This year’s Independent art fair offers a contrasting experience to Frieze New York, resembling an assembly line as it unfolds through May 17. The entrance evokes a car wash, with thick yellow plastic sheets hanging from the ceiling. Held for the first time at Pier 36, the venue’s expansive, warehouse-like setting features orderly booths stretching to the horizon. During the exclusive opening night on May 14, attendees, many adorned in blazers and silk skirts, explored the 76 booths.
The fair’s previous edition, nestled in Spring Street Studios in Tribeca, had a distinctly New York feel. This year’s event, however, embraces a more cosmopolitan and international atmosphere. Located on the Lower East Side, it offers a more spacious environment, enhancing the viewing experience compared to last year’s cramped quarters. Hindley Wang, a writer and gallery sitter for Galerie Buchmann, noted the egalitarian layout, adding, “There doesn’t feel like there’s one booth that’s better located, or a better shape than the others.” Artist Jeanette Hayes likened the setup to a “schoolhouse” reunion.
Now in its 17th year, Independent seems subdued compared to its earlier days, with a mature clientele replacing the previous downtown energy. “It felt a bit hungrier last year,” remarked public relations consultant Kristin Sancken. Recent partnerships highlight a potential identity shift: a collaboration with Sotheby’s for its 20th-century edition, now moving to the Marcel Breuer building, contrasts with a partnership with Henry Street Settlement. Despite this flux, the fair remains a platform for some of the most compelling art. “In New York, there’s this endless offer of art all year round,” said Steven Guberek, director of Bogotá-based SGR Gallery, emphasizing the city’s rich artistic landscape.
