Art-world snobbery gets shelved this week, as six art fairs opening around town tonight or tomorrow make an economy-inspired effort to be democratic and welcoming — even to outworlders (hint: wear black, sip wine, look bored). Can’t tell Pulse from Scope without a scorecard? Here’s one!
Scene: Art-world mecca
Dealers: Deitch Projects, Marlborough, Marianne Boesky, Robert Miller
Patently obvious efforts to be more inclusive: Has slashed ticket prices to tonight’s opening-night MoMA benefit to $100 from $250; Top collectors like Evelyn Lauder, Susan Goodman opening homes for tours.
Celebs you might spot shopping: Lance Armstrong, Mary-Kate Olsen, Calvin Klein
Weirdest performance piece planned: An all-day spray painting of Pier 94 by Kenny Schachter
Specifics: Piers 92 and 94, 55th St. and Twelfth Ave., March 4–8, $30, $10 students
Scene: Scholarly — in a good way
Dealers: I-20, Nicholas Robinson, Magnan Projects
Patently obvious effort to be more inclusive: Theme of the one-artist shows is the universal “Age of Anxiety.†Plus: expanded T-shirt shop.
Celeb you might see shopping: Mera Rubell
Weirdest performance piece planned: Post-modern hors d’oeuvre. Experimental-artist-pastry-chef Tara Strickstein will serve “imaginative flavor pairings combined with a unique sense of social ritual based in art theory.â€
Specifics: 7 W. 34th St., March 5–8, $15
Scene: Scrappy kitchen-sink mix of dirt-cheap and established art
Dealers: RARE, Mike Weiss, Greene Contemporary, 33 bond
Patently obvious effort to be more inclusive: Usually invite-only preview party tonight is open to the public ($100); silent auction features “welding lessonsâ€
Celeb you might spot shopping: David Byrne
Weirdest performance piece planned: “Cheap, Fast and Out of Control†music program offers an Electric Junkyard Gamelan.
Specifics: Lincoln Center Damrosch Park, 62nd St. & Tenth Ave., March 4–8; $15, $10 students
Scene: Packed snapshot of the “emerging†scene
Dealers: Mixed Greens, Schroeder Romero, PPOW, Margaret Thatcher Projects, Freight + Volume
Patently obvious effort to be more inclusive: Video lounge is showing artists’ YouTube-video playlists
Celeb you might spot shopping: Tobey Maguire
Weirdest Performance Piece Planned: Tomorrow, in an eleven-hour performance, Moroccan artist Miriam Cabessa will use her body to roll paint across the floor
Specifics: Pier 40, 353 West St. at Houston, March 5–9; $20, $15 students and seniors
Scene: Salute to global “on-the-verge†art; several dealers from resort locations (Grand Cayman, isle of Capri, Buenos Aires) make this a good place to make friends
Dealers: Art 101, Charlotta Janssen, Double Luck of Beijing
Patently obvious effort to be more inclusive: “ArtOut†service pairs up art lovers and artists so they can “get into their mindsâ€
Celeb you might see shopping: Digital-porn innovator Sergio Messina
Weirdest performance piece planned: In a virtual happening, a Cadillac Fleetwood is demolished online in Second Life
Specifics: 222 Twelth Ave., March 5–8, $15, $10 for students
Scene: Low-key fair for people who hate art fairs
Dealers: Glowlab, Leo Kesting, Brooklyn’s Ad Hoc, Definition, and Front Room
Patently obvious effort to be more inclusive: Copious beer; a “meet the artists†reception Friday night
Celeb you might see shopping: Jon Stewart
Weirdest performance piece planned: None, but there is a benefit for the Swoon collective’s plan to sail floating sculptures from Slovenia to this summer’s Venice Biennale
Specifics: Pier 66, 26th & Hudson River Park; March 5–8, suggested donation of $5