Arts Week miniguide

The Armory Show: International Fair of New Art and the Armory Show: Modern

What’s it all about? The IFNA is the best-known contemporary-art fair in New York, and one of the biggest in the world; serious collectors have flocked to it since 1999. This year, see works from 176 international galleries. The Modern show is ancillary to the IFNA; 67 dealers will showcase, with a focus on historically significant works, and blue-chip contemporary works (think Richard Prince).

What can I do besides stare at pictures? Eat and drink your way across the exhibition spaces—there are multiple restaurants and lounges—or meet the artists. At Ronald Feldman’s booth, hang with Christine Hill and peruse her “Volksboutique Armory Apothecary,” where she’ll sell “remedies” for contemporary ailments. Along Pier 94, you’ll find Kenny Scharf painting a huge, cartoon-style mural. You might even be able to hail his souped-up golf cart, Carzy Roy-Al (we’re told it’ll be driven by “a spaceman”) for a free ride between piers. On Wednesday 4, pony up for a sneak-peek preview at the Piers, followed by a benefit party for MoMA and P.S.1., featuring Gang Gang Dance and a DJ set by Justin Miller of DFA.

Hook me up! Piers 92 (Modern) and 94 (IFNA), Twelfth Ave between 52nd and 55th Sts (212-645-6440, thearmoryshow.com). Mar 5–7 noon–8pm; Mar 8 noon–7pm. $30 per day, students $10, combination day pass to the Armory Show and VOLTA NY $40, four-day pass $60. Shuttles run every 20 minutes between the Armory Show and VOLTA NY, Mar 5–8 2–9pm. Preview party and benefit: Museum of Modern Art, 11 W 53rd St between Fifth and Sixth Aves (moma.org/armoryshow2009). Wed 4 8:30–11pm, $100 and up (includes Armory Show preview access 6–8pm and entry to the party).

WIN BIG!
We’re giving away a pair of tickets to the Armory Show preview and MoMA/P.S.1 after-party benefit on Wed 4. For a chance to win, e-mail a JPEG of your best napkin drawing to ownthiscity@timeoutny.com.

NEXT: Sanford Smith’s Works on Paper Fair >>

The Armory shows	Sanford Smith	International ArtExpo	Fountain Art Fair
Scope	VOLTA	Bridge Art Fair	Pulse Art Fair