Tony Matelli at The Ranch, all images by Art Observed
As Frieze opens up shop for the week on the West Coast, the bevy of satellite fairs and event openings are underway across the city, including the always hotly anticipated Felix LA Art Fair, the brainchild of collector Dean Valentine that spreads works across the halls and rooms of the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt hotel. The show allows a unique mixture of intimate exhibitions and adventurous concepts that felt well-suited to the well-heeled patrons of the contemporary art market, both looking for a good piece of work and a unique experience while buying it.
Cynthia Talmadge at 56 Henry
The fair’s layout and concept made for a bracing, unique event, as collectors and artists hobnobbed by the hotel’s lush outdoor areas, or packed into rooms upstairs in an attempt to view works or get a first crack at a desired piece. Sales were brisk, and attendees were particularly engaged as they passed through the various spaces where art was on view. At The Ranch, one could view work by Peter Saul and Tony Matelli, including a comical bust capped off by a footlong hero sandwich.  In another space, one could view works by Robert Zehder at Mrs., a set of subtle, meditative landscapes that emphasized an attentive and patient hand.
Other highlights included new works by Sasha Gordon at LA’s Matthew Brown Gallery, careful portraiture that included slight surreal inflections that called to mind similar investigations of the portrait by Maria Lassnig, while at One Trick Pony, artist Michael Haight was showing swirling abstract compositions tucked into shelving.
Robert Zehder at Mrs
Considering the ever-growing stature of Los Angeles’s local arts community, and the growing number of locally-focused galleries and young artists in the city, Felix seems to have taken up a strong position amongst the local residents of the city, as well as those further afield who have maintained a close connection to the city’s arts community. The fair’s concept promises for an interesting next few years as these connections are further cultivated and strengthened.
The fair closes today, February 20th.
Michael Haight at One Trick Pony
Karolina Jablonska at Raster
Judith Bernstein at Kasmin Gallery
John Giorno at Moran Moran
Jiang Cheng at Downs and Ross
Jessica Staller at P•P•O•W
Hugh Hayden at Clearing
– D. Creahan
Read more:
Felix Art Fair [Exhibition Site]
