NY Modernism Fair

NY Times reporter Wendy Moonan reviews the 23rd annual NY Modernism Fair being held at the Park Avenue Armory.The show is titled Modernism: A Century of Style and Design, 1905-2005. More than 70 international dealers are displaying rare and fine arts items ranging from furniture and textiles to glass and silver. Periods represented at this show include Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, Post Modern, and art from the '50s, '60s and '70s.

Moonan reports When Mr. Smith began the fair in the 1980s, modern furniture wasn’t nearly so trendy. Over the years dealers have grown more successful, and more serious about seeking out fresh material. Prices range from $500 to $600,000.

“The prices are fair, and no one is cutting them, but, like any show, everything is negotiable,” Mr. Smith said.

This year there are many showstoppers, including a set of six Frank Lloyd Wright leaded glass windows from his Francis Little house in Wayzata, Minn., 1912-14 (Bernard Goldberg Fine Arts); a lacy, 91-inch-tall cast-iron hall stand Christopher Dresser designed in the 1860s (John Alexander); a huge, rainbow-colored Aubusson tapestry by Vasarely, one of six, from 1970 (Peter Loughrey); a hilariously warped black “Classroom Chair” designed in 1970 by Stefan Wewerka of Germany (J. Lohmann); and a fully furnished dollhouse by Gerrit Rietveld.

To read the review, click HERE.