A is for...
Art. Obviously.
B is for...
Bloomberg. Read his speech in a particularly dispassionate manner, but apparently the Armory show is 'fun, and good for the economy!'
C is for..
Champagne. Free Pommery from 12 - 1 for some. Kudos for being the fair to crack open the booze earliest.
D is for...
Daytime drunks. Following indulgence in above mentioned compacted time frame.
E is for...
Elitism. it still abounds, even across the pond.
F is for..
Faux casual. The Armory Show look du jour; trying too hard to really be relaxed.
G is for...
Gallery girls. The honey traps of the art world.
H is for...
Hectic. The Armory Show is just the start - next up is The Art Show, Independent, Moving Image, SCOPE, Volta and countless others opening this week.
I is for…
Investment pieces: subtle but enduring. Cindy Sherman or a neon light piece by Tim Noble and Sue Webster is top of our wish list from this year's exhibitors.
J is for…
Jolie-laideur. Like gross 'still life' video-paintings by Chinese artist Wang Gongxin.
K is for…
Kissing. Of the air variety bien sur. Though notably less of this compared to European fairs. Americans are clearly frigid.
L is for…
Lists. Press? collector? dealer? industry professional? V.I.P? morning preview? lunch time preview? afternoon preview? pre-opening? opening? I don't even know my own name anymore.
M is for…
Money. It's all about the moolah, all said and done.
N is for...
Next big thing. But hang on, wasn't it supposed to be that other one...
O is for...
Oh god, I'm running out of steam with this.
P is for...
Piers: 94 vs 92.
Q is for...
Quixotic galleristas. Find one who isn't.
R is for...
Roller decks. Stack, swap and repeat.
S is for...
Showcase. Currently ranking high on the most overused words in art speak, alongside fellow siblient, 'satellite event'.
T is for...
Turtlenecks. In surprisingly low numbers, despite the bracing winds.
U is for...
Unfinished. As some of the works appeared to be. And as this A-Z is, before we get to the tricky letters.
(Image on top: Champagne bar at the Armory ; © photo by Natalie Hegert)