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Last year, the London-based Frieze Art Fair came to New York, pitched a tent on Randalls Island, and it was cool. The sophomore effort, on view through Monday, keeps much of the formula from a year ago. The 250,000 square-foot custom tent by SO-IL is back with sweeping views of the East River. (All photographs by James Panero).

 

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The special water taxi with regular departures from Manhattan's 35th Street Ferry Dock is still the way to go. 


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But this free service from a year ago now costs $12.50 round trip and requires advanced ticketing. 

 

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Added to the $42 daily ticket fee (which must also be booked in advance), Frieze is anything but free. This year, a red inflatable sculpture by Paul McCarthy is there to keep your mind off your wallet.  

 

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The work also signals that, in the future, all art will only be balloon dogs. 

 

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Inside I liked this gritty sculpture by Marianne Vitale, a Frieze Projects artist, but Sant Ambroeus kind of ruins the effect, no?


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This sculpture by Valeska Soares at Galeria Fortes Vilaca includes real liquor.


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Much like last year, sculpture continued to look good in the ambient light of Frieze. This bronze souffle is by Erwin Wurm of Galerie Thaddaeus Ropac.  

 

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Regrettably, Frieze has also regressed to the art-fair mean. Crotch-shot photographs by Thomas Ruff are in abundance, and there are plenty of shiny things on display. This "Rim Sculpture" by Cyprien Gaillard at Spruth Magers sums it up.

 



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Labor issues have also caught up to Frieze.

 

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The artist Andrea Bowers at Susanne Vielmetter Los Angeles Projects has included this letter of protest with her work--the appearance and dissappearance of which has been a point of discussion. 

 

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Frieze continues to offer interesting aesthetic challenges, such as, Roberta's or Mission Chinese for lunch?


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I was enjoying the mellow vibe of "Food 1971/2013," a special project space in homage to Gordon Matta-Clark and (Friday's chef) Carol Goodden, until I got bumped from my seat by Renee Rockefeller.



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With curated food trucks and hip eateries, Frieze New York is either an art fair with food on the side or a food fair with art in the middle.


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However you slice it, I enjoyed this ice cream sandwich.

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