1. The Armory Show
The Scoop: This show—also called the International Fair of New Art—first took place in 1999 at the 69th Regiment Armory (where modern art history was made with the important Armory Show of 1913). The fair is devoted entirely to contemporary art and will show off the work of 1,900 artists from 170 international galleries. In 2004 the show attracted 38,000 attendees. The event affords the opportunity to check out new works by living artists, much of it seen for the first time. The fair takes over Piers 90 and 92 and commences with an opening night benefit for the Museum of Modern Art’s exhibition fund.
Behind the Scenes: Katelijne De Backer is the fair’s director and oversees a full-time staff of three. March 10-14
2. International Contemporary Furniture Fair
The Scoop: The expo follows the weighty fairs in Milan and Cologne, Germany, and brings together 18,000 interior designers, architects, and retail, hotel, and restaurant designers for four days at the Javits Center, where more than 500 exhibitors display the latest in furniture, lighting, textiles, flooring, and interior accessories. The show is the largest of its kind in North America, with 145,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Behind the Scenes: Phil Robinson from George Little Management oversees the planning of the show, and Tobin and Tucker handles marketing and promotions. Metropolis is the event’s sponsor. May 14-17
3. Diffa Dining by Design Benefit
The Scoop: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS benefits from this inspiring collection of unique tabletops. It’s one of the best places to see how top event, fashion, and interior designers are transforming designs for entertaining, and a bellwether of interior style.
Behind the Scenes: Diffa project manager Mark Beckham plans the event in New York at the Hammerstein Ballroom, as well as in six other U. S. cities. The highly anticipated gala is catered by Creative Edge Parties. Feb. 6-7
4. The Art Show
The Scoop: Created and organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) 17 years ago, this show has 70 of the nation’s most prestigious art dealers showing off paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, photographs, and ceramics by artists from a variety of periods. Held at the Park Avenue Armory, this year’s show will exhibit work ranging from the early 19th century to the present. Works of the highest quality are on exhibit, making it a place where serious collectors and major institutions go shopping.
Behind the Scenes: Richard Solomon, president of the ADAA, and Roland Augustine, chairman of the show, oversee the expo, and Sanford Smith & Associates manages it. A preview benefit is catered by Taste Caterers. Press for the show is handled by Fitz & Company. Feb. 24-28
5. Dia Art Foundation Gala
The Scoop: Setting itself apart from the throng of other benefits, this is one party that brings out a crowd laden with top-notch stars of the art and fashion worlds and sponsorship by big name fashion houses like Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Gucci.
Behind the Scenes: Melissa Feldman of MF Productions produces the event. The 2004 gala filled Dia: Chelsea and its annex, and Glorious Food catered. A team from Calvin Klein drew inspiration from neon artist Dan Flavin’s Dia-curated retrospective at the National Gallery of Art. An after-party was at Bungalow 8. Early Nov.
—Mark Mavrigian
Posted 02.23.05
Read about the rest of New York's Top 100 Events...
This story originally appeared in the February/March 2005 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
The Scoop: This show—also called the International Fair of New Art—first took place in 1999 at the 69th Regiment Armory (where modern art history was made with the important Armory Show of 1913). The fair is devoted entirely to contemporary art and will show off the work of 1,900 artists from 170 international galleries. In 2004 the show attracted 38,000 attendees. The event affords the opportunity to check out new works by living artists, much of it seen for the first time. The fair takes over Piers 90 and 92 and commences with an opening night benefit for the Museum of Modern Art’s exhibition fund.
Behind the Scenes: Katelijne De Backer is the fair’s director and oversees a full-time staff of three. March 10-14
2. International Contemporary Furniture Fair
The Scoop: The expo follows the weighty fairs in Milan and Cologne, Germany, and brings together 18,000 interior designers, architects, and retail, hotel, and restaurant designers for four days at the Javits Center, where more than 500 exhibitors display the latest in furniture, lighting, textiles, flooring, and interior accessories. The show is the largest of its kind in North America, with 145,000 square feet of exhibit space.
Behind the Scenes: Phil Robinson from George Little Management oversees the planning of the show, and Tobin and Tucker handles marketing and promotions. Metropolis is the event’s sponsor. May 14-17
3. Diffa Dining by Design Benefit
The Scoop: Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS benefits from this inspiring collection of unique tabletops. It’s one of the best places to see how top event, fashion, and interior designers are transforming designs for entertaining, and a bellwether of interior style.
Behind the Scenes: Diffa project manager Mark Beckham plans the event in New York at the Hammerstein Ballroom, as well as in six other U. S. cities. The highly anticipated gala is catered by Creative Edge Parties. Feb. 6-7
4. The Art Show
The Scoop: Created and organized by the Art Dealers Association of America (ADAA) 17 years ago, this show has 70 of the nation’s most prestigious art dealers showing off paintings, sculpture, drawings, prints, photographs, and ceramics by artists from a variety of periods. Held at the Park Avenue Armory, this year’s show will exhibit work ranging from the early 19th century to the present. Works of the highest quality are on exhibit, making it a place where serious collectors and major institutions go shopping.
Behind the Scenes: Richard Solomon, president of the ADAA, and Roland Augustine, chairman of the show, oversee the expo, and Sanford Smith & Associates manages it. A preview benefit is catered by Taste Caterers. Press for the show is handled by Fitz & Company. Feb. 24-28
5. Dia Art Foundation Gala
The Scoop: Setting itself apart from the throng of other benefits, this is one party that brings out a crowd laden with top-notch stars of the art and fashion worlds and sponsorship by big name fashion houses like Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, and Gucci.
Behind the Scenes: Melissa Feldman of MF Productions produces the event. The 2004 gala filled Dia: Chelsea and its annex, and Glorious Food catered. A team from Calvin Klein drew inspiration from neon artist Dan Flavin’s Dia-curated retrospective at the National Gallery of Art. An after-party was at Bungalow 8. Early Nov.
—Mark Mavrigian
Posted 02.23.05
Read about the rest of New York's Top 100 Events...
This story originally appeared in the February/March 2005 issue of the BiZBash Event Style Reporter.
The Armory Show
International Contemporary Furniture Fair
Diffa Dining by Design Benefit
Dia Art Foundation Gala
