Independent 20th Century brings blue-chip deep cuts to the Breuer
The fair’s autumnal edition, devoted to overlooked or under-recognised bodies of work from the previous century, is taking over Sotheby’s headquarters
Imagine a serene setting where blue-chip art finds its home—this is the Independent 20th Century fair's vision for the Breuer building in Manhattan. This illustrious venue, once a hub for the Whitney Museum of American Art and now Sotheby’s, now cradles an extraordinary art fair that brings together giants of the art world.
The Independent 20th Century fair, a pioneer in the art scene for nearly two decades, is set to make its debut at the Breuer this September. The event, led by Elizabeth Dee, founder and curator, has seen a remarkable expansion from its initial days in a small gallery space in West Chelsea to a sprawling program of 57 exhibitors and over 130 artists. Dee’s dream of showcasing her curation talents at this esteemed location has finally materialized after years of conversations with Sotheby’s CEO Charles Stewart.
In this grand setting, luminaries like Yves Klein and Lucio Fontana will engage in a dialogue, as curated by Lévy Gorvy Dayan, juxtaposed against Fontana’s exploration of Venice's influence on his works from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s at Nahmad Contemporary. The Breuer’s iconic geometric window will host Lévy Gorvy Dayan’s Klein pieces, alongside Nahmad Contemporary’s exploration of Fontana’s Venice period.
The fair also celebrates 40 years of relational aesthetics with Esther Schipper’s exhibition. This celebration encompasses works by Philippe Parreno, Liam Gillick, Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster, Angela Bulloch, and Pierre Huyghe, showcasing the evolving nature of this unique art form. The fair’s ambitious expansion from its initial 30 exhibitors to around 50 will surely captivate galleries, collectors, and the public, marking a significant moment in art history, as the 60th anniversary of the Breuer’s opening approaches.
Sotheby’s promises to honor the building’s architectural legacy as it transitions to its new headquarters, setting the stage for a remarkable experience for all who visit.
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