Other Art Fair a brush with the unconventional THE OTHER ART FAIR
With a focus on innovative, emerging artists, plus live music, risqué performances and the chance for attendees to strip down and inspire art, The Other Art Fair is not typical.
“Each day will feel like a different experience. You can have a unique interaction with an artist in person and discover new and exciting work that you haven't encountered anywhere else,” said Nicole Garton, global fair director for The Other Art Fair.
Original work from 140 artists will be on display at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica from Thursday through April 7. The works include paintings, sculptures, photography, mixed media, ceramics and installations. The works are for sale, and the artists will be on hand as well, giving guests a chance to rub shoulders with possible future art world stars, Garton said.
“People can come discover tomorrow's big new stars and top emerging talent while they're still relatively affordable. You get to meet the artist in person, form an emotional connection, see the work up close and then walk away with artwork,” she said.
While patrons will be able to walk around and check out the works throughout the weekend, other experiences will make the festival stand out a bit.
Here are some of the things you can expect at The Other Art Fair.
CUTTING-EDGE ART >> This isn't the type of art show where people are just going to stand in front of a bunch of paintings pondering the meaning of each brushstroke. The Other Art Fair aims to emphasize the wow factor and display cutting edge works of today and the future. One of the highlights is “Vagr,” a monumental, 32-foot-high, hot pink inflatable sculpture in the shape of a tiger created by artist Misha Libertee.
Previously displayed at the Burning Man festival, the piece is meant to raise awareness about big cats facing endangerment. There's also going to be a light show from “Vortex of Creation,” a light-based sculpture by Ivan Butorac. The pyramidal piece is programmed with LEDs that will change colors and patterns.
“It's for people to kind of tap into their unconscious,”
Garton said.
BE THE MUSE, IF YOU DARE >> The fair is giving daring and confident art lovers the chance to take it all off for the sake of inspiration. An activation dubbed “Perceive Me Redux” will let people go into a private studio at the venue and take off all their clothes in front of six professional artists, who will sketch their nude portrait.
And it's all about body positivity.
“Maybe we have perceived imperfections that in our eyes we might be ashamed about or embarrassed about, but through the eyes of artists they might see as really beautiful and unique and different and special. So it's a way to challenge our own thinking,” Garton said.
Guests can then buy their sketches for $25. But unless they buy all six they're going to become part of the show, since the works will be hung in front of the studio. Hey, if Rose from “Titanic” could do it, so can you.
HAVE YOUR CAKE, BUT DON'T EAT IT >> Artist Jasmine Archie will give foodies and art lovers a combo experience
6-10 p.m. Thursday, 5-9 p.m. April 5, 11 a.m.8 p.m. April 6, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. April 7
When:
Where: Barker Hangar, 3021Airport Ave., Santa Monica Tickets:
$25 online and $30 at the door for general admission; $50online and $55 at the door for opening night at theotherartfair.com/la.
with her life-size, faux cake sculptures. Using materials like paint, plastics and plaster, Archie creates incredibly realistic cakes and cupcakes. The artist will be on hand and will drop cake sculptures during the fair.
“Whether you're super into pastries or you're into maximalist design, people have a thing where they just can't get enough of these fake cake sculptures. But you can't eat them,” Garton said.
But before guests get a chance to drool over the sculpture cakes, they'll get to see the naughtier side of pastries when a real cake gets squashed. That's happening when artist and dancer Scarlett Kapella opens the fair with a performance that, according to fair officials, “blends fetish, cake, and art.”