There are few buildings in New York as closely tied to the history of 20th-century art as The Breuer. Opened in 1966 as the Whitney Museum of American Art, Marcel Breuer’s landmark on Madison Avenue later housed the Met Breuer and Frick Madison before becoming Sotheby’s new headquarters. This year, for the first time, the Independent 20th Century art fair takes over the building — an especially fitting move as it marks its 60th anniversary.

Bloomberg takes a look at the vast number of fairs and auctions taking place this month, and the growing move by these sellers to diversify as the art fair model matures.  “The best collectors don’t just buy contemporary art,” said Michael Plummer, whose New York-based consultancy Artvest Partners owns the Spring Masters fair. “They might have Renaissance painting and antiquities and modern art.” (more…)

TEFAF is currently in talks with Sotheby’s and Beijing GeHua Group (China’s state-owned development company) over a new art fair in China.  “TEFAF Beijing 2014” would place a new edition of the world’s largest art and antiques fair  in the world’s second-largest art market.  “We feel now is the time to further develop our presence in China, one of the most important art markets,” said TEFAF Executive Ben Janssens. “Tefaf is committed to contributing to the further growth of the market for European art in China.” (more…)

Frieze has announced the gallery list for its second annual Frieze New York art fair.  The fair will see 53 galleries from New York join a strong contingent of exhibitions from around the globe.  Running from May 10th to the 13th, the fair will return to its location overlooking the East River on Randall’s Island between Manhattan and Brooklyn, and will again feature a full lineup of commissions, panel discussions and featured exhibitions. (more…)

Another modern and contemporary fair is being formed: ArtInternational Istanbul, which is due to open in September 2013. The organizer is Sandy Angus, co-founder of ArtHK. (The parent company of Art Basel and Miami Basel owns a 60% stake in Art HK). It will be in Istanbul’s Hasköy Yarn Factory in the central Beyoglu district, coinciding with the Istanbul Biennial and running concurrently with the Istanbul Contemporary fair. (more…)

Image: Expo Chicago via The Chicagoist

Expo Chicago opens with a VIP vernissage tomorrow evening to benefit the Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago. Many blue-chip New York galleries are participating this inaugural year, including big names like Matthew Marks, The Pace Gallery, Luhring Augustine and David Zwirner, as well as other international galleries like Yvon Lambert. In the Exposure section, younger galleries like DODGE gallery and Kate Werble will be exhibiting.

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