Jenn GarbeeWhat a difference a few blocks make in the theory of relativity of art value. Yesterday, we went to the L.A. Art Show: Modern & Contemporary at the L.A. Convention Center and the Affordable Art Fair at the event deck at L.A. Live, both of which run through Sunday.
To test your eye for blue chip art, in the photos that follow, guess which are from the L.A. Art Show, and which are from the Affordable Art Fair “side” of downtown. We'll give you the show and sticker price afterwards. The prize? Imagine the gallery director resume potential. Right. Turn the page.
First, a little background. At the L.A. Art Show, you can expect plenty of works by blue chip (and blue chip in the making) artists. And the sticker shock to go along with it. Case in point: Just as we were admiring a $1,200 piece that we were wishing, damn it, we could afford, we overheard a gentleman on his cell phone toss out this time-to-get-back-to-work nugget. “Can you transfer $17,000 to my personal account this afternoon?” he politely asked, as if he were ordering a Domino's pizza.
The Affordable Art Fair takes a more casual (hot pink Kim Kardashian-worthy runway carpet and all), wallet-friendly approach by offering works by emerging artists with a $10,000 cap (the majority are under $1,000). That doesn't mean the art here is of lesser quality, at least if you're an equal opportunity sort of art admirer as we are. Both exhibitions have plenty of gems, and sure, some potential canvas paint-overs.
To be extra confusing, there's also Art Los Angeles Contemporary, a fair also happening this weekend at the Barker Hangar in the Santa Monica Airport, featuring local galleries from Susanne Vielmetter to Honor Fraser to Night Gallery, in addition to others from around the world.
Our pop quiz, however, has works from only the two downtown, Affordable Art Fair and LA Art Show. Guess which work is from which of those fairs. For extra bonus points, guess the price:
Credit: jgarbee
1. Silkscreen, edition of six
Credit: jgarbee
2. Hand cut paper
Credit: jgarbee
3. Acrylic on canvas
Credit: jgarbee
4. Rolled paper, calligraphy ink
Credit: jgarbee
5. Watercolor, pastels, ink on paper
Answers on the next page…
Credit: jgarbee
1. Silkscreen, edition of 6
Answer: LA Art Show
“Fractured Girl (Billboard Factory) by Dennis Hopper, 1988. David Lawrence Gallery
$58,750
Credit: jgarbee
2. Hand cut paper
Answer: Affordable Art Fair
“I Took the Girl to Work in Big Circles” (Left) and “It Sounds Fantastic on the Floor” by Annie Vought, 2012. M. Edmunds Art Consulting
$,2700 each
Credit: jgarbee
3. Acrylic on canvas
Answer: Affordable Art Fair
“Giraffe” by Max Neutra, 2011
Max Neutra.
$550
Credit: jgarbee
4. Rolled paper, calligraphy ink
Answer: LA Art Show
“JK 405-BG” by Jae Ko, 2011, Andrew Bae Gallery
$7,500
Credit: jgarbee
5. Watercolor, pastels, ink on paper
Answer: Affordable Art Fair
“Figure 10” by Mark Acetelli, Artspace
$550
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