Summer is basically here, and while you probably have plans to head to the beach, what does your cultural calendar look like? One person that has hers mapped out is Vanessa Seis, the Affordable Art Fair New York Fall Director. “Summer is my favorite time in New York City. While others leave for the Hamptons or drive upstate to their vacation home, I love having the city to myself and indulge in the endless, and often free or outdoor programs the city has to offer. I feed off this creative energy and it inspires me as I prepare for the fall edition of Affordable Art Fair NYC,” Vanessa says.
We caught up with Vanessa to pick her brain about her plans and give us the scoop on some out-of-the-box options you can do this summer.
Art Zealous: Favorite summertime activity
Vanessa Seis: I would be lying if I said anything else but surfing. I love getting up while it’s still dark out to be in the water by sunrise. There is nothing more rewarding—It’s challenging, yet so meditative.
AZ: Must-see summer exhibition?
VS: I would say “David Wojnarowicz: History Keeps Me Awake at Night” opening July 13 at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Wojnarowicz was a largely self-taught artist and AIDS activist, and a member of the first wave of East Village artists in the 80s, alongside Kiki Smith, Nan Goldin, Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat. He created an extraordinary body of work spanning photography, painting, music, film, sculpture, and writing, and I’m so excited to experience his work in what’s promising to be the most complete presentation to date.
AZ: Favorite spot in NYC during the summer?
VS: An outdoor concert at the Prospect Park Bandshell with a group of good friends.
AZ: What are your picks for summer activities in NYC?
VS: June 2-October 31, Jacob Hashimoto, The Eclipse and Never Comes Tomorrow on Governor’s Island
June 28th, Peter Rabbit children’s opera hosted by New Camerata Opera, who will also be performing at the Affordable Art Fair NYC fall edition
June 21, Cooper Hewitt Pride Night with Horrorchata and Friends at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
July 27, Tinariwen / Cheick Hamala Diabate at Prospect Park Band Shell
August 12, NY Women’s Surf Film Festival at the Montauk Beach House
August 25, Warm Up 2018 at MoMA PS1
AZ: What can we look forward to for the next edition of the Affordable Art Fair?
VS: There are so many things I’m excited about for this upcoming fall edition, and I’m super proud of what the team has achieved so far: New Camerata Opera, a young, New York-based opera company, is doing a fluid and live opera performance during our Thursday night event, Art After Dark. Lolita Cros, an amazingly talented independent curator who is currently based at The Wing, is curating our Young Talent Exhibition in the entrance of the fair. British artist and printmaker, Adam Bridgland, is creating a beautiful limited edition print exclusively for this upcoming fall edition that is sort of a love letter to New York City. We’re also bringing in a new group of US galleries that I’m very excited about and that should make the fair feel very fresh and different. Look out for our exhibitor list to be announced in the beginning of August!
Are you in the arts and want to share your summer plans? Drop us a note info@artzealous.com!
