Photo: Courtesy of www.thearmoryshow.com
This Thursday, March 5th, until Sunday, March 8th, Pier 92 and Pier 94 will be hosting the 17th annual Armory Show. This annual art fair showcases international contemporary and modern art of the 21st century. Both piers will have differentiating exhibits over the course of the four day event from global artists, whose work aims to communicate influential and thought provoking messages. This year, a majority of the work focusses on Middle Eastern and Asian culture. And luckily, with temperatures gradually rising into the lower 40’s this weekend, this event makes for the perfect outdoor activity.
Before the festivity begins, on Wednesday, March 4th, the Museum of Modern Art will be hosting a preview kickoff party. The event is titled, “The Armory Party,” beginning at 9:00 p.m. With live performances from singer and songwriter, Kelela, and a DJ set by Alexis Taylor also known as Hot Chip. Special appearances from other DJs include, Business Class, E*vax and Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend.
The Armory Show will be displaying work of Lawrence Abu Hamdan whose work is created from the Lebanese capital, Beirut, stretching over to London. Hamdan is the lead commissioned artist for the 2015 show. His work specializes in political art forms, human rights, and international policies, through a variety of sculptures, photography, and performances. His work communicates the international and local battles of free speech.
Additional projects being displayed on Pier 92 this weekend are by Parviz Tanavoli, featuring his work of Modern Asian and Middle Eastern Art. Carlo Massoud’s work aims to challenge viewers to let go of orientalist and western mindsets and see the world in alternate perspectives.
Carlo Massoud’s ‘Arab Dolls’ (2014) Photo: Courtesy of www.thearmoryshow.com
Pier 94’s work by Omar Kholeif is supported by partners Art Jameel and Edge of Arabia. These installations on Pier 94 also aim to challenge territorial and geographical perceptions. Additional artists are Abbas Akhavan, Ahmed Mater, and Oraib Toukan.
Oraib Toukan’s “The New(er) Middle East” (2007) Photo: Courtesy of www.thearmoryshow.com
Heavily influenced by cultural and geographic attributes, these contemporary work’s ultimate goal is to enable viewers to think differently and expose themselves to art that transcends the boundaries of the western world into an international realm. Tickets are available on the The Armory Show’s website, as well as an in-depth synopsis’ of each individual artists project. Don’t miss out on a culturally enriching experience at the 17th annual Armory Show this March 5th to March 8th.
– by Yasmine Rimawi
