Art Extravaganza at Aspen: Significant Exhibitions and Serious Buyers Drive a High-End Auction Scene at Altitude
The Aspen Art Fair, held in the historic Hotel Jerome, kicked off its second edition this week with much enthusiasm and success. With around 40 international galleries participating, the fair more than doubled its exhibitor count from last year, offering a unique cultural experience in the scenic Rocky Mountains environment.
Despite concerns in the art world about having too many fairs, many galleries chose to add the Aspen Art Fair to their calendar. The fair's boutique setting, combined with its intellectual programming and focus on quality over scale, appeals to galleries wanting to build stronger connections with collectors and patrons in a less crowded market atmosphere.
The first day of the fair saw total sales hovering around $2 million, a promising start for the event. Among the buzziest rooms was "A (Hotel) Room of One's Own," presented by art adviser Wendy Cromwell and 74th Arts, with multiple sales ranging from $17,000 to $95,000.
Sean Kelly, a blue-chip gallery, brought works by Ana González, Sam Moyer, and Hugo McCloud to the fair, priced between $22,000 and $85,000. Young galleries like Palo and El Apartamento, with programs strong enough to stand alongside more established names, also made their mark at the fair.
Paul Henkel, founder of Palo Gallery in Manhattan, found the Aspen Art Fair to be hyper-focused and a good place to meet serious collectors. Marianne Boesky, who has a history in Aspen, presented works by Sanford Biggers, Ghada Amer, and Sarah Meyohas at the fair, with prices ranging from $25,000 to $325,000.
The Aspen Art Fair's presentation "A (Hotel) Room of One's Own" was inspired by Miranda July's novel All Fours. The fair's programming also included intellectual panels, collector hikes, and screenings.
Southern Guild, a gallery operating in Cape Town and Los Angeles, sold seven works, including paintings by Mmangaliso Nzuza and photographs by Zanele Muholi, all for $30,000 and under.
The Aspen Art Fair coincides with complementary events like Intersect Aspen, focusing on art, design, and themes such as environment and mental health. This attracts galleries interested in participating in a more thoughtful and socially conscious art dialogue.
If last year was a proof of concept, this year's Aspen Art Fair, with its expanded programming, was a validation that curiosity and engagement can coexist with the art market. As the fair continues, it will be interesting to see how it continues to evolve and grow.
- The art market is flourishing, as evidenced by the success of the Aspen Art Fair, held in the Hotel Jerome.
- Many galleries are drawn to the Aspen Art Fair due to its boutique setting and focus on quality over scale.
- Among the art on display at the fair, Sean Kelly Gallery featured works by Ana González, Sam Moyer, and Hugo McCloud.
- young galleries like Palo and El Apartamento made their mark at the fair with programs strong enough to compete with established names.
- Paul Henkel, founder of Palo Gallery, found the Aspen Art Fair to be a good place to meet serious collectors.
- The Aspen Art Fair's intellectual programming includes panels, collector hikes, and screenings, along with the presentation "A (Hotel) Room of One's Own" inspired by Miranda July's novel All Fours.
- Southern Guild, a gallery operating in Cape Town and Los Angeles, sold seven works at the fair, all for $30,000 and under.
- The Aspen Art Fair coincides with events like Intersect Aspen, focusing on art, design, and themes such as environment and mental health.
- The Aspen Art Fair serves as a platform for galleries and artists to engage in a more thoughtful and socially conscious art dialogue.
- As the Aspen Art Fair continues to grow, it is expected to become a significant event in the art world, bridging the gap between the art market and education, self-development, entertainment, sports, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, travel, and home-and-garden.
