Since its founding, the Other Art Fair — a travelling art show that visits cities across the U.S. and abroad — has been focused on bringing new audiences into the traditionally exclusive and inaccessible art world.
The show returned to the Brooklyn Expo Center this past weekend for a fall edition, coming on the heels of a successful fair in the same location this past summer. Ryan Stanier, founder of the Other Art Fair, discussed the company’s central mission and how the fall fair continues to find new ways to innovate the art show experience.
“The art world can sometimes be difficult to enter and we want to provide a place where underrepresented artists can be seen on a larger platform, introducing them to new audiences they would otherwise not have access to,” Stanier said. “We tend to build close relationships with these artists, and we truly want to see them succeed and grow in their careers long after they are featured at The Other Art Fair.”
To increase the connection between artists and audiences, Other Art always has featured artists attend the fair in-person. The fall fair includes 130 artists in total, including creators from around the world as well as those living in Greenpoint.
“Greenpoint has a rich history in supporting creatives and championing the local art community, so it really aligns with what we’re doing at The Other Art Fair,” Stanier explained. “Since the Brooklyn Expo Center is a larger venue, we’re also able to provide more interactive features and large-scale installations that resonate with fair visitors.
“These features help build on that energy that can only be felt when we’re brought together in-person celebrating art and creativity,” Stanier added.
Greenpoint resident and landscape painter Steve Wasterval is among the local artists on display at the fall fair. Wasterval — who has become somewhat of a celebrity in North Brooklyn thanks to an ongoing hidden art Easter egg he organizes on Instagram every week —- explained why the neighborhood is such a rewarding place to live and work as an artist.
“It’s a beautiful landscape, but not in a traditional, natural way,” Wasterval said. “New York as a subject really is to paint change, especially as a landscape painter. I’ll paint a corner and then it will be different one week later.”
The Other Art Fair features pieces ranging from $100 to $10,000, and encourages first-time art buyers to mingle with artists and find the work of art that resonates with them the most. Similarly, Other Art focuses on shining a spotlight on new trends in the art world.
For example, the fall edition of the Brooklyn Fair includes multiple virtual exhibits that transcend the traditional canvas, incorporating screens and other online components that enhance the experience.
“Interactive experiences are something that our visitors have come to love and expect from us,” Stanier said. “Our team is very much on the pulse of what is trending, so we like to develop special features that will leave fairgoers with a unique experience unlike any Other Art Fair.”
The fall fair is also focused on highlighting the work of emerging women artists, including two featured artists debuting new work at the Brooklyn Expo Center.
Pakistani-Canadian artist Maria Qamar, known Hatecopy, presented a new installation “Saathi Arcade” — a fully interactive experience fusing South Asian pop art, 80’s arcades, underground carrom clubs, digital media, and more.
Similarly, photographer Anna Marie Tendler debuted a new series of work titled “Rooms in the First House,” which explores themes of sexuality and feminism.
For information about future fair dates, visit theotherartfair.com/brooklyn.
