Mayumi Terada’s work usually doesn’t do much for me, but I did like the sink that doubles as a kleenex box (above). Mayumi Terada, Kitchen Sink, 2004, gelatin silver print 29 x 39 3/4 inches, Robert Miller Gallery
Let’s face it, row upon row of flat, representational images becomes really tedious quickly. Which is to say, you have to be a huge photo nerd to enjoy the AiPAD fair (The Association of International Photography Art Dealers), now open at the Park Armory through Sunday. I spent most of my time at yesterday’s press preview circling the space, hoping this AiPAD’s “story” would reveal itself at some point. To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure it ever did, but I did come up with a few observations so I’ll run through them below.
Massimo Vitali, Benicassim Beach, Spain, 2007, at Bonni Benrubi Gallery, photograph AFC
I’d gladly see a Polaroid or two over art fair staple, Massimo Vitali. There’s a limit to the number of aerial shots of beaches we need to see, and this artist exceeded them a while ago. Notably, I saw no Polaroids at AiPAD (though apparently there were tons), which saddened me, since they would have at the very least, provided a break from the monotony of framed objects.
Detail from Gary Edwards Gallery’s collection of approximately 70 American salt print portraits titled “The Face of America”, 1850. 1840-1860
Gary Edwards Gallery offers a diverse range of poorly composed and cheesy vintage photographs, the piece above, uncharacteristically sophisticated relative to the rest of the booth. Part of a larger series of mostly forgettable works, this piece charmingly places the cut out heads of people on top tiny doll clothes. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before of course — I just like knowing that this practice began as early as 1840.
Alec Soth, Weinstein Gallery
Clearly the best booth at the fair, Weinstein Gallery presents a cohesive show of Soth’s latest work. Unlike many other booths, it wasn’t grossly over hung, nor was I busy asking myself questions about how his subjects might have been directed. They aren’t. (Related)
Laura Letinsky at Yancey Richardson.
I can’t say I haven’t seen better from Laura Letinsky. I guess this is why people say good collectors have patience; they wait until the better work becomes available.
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