Alvaro Barrington, Win or lose/choose (2021), via Blum & Poe

Following several years of uncertainty raised by the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Frieze Art Fair returns to the sprawl of Los Angeles for a third year under the sunny skies of the Golden State. Having capped a pair of sold out editions before the pandemic began, this year’s edition takes up a new location and renewed vigor, emphasizing its role as a major part of the early weeks of the annual fair calendar.

Jordan Wolfson, Untitled (2022), via David Zwirner

Imi Knoebelm, Elemente E.1 (2017), via Thaddaeus Ropac

The fair runs this year from February 17-20, 2022 in a new location in the heart of Beverly Hills. Situated at 9900 Wilshire Boulevard, adjacent to the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the new location will see the fair occupy a prime position between the Hammer Museum and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, hosted in a bespoke structure designed by WHY Architecture’s Creative Director, Kulapat Yantrasast, and Landscape Director, Mark Thomann. With over 100 galleries on hand from around the globe converging on the fairgrounds, Frieze LA brings an emphasis on quality and focus, serving as a unifying brand under which many blue-chip galleries will make their return to the city, or make a first contact, as the fair expands on its success in previous years. At Blum & Poe, one can view work by Alvaro Barrington, Lonnie Holley, and Lauren Quin, while Thaddaeus Ropac will present an expansive selection of gallery artists, among them Cory Arcangel, Alex Katz and Imi Knoebel.  Jessica Silverman will also participate this year for the first time at Frieze, bringing work by Davina Semo, Claudia Wieser, and many more.

David Balliano, UNTITLED_0024 (2021), via Tina Kim

Alex Katz, People (2013), via Thaddaeus Ropac

Chino Amobi, Eroicaverse (2022), via Fitzpatrick

Of course, any major art fair event will also see the opening of a range of satellite fairs and events, and Los Angeles’s fair week is no different.  Perhaps one of the more intriguing options for the week is Felix, the exhibition project founded by collector Dean Valentine, which takes over the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard.  Located short drive from Frieze (depending on traffic of course) the fair recalls a similarly scrappy mentality that defined the fairs of the 1990’s, referencing the fairs at Gramercy Hotel in New York and the Chateau Marmont in LA.  Portland’s Adams and Ollman will be on site, showing work by Katherine Bradford, among many others, while at Fitzpatrick, one can peruse work by Chino Amobi and Mathis Altmann. Also of note is the return of NADA, which will present its own booth as part of its ongoing relationship with the fair. 

Elizabeth Atterbury, Returns 12 (2022), via Mrs.

Katherine Bradford, Dark Swim (2021), via Adams and Ollman

Alia Shawkat, Get Your Fantasy Off My Ass (2021), via Spring Break

Also of note  is the return of SPRING/BREAK Art in Los Angeles.  Known for its annual exhibition in New York during Armory week, the event returns for another year in California.  The fair continues its penchant for unique architectures, and equally creative engagements by the artists exhibiting there at a new home, Skylight Culver City, an expansive 30,000 square foot warehouse built in 1940. The former factory site is nestled in the Arts District of Culver City, just a 15 minute drive from Frieze’s Beverly Hilton-adjacent location, while providing a continued assurance of ample space for the exploratory and inventive.

Robert Colescott, Sunday Afternoon with Joaquin Murietta (1979), via Jeffrey Deitch

Olafur Eliasson at Tanya Bonakdar

And of course, who can forget the fair share of openings and events taking place across the city over the course of the week. At Tanya Bonakdar’s Hollywood space, the gallery will host an event for the just recently opened new show of work by Olafur Eliasson, while Matthew Marks will present shows by Anne Truitt and Thomas Demand at the gallery’s LA spaces. Also of note is a show of new work by Sayre Gomez at François Ghebaly, as well as a groups show at Jeffrey Deitch, exploring a range of interpretations of Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass. 

With the sheer scope of the events on offer, LA’s galleries and studios will certainly come alive this week. Art Observed will be on-site and showcasing the best events and exhibitions all week.

The event opens February 13th.

Nikki Maloof, Dinner is Served (2021), via NADA

Leon Kossoff, Family Party, January 1983 (1983), via LA Louver

Catherine Wagner, Dream Kitchen II (1995), via Jessica Silverman

Katherine Bernhardt, Janice (2021), via David Zwirner

– D. Creahan

Read more:
Frieze Los Angeles [Exhibition Site]
Felix Art Fair [Exhibition Site]
SPRING/BREAK LA [Exhibition Site]

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