Frieze Los Angeles 2024
Preview of Frieze Los Angeles's fifth edition and its focus on the local art scene.
Frieze Los Angeles’s Return
Frieze Los Angeles is back for its fifth edition, and this time it is celebrating its first half-decade in the City of Angels. The fair has moved to a new calendar slot two weeks later than previous editions, and it is being held at a single location, unlike last year's edition which took place at multiple facilities at the Santa Monica Airport. This year, the fair features around 95 exhibitors, including 14 newcomers, and is housed in a sprawling tent designed by the architecture firm Why.
The Focus sector, showcasing galleries opened in the past 12 years, is curated by Essence Harden from the California African American Museum. Twelve galleries are part of the Focus sector, eight of which are making their debut at the fair. This year's fair also reflects the growth of the gallery scene in Los Angeles, with nearly half of the exhibitors having a presence in the greater Los Angeles area. International galleries such as Lisson Gallery, Gladstone Gallery, Perrotin, and David Zwirner have also opened outposts in the city.
Christine Messineo, Frieze's director for the Americas, emphasizes the importance of looking beyond the blue-chip galleries and exploring the broader art landscape of Los Angeles. She points out the emergence of new galleries in the city, like Emma Fernberger and Babst Gallery, and highlights their contributions to the art scene. The presence of Asian galleries, such as Bank, MadeIn Gallery, and Silverlens, also adds an international flavor to the fair.
A Parisian in Los Angeles
Perrotin, a global gallery, is making a commitment to Los Angeles beyond its presence at Frieze. Founder Emmanuel Perrotin sees potential in the West Coast market and aims to understand its dynamics. Perrotin's new location at the former Del Mar Theater opened recently with a solo show by the Japanese artist Izumi Kato. The gallery also hired Jennifer King, a former curator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, to lead its Los Angeles outpost. Perrotin believes that the connections between the art and film industries are an asset for the gallery.
Messineo mentions the expansion of local galleries to different parts of Los Angeles as a sign of the city's growing art market. François Ghebaly, a veteran dealer, opened a space in Hollywood last year, while Night Gallery doubled its space with a new outpost. Local galleries like these contribute to the art scene and have a meaningful presence in Los Angeles. Frieze is seen as an important moment in the art calendar as it brings global attention to the city.
Frieze also continues to showcase outdoor installations and programming. This year, the fair has partnered with the City of Santa Monica, and works by selected artists will remain on view even after the fair ends. Frieze aims to contribute to the art community and foster a sense of community gathering.
Outdoor Space and Community
Frieze Los Angeles's outdoor space is a central element of the fair. With athletic fields, a public park, and artists' studios, the fair offers a unique setting for community gathering. The fair's outdoor installations and programming, organized by Frieze's Art Production Fund, feature projects by various artists. This year, Sharif Farrag, Derek Fordjour, Pippa Garner, Matt Johnson, Cynthia Talmadge, and Ryan Flores are among the artists presenting their works.
In addition to the fair, Frieze hopes to have a lasting impact on the art community in Santa Monica. Through a collaboration with the City of Santa Monica, selected works will remain on view even after the fair ends, contributing to the city's growing art scene. Frieze sees itself as a part of this vibrant art community and aims to support its development.
As Frieze Los Angeles enters its fifth edition, it continues to showcase the best of the local art scene while also attracting international galleries. With its focus on the broader art landscape of Los Angeles and its commitment to community engagement, the fair aims to be a global entry point to the city's thriving art world.
