Centurion United Kingdom Summer 2021

Art & Design In Focus

Art & Design In Focus Unsurprisingly – at least for those of us who have weathered many previous crises – the art world doubled down on its creativity, and the market adapted. Though global sales of art and antiques fell by a staggering 22 per cent in 2020, for many dealers the loss in revenue was offset by the savings made by not attending art fairs, the budget for which can account for more than a quarter of a gallery’s operating costs. And now, as in-person fairs start to return, the mood is cautiously upbeat. Things will be different; safety will be paramount; but all is not lost. There are, however, likely to be fewer. “The idea of not being on a long-haul flight every three weeks already seems a great benefit,” says Neil Wenman, a partner at Hauser & Wirth, which has galleries on three continents and opens its fifteenth space, on the island of Menorca, on 17 July. “It was really not healthy at all, not for the environment, nor, I think, for our own bodies.” “The calendar had become unsustainable,” agrees Dominique Lévy, co-founder of Lévy Gorvy (of New York, London, Paris and Hong Kong). “We have to ask, what is an art fair? And what is it for? If we go back to its essence, it is to show the world great original new art. But fairs were becoming less and less original.” And fewer might actually make for better. “I think they will become more regional and less global,” she continues. “And we will choose very carefully which we attend: one per continent, and no more than three or four a year.” Dismissive of online viewing rooms, or OVRs, the digital fairs first pioneered by Art Basel to replace last year’s Hong Kong “ Art fairs are always going to be very important. They’re meeting points. They’re about seeing people and shared experience. There are certain things you can’t replace and that can’t just dissolve ” – Neil Wenman From left: La Cra, Harvest (After Van Gogh) (2018) by English painter Ian Davenport at Custot Gallery, Dubai; Dominique Lévy, co-founder of the global Lévy Gorvy gallery American artist George Condo’s Distanced Figures 3 (2020) at Hauser & Wirth in London edition and then widely rolled out by other fairs (“They had their moment, but I found them very dry,” she says), Lévy has focused on taking art to her clients, rather than expecting them to travel. Hence a series of pop-ups in Miami, Aspen and Palm Beach – places “where our clients and our friends in the art community are. They can be small; they can be seasonal; they can be in nongallery spaces,” she explains. “I’ve found them much more alive and civilised because there are possibilities for real conversation. We’ve had incredible success and engagement with collectors and museum curators.” Indeed, shared spaces and shared rentals would seem to be the future. Last autumn saw the opening in London of Cromwell Place, five adjoining architecturally splendid Georgian houses that have been converted into a “hub” for international galleries (from blue-chip New York names such as Lehmann Maupin and São Paulo’s Galeria Nara Roesler to smaller ventures such as Ethiopia’s fastrising star Addis Fine Art), enabling those who sell art to have a base in what is, for the moment, still the centre of the European art market without the expense of permanent premises (though offices are available), and host exhibitions in its 14 gallery spaces. This autumn will also see the opening in London of No 9 Cork Street, two handsome Mayfair townhouses that Frieze Art Fairs is converting into three discrete exhibition spaces, each with a private viewing room, which visiting galleries will be able to use for four-week shows at any time of year, not just during Frieze Week. “The past year has been a time to innovate and find new ways to enable galleries to do business and artists to show work,” says Victoria Siddall, former global director of Frieze Fairs, and now board director of the overall Frieze enterprise, embracing everything from its magazine › PHOTOS CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: © GEORGE CONDO/COURTESY THE ARTIST AND HAUSER & WIRTH; SIM CANETTY-CLARKE; JEAN-FRANCOIS JAUSSAUD; © IAN DAVENPORT/COURTESY CUSTOT GALLERY DUBAI 76 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM

SPECIAL PROMOTION NOTEWORTHY What to have. Where to go. Mayfair’s Transatlantic Grill Reopening this summer, the Colony Grill Room at The Beaumont Hotel is a starry, sophisticated New York-style restaurant with a timeless menu of transatlantic favourites, salads, crustacea, steaks and iconic create-your-own ice cream sundaes. With its elegant 1920s Manhattan setting, relaxed, clubby feel and attentive service, it’s the most glamorous grill in town. colonygrillroom.com The World’s Greatest Cheesecake Born out of Albert Adrià’s (voted world’s best pastry chef) desire to open a dessert only venue, Cakes & Bubbles at Café Royal, features a parade of exceptional desserts including the famous “cheesecake”. Alfresco dining on Regent street is now available, as well as treats to take away so you can spoil yourself in the comfort of your own home. cakesandbubbles.co.uk The Berkeley Beach Huts This spring, alfresco dining heads shoreside with the arrival of five rainbow-coloured huts at The Berkeley, inspired by Britain’s most iconic and foodie seafronts. Serving up made-to-share seafood platters and freshly-shucked oysters, summer favourites are elevated to new heights. Complete with terrace tables and counter dining, The Berkeley Beach Huts bring the Great British staycation to Belgravia. the-berkeley.co.uk Expect the Unexpected Lining Half Moon Street and close to Green Park and Hyde Park Corner, the Mayfair Townhouse is a haven from the streets of Mayfair. Flavours of whimsy make its way through the NEW townhouse’s individually designed guest rooms and suites. What sets us apart? Personalised, intuitive service when you need it, delicious privacy when you don’t. themayfairtownhouse.com