Freeze Frame - Frieze Art Fair 2009

Frieze 2009 was pretty much as expected: an assault on the senses and emotions but still one of the experiences of the year in terms of the art calendar. There was a slight format change with an area towards the far end branded Frame and housing relatively less established galleries with their space dedicated to one artist. According to Ossian Ward in Time Out this is "stepping painfully on the toes of Zoo".  This new addition, however, really worked. It was refreshing to move into a slightly rougher around the edges environment (right down to a more unfinished numbered flag indicating the gallery stand reference). The dedicated space to one artist gave the eye and mind more time to connect with the work rather than frenetically jumping from one work to another. Such respite was just enough to unlock some energy from ones reserves for round two of the rest of the stands and main showcases. However whether in Frame or the main stands it takes the recognisable or the unusual to really stand out. These were my highlights.

A Travel Without Visual Experience , Malaysia 2009

Pak Shueng-chuen

Courtesy: Vitamin Creative Space , Stand H3

In this work by Pak Shueng-chuen the viewer walks into a dark space and invited to view the work by capturing images with the digital camera provided or with your own camera.

A smaller scale (and limited edition) version of Grayson Perry's 50 ft. tapestry, “The Walthamstow Tapestry.”

Courtesy: Victoria Miro Gallery , Stand G6

This stood out because of the publicity surrounding the image just before the fair and it had the biggest crowds around it - this photo was taken during a quieter moment!

Catherine Story 's paintings

Courtesy: Carl Freedman Gallery , B2

Catherine is a very recent graduate of The Royal Academy Schools and I first came across her work at her and fellow students interim show (Premiums) in February 2008. It was a pleasant surprise to happen across this array of her paintings at one of the main gallery stands.

Peter Halley's paintings

Courtesy: Waddington Galleries , Stand G16

Alan Kane, Collection of Mr & Mrs L.M. Kane, 2009

Courtesy: Ancient & Modern , Stand R9 (Frame)

This was one of the most curious. The artist has taken artefacts from his parents house and displayed them alongside take-away postcards with images of the objects. The objects consist of ornaments, framed watercolours of unknown artists, family photographs and snow globes.

In addition there was a striking and monumental Chantal Joffe, a dedicated Frame space for Susan Collis, a number of small scale paintings on canvas and paper by Peter McDonald some of which I witnessed being sold (in fact, the only obvious sale I noticed during the day) and an arresting Jonas Burgert.

Must see current exhibitions - London Winter 2009/10

Here are a few of the exhibitions which are currently running in London and which I intend to visit over the coming weeks and months.

1. Pop Life, Tate Modern until 17 January 2009

2. Frieze Art Fair 15, 16, 17 & 18 October 2009

3. Ben Ashton, Simon Oldfield, 13 October to 15 November

4. Anish Kapoor, Royal Academy, 26 September 2009 to 11 December 2009

5. Damien Hirst, Wallace Collection, 14 October 2009 to 24 January 2010 and White Cube 25 November 2009 to 30 January 2010

6. Turner Prize, Tate Britain, 6 October 2009 to 3 January 2010

7. John Baldesarri, Tate Modern, 13 October 2009 to 10 January 2010

8. Michael Kidner RA, Royal Academy, 25 September to 9 December 2009

9. Jerwood Drawing Prize, Jerwood Space, until 25 October 2009

10. The Real Van Gogh, Royal Academy, 23 January 2010 to 18 April 2010

The list is in no particular order but I will try and organise myself so that I see the ones which finish the soonest first, the longer running ones will have to wait! Therefore first from the list will be a visit to Frieze Art Fair this week. I have been to Frieze the past three years running and each time I have a rush of mixed emotion from the experience. It usually begins with a mix of excitement and enthusiasm then comes a reassuring surge of energy in the middle and finishes with exhaustion then a "what is this all about anyway" feeling.....I even tried Zoo last year to try and counterbalance the impact. So I thought about not going this year but the fear of not wanting to miss 'something' along with some interesting looking talks in the event listings have persuaded me otherwise (as well as having the chance to catch up with some other artist-friends over lunch).