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This month, Hell’s Kitchen and Hudson Yards can claim to be the art and soul of New York City! The Armory Show debuts at the Javits Center this week — and there’s a new outdoor art installation at Bella Abzug Park too.
“I’ve been working with art installations based on ‘endless lines’,” shared artist Niyi Olagunj, who collaborated with David Cavaliero to produce an interactive sculpture in the park on W34th Street between 10/11th Avenues. Olagunj spoke to us in front of his art, saying: “David has been working with optical illusions. The shipping pallets here are one of those things that has an endless lifetime. For example, this pallet here might be in Australia in two days, it could be constantly moving. My interest is to remove you from that chain.”
“Untitled” is an installation made of shipping pallets, mirrors and a thick red line — and is part of a new outdoor public art program: Armory Off-Site. It’s a partnership between The Armory Show, exhibiting galleries (in this case TAFETA from London), and city organizations like the Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance. Organizers say: “This interactive installation will invite the public to self-identify and then question their place in the global commercial ecosystem.”
The installation, on display until December 3, is helping to promote The Armory Show 2021 which has moved to the Javits Center for the first time this year. The show starts with a VIP day tomorrow (Thursday, September 9), and continues until September 12.
The show, which started in 1994, was traditionally held along the river at Piers 92 & 94. In its new home this year it launches the fall art season in New York and coincides with gallery openings around the city. It’s also a flagship show for the Javits Center, which faced disappointment when the New York International Auto Show was canceled last month.
“We are thrilled for this exciting new chapter for The Armory Show and look forward to creating a spectacular fair at our new home at the Javits Center. September is a great
time of year to be in New York City, and we are eager to align with gallery openings to kick off the fall season,” said the show’s Executive Director Nicole Berry.
Alan Steel, President and CEO of the Javits Center welcomed the show, saying: “We are thrilled to host such a wonderful event as The Armory Show and introduce their exhibitors and attendees to our new dynamic spaces that will raise the standard for event venues nationwide.”
The Javits Center served New Yorkers as a field hospital, COVID testing site and vaccination center during the pandemic. It also completed a $1.5 million expansion of the conference facilities earlier this year.
More details of The Armory Show’s opening times and ticketing can be found at thearmoryshow.com
If you are in the area, it’s also worth checking out the CowParade over at Hudson Yards.