Artexpo New York: new art, new look in the Big Apple

Artexpo New York, the world's largest premier fine and popular art fair, will hold its 28th annual exposition ("Big Art. Big Apple") March 2-6 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. Work for all tastes, budgets, and styles will be exhibited while art for both first-time and experienced buyers will be offered, priced from $500-$5,000.

Looking to build on 2005's success (37,000 consumers attended, up from 25,000 in 2004), this month's show will mark the launch of two new sections: SOLO Photo (emerging, independent photographers representing their own work) and The Pavilion (a new "show within a show" created explicitly for the higher-end retail galleries that are showcasing). Moreover, the Platinum exhibitors will enjoy a new look: 12' high white walls with truss lighting, creating a museum-like setting.

The SOLO Photo section certainly should be a center of attention as world-renowned photographer Tom Murray's rare exhibit of the Beatles, "The Mad Day: Summer of '68," will be on display. He also will host a seminar on the "Art of Photography."

At age 25, Murray was the youngest ever to be named Her Majesty's Royal Photographer by the British Royal Family. His star-studded resume of portrait subjects include Elizabeth Taylor, Dustin Hoffman, Giorgio Armani, John Huston, Ralph Lauren, and Sir Dirk Bogarde.

"I know what it is like to be an independent photographer and how hard it can be to make that connection that is going to get you a job," he relates. "SOLO Photo is a unique opportunity for photographers to get their work to not only the top dealers and art critics, but a huge number of members of the public as well. I hope that my collection can help bring attention and public awareness to such a great effort for independent photographers."

Another prominent photographer, Annie Leibovitz, also has lent her efforts to Artexpo, selecting shots for a photo essay contest (entitled "The City") held for young, inner-city students at ICP at The Point in the Hunts Point community of the South Bronx. "The City" exhibition she hosted in October 2005 to raise funds for ICP will be shown at Artexpe, with all sales from the photographs (as well as a percentage of the gate) going to ICP at The Point.

Artexpo New York has helped propel the careers of some of the most-popular American artists of the 20th century, including Andy Warhol, Peter Max, Robert Indiana, Leroy Nieman, and Robert Rauschenberg. Featuring original paintings, photography, sculpture, animation, limited-edition prints and giclees, and decorative art from traditional and cutting-edge artists, this exhibition encompasses the entire spectrum of the art world.

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