Market

Frieze New York 2016

Frieze New York marked its fifth edition with more than 200 galleries “from Brooklyn to Shanghai,” now filling the serpentine white tent on the otherwise serene Randall's Island, located between Queens and the northern tip of Manhattan. The fair boasts about its “bespoke structure” and its curatorial chops, with museum professionals such as Tate Modern’s Clara M. Kim, Tom Eccles of CSS Bard, and High Line Art’s Cecilia Alemani overseeing various aspects of the fair’s displays and programming; but the game remains a commercial one. The venture’s financial situation became particularly intriguing when, in mid-April, Frieze disclosed a “strategic partnership” with WME IMG, the Hollywood entertainment and sports-branding group. What that means in practice, or in monetary amounts, remains under wraps for the moment, and didn’t seem to effect this year’s edition. However, art-worlders know that if Frieze ever hopes to contend globally with the increasingly hegemonic Art Basel and its parent company MCH, it will need a major infusion of cash and publicity. For now, here’s a look at some of the interesting sights around Frieze New York.

HG Masters is editor-at-large of ArtAsiaPacific.