cab ride and March’s horrific “wintery mix” weather with a stroll through Bridgehampton in the summer sun and it’s easy to see why frenzy turns to fun. Mark your calendars, here’s what’s in store:

artMRKT Hamptons

Back for the third year, artMRKT Hamptons is a Contemporary and Modern Art fair, featuring 40 leading galleries from across the States. The event will be held July 11–14, with the Opening Night Preview on July 11, from 6–7 p.m., benefitting the Long House Reserve, and the Opening Night Party, hosted and curated by Norwood, from 7–10 p.m. Regular fair hours are from 11 a.m.–7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.–6 p.m.  on Sunday. What’s new: This year, there are a few thought-provoking installations to scope out. In the reception tent, you’ll find Building on Sand, a video art piece, curated by Joshua Frankel and presented by The Wassaic Project, which draws attention to our dichotomous relationship with nature. Sotheby’s Collector’s Lounge viewers will have the opportunity to see Foreigner by Asya Reznikov and presented by the Nancy Hoffmann Gallery, where they will be able to walk onto a boardwalk and step into the installed screen. Don’t miss David Baskin’s NO.43 (Still Life), in the reception entrance, presented by
Freight + Volume, a work that references 17th century Dutch Vanitas painting and reinterprets the roll of still life in contemporary culture.

In addition to the installations, there is an amazing lineup of galleries exhibiting: 79th Street’s Galerie Mourlot, Bushwick’s cutting-edge Fuchs Projects, Beverly Hills’ Timothy Yarger Fine Art, the world-class printmakers from Center Street Studio and many more. Southampton’s Tripoli Gallery will be exhibiting a series of wave paintings by local artist Darius Yektai along with recent sculpture by Jim Dine and Bosco Sodi.

ArtMRKT Hamptons has collaborated with Red Hook Lobster Pound, Montaco, Rickshaw Dumplings and Van Leeuwen Artisan Ice Cream to offer tasty bites from gourmet food trucks starting on opening night. VIP and Collector’s Lounges will highlight furniture from top contemporary designers, courtesy of Lead Design & Décor Sponsor, Luxe Magazine. artMRKT will be held on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Historical Society, 2368 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton. Visit art-mrkt.com/hamptons for additional details.

ArtHamptons

ArtHamptons is back for its sixth year, with lineup of partners and events and 75 prominent galleries from 10 different countries. ArtHamptons will be held July 11–14, with the VIP Opening Preview Party on July 11 benefitting Guild Hall. What’s new: “Forty Feet of Fashion—Larry Rivers: A Public Exhibition” will be on view, courtesy of Tibor De Nagy Gallery, as attendees walk between the legs of the artists’ most famous sculptures at the pavilion entrance. On Sunday, July 13, at 3 p.m. David Joel, Executive Director of the Larry Rivers Foundation, will discuss the life and times of the late Southampton-based Larry Rivers.

The West Coast represents with West Hollywood’s Bruce Lurie Gallery, Santa Monica’s Axiom Contemporary and Berkeley’s Gallery Sam. Sag Harbor’s own Monika Olko Gallery and Tulla Booth Gallery will also be exhibiting, along with New York City’s Tibor de Nagy, Palm Beach’s Wally Findlay Galleries and others from Paris, London, and Seoul. On Saturday and Sunday, noon–1 p.m., all ticket holders have the opportunity to view polo demonstrations and mini matches presented by Southampton Hunt & Polo Club. On Sunday, members of Young Collectors Committees will mix and mingle at the Young Collectors’ Fete, 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., at the VIP Terrace. ArtHamptons is held on the Sculpture Fields of Nova’s Ark, 60 Millstone Road (off Scuttle Hole Road), Bridgehampton. Visit arthamptons.com for additional information.

Art Southampton 

Art Southampton, presented by Art Miami, is back for a second year July 25–29, featuring 75 international exhibitors and a strong focus on works of art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The sprawling 75,000 square-foot-pavilion and VIP lounge will host indoor and outdoor curated projects.

What’s new: The New York Academy of Art will be presenting an exhibition of alumni work curated by Eric Fischl, featuring works by Alyssa Monks, Will Kurtz and others. On Thursday, July 25, at 6 p.m., photographer Jerry Schatzberg will be on-site at Nikola Rukaj’s booth for a book signing of Fashion 1950’s and Paris 1962. Those with VIP lounge access will be invited to an Andy Warhol exhibition and panel discussion, on Friday, July 26 from noon to 1:30 p.m., with Warhol experts Bob Colacello, Lana Jokel and Christina Strassfield. Exhibiting galleries include, among many others, New York-based Edelman Arts Inc., James Goodman Gallery, Pace Prints, Munich’s Galerie Andreas Binder, Amsterdam’s Witzenhausen Gallery, Bridgehampton’s Peter Marcelle Gallery and East Hampton’s Vered Gallery.

This year’s opening VIP Preview on July 25 will benefit the Southampton Hospital. From 6 to10 p.m., VIP Cardholders and members of the press are invited to attend the initial viewing of the fair. Southampton Hospital will also be holding their 55th Annual Summer Gala under the Art Southampton Pavilion on August 3, with dinner by Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs and dancing to the Alex Donner Orchestra. For tickets and further details on the elegant summer soirée, visit southamptonhospital.org or art-southampton.org. Art Southampton will be held behind the Southampton Elks Lodge at 605 County Rd. 39, Southampton. Visit art-southampton.com for additional information.