Upstart THE(UN)FAIR Upends The Uppity

NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- THE(UN)FAIR, an art exhibit unlike any other, launches four days of art surprises for its second year beginning Wednesday, March 5, 2014, in New York City.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140227/PH73240-a)
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140227/PH73240-b)

The creators and producers of THE(UN)FAIR include Mikel Glass, a renowned New York City artist, and James & Jennifer Wallace, co-founders of art consultancy nAscent Art New York.

Highlighting passion rather than fashion, THE(UN)FAIR this year, located again at 500 West 52nd Street, features painting, sculpture, and performances by artists from around the world, like Max Zorn, and conceptual pieces by artists like Zezziou.

Hailing from The Netherlands, Zorn layers opaque adhesive tape on glass to create his art, and meticulously cutting the tape with blades by hand, revealing faces, figures, shapes, and shadows. Featured recently in The Huffington Post, Zorn will exhibit one of his masking tape masterpieces in the U.S. for the first time at THE(UN)FAIR. He recently completed a live demonstration of his technique during Art Basel in Miami's street-art-heavy Wynwood district. Additionally, he will appear at SXSW 2014 a few days after THE(UN)FAIR.

"All the artwork is pretty incredible, and Zorn's work is no exception. Zorn's artistry, unusual medium, and New York debut  make him a must-see in the context of a must-see exhibit of over 100 pieces," said co-curator Mikel Glass. "We're excited to be, in some respects, his U.S. launch."

Glass himself partnered with Sid Reich to create Zezziou, a layered and multifaceted experience of art through live character interaction and storytelling of the "artist" behind a series of social realism paintings. Zezziou encompasses four paintings at THE(UN)FAIR, including the iconic piece "Bjorn Identity," as well as a live, interactive performance--an immigrant with a complete life story and accompanied by family at a showing of his art.

"With the Zezziou artwork, we decided to create a 'show-within-a-show," said nAscent Art New York's Jennifer Wallace, co-curator for THE(UN)FAIR. "The entire experience will layer and build for people in an entirely unique way."

A near-life-size painting, "Bjorn Identity" shows two couples, one young and one older, facing the viewer head-on and carrying miniature versions of themselves in front-facing baby carriers. Quirky, beautiful, and thought-provoking, "Bjorn Identity" has become readily identifiable thanks to its prominent placement both in the exhibit, in advertising, and on THE(UN)FAIR's website.

Just as Zeizzou has a "show-within-a-show," THE(UN)FAIR's thousands of square feet allowed for construction of an idealized, white-walled space within the space, contrasting with the fundamental grit of the overall building.

"While the building dates back to the 19th century and comes with history, Jen and Mikel conceived of a pristine space in the middle of all the decay and transition," said James Wallace, co-founder of THE(UN)FAIR. "The construction provides contrast, highlighting this year's theme of 'Exploring the Divide.'"

A not-for-profit event fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, THE(UN)FAIR exhibition promises a welcoming, exciting art experience--at once fun, wondrous, thought-provoking, and surprising.

THE(UN)FAIR 2014
Press Preview:
Tuesday, March 4th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Registration Required)
VIP Reception: Tuesday, March 4th, 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Official Opening:
Wednesday, March 5th, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Open to the Public:
Thursday, March 6th – Sunday, March 9th, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Admission:
Free and open to the public
Location:
500 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
More information on THE(UN)FAIR is available on the fair's website.
For VIP or press inquiries, please send an email or call Jennifer Wallace at 646-450-4216.

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