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…)

The Telegraph profiles the immense demands that the month of March place on art dealers and gallerists each year, with three major fairs (TEFAF, The Armory Show and Art Basel Hong Kong) sending them on a tour to cater to buyers around the globe.  “Fairs are a necessary evil,” says dealer Ben Brown. “I prefer the quieter contemplation of the gallery, but I sell more at fairs, and I make more contacts.” (more…)

The Wall Street Journal evaluates the trend towards galleries moving into Manhattan’s flower district, as many dealers tire of the rapidly increasing rents and steady stream of towering condos.  “The spirit of the neighborhood is dramatically changing,” says Casey Kaplan. “A lot of the conversations I’ve had with artists have been about wanting to break out of the art mall and have a different experience.” (more…)

The Guardian has published a list of the most powerful people in the art world, noting the top “movers and makers” in the current market, among them Jeff Koons, Agnes Gund, Victor Pinchuk, Dasha Zhukova, and Emmanuel Perrotin. (more…)

The Financial Times looks at the “tightening screws” on smaller galleries in the current market, noting the vastly disparate growth rates of different gallery income brackets, and the increasing emphasis on brand-name galleries and artists.   “Today you can go to a super-gallery and for £3,000-£3,5000 get an artwork. And maybe for buyers what is important is the brand,” says dealer Paola Weiss. (more…)

The NADA Art Fair has announced its list of exhibitors for the 2014 edition of the fair in New York, returning to Basketball City on Pier 36 in Manhattan, and running concurrently with the Frieze New York Art Fair this May.  The list of over 80 galleries includes The Hole, Invisible-Exports, Marlborough Chelsea, and more. (more…)

Dealer and gallerist Nicole Klagsbrun has announced that she will close her gallery after 30 years of operation, and will focus on smaller shows and artist representation.“I’m not sick and I’m not broke. I just don’t want the gallery system anymore,” Klagsbrun said. “The old school way was to be close to the artists and to the studios. Nowadays, it’s run like a corporation. After 30 years, this is not what I aspire to do. It is uninteresting.” (more…)

2 Works by Mark Flood at Peres Projects, photo by Daniel Creahan for Art Observed

The Independent Art Fair returned to Chelsea this year, taking up three floors of Center548 with work from over 40 galleries around the world, offering a markedly fresh take on the busy sales rush of Armory Week in New York. 

Independent, New York, 2013 (Installation View) Courtesy Independent, New York

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