The Venice Biennale often gives artists a market boost, and although its next edition does not open until 13 May 2017, some of the artists for the national pavilions have already been chosen—and their galleries have wasted no time in bringing their work to Frieze New York.
Lehmann Maupin gallery (C13) has a number of pieces by Erwin Wurm, who is representing Austria alongside Brigitte Kowanz. Four photographs from Wurm’s One Minute Sculptures series (1997), which show individuals striking a pose for 60 seconds each, sold to the same collector during the fair’s VIP opening on Wednesday. The gallery is also showing Obedience (2016)—quirky cloth sculptures in an edition of five, three of which sold during the VIP opening. Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac (C42) has also brought pieces by Wurm, including his pink polyester sculpture Fat Bus (2016).
Meanwhile, Paris’s Galerie Perrotin (C24) has brought a mobile by Xavier Veilhan, who will represent France at Venice. Mobile N°35 (2015), which sold at the opening, is a take on his previous work for Versailles.
There are a few notable absences, however. Mark Bradford, who will represent the US, and the British pavilion’s artist, Phyllida Barlow, are both missing from Hauser & Wirth’s stand. “We planned our booth before the [Biennale] announcements were made,” says Timo Kappeller, the director of the gallery’s space in Chelsea, New York.
