I’m writing this post on Sunday the 20th of October. This time last week I was attending Frieze London, the annual art fair that, according to Harper’s Bazaar, is the “biggest event in the contemporary arts calendar.”
This was the first time I’d attended Frieze in a number of years. Back when I was a professional gad about town seeking out a living through blogging and journalism-ing, Frieze Week was a significant opportunity to make much of all the art world hubbub. I’d slide in early to the preview before the fair’s official opening and attend a bunch of satellite happenings and related events, aiming to stay aware of all the arty activity and chronicle my experience in doing so.
This go round, I managed to make it to the last day of Frieze and roam through it for a few pleasant hours. I’m pleased to report I still got in with media accreditation and that I really enjoyed the chance to admire a lot of great art.
It was also fun for me to remember what life was like for me, say, ten or twelve years ago compared to now. I’ve often found strolling alone through art museums, galleries and fairs to be an excellent way for me to sort through my thoughts while also allowing my mind to wander to wherever the art seems lead it. My return to Frieze held with that pattern to provide the space to navigate my inner and outer worlds simultaneously.
As for the festival and of course, the art – great stuff! Inspiration and stimulation were on offer in ample supply.
Highlights included the following:
Benedikte Bjerre’s The birds, 2017 (palace enterprise, Copenhagen) – an installation of helium-inflated foil penguins (about a metre tall) that charmed everyone who passing by them;
David Renggli’s Crambambuli acrylic on wood and jute net with aluminium frame (Galeria Casado Santapau, Madrid); and
Elizabeth Magill’s Aubabe oil and pastel painting, 2024 (Kerlin Gallery, Dublin).
To be sure there’s plenty more, but just scrolling back through my pics on my phone, the ones of the above mentioned works that had me stop to admire just before I sat down to draft this post. After publishing this post, I intend to upload photos of the above works and more on my Instagram, @chris.osburn.
For more about Frieze London go to frieze.com/fairs/frieze-london.
