Post Press Release

The 12th edition of SCOPE New York opened its doors with a First View benefit attended by over 4,000 influential collectors, press and tastemakers. Hosted within the historic New York City Post Office, SCOPE’s flagship fair welcomed over 20,000 visitors over the course of 5 days.

Featuring 55 international exhibitors and 20 Breeder Program Galleries, selected by a curatorial panel, SCOPE New York was an incredible first art fair experience for many emerging galleries. Sharon Reaves of Reaves Projects, exclaims, “I’m thrilled! It was my first time at SCOPE and it has exceeded all my expectations,” Another newcomer reporting great sales, Parlor Gallery contends, “SCOPE was fantastic- visitors were very enthusiastic.” Similarly, Charlie Grosso of Baang & Burne Contemporary described artworks from Sophia Wallace as “flying off the walls”, also reporting significant museum interest. An unparalleled introduction to the contemporary art market, SCOPE’s Breeder Program was a wild success for all selected galleries.

SCOPE Exhibitors from four continents and eighteen countries were welcomed by an intelligent and discerning crowd. Describing his first experience at SCOPE, Fred Torres of Fred Torres Collaborations states: “I love this fair! Sales were unbelievable; we made a lot of people happy.” SCOPE alumnus Waterhouse and Dodd reported multiple sales with “museum-quality collections in the private sphere”, saying: “This fair has been fantastic, we sold the largest most expensive piece in the booth at the VIP Preview and since then it’s been steady sales. We’re very happy, making lots of great contacts and looking forward to the fair in Basel!”

After tremendous sales in SCOPE Miami, Spoke Art’s New York sales were equally impressive, having sold out works by Alessandra Maria to “some great local collectors, which is what we were here for.” Also reporting a nearly sold-out show, Thinkspace exclaimed, “SCOPE is awesome,” while newcomer Fabien Castanier Gallery describes SCOPE as “very fabulous”, reporting numerous sales from artists Rero and Jonone.

Many exhibitors reported meaningful exchange with several curators, as SCOPE New York welcomed museums and private collections such as: The MAC, Dallas; Museum on the Seam, Israel; The Finnish Cultural Institute; The Cleveland Clinic; Brooklyn Museum; Roanoke Art Museum, Virginia; The New Museum, NYC; Los Angeles MoCA, among others.

Placing a work by F. Lennox Campello with the Jordan Schnitzer Museum at the University of Oregon, Alida Anderson Projects says, “This is the first time we’ve done SCOPE and it’s gone really well for us. Out of 8 years doing fairs, it was the best opening we’ve ever had.” Additionally, The Silvermine Arts Center in Connecticut acquired a Kenji Sugiyama work from Standing Pine-CUBE, and The Goss Michael Foundation in Dallas acquired a work from La Lanta Gallery.

Press was in no short supply, as critics wandered the aisles, engaged in what Artinfo called a “subtle, refined array of quality artworks.” Standouts included Whitehot Presents, featured in Art Fag City; Baang & Burne Contemporary featured in Hyperallergic; Ron English featured in ArtSlant. Most noteworthy was Quebec Savoir Faire, a presentation of 11 galleries curated by AGAC - The Contemporary Art Galleries Association, which was the subject of an article in Artinfo.

Known for dynamic programming that infuses art into related creative genres, SCOPE’s off-site events were at maximum capacity, with lines of eager attendees assembling amidst the snow. Partnering with Creem Magazine, SCOPE’s VIP event, The One Fifty, was hosted on the rooftop of Hotel Americano, featuring cocktails by pioneering Ilegal Mezcal and Perrier, with music by DJ Graze and a special performance by Jasmine Solano. The following evening, recently re-vamped Marquee opened its doors to SCOPE’s Official Party, welcoming 1000 exhibitors and VIPs with cocktails by 42BELOW.

Curated by Brass Tacks, SCOPE’s Screening Series at Soho House, featured short films from Random Acts, organized by Protein and UK’s Channel 4; Afro-Punk’s compelling artist documentary The Triptych, directed by Terence Nance; Imagination Unleashed: An Artisan’s Journey, documenting the road to Miami for the winners of Bombay Sapphire’s Artisan Series. With sponsored cocktails by Bombay Sapphire, invited guests enjoyed Q&A sessions with Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic, Terence Nance, Barron Claiborne, Danny Simmons and Lauren Lazin.

In technology, the new SCOPE Art App powered by Collectrium was met with open arms as collectors, show visitors, and exhibitors utilized its many features including its sharing abilities. Now galleries can share their showcase via Facebook, Twitter, and Mail with the touch of a screen. SCOPE again leads the art fair world into the future of sharing. The SCOPE Art App for iPad & iPhone is available for download in the App Store.

An innovator with strategic partnerships and brand alignments, SCOPE New York welcomed the famed Sons of Essex as its official caterer, and was delighted to feature complimentary beverages from Ilegal Mezcal, Perrier & Mercy, a satellite bookshop by Rizzoli,  and nearly a dozen press partnerships, including Art Nerd in collaboration with Google Field Trip.

For VIP First View, Celebrity Cruises offered signature Jack Daniels cocktails to a high-profile crowd, drawing attention to its “See to Sea Raffle”. In partnership with The SCOPE Foundation, the lucky winner, Tommy Kearns, will receive a VIP Package for 2 at SCOPE Miami 2013 and a 5 night Western Caribbean cruise for two (2) in a veranda stateroom on board the Celebrity Constellation, departing from Ft. Lauderdale directly after SCOPE Miami.

The unique energy and air of innovation that surrounded SCOPE New York, will continue for the upcoming SCOPE Basel, which will take place June 11-16, 2013, inaugurating the city’s new Arts District on the Rhine. By presidential mandate from Basel-Stadt, and with unprecedented political support and marketing power from the City of Basel, SCOPE is the anchor of a focused arts initiative, beginning with the fair in June. Apply to join SCOPE: For Information, Exhibitor & Breeder Program Prospectus, please visit: www.scope-art.com
or contact: [email protected].